Transferring Your J-1 Program

A J-1 Exchange Visitor may transfer to another authorized program sponsor if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the objective for which the Exchange Visitor was admitted to Exchange Visitor status and if the Exchange Visitor remains within the same participant category.

Program sponsors should work together to ensure a smooth transfer. Before beginning the transfer process, the Exchange Visitor must discuss his or her plans with the RO/AROs of both programs, make a definite decision about the transfer, and make sure that all parties involved have agreed on the date of transfer. There can be no gap between J-1 programs.

Transfer Your J-1 Program to MUSC

You may transfer your J-1 program to MUSC if an MUSC faculty member and department has agreed to sponsor your J-1 program and if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the original goals and objectives of your exchange visitor program. The sponsoring department must submit a new sponsorship request with CGH. You will then be contacted by CGH with further instructions for processing the J-1 sponsorship request and transfer. 

You will be required to check in with our office in order to validate your J-1 program following the transfer release date. We highly recommend that you do this within 15 days of the transfer release date (and absolutely no later than 30 days from the transfer release date).

Once we have accepted your SEVIS record and have validated your program, we will issue a new Form DS-2019 for you showing the new program site of activity at MUSC. The DS-2019 form will be mailed to your US residential address. We cannot issue the new DS-2019 form until after the SEVIS release date.

Transfer your J-1 Program from MUSC to Another Institution

You may transfer your J-1 program to another program sponsor as long as you will continue to pursue your original J-1 program goals and objectives with the new program sponsor. You must also remain within the same participant category.

If you want to transfer your J-1 program to another institution, you must complete the J-1 Transfer Out Form and submit it with the J-1 Transfer Out request through your Terra Dotta portal (on the Requests tab).

The completed transfer out request must be submitted at least three (3) weeks before your requested transfer date.

Transfer Your J-1 Program to Another Department or Faculty Supervisor at MUSC

You may be able to transfer your J-1 program to another department or faculty supervisor at MUSC, as long as you will continue to pursue your original J-1 program goals and objectives with the new department/supervisor.

CGH must approve all internal transfers of J-1 programs at MUSC prior to any changes taking place. The sponsoring department must contact CGH to inquire about the necessary procedures for changing departments or faculty supervisors.

All documents and information required for J-1 department transfer requests must be submitted to CGH at least 30 days prior to start date in the new department. If a J-1 program extension is required, the department transfer and J-1 extension request documents must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the J-1 program end date. Please notify the administrator in the proposed new department to contact CGH as soon as possible to discuss the required documents and procedure for department transfer requests.