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Transferring J-1 Sponsorship to UH


STEP 1: Consult with your current J-1 sponsor

STEP 2: UH sponsoring unit submits DS-2019 request

STEP 3: Register with FSIS

STEP 1: Consult with your current J-1 sponsor [top]

If you are already a J-1 exchange visitor at another sponsoring institution, you should first consult with the Responsible Officer/Alternate Responsible Officer (RO/ARO) at your current sponsoring institution for advice on transferring J-1 program sponsorship to UH. A transfer to UH sponsorship can take place only under these circumstances:

  • The transfer must be necessary to complete your original program objectives.
  • The field of study or research should be the same or closely related.
  • The total time spent in all J-1 programs must not exceed the limit for your exchange visitor category.
  • Your J-1 program at your current institution cannot be completed. No transfers can be processed after your sponsoring institution’s DS-2019 end date.

If the above requirements can be met, the RO/ARO at your current institution must complete the following:

  1. Submit a completed Request to Transfer J-1 Exchange Visitor to UH Sponsorship to FSIS
  2. Process your “transfer out” to UH in SEVIS

 

 STEP 2: UH sponsoring unit submits DS-2019 request [top]

Your UH sponsoring unit must submit a DS-2019 initial request to FSIS at least 60 days prior to the start date of your UH program.

 

STEP 3: Register with FSIS [top]

When you arrive at UH, you must schedule a mandatory registration/orientation appointment with FSIS within 10 business days of arrival. At this appointment, an FSIS advisor will complete the “transfer in” to UH in SEVIS and generate a new DS-2019 for UH sponsorship.

When you receive the DS-2019, be sure to carefully read both sides of the form and sign and date the form at the bottom of Page 1.

Your J-2 dependents should sign their own DS-2019s at the bottom of Page 1. However, you should sign the DS-2019s of any J-2 dependent children who are under 14 years of age.

The transfer to UH sponsorship will not be valid until you register with FSIS and FSIS completes the transfer process in SEVIS.

 

PAYMENT OF SEVIS FEE

Transfers from a U.S. federal government sponsor (G-1, G-2, or G-3 program code)
 
You will be required to pay a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee of $180 to complete your transfer. The payment can be made by yourself or another person, either in the U.S. or abroad, by one of two ways:
  • By using the SEVIS I-901 Fee Processing website to complete an electronic Form I-901 and pay the fee using a credit card; or
  • By mailing a paper Form I-901 with a check/money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in US currency.

The Department of Homeland Security will mail you an official Form I-797 paper receipt acknowledging that you paid the SEVIS fee. If you submit the fee using the SEVIS fee website, you can print out an electronic receipt at the time of payment before the I-797 receipt arrives in the mail.

Transfers from all other types of sponsors

If you are transferring to UH from a program that does NOT have a G-1, G-2, or G-3 program code, you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee.

 

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