FAQs - International Admissions at TSU

Once Texas Southern University's Office of International Student Affairs receives your completed application packet, it takes 10-14 days to process and create your I-20. The ISA Office will provide guidance on required documents and submission details. Most students receive their I-20s 2-3 months before the start of the semester. If you have questions about the timeline or required materials, contact the ISA Office for assistance.

Texas Southern University starts later in the year than some other universities. This means that the timeline for receiving your I-20 and applying for your visa may also be later than other universities. This is fine, as the timeline is sufficient for receiving your documents and getting your visa.

Once Texas Southern University’s International Student Affairs (ISA) Office receives your complete application packet, it takes approximately 5-7 days to process and create a new I-20. The document will be mailed to you based on the shipping method you select or the option provided by your academic department. Delivery times vary depending on the shipping method chosen. If you have questions about processing or delivery, contact the ISA Office for assistance.

If your current I-20 or OPT end date falls within 5 months of Texas Southern University’s start date, you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to TSU. To complete the process, submit all required documents and fill out the Transfer In form from our office. Ensure a smooth transition by meeting all transfer requirements on time. Contact the International Student Affairs Office for assistance with your SEVIS transfer.

You can print a receipt from the SEVIS website.

For security reasons, our office is unable to accommodate this request. We cannot send personal information, such as the SEVIS ID number or I-20 copies, over email. We also do not recommend scheduling your appointment before you have the physical document in your hand.

Texas Southern University cannot customize I-20 start dates for individual students. The start date is set by the university and remains unchangeable based on personal circumstances. Students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the official start date listed on the I-20 document. For further guidance, contact TSU’s International Student Affairs Office.

Once you arrive in the U.S. with F-1 Student status, you can complete your online check-in from anywhere in the country. If you won’t have access to the internet, a camera, or a scanner, you can wait until you arrive in Houston and check in at TSU’s International Student Affairs (ISA) Office within three days. Stay compliant with immigration requirements—complete your check-in process promptly! Contact ISA for further assistance.

F-1 Students: See the eligibility criteria above and consult with your current school. As long as your record is 'SEVIS Active,' you have continually maintained status at your current school, and you meet the timing and eligibility criteria above, you will be eligible for a SEVIS transfer.

Students: Consult with ISA and your current school.

No. A 'Completed' SEVIS record cannot be changed. If your SEVIS record is 'Complete', you are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer to TSU. You will need to leave the country and re-enter on a new I-20 from TSU.

Most likely not. It is extremely rare that we can accept 'terminated' records. If you failed to maintain status at your previous University (e.g. failure to enroll, suspended for disciplinary reasons, no show, etc.), you will not be eligible for a SEVIS transfer to TSU. If you have a terminated SEVIS record and believe you are eligible for a SEVIS transfer, contact ISA for guidance.

ISA must receive your SEVIS record at least two weeks before your program will begin. You must have your new I-20 to legally start your new program. If you are currently on post-completion OPT (or STEM), based on your previous record, transferring your SEVIS record will automatically end your OPT and cause you to forfeit any remaining OPT time. Consult with your current school for transfer timing.

No. By regulation, all SEVIS transfer students must have the start date of the official term start. We are unable to adjust start dates based on personal circumstances or pre-program activities. See the TSU Academic Calendar for official quarter start dates.

As the SEVIS transfer is electronic, it happens instantaneously. However, after we receive your record from your new school, it will take 5-7 days to create your new TSU I-20, assuming you have all required documents. Make sure to plan ahead to have your school release your record at least two weeks before your program begins.

As a SEVIS Transfer student, you must go through the exact process outlined on our admission website. In addition to the documents listed there, you and your current school must complete a TSU Transfer in Form (available on the page above)

Per regulations, all SEVIS transfer students must adhere to the official term start date and cannot include pre-program activities. TSU cannot adjust start dates based on personal circumstances or pre-program activities. For official quarter start dates in other terms, please refer to the TSU Academic Calendar. Contact TSU’s International Student Affairs Office for further assistance.

No. By regulation, all SEVIS transfer students must begin on the official term start date and cannot include pre-program activities. Texas Southern University cannot adjust start dates based on personal circumstances or early program requirements. For official quarter start dates, refer to the TSU Academic Calendar. SEVIS transfer students are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction. If you have required sessions before the quarter starts, you may attend using your SEVIS transfer I-20.

To create your SEVIS transfer I-20, the following criteria must be met:

1. Your 'Transfer Release Date' must have passed,
2. We must have received your transfer-in form from your previous school, and
3. You must have submitted all other required documentation (e.g. CERTIFICATION OF FINANCES, passport, financial information) outlined on the admission page.

If all of your application documents are in order, your SEVIS transfer I-20 will be created about 5-7 days after your transfer release date.

No. If your F-1 visa is still valid, you can continue to use it until its expiration date. It is OK if your old school's name is on your visa. This is one benefit of transferring your SEVIS record.

Yes. Once your record is successfully transferred, you will be allowed to remain in the U.S. or travel in and out of the U.S. in between programs.

Yes, but you must have the TSU I-20 to re-enter the U.S. after your previous program ends. If you do travel, you are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program.

Yes. As a SEVIS transfer student, you are not subject to the 30-day entry restriction (entering no earlier than 30 days before your program starts) and can enter the U.S. at any point before your program. You can participate in any pre-program activities before your start date, as long as you have electronically checked in to OISA with your TSU I-20.