Office of International Education

Transfer and extension of J-1 Status

Extension of J-1 status is common and relatively easy to accomplish. The CMU Department must agree to the extension and will send a memo or email to OIE requesting that the Visitor's DS-2019 be extended. This typically occurs about one month in advance of the expiration of the current J-1 period.

  • The department's memo should include the following information:
  • The specific period of time being requested (the total period of the visitor's J status can be no more than 5 years.)
  • This period must begin on the day after the current DS-2019 form ends.
  • The amount and source of support (if the financial support is not from CMU, then original financial documentation must be sent to OIE before the extension can be granted.)
  • Whether the scholar will remain in the U.S. at time of extension or will travel outside of the U.S. at or near to the time of extension

If the Scholar will be in the U.S. at the time of extension, the visiting scholar should meet with a Foreign Scholar Advisor to process the extension. OIE notifies the U.S. Department of State regarding the extension. This extension process in OIE legally extends the scholar's J-1 status in the U.S. However, if the scholar will travel out of the U.S. during the extension period, he or she will need to apply for a new J-1 visa at a US consulate in order to return to the U.S. to resume J-1 activities. On the other hand, if the scholar will not travel outside the U.S. during the extension period, then no J-1 entry visa is required and the scholar has no need to apply for a new J-1 visa in the passport.

Transfer

J-1 scholars may transfer in or out of CMU's J-1 program.

  • There are restrictions on J-1 transfer as follows:
  • The J-1 researcher or professor must pursue the same primary purpose as s/he pursued at the previous institution.
  • The J-1 visitor may not change categories i.e. from "student" to "research scholar."
  • Before DS-2019 can be issued to visitor, the previous program must release permission to transfer. Therefore, it benefits the scholar to communicate openly about the expected change. Also, this adds extra time to the process.
  • Transfer process must be complete before the previous DS-2019 expires.

For current procedures, contact a Foreign Scholar Advisor in the OIE.

Last Updated On: December 4th, 2006