EXTENSIONS: J-1 exchange visitors may extend their stay up to the maximum length
of time for each J category so long the individual requires additional time to complete
his/her academic program objectives. The maximum length of time in each category
is:
- Short-Term Scholars – 6 months
- Research Scholars & Professors – 5 years.
To apply for an extension, the J-1 visitor will need to submit their request to
OISS no later than 2 weeks before the program end date on their current DS-2019
form. The following documents should be submitted to OISS:
- A completed J-1 Extension Request form
- A memo authorizing the extension from the Sponsoring Department
that is signed by the Chair/Director approving the extension period.
- Financial
evidence to show adequate financial support for the J-1 and J-2 dependents.
- Documentation
to prove continuation of health insurance coverage for the extended period.
TRANSFERS:
J-1 exchange visitors may transfer from one J-1 program sponsor to another if the
following requirements can be met:
- Purpose of the transfer is to complete the
academic objective for which he/she was approved for and if the exchange visitor
remains within the same subject field category.
- The J-1 exchange visitor is currently
in a valid program status
- The transfer will not exceed the J-1 exchange visitor’s
stay beyond the permissible time for the category.
J-1 exchange visitors planning
to transfer into or out of the University of California, Santa Barbara must request
the transfer no later than 30 days before the transfer date. If there are any changes
prior to the transfer date, please notify OISS.
Transfer OUT
The J-1 exchange visitor
is required to notify their current sponsoring department of their request to transfer
out of UCSB.
J-1 exchange visitors planning to transfer out will need to complete
the J-1 Transfer-OUT Form. Your new J-1 program sponsor might require you to complete
forms issued by their International Scholars Office prior to the transfer date.
Please make sure to bring all necessary forms to OISS before the transfer date.
OISS will transfer the J-1 record in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System
(SEVIS) effective on the transfer date agreed by all of the relevant parties, i.e.
the UCSB sponsoring department, the international office at the institution to which
the visitor wishes to transfer and UCSB’s Office of International Students and Scholars.
It is always beneficial for the exchange visitor to contact the International Students
& Scholars office of your new J-1 program to confirm the J-1 transfer. Please make
sure that the transfer date does not fall on a weekend, holiday, or date where the
International Students & Scholars Office of either J-1 programs is closed. EARLY
WITHDRAWAL:
J-1 Exchange Visitors who complete or withdraw from their academic program
before the program end date on the form DS-2019 should notify OISS and their Sponsoring
Department of their early departure.
Transfer IN
The transfer date will become the
program begin date of the J-1 exchange visitor’s program at UCSB. The J-1 exchange
visitor and the Sponsoring Department at UCSB should coordinate on an appropriate
transfer date. Please make sure that the transfer date does not fall on a weekend,
holiday, or date where the International Students & Scholars Office of either J-1
programs is closed. The Sponsoring Department will invite the J-1 exchange visitor to the UCSB SEVIS system to complete the DS-2019 online request form. The J-1 exchange visitor must complete the J-1 Transfer-IN form and submit to OISS.