Some incoming international students to Pratt already hold active F-1 immigration status from another U.S. school, through studying or engaging in post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). If you currently hold F-1 status, you may be eligible for I-20 Transfer to Pratt.
In this case, you should contact your former school’s Designated School Official (DSO)/International Student Office to request I-20 Transfer to Pratt. Provide the DSO a copy of your Pratt admission letter and give them the correct school code below.
SEVIS Transfer School Codes
Pratt Institute – Brooklyn NYC214F00775000
Pratt Institute – Manhattan NYC214F00775001
Pratt Munson-Williams-Proctor – Utica BUF214F10380000
You will need to decide and set the transfer “Release Date” with your former school’s DSO. On the Release Date, your record will transfer to Pratt electronically. Only after that can we make your Transfer I-20. Students working on OPT should be aware that OPT ends on the Release Date. Also, if you are traveling internationally in the summer, you will need the Transfer I-20 from Pratt to re-enter the US, unless you wish to continue working on OPT upon return.
Please provide your SEVIS ID and Release Date in the Transfer section of your I-20 application in the TDS Student Portal. After the Release Date, we can issue a Transfer I-20 with the same SEVIS number and you will not need to pay the SEVIS fee again. With a Transfer I-20, you will maintain continuous F-1 status, and may be theoretically eligible for CPT in your first academic year, if an internship class is available in your program at that time.
If your current SEVIS record is not in active status, please request a New I-20 with a new SEVIS ID for you to regain your status. If you do not transfer your SEVIS record and you request an New I-20 from Pratt instead, you will get an I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You will have to pay the SEVIS fee ($350) again and your eligiblity for practical training will begin after one academic year.