Scholars on J-1 Visa

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Legal Status

SEVIS DS-2019

Passport/Entry Visa

Employment Authorization

Change of Address Procedure

Transfer Procedures

Permanent Departures from the University of Minnesota

Violation of Status

Two Year Rule

Five Year Rule

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Other Important Information

Health Care and Insurance

Travel/Reentry With J-1 Visa

J-1 & J-2 Social Security Number

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

Form I-9 Requirements

J-1 Scholar Forms

Department of State Code

International Scholar Handbook

Scholar Orientation

J Scholars

J- 1 Scholar Sponsor/Visa Transfer

Scholar on J Visa: Sponsor/Visa Transfer
Including J-1 Research Scholars, Professors, and Short-term Scholars

J-1 Scholar Transfer To the University of Minnesota
J-1 Scholar Transfer From the University of Minnesota

J-1 Scholar: Transfer to the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota cannot process your DS-2019 until your current sponsor processes an electronic “transfer out” of your SEVIS record. Discuss with your current sponsor the transfer “effective date”. That date should be the date that you no longer have ties to your current sponsor.

Please note: The effective date of your transfer can not be later than the end date of the DS-2019 issued by your previous sponsor.

Current Sponsor Procedures:

• Meet with your current J-1 sponsor to discuss your intent to transfer to the University of Minnesota and to determine a SEVIS transfer “effective date”.
• Ask your current J-1 sponsor to process a “transfer out” in SEVIS for you to come to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
• If you have applied to the U.S. Department of State for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement, and your waiver has been approved, you are not eligible to transfer.
• If you have violated your legal status, you will not be eligible to have your visa status transferred. The University of Minnesota will issue you a new DS-2019 to begin a new program (not a transfer DS-2019) that you must use to a) reenter the U.S. to regain legal status or b) apply to the Dept of Homeland Security for Reinstatement of legal status.
• ISSS staff will review your options with you and provide you with further information.

Procedure at the University of Minnesota

Contact your University of Minnesota hosting department and ask them to submit an application for an initial DS-2019 to ISSS

Once your transfer becomes effective, you must immediately report to our office.  ISSS is required to report your participation to the University of Minnesota program via SEVIS within 30 days of the program effective date.  Due to processing time required, you must report to ISSS within 25 days of your effective date.

At that time, the University of Minnesota will be able to access your SEVIS record and prepare a University of Minnesota DS-2019.

If you travel outside the U.S. before continuing your program activity at the University of Minnesota you should use the University of Minnesota DS-2019 for reentry. You must have a valid J-1 entry visa stamp and you must be prepared to document the funding resources noted on the DS-2019  If this is your intention, please contact the ISSS office and inform a J adviser of your plans.  ISSS will not be able to issue the new DS-2019 until the transfer effective date.

Upon your arrival on the campus of the University of Minnesota, report to ISSS for Document Check. Bring your passport, I-94, previous DS-2019(s), U of MN DS-2019, and J-2 dependent documents, if applicable.

J-1 Scholar: Transfer From the University of Minnesota

Eligibility for Transfer:

• The transfer is consistent with the goals of the original program activity and is a continuation of the original program activity.
• The transfer will not extend your stay beyond what is permitted for your exchange visitor category.

Not Eligible for Transfer:

• If you have applied to the U.S. Department of State for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement, and your waiver has been approved.
• If you have violated your legal status.  The new sponsor will discuss with you reentry to regain legal status or a reinstatement application to Dept of Homeland Security to regain legal status.  The ISSS adviser can also discuss options with you.

Your SEVIS record must be “transferred out” to your new sponsor before they can prepare a DS-2019 for you.

Procedure at the University of Minnesota

• Meet with an ISSS adviser during scheduled Walk-In Hours or a scheduled appointment to discuss your intent to transfer and to determine your transfer “effective date”. The transfer effective date will be the date you no longer have ties to the University of Minnesota and can not be later than the end date of the DS-2019 issued by ISSS.
• Ask the ISSS adviser to process a “transfer out” in SEVIS for you. You must be certain that you want to go to the new sponsor.
• When the transfer effective date arrives, your new sponsor will gain access to your SEVIS record and will be able to process a “Transfer Out” DS-2019 for you.
• You may use the new DS-2019 for reentry into the U.S. if you elect to travel before reporting to your new sponsor. You must have a valid J-1 entry visa stamp and you must be prepared to document the funding resources noted on the DS-2019.  If this is your intention, be sure to contact your new J program sponsor and inform them of your plans.  The new program sponsor will not be able to issue the new DS-2019 until the transfer effective date.