Volunteer Transfer Portal

A currently serving Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer may request to continue their service in another host country. If approved, the Volunteer "transfers" to another country. Examples of transfers include:

• A Volunteer transfers into another 27-month program in a different country
• A Volunteer applies to become a Response Volunteer
• A Response Volunteer transfers into a different Response position
• A Response Volunteer applies to serve in a 27-month program

In order to be able to transfer to another country, or be considered for a Response position, you must have the following:

• Good legal standing with the Peace Corps
• Medically cleared for your new country of service
• Your current country director will be contacted once you apply to transfer, and they must provide a positive recommendation for you to remain under consideration
• Meet the minimum requirements of the position

A Volunteer who extends service for a year or more is entitled to 30 days of special leave upon completion of the original term of service. A Volunteer may extend the special leave period by using up to 15 days of advanced annual leave, for a combined total of leave not to exceed 45 consecutive days.

Each day of special leave is considered part of the Volunteer's service but is not counted toward completion of the extension period, i.e., a 12-month extension and 30 days of special leave extends a Volunteer's COS date by 13 months. Peace Corps Response Volunteers are eligible for special leave provided they extend their service for 12 months after serving at least 12 consecutive months.

When a Volunteer takes special leave, the Peace Corps will purchase flights to their home of record. While on special leave, Volunteers will also receive a stipend of $46 a day.

Extending Volunteers are expected to take special leave to bridge between the two periods of service, usually when the Volunteer is departing their original country of service and before they arrive to their new country of service. A Volunteer may, with the written approval of the country director and concurrence of host country officials:

• Begin special leave within 60 days of Volunteer's original close of service (COS) date, or
• Conclude special leave 90 days before the Volunteer’s new COS date.

A Volunteer who has completed 18 months of Volunteer service may begin special leave more than 60 days prior to the original COS date if the country director determines, with concurrence of the regional director, or their designee, that for programmatic reasons such leave should be authorized.

A Volunteer may extend the special leave period by using up to 15 days of advanced annual leave for a combined total of leave not to exceed 45 consecutive days.

A Volunteer who does not take special leave within the time frames allowable forfeits the right to any special leave allowances and airline tickets for travel in conjunction with that special leave.

You should start the process during your mid-service training. Opportunities are generally posted to the website 11 months prior to the start date of the program, and they will come off the website about 5 months prior to start date, meaning that you will have 6 months to review options and apply for a program. The remaining 5 months will be used for medical clearance, visa processing, administrative processing, and up to 30 days of special leave and 15 days of annual leave.

Yes. If you are interested in a program but your COS date and the start date of the new program don’t fall withing 45 days of each other, there are a few things you can do. First, work with your director of programming and training (DPT) to see if you can extend your service in your current country of service in order to bridge the gap. If that isn’t possible, you can consult this list of countries that have agreed to take off-cycle transfers, pending certain qualifications:

Countries that accept off-cycle transfers

If you are interested in a program but you don’t want to serve the full length of service, check this list to see if that country accepts shorter terms of service. If they are, reach out to your DPT. Your DPT will work with your country desk officer so that you can apply to serve a shorter term in the same program.

Countries that accept shorter terms

Your Peace Corps medical officer (PCMO) will work with the Office of Volunteer Health in Washington, D.C., to clear you for your new country of service. The PCMOs and OHS will complete their evaluations during your close of service medical appointments and will assign additional tasks as needed. You must medically clear in order to transfer.

No. Since you are continuing as a Peace Corps Volunteer without a break in service, you will not need additional legal clearance. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) will review your case to ensure there are no outstanding investigations. If you go on special leave you will be required to complete a Suitability and Eligibility Verification before returning to service in your new country. This verification is similar to the process Volunteers go through before service.

If you are extending your service past your original close of service date, your country director can provide you with a new letter to certify your service. While you are in service, your country director is the authorized certifying official and will be able to draft and sign an updated certification letter for your lender. Reach out to your country director once you are approved to transfer.