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INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Bloomington
International Ï㽶ÊÓƵs

Transferring your J-1 SEVIS record

If you are currently in the United States under J-1 status, you can move your program sponsorship to Indiana University. This process allows you to continue your academic goals at IU while maintaining your legal immigration status. Review the eligibility rules below and follow the steps to successfully transfer your SEVIS record and any J-2 dependents to our campus.

Transfer your SEVIS record to IU

Changing your J-1 program sponsorship may be possible. It occurs when you are currently enrolled as a Ï㽶ÊÓƵ at another U.S. institution in J-1 status and plan to enroll at Indiana University, or if you are already enrolled at Indiana University under the sponsorship of another Exchange Visitor program (IIE, ACTR, etc.) and are having your J-1 sponsorship transferred to Indiana University’s Exchange Visitor program. When the transfer process is completed, Indiana University becomes your program sponsor.

You may transfer your SEVIS record to IU and make Indiana University your program sponsor if:

  • You are completing an academic program or Academic Training at another U.S. school and intend to begin a new academic program at Indiana University.
  • You are transferring schools in the middle of an academic program.
  • You are transferring to a new J-1 sponsor in the middle of an academic program.

In order for a SEVIS transfer to occur, your current program sponsor must decide that:

  • Your transfer is consistent with the goals of the Exchange Visitor program
  • You are currently in valid program status
You are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer if you have been approved for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement by the U.S. Department of State.

How to transfer your SEVIS record

Follow these steps:

  1. Contact your current J-1 sponsor to discuss your intent to transfer to Indiana University and to determine a SEVIS transfer release date. That date should be the date that you no longer have ties to your current school or program (i.e., classes, employment).

  2. Discuss the date of actual transfer with your current sponsor. This date must be on or prior to the current program end date on your DS-2019.

  3. Ask your sponsor to contact an international Ï㽶ÊÓƵ advisor at OIS to discuss a “Transfer Out” in SEVIS. 

  4. Log into your admissions checklist in Atlas and complete the SEVIS Transfer In e-form. Your current J-1 sponsor will need to connect with OIS before releasing your SEVIS record to IU Bloomington. 

  5. Report to the Office of International Services within 30 days of the new program start date on your DS-2019 in order to make your transfer official. This is imperative to maintain your legal status.
Your SEVIS record can only be transferred to one institution. Do not request a SEVIS transfer if you have admission applications pending at other schools. Wait until you have made your final decision—but keep the time limits on your grace period in mind.

Transferring the status of J-2 dependents

If your dependents—your spouse or unmarried children under 21 years of age—will transfer to Indiana University sponsorship along with you or will join you shortly after the transfer, you will need to provide additional documentation showing your ability to meet your dependents’ expenses and copies of the identity pages from their passports.

If your dependents will join you later, you may request a DS-2019 form for your spouse and/or children any time during your stay at Indiana University via Atlas.

Are you in the U.S. in another status and need to change to J-1 status?

It may be possible to change to another status, but there is a specific process you must complete.

Learn how to change your status

IU Bloomington

Office of International Services

Ferguson International Center 330 N. Eagleson Avenue Bloomington, IN 47405
  • newtoiu@iu.edu
  • 812-855-9086