MENU Office of International Services

Transfers

J-1 Exchange Visitors – THE TRANSFER PROCESS

 

Transfers to UIC from a different institution

  • Your prospective academic department at UIC must complete and submit a DS-2019 Request Form and a J-1 Transfer In Request Form, also available in our office. This application will require you to provide:
    • Copies of your passport, J-1 entry visa, I-94 (paper-based or printout) and current DS-2019
    • Complete contact information for your current international/J-1 advisor.
  • Once we have complete information, we will correspond with your current sponsoring institution to process the transfer of J-1 sponsorship.
  • Please allow at least three weeks for the transfer process. OIS must approve your transfer request before you are allowed to participate in activities at UIC.
  • PLEASE NOTE: SEVIS does not allow us to view, modify or print your DS-2019 until the actual date of transfer. Therefore, we cannot provide you with your new UIC DS-2019 until the date of your transfer.
  • When your new DS-2019 from UIC is ready, we will contact your UIC academic department. You may then come to OIS to check-in, pick-up your DS-2019, and (if appropriate) receive authorization for employment at UIC.

Transfer to a different institution from UIC

  • Complete a J-1 Transfer Out Form, also available in our office. This form will require you to provide:
    • Complete contact information for your prospective international/J-1 advisor.
    • A start date that is at least three weeks in advance of submission of this form to OIS.
  • Once we have complete information, we will correspond with the new institution to process your transfer. At that point, you will need to be in contact with the new institution to receive your new DS-2019.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Your current, UIC academic department must be aware of and approve of your transfer to the new institution, therefore, your department head is required to sign the J-1 Transfer Out Form.

Transfer within UIC from one department to another

  • Complete and submit a J-1 Transfer Out Form. Both your prospective and current academic departments must sign and provide information for this form.
  • Once we have complete information, we can update your DS-2019 and SEVIS record, if necessary. We will contact your new academic department when we have approved the transfer. At that time, you will be able to begin your research activities at the new department.