Transfer Students

F-1 students who are maintaining their immigration status are eligible to transfer their status within 60 days of the I-20 program end date of their previous institution as long as they start their program at Richmond within 5 months of ending their previous program. If it is more than 60 days after the I-20 program end date at the previous institution and more than 5 months will pass between the end of the previous program and the program start date at Richmond, you are not eligible to transfer your F-1 status. You must depart the United States and make a new entry as an F-1 student using a new I-20 from Richmond.

Without Leaving the United States

F-1 students may transfer their status without leaving the United States by following these procedures. Newly admitted first-year undergraduate students should email intladm@richmond.edu for instructions on receiving their I-20s – the instructions on this page are only for F-1 graduate students transferring their status to Richmond.

  • Submit the I-20 authorization form, Certification of Finances, and Transfer-in Instructions. Provide a copy of the Transfer-in Instructions to the international student advisor at your current institution.
  • Once the University of Richmond receives your forms, the University will transfer in your I-20 from your previous institution to Richmond on the transfer date and issue you a new I-20.
  • Within 15 days of enrollment at the University, complete the post-arrival tasks found in your International Student and Scholar Requirements section in GatewayAbroad. You will receive instructions about accessing GatewayAbroad.

By Leaving the United States

  • Students may enter the United States in F-1 status by following the aforementioned procedures. If your visa stamp from your previous institution is still valid, you can use it to enter the United States, along with your new I-20 from the University of Richmond, as long as you have been outside the United States for no more than five months. If your F-1 visa stamp is expiring, you will need to use the University of Richmond's I-20 to apply for a new F-1 visa stamp at the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. 
  • Keep your previous I-20s for your records and use your University of Richmond I-20 to enter the United States. At the port of entry, the immigration official will process these forms, thereby effecting your transfer.