Can I transfer my SEVIS record to another university after starting my MS program? Deadline is Sept 15

Hi everyone,

I'm an international F-1 student who recently started an MS program at a U.S. university. I also have an existing admission to another U.S. university, and I'm currently trying to understand whether it would still be possible to attend the second university through a SEVIS transfer before September 15.

I have not completed any coursework at my current university yet.

I contacted the university I was admitted to, and they confirmed that they can receive a transferred SEVIS record. They advised me to work with the international student office at my current university to understand the process.

I'm currently doing that, but I wanted to see if anyone here has gone through something similar.

Specifically:

• Can an F-1 student who has already entered the U.S. and started their first semester transfer an active SEVIS record to another university?
• Is there a specific deadline by which the SEVIS transfer needs to be initiated/completed if the student wants to start at the new university this semester?
• Is September 15 a relevant deadline for this, or does it depend on the new university's program/start date?
• Do you generally withdraw from the current university before or after requesting the SEVIS transfer?
• Does having no completed coursework at the current university make any difference?
• If you've personally gone through a SEVIS transfer shortly after arriving in the U.S., how long did the process take?

I'm not looking for legal advice—I'd mainly appreciate experiences from anyone who has actually gone through this process recently.

Thanks!