Transferring in to Syracuse University

For F-1 & J-1 students transferring to Syracuse University.

To receive your transfer I-20 or DS-2019:

1. Receive an admission letter from SU.
2. Complete the SU Transfer-In Form. You should complete Section A of the Transfer-In form. Please have your International Student Advisor fill out Section B.
3. Next, please scan it and e-mail it to Ms. Tracee Senti at tsenti@syr.edu with the subject line of Transfer-In Form, or email it to the attention of Ms. Angelina Romano Stroup at arstroup@syr.edu.
4. After the Transfer-In Form is received and it is past the release date indicated on it, Syracuse University will issue a new I-20/DS2019.
5. If you indicated on the form that you will remain in the US, you can pick up the document from the Slutzker Center for International Services when you arrive at Syracuse University.
6. If you indicated that you will travel out of the US after completing/leaving your previous school or university and before you will attend Syracuse University, we will mail the form by regular airmail to the address that you provided (airmail can take 3 to 4 weeks to be received overseas). If you would like to receive your document quicker, you are welcome to pay for express mailing (you should receive it overseas in approximately a week). Click here for document shipping options.

• All Students: It is mandatory that you report in person to the Slutzker Center for International Services (SCIS) upon your arrival to Syracuse University.

• F1 students: It is your responsibility to maintain valid health insurance at all times, including for your dependents if applicable. This can be purchased upon arrival though the Syracuse University endorsed plan. You will be required to submit proof of an approved health insurance plan within a week of arrival.
• J1 students: The Immigration Regulations require you to maintain valid health insurance throughout your stay in the United States as a
  J-1 student. If you have any dependents on J-2 visa, they must be covered by the insurance as well. Upon arrival, you will be required to submit a copy of your valid health insurance (and your dependents' insurance, if applicable) that meets the U.S. Department of State requirements.
• Please remember that you must arrive early enough before the start of classes to check in with the Slutzker Center (SCIS), find housing, and attend the International Student Orientation. For Orientataion dates please check here.
• If you are not a Canadian citizen, you need to check your visa stamp to make sure that it will be valid upon re-entry to the United States.
• (Unexpired Visa) You do not need to apply for a new visa stamp if your current one is still valid. Despite the fact that your current visa F1 / J1 stamp indicates your previous school, you will be able to use it to re-enter the US when using your Syracuse University transfer pending I-20 / DS-2019.
• (Expired Visa) If you are going to travel out of the US with the transfer pending I-20 or DS-2019 and your previous F1 or J1 visa has expired, you should use the Transfer Pending I-20 or DS-2019 to obtain a new visa stamp for your passport. If you do not have a valid visa, you need to obtain the visa appropriate to the document that you are requesting. Please contact the U.S. Consulate in your home country for application procedures. Be prepared to present financial documentation with the I-20 / DS-2019 document when you apply for the visa. As a transfer student, you are not required to pay the SEVIS fee again unless you no longer have proof that you have paid it. You should carry all of your previous I-20 or DS-2019 forms to your visa interview and when entering the US in the event that you are asked further questions about your previous status.
• (Port of Entry) You may be asked to show your financial support statement again, when entering the US.
  
  1. Entering by Land: A form I-94 arrival/departure record will be formally issued to you at the cost of six dollars ($6) in US currency (you strongly encouraged to have the $6 USD in cash because the I-94 must be issued before you reach the foreign exchange window, if you are entering the US by land).
  2. Entering by other methods: The name on your I-94 document you complete in the airplane just prior to arrival must match your name on your passport and on your I-94.
  

  • Pre-Arrival Information:

    It is very important that you read the pre-arrival documents listed below. They are available on our website at http://international.syr.edu/todo_list.htm

    (i) Preparing for Your Arrival, (ii) Health Form (iii) Essential Medical Information, (iv) Health Insurance, (v) Immunization, (vi) Housing, and (vii) Things To Do Upon Your Arrival.

    Please take the time to review this Pre-Arrival information

    Upon arrival to Syracuse University you must do the following:

    Travel and visa information:

    Please note that due to increased scrutiny, your name on the documents I-20 or DS-2019 and I-94 should reflect the way your name is presented on your passport. If the name on your I-20 or DS-2019 is not accurate, please let us know immediately. There is an exception to this guidance for students who only have a first name and do not have a last name. For these students, we will put your first name in the last/family name field of the I-20/DS-2019 instead of the first/given name field as is required by immigration.

    All students arriving in the US will be digitally photographed and have their fingerprints taken by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

    First Day in Syracuse:

    It is expected that you will report to the Slutzker Center (SCIS) during our business hours of Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm (8:00am - 4:30pm during the summer) on your first week day in Syracuse to attend to necessary matters and begin your mandatory orientation program.

    Please remember that you will need to arrive early to check in with the Slutzker Center (SCIS), find housing, and attend the International Student Orientation.

    F1 students only: If you have checked in with SCIS, entered your current address into MySlice and are registered as a full-time student, SCIS will register your record in SEVIS. Approximately 2 to 4 weeks after classes begin. At that time we will issue "Continued Attendance" I-20's. You will be notified by e-mail about when you can pick up the updated I-20 from SCIS. You must pick up the Continued Attendance I-20, as it will be the most current I-20 and will be the one you use for travel, filling out I-9's, obtaining a drivers license, and applying for a social security number among other things.

    If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact the Slutzker Center. Our office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm during the academic year (8:00am to 4:30pm during the summer). We wish you a safe journey to Syracuse University and we look forward to meeting you.