J-1 Exchange Visitor Transfer-In

We are excited to welcome J-1 Exchange Visitors who are considering transferring to TXST from another institution in the United States.

Steps for J-1 Exchange Visitor(s): Transferring In

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    • Secure a formal invitation or offer letter from a Texas State University (TXST) department confirming your visit, proposed dates, and duties. 
    • To be eligible for a J-1 visa, which is commonly used by individuals coming to the United States for academic or research purposes, you must secure a faculty sponsor within the university. 
    • Specifically, you will need to find a faculty member or professor at Texas State University who is willing to act as your sponsor for the J-1 Visiting Scholar visa. 
    • The professor or department would serve as your sponsor by formally inviting you to participate as one of our J-1 Exchange Visitor categories. They are responsible for initiating the visa request process, completing internal university procedures, and ensuring that your proposed activities meet the criteria established by the U.S. Department of State for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. 
    • Once you have a faculty sponsor, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office will guide both you and your sponsoring department through the steps needed to issue the Form DS-2019, which is a critical document for applying for the J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

    Please note: Without a formal invitation and departmental sponsorship, the university cannot initiate or support a J-1 visa application. 

    • Coordinate with both your current institution and Texas State University to agree on a SEVIS ‘Transfer Release Date.’ Your current institution’s RO/ARO will need to use the following Program Number to transfer your SEVIS record to Texas State: P-1-47541
    • This date is important—your current DS-2019 will no longer be valid after this date, and Texas State cannot issue a new DS-2019 until the transfer date passes. 

  • Complete Texas State’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Transfer-In Form, which may include a section to be completed by your current institution’s Responsible Officer. 

     

    Send your sponsor the following documents: 

    • Completed J-1 Exchange Visitor Transfer in Form 
       
    • Invitation letter from the sponsor. 
      • For teaching or research scholars, this will be in the form of a letter of appointment. 
      • For student interns, this would be in the form of an invitation to work in the department. 
    • Proof of current funding equivalent to $1,800 per month and an additional $500 per month per dependent (if applicable) 
      • For teaching, student interns, or research scholars, this proof of funding may be included as part of your offer or if you are self-funded, evidence such as bank statements, etc. will need to be provided. 
      • For student interns, funding should meet required funding to be issued a DS-2019, and a DS-7002 Form must be provided.
    • Copy of J-1 Exchange Visitor passport 
      • Copy of any dependent's passports (if applicable)
    • CV or Resume 
    • Proof of English proficiency – please speak to your TXST sponsor to learn the department's minimum criteria for this requirement.
       
    • Any dependent passports, and an additional $500 per dependent in the bank statements. 
    • Copies of previous DS-2019(s) from the J-1 Exchange Visitor and dependents (if applicable) 
       
    • Visitor(s) most recent I-94 and copy of the dependents I-94(s), if applicable.

  • After the release date, Texas State will issue your new DS-2019 within 10 business days for continued participation under the same J-1 SEVIS record and program number.

  • Upon arrival, you must complete a mandatory check-in with the International Office and provide copies of your immigration documents (passport, visa, DS-2019, I-94, etc.). This mandatory check-in link will be sent to you via email so that you are able to upload required documentation for the ISSS Office. 

Steps for TXST Sponsors: Inviting an Exchange Visitor to TXST as a Transfer-In

A transfer-in exchange visitor is a student who is currently in the United States completing a J-1 Exchange Visitor program.

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  • Secure approval from Faculty and Academic Resources to invite a new exchange visitor to campus. 

  • Draft and send a formal invitation or offer letter from your department confirming the visitor’s proposed program dates, duties and any relevant pay or benefits arrangements. 

  • Work with the exchange visitor to choose a SEVIS “Transfer Release Date” mutually agreed upon by TXST and the visitor’s current host institution. This date will need to be prior to when you want the Echange Visitor to start your program.

    • Invitation letter from the sponsor to the scholar. 
      • For teaching or research scholars, this will be in the form of a letter of appointment. 
      • For student interns, this would be in the form of an invitation to work in the department. 
    • A completed and signed J-1 Exchange Visitor Transfer-In  Form from the ISSS Office
    • Proof of current funding equivalent to $1,800 per month and an additional $500 per month per dependent (if applicable) 
      • For teaching, student interns, or research scholars, this proof of funding may be included as part of your offer or if you are self-funded, evidence such as bank statements, etc. will need to be provided. 
    • Copy of J-1 Exchange Visitor passport 
      • Copy of any dependent's passports (if applicable)
    • CV or Resume 
    • Proof of English proficiency – please speak to your department to decide the eligible criteria for the Proof of English needed to be provided by the J-1 Exchange Visitor.
    • Copies of previous DS-2019(s) from the J-1 Exchange Visitor and dependents (if applicable) 
    • Visitor(s) most recent I-94 and copy of the dependents I-94(s), if applicable.

  • Complete the J-1 Exchange Visitor request form on the ISSS Department Resources webpage, including all the above documents. 

  • This immigration document will be sent directly to the Exchange Visitors email on file. 

Questions?

Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to internationalscholars@txstate.edu