Transfer-In to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· and Transfer-Out to Another University

In general, Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·ors in J-1 status under the Research Scholar, Professor, or Short-Term Scholar category may transfer from one J-1 sponsor to another if:Ìý

  • They will be engaged in research and/or teaching in the same subject area at the new institution.
    • An Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or may not change their area of research or teaching.
  • They have sufficient time within the maximum duration of program participation allowed for the Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or category.
    • Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·ors in the research scholar or professor categories are permitted a maximum program duration of five years.
      • For example, if the Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or spends three years with one sponsor, they will have only two years of eligibility remaining with their new sponsoring institution.
    • Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·ors in the short-term scholar category are permitted a maximum program duration of six months.
      • For example, if the Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or spends three months with one sponsor, they will have only three months of eligibility remaining with their new sponsoring institution.
  • There can be no gaps in between Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or program dates at the two institutions.
    • Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or transfers are "seamless" in that the transfer of sponsorship from one sponsor to the other sponsor takes place immediately. The new sponsor must agree to take over sponsorship the day after the current sponsor agrees to end their sponsorship.
    • The transfer out date must be on or before the end date indicated on the Form DS-2019.
    • Because Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or program dates (i.e., the start and end dates) do not always align exactly with actual activities, Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·ors should consult with advisors in the ISSS offices at both institutions to determine the best possible transfer date.Ìý
  • Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·ors must have continuous health insurance coverage during the transfer process.Ìý

J-1 Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or Transferring-In to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·

The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· department must first contact their J-1 advisor so they can confirm whether a transfer is possible and help determine the appropriate transfer date. To begin this process, the department must email the following information to the J-1 advisor assigned to your department:

  • Copy of the Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or’s current DS-2019 form
    • This allows ISSS to confirm the Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or’s current:
      • J Category (e.g., Research Scholar, Professor, or Short-Term Scholar)
      • DS-2019 program dates
      • Activity remarks
  • Brief description (a sentence or two) of the J-1 goals and objectives at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·.
    • An Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or may not change their area of research or teaching. Their activities at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· must align with the activities authorized by their previous J-1 sponsor.
  • Requested ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· start date
    • DS-2019 requests for J-1 transfers must be initiated at least 10 weeks prior to the requested ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· start time. This timeline ensures completion of all required DS-2019 request paperwork, including the Office of Export Controls review, which typically takes 6–8 weeks.

Once the J-1 advisor confirms a transfer-in is possible, the department must follow the DS-2019 Request process outlined on the ISSS Scholar (J-1 Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or) Requests webpage.

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· J-1 Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or Transferring-Out

An Exchange ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·or in J-1 status who wishes to transfer to another university in the U.S. must complete the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· Transfer Out (Scholar) e-form in the MyISSS portal.Ìý