It’s your move: How transfers work within VA

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.