J-1 Scholar Transfer-Out Request

A WFU J-1 scholar wishing to transfer program sponsorship from the WFU to another sponsor must complete the J-1 Scholar Transfer-Out Request.

J-1 Scholars who wish to transfer to another institution need to be released from the WFU program through the Department of Homeland Security database called “SEVIS”. All dependents will be released at the same time as the primary. J-2
Dependents may not remain at WFU unless they have applied for a change to another status PRIOR to the transfer of the J-1.

The J-1 Scholar who wishes to transfer must continue the same program objectives as those being pursued here at WFU. Also, the new institution should have the same J-1 categories as WFU, which include: Professor, Research Scholar, or Short-term Scholar.

This transfer should be requested before the effective date of the transfer. The Center for Immigration Services and Support (ISS) for Reynolda campus scholars or Wake Forest Health Sciences campus scholars must have the request form “J-1 Transfer-Out Request Form” completed and returned before a transfer can be completed in SEVIS. Late requests for transfer can result in the J-1 Scholar falling out of status.

The J-1 Scholar should contact the International Office of the prospective institution to learn about their transfer procedures, as well as to obtain the name and contact information of the Exchange Visitor Program contact person at the new institution.

The new institution’s DS-2019 form cannot be processed PRIOR to the effective start date of the transfer. SEVIS will not release a J-1 Scholar’s record until the program start date.

If the prospective scholar should have any travel plans outside the U.S. before the transfer effective date, WFU’s Immigration Services and Support (ISS) for Reynolda campus or Wake Forest Health Sciences campus, as well as the International Office at the new institution, should be notified as soon as possible. It is possible that the transfer could be negatively affected by the scholar’s leaving the U.S. before the transfer has been processed, and the scholar might have difficulties re-entering the U.S.

The J-1 must report to the J-1 Responsible Officer/Alternate Responsible Officer with the new program sponsor as soon as you arrive at the new location. If the J-1 does not report to the new institution, the SEVIS record may be terminated for “no show” and the J-1 and all dependents may be out of status.

J-1 and dependents must be in status and the DS-2019 program must not have expired at the time of this request.

J-1 scholars and dependents must continue their health insurance coverage at all times during the transfer and not allow for any lapse in coverage in compliance with the US Department of State Exchange Visitor regulations.