Transferring, Extending, and Ending a Program
IN PROGRESS - INTERNAL LINKS MAY NOT BE FUNCTIONAL
(Please note: The information in the following sections is intended for all J-1 exchange visitors except J-1 students. To find out more about J-1 student visas, visit International Students.)
The program end date on a DS-2019 determines when the exchange visitor is obligated to complete the program and cease all relevant activities. He/She must leave the United States, transfer to another program, or apply for a change of status within 30 days of the program end date, known as the grace period. Some exchange visitors may wish to transfer programs, extend the program, or simply complete the objective(s) of the program in less time that originally granted.
If an exchange visitors wishes to obtain another visa/change status or apply for permanent resident (green card) status during or at the completion of a program, he/she must first evaluate whether he/she is subject to a repeat participation bar and/or the 212(e) home residency requirement. OIP can help determine eligibility, and we will then suggest the exchange visitor consult with his/her potential sponsor, if any, and/or an immigration attorney to begin the process.
Program end dates for J-2 dependents will match that of the J-1, including updates for shortening or extension of the program. Dependents may not stay in the United States after the exchange visitor once the program has been completed.
Transferring J-1 Programs
Exchange visitors may transfer from one program sponsor to another if the program is in the same category and the exchange visitor will be completing the same objective at the transfer-in program as the transfer-out (original) program. The exchange visitor should be in touch with Advisors from both programs and exchange contact information between the schools to facilitate the transfer.
To request a transfer out of UTEP (including if the exchange visitor will remain at UTEP but be sponsored by another institution), complete and submit the Departure Form on our Forms page. OIP will work with the transfer-in institution to transfer of the SEVIS record, and the transfer-in institution will issue new DS-2019s for the whole family. After the designated transfer release date, affiliation with UTEP will end and the exchange visitor should no longer use the UTEP DS-2019, although it should be retained for future immigration benefits applications.
To request a transfer to UTEP, the department and the exchange visitor must complete and submit the J-1 Exchange Visitor Application or J-1 Student Intern application, which can be found on our Forms page. The process for transferring into UTEP is the same as if the exchange visitor was abroad, but requires less lead time under the assumption that the exchange visitor will not need to apply for a visa abroad to begin the program.
Note that change of category requests for Short-Term Scholars are not accepted.
Extending a J-1 Program
If the exchange visitor (with the consent of the department) wishes to extend the program, complete the DS-2019 Renewal Form on our Forms page and submit it with proof of offer, funding, and health insurance. If eligible for the extension, we will issue new DS-2019s for the whole family. Please note that all J-1 categories have duration limits and therefore not all exchange visitors will be eligible for an extension. Further, OIP, the department, and UTEP have the discretion to deny extension requests even if all available time in the program has not been used.
Exchange visitors who have received a favorable decision on an application for a waiver of the 212(e) home residency requirement are not eligible for an extension.
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Duration of Visit |
3 weeks to 12 months |
3 weeks to 5 years |
3 weeks to 5 years |
1 day to 6 months |
Ending a J-1 Program
Upon completion of the program, exchange visitors are expected to leave the United States and return home. In some cases, they may apply for another exchange program or for a change of status. In all cases, they must complete and submit a Departure Notification on our Forms page.
If the exchange visitor is leaving the United States, applying for a new program, or changing status more than two weeks before the natural end of the program and has completed the activities of the program, he/she is granted the standard 30 day grace period. OIP will shorten the program length and issue a new DS-2019.
If the exchange visitor is leaving the United States, applying for a new program, or changing status before the natural end of the program and has not completed the activities of the program, has committed a status violation, and/or was terminated from the program, he/she is not granted the standard 30 day grace period. OIP will indicate the departure in SEVIS but will not issue a new DS-2019.