Transferring Your J-1 Program

An active J-1 exchange visitor may transfer to another authorized program sponsor if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the original J-1 Exchange Visitor Program goals and objectives and if the exchange visitor remains within the same participant category. In addition, J-1 program participation must be continuous, and there cannot be a gap of time between sponsorship at the transfer out program and sponsorship at the transfer in program.

Program sponsors must coordinate in order to ensure a smooth transfer. Before beginning the transfer process, an exchange visitor should discuss the transfer plans with the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) of both programs in advance. 

Transfer Your J-1 Program to MUSC

You may transfer your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program to MUSC if an MUSC faculty member and department have agreed to sponsor your J-1 program and if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the original goals and objectives of your J-1 program.

To start the process, the sponsoring MUSC department must submit a new J-1 sponsorship request to the MUSC Center for Global Health several months in advance. You will be required to complete the MUSC J-1 sponsorship request application. If the J-1 sponsorship request and J-1 transfer are approved, you will be provided with further instructions by email.

You must complete the J-1 arrival check in process with the Center for Global Health. This process is required for all new MUSC J-1 exchange visitors (even J-1 transfers). As a J-1 transfer, you must complete the J-1 arrival check in process within 15 days of the SEVIS transfer release date.

After your SEVIS transfer release date, and after you complete the J-1 arrival check in process at MUSC, we will validate your J-1 SEVIS record and will issue an updated Form DS-2019 showing MUSC as your program sponsor. Please be aware that we cannot issue the updated Form DS-2019 from MUSC until after the SEVIS transfer release date.

Transfer your J-1 Program from MUSC to Another Institution

You may transfer your J-1 Exchange Visitor 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 from MUSC 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 J-1 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.

The Center for Global Health must approve all internal transfers of J-1 programs at MUSC prior to any changes taking place. Please notify the administrator in the proposed new department to contact the Center for Global Health as soon as possible to discuss the necessary procedures and required documents for transferring departments or faculty supervisors.

All documents and information required for J-1 department transfer requests must be submitted to the Center for Global Health 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 your current J-1 program end date.