Hello,
I am on J1 visa, category, professor. My DS2019 is valid until July 31, 2016. When I tried to transfer between two schools, I was surprised that the International Scholar advisor in the old school has changed my SEVIS status into 'inactive', with no prior notice. She emailed me that the reason is the last day of my contract is May 15, 2016, and since that I am not continuing with the same school, she had to shorten my visa, without asking or informing me.
I have no idea what is my status now, and how can I transfer or activate my SEVIS record, given that she told me that I am on the 24 months bar period right after she closed the SEVIS. My new school is ready with the papers to transfer me. What should I do? Can I just ask the new school to change the visa type/category? Am I eligible? Please advise. Thank you!