With over 1,300 VA facilities across the United States and its territories, the opportunity for you to transfer from one VA location to another couldn’t be easier.

Being able to relocate is one of our more popular benefits, but you will have to take a few steps to make sure your transfer is successful, whether you’re moving across the state or across the country.

Eligibility

The first step in moving from one facility to another is verifying that you are eligible to transfer. Typically, an employee may transfer to another location without a break in service of a single workday. That means your transfer lets you to keep your “time in service” intact, preventing any gap in benefits or pay.

You may transfer to a position at a higher, lower or the same grade level. Regardless, you must meet all requirements for the position, just as you would if you were an outside candidate.

Applications

To apply for a transfer, you must first conduct your own job search, as there needs to be a position available, or an anticipated vacancy, at your preferred, new location for the request to be considered. Currently, USAJobs lists over 7,000 jobs across our network, so chances are there is a facility somewhere that needs your particular skill set.

As you search for open positions on USAJobs, you can also filter your results by jobs that are “internal to an agency,” which may help you narrow your search and limit the potential competition for jobs you want.

Once you’ve settled on a location, you can apply for the job just as you would if you were an outside candidate. Proceed through the usual application steps – resume, cover letter and all necessary documentation – just as you did when you first joined VA.

However, take the time to update your resume to highlight the work you’re already doing at your current facility and showcase how you would be an asset at the new location. Use your cover letter to its fullest, describing your qualifications and why you want to move to the new location.

The fine print

As with any job application, being eligible for a transfer does not guarantee you a job offer. But with an already existing career inside VA, you’ll have a leg up on the competition.

Work at VA

If you’re considering a transfer to a new facility, contact your human resources office for more information about your eligibility and the application process.

  • READ more about transfers.
  • UPDATE your resume with tips from our team.FAQ
  • EXPLORE our to find answers to common application questions.
  • SEARCH for the next stop in your VA career.

*This post was updated on 8/2/2022 removing the “Hardship Transfers” section.

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11 Comments

  1. Charise Jackson March 22, 2022 at 14:38

    I’ll never understand folks who comment negatively about a current employer. This always baffles me.

  2. Susan Baldoni March 12, 2022 at 11:10

    I have now worked at 3 different VAs in 3 different states. The physical move and the toll it takes on a soon to be senior citizen is harder than the transfer process with HR! If you want to see this great US of A before everything goes to he** in a hand basket, transfer and go explore the scenery

  3. Johnpaul Jenkins March 11, 2022 at 09:13

    Audit and Defund the V.A. I worked there 24yrs! I Reported their criminal activities I the Inspector General, Office of special Counsel, EEOC, And I Have Taken them to U.S. Federal Court several Times! The OSC states there is No! Statue of limitations! I Retain all Court Files! I lost My Career to Protect Our Nation’s Veterans! I should Retire in 5yrs with 49 yrs. Unbroken Federal service TIME! Not 24yrs! Whistleblower Reprisal, They Refused to Process my Lawfully Filled Service connected Disability claim for 15yrs in Reprisal! They Use our Nation’s Veterans as an Excuse to Get Funding! Then? Sub contract Our Veterans Health Care and Exams, and Disability Determination to Outside private sector Evaluation! They Do Away with All entry level job and Jobs that Hire Veterans! And Veterans support Programs! What Are We Paying them to do? NOTHING! I worked there 24yrs! I seen their Corruption FIRST Hand! Audit and Defund The V.A. sincerely! Johnpaul Jenkins.

  4. James E Bowman March 10, 2022 at 13:08

    As a veteran, why don’t you try doing your job before seeking a transfer! Is that too much to ask?? Is this just another way to dodge your old responsibilities and find a position where you can do even less and still get a government check!! Meanwhile Veterans can’t get even the most basic helthcare! $268 billion dollars a year for what? So your check can prosper while Veterans die untreated. Way to go”VA” I feel we should close the VA Healthcare system completely, put all of the employees and government fat cats on the streets to find real jobs expecting results!

    • Johnpaul Jenkins March 11, 2022 at 09:17

      Thankyou for your service! And For speaking the Truth! All the Best to you, your family, And FRIENDS! And Fellow Veterans! Sincerely, Johnpaul, Jenkins.

  5. Cat March 9, 2022 at 22:23

    You can’t transfer if you’re not vaccinated.

    • Diego Gabriel March 12, 2022 at 19:36

      May I ask you for more information about that? That is my situation exactly, my supervisor is trying to get me fired for not getting the clotshot even though Omicron isn’t even a head cold…

  6. Mike S. March 9, 2022 at 21:14

    I could transfer from Manhattan to the Bronx. That’s like 20 minutes away..

  7. Bob March 9, 2022 at 15:15

    Hahahahahs transfer

  8. Tyrone March 9, 2022 at 11:45

    The article make look like is easy.
    VA HR is good for nothing.

  9. Alan Bombria March 9, 2022 at 10:38

    The fastest promotion path isn’t transferring. It’s doing something incredibly stupid. Eff up, move up.

Comments are closed.

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