Many international students who want stronger academic programs, research possibilities, or a degree that is recognized around the world should think about transferring to a U.S. university. The procedure can be complicated, but it’s possible with the correct planning, whether you’re currently studying at a college abroad or already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.
This guide from 2025 goes over every phase of the transfer procedure, such as credit evaluations, visa issues, deadlines, and money budgeting. It’s meant for overseas students who want to improve their education and open up more options around the world by getting their degree from a U.S. school.
Is it Possible for International Students to Move to a US University?
Yes, international students can move to a U.S. university, and many do so every year. Most U.S. schools actually do accept transfer students from both the U.S. and other countries. You have to be a student at a recognized postsecondary school in your native country or the U.S. right now and meet the new university’s transfer eligibility requirements.
People sometimes transfer to find a school that is a better fit for their academic needs, to get into better programs in certain areas, or to join schools with greater research or internship opportunities. Some students transfer to save money by starting at a less expensive college, like a community college, and then moving on to a four-year university (EducationUSA).
The U.S. higher education system is flexible enough to let these changes happen. If you prepare ahead, transferring might be a smart way to make your academic experience better and increase your long-term job prospects without starting over.
What International Students Often Transfer For
From a US Community College to a University
A lot of international students start their study at a community college in the U.S. and then move on to a four-year university. This route is both smart and cheap. Community colleges have smaller classes and lower tuition, and they let students finish their general education requirements.
Students can finish their bachelor’s degree at a university after two years in a “2+2” program. CollegeBoard says that schools often have articulation agreements that make sure credits can be transferred. People choose this method since it is cheap and has fewer hurdles to entry.
From One University in the US to Another
International students can also switch between four-year colleges in the U.S. if they want to, for example, because they want to study something else, the campus atmosphere doesn’t fit them, or they can get better financial help.
If you already have an F-1 visa, this process includes getting a SEVIS record transfer between schools. Different colleges have different requirements for admission, and it might be hard to get into more elite schools. You should also check to see if the credits you’ve already earned can be transferred. This usually means looking at your transcripts and syllabi.
From a University in Your Home Country
Moving from a country other than the U.S. It is possible to transfer to a university, although it usually requires extra procedures to evaluate. Some U.S. schools may ask for a course-by-course credential examination from firms like WES (World Education Services) or ECE.
You will also need to take tests like the TOEFL or IELTS to show that you know English well. Different schools have different deadlines and standards for admission, but it’s important to start the process early. Because the curriculums are different, certain credits might not transfer straight. So, if you need to, it’s best to be open to starting from an earlier academic year.
How to Move to a US University in Steps
As an international student, you need to prepare and coordinate carefully if you want to transfer to a U.S. university. Here is a simple 10-step guide to assist you get through the process:
- Find out why you want to move
Make your reasoning clear, like whether the school is a good fit for your major, your budget, or the culture on campus. When you know what you want, it’s easier to pick the correct transfer school and explain your choice in your applications. - Look into possible colleges and universities
Use databases like U.S. News or College Board’s BigFuture to identify colleges that accept transfer students and meet your academic and visa needs. - Check the rules and eligibility for transfers
Various universities have various rules for transferring. Check to see if they have a minimum GPA, procedures for transferring credits, application dates, and whether institutions allow transfers from other countries. - Ask for a Credential Evaluation
If you’re moving from a country other than the U.S. If you went to school outside of the U.S., you may need to have services like WES or ECE check your transcripts and change your credits to the U.S. system. - Meet the English Language Requirements
You will probably require scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Find out what each institution needs for minimum scores and when tests are due. - Get Your Application Materials Ready
This usually contains test results, academic transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and proof of income. Make sure that documents are translated and certified by the government as necessary. - Send in your applications to the schools you want to go to
You can apply through the Common App or directly through the website of each school. Be aware of the deadlines; they may be sooner than they are for first-year applicants. - Get an I-20 Form for Transfer
Once you get in, your new school will need to provide you an updated I-20 form. Your current DSO (Designated School Official) must provide your SEVIS record to the new school. - Request a Visa Change or Transfer
If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, you need to update your I-20 and SEVIS record. If you are going to a different country before coming back, you might not need a new visa. - Plan your move and your new home
To make your arrival go well, book your travel, find a place to live, sign up for orientation, and get in touch with foreign student services. Some colleges and universities give extra help to students who are transferring.
What Papers Do You Need to Move?
International students who want to go to a U.S. university must send in a number of vital documents to finish both the admissions and immigration processes. Here is a list of what is usually needed:
- Transcripts from school
Send in official transcripts from all of the colleges and universities you’ve been to. A recognized credential agency like WES or ECE must translate and evaluate the documents if they are not in English. The university can use these records to figure out which credits can be transferred. - Proof that you can speak English
Most U.S. institutions want you to have a legitimate TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test result. Minimum scores are different for each school, so make sure to check. Many colleges, for instance, will accept a TOEFL iBT score of 80 or above. If you’ve studied in English before, some schools might not require you to take the test. - Papers about money
You will need to produce documentation that you have enough money to pay for school and living expenses for at least a year. This usually includes recent bank statements, financial declarations, or letters of scholarship. Before a fresh I-20 form may be issued, these papers must be in order. - Letters of Recommendation
Recommendation letters from professors or advisers can make your application stronger, even though they aren’t generally required for transfer students. They should talk on your academic skills, personal traits, and why you want to transfer. Pick people who know your work well and can write in English to recommend you. - Dean’s Statement or Transfer Report
This is a form that your present school fills out to show that you are doing well in school and are not getting in trouble. Some colleges name it a Transfer Clearance Form or a Dean’s Report. Before an I-20 may be sent to SEVIS, it is generally necessary to do this. - Copy of your passport and visa
If you are studying in the U.S., you need to send in a clear scan of your valid passport and current visa. This helps the new school check who you are and stay in line with SEVIS rules.
How International Students Can Transfer Credits
As an overseas student, it might be hard to transfer academic credits because U.S. universities look at coursework based on their own curriculum, procedures, and standards for accreditation. This is how the system usually works:
Agreements on Articulation
Some U.S. universities have official arrangements with some international schools or community colleges in the U.S. These agreements spell out which credits are sure to transfer and when they will. For example, a lot of 2+2 programs let students finish two years at a community college and then easily go on to a university. International students ought to ascertain if their present institution has such collaborations.
Tables for Transfer Equivalency
Most colleges and universities in the U.S. provide online tools or databases where students can look up whether their courses are the same as other courses. These tables show how many credit hours or general education requirements the courses we looked at before would transfer.
Look at things like the Texas Common Course Numbering System or a university-specific website like the University of Arizona’s Transfer Credit Guide.
When Credits Are Not Accepted
There are a few reasons why credits might not be given: the course content doesn’t meet U.S. curriculum standards, the school isn’t recognized, or the grade is below the minimum (typically a C or above).
Also, some professional courses, like law or medicine, don’t always transfer. You might have to retake some classes or ask for course-by-course evaluations through a service like SpanTran or WES in these situations. Before presuming that your credits will transfer, always check with the school you want to go to.
Things to Think About for Visas and SEVIS
International students with an F-1 visa must meet certain SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) standards in order to keep their legal status when they move to a different U.S. college or university.
First, the new school will need to give you a new Form I-20. Once you are accepted, let your present school’s Designated School Official (DSO) know so they can move your SEVIS record. After this electronic release, the new school can only provide you your updated I-20. To stay in compliance with F-1 rules, you must start the new program within five months of your last attendance or the expiration of your OPT.
After you transfer, it’s still very important to be enrolled full-time and let your DSO know about any changes to your address or program. Make that your F-1 visa is still valid if you are switching from one academic program to another (for example, from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree). You don’t have to leave the U.S. to get a new visa unless your current one has expired and you plan to travel overseas before coming back.
If there is a break of more than five months between programs, you may need to leave the U.S. and come back with a new SEVIS record. This could compromise your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Before you start the transfer process, make sure to talk to the international offices at both institutions. This will keep you in compliance and protect your immigration status.
Deadlines for Transferring to a University in the US
In the U.S., transfer dates are different for each school and semester. However, international students need to plan ahead because they need visas and other documents. There are two main times when students can start at most colleges: in the fall (August/September) and in the spring (January). Most people choose fall, and the deadlines for applications are usually between February and April. Most of the time, spring deadlines are between August and October of the year before.
Some schools provide rolling admissions, which means that candidates can apply and get decisions over a longer period of time. However, spaces may fill up quickly, so it’s still a good idea to apply early.
International students need to prepare ahead so that there is enough time for transcript evaluation, English proficiency exam, visa processing, and SEVIS transfer. It’s also vital to find out if the colleges you want to go to accept transfers in the middle of the year or only in the fall.
Always check the official website of each university for transfer dates, and prepare at least 6 to 9 months in advance to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Scholarships and Financial Aid After You Transfer
Your financial aid package does not immediately move with you when you transfer to a U.S. university. Most of the time, you’ll have to reapply for help through your new school. This means sending in new copies of the FAFSA (for qualified overseas students or dual citizens) or the CSS Profile if the school asks for them. Different colleges offer different types of institutional scholarships. Some offer scholarships for transfers alone, while others may look at your application again for merit-based help.
The total cost of going to school may go up a lot when you transfer. Private colleges may provide more generous financial assistance packages, whereas public colleges may have lower base tuition but less scholarship money for nonresidents. Make careful to take into account any changes in housing, health insurance, and student fees that could effect your financial planning.
Look at the financial aid website for each school to find out when applications are due and who can apply. You can also call the financial assistance office directly. You can also look into outside scholarships to assist pay for things once you transfer. Websites like IEFA.org and EducationUSA provide lists of these. To keep your education cheap, you need to plan ahead and talk to each other clearly.
Transferring to a US University: Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible to transfer after a year?
Yes, a lot of U.S. colleges and universities will accept transfer students after just one year of study. Some colleges, on the other hand, need a minimum amount of credits (usually 24–30) to be qualified. Look at each university’s transfer policy to see what they need. - Will I lose points?
Maybe. The acceptability of transfer credits relies on the substance of the course, the accreditation, and the grades. Schools in the U.S. typically look at syllabi and transcripts to see if they are the same. Not all international credits transfer, especially if they don’t fit with the school’s curriculum. - Do I need to get a new visa?
Yes. If you move from one U.S. school to another, your F-1 SEVIS record must be updated and your new school must give you a new Form I-20. If your present visa is still good, you don’t need a new one. However, your SEVIS transfer must be done correctly. - Is it possible for me to earn a scholarship?
Many colleges and universities provide scholarships just for transfer students, but the competition can be tough. You will have to meet either academic or need-based requirements. Look into chances at schools and with third parties. - How many credits can you transfer from another country?
It depends. Most colleges and universities only accept a certain number of credits, usually between 60 and 90. They look at each class on its own, thus it’s usual to lose credit. You can use transfer equivalency tools or ask for a formal appraisal. Members of NACES can help you look over your transcripts.
Last Thoughts: Plan Ahead for a Smooth Move
It is possible for a foreign student to transfer to a U.S. university, but you need to plan ahead to make it happen. Start looking at schools at least a year ahead of time so you can learn about their policies on transfer credits, language requirements, and financial aid. Keep track of all your schoolwork, and talk to your advisors at both your current school and the one you want to go to.
To avoid problems with your visa throughout the changeover, make sure you know the SEVIS rules and the I-20 timeframes. To find out about application deadlines, required documentation, and school policies, go to the transfer admissions website for each school (EducationUSA Transfer Guide).
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions, whether they’re concerning scholarships, housing, or course assessments. Being proactive, well-informed, and paying attention to the details can help make sure that your transfer goes well and that you do well in the U.S. academic system.
