All J-1 Exchange Visitors (students, scholars, etc.) (and their dependents) are permitted a 30-day grace period to leave the U.S. after their DS-2019 expires. During your 30-day grace period, you may travel within the U.S., but you cannot leave and return to the U.S. Leaving the U.S. ends your J-1 status during your grace period.
You cannot engage in any J-1 activities during the grace period, even without pay.
Prior to your DS-2019 expiring, you should decide your future plans to ensure your immigration status is not impacted. Review the options available to you BEFORE the end date listed on the DS-2019 as extensions and transfers cannot happen AFTER your end date listed on the DS-2019.
ISSS is required to notify SEVIS when a J-1 Scholar completes their program earlier than 15 days before the end date on their document, transfers to a new J-1 sponsor, or changes their visa status.
Departures for vacations do not need to be reported to ISSS.
You may change employers or schools, which is referred to as a “transfer,” provided the length of time on your DS-2019 does not exceed the maximum permitted by the J-1 category. Time as a J-1 Scholar is cumulative across all employers or schools.
- Research Scholars and Professors may extend up to 5 years from the start date on their DS-2019
- Short Term Scholars may extend up to 6 months from the start date on their DS-2019
- Pre-Baccalaureate student scholars are only eligible for Short Term scholar category (maximum 6-month appointment).
- Specialists may extend up to 1 year from the start date on their DS-2019
An exchange visitor’s SEVIS record must be electronically transferred to the new sponsor before the new sponsor can create a DS-2019.
Consult with ISSS regarding your intent to transfer out and to determine a transfer date. The transfer must be completed prior to the end date as noted on your DS-2019. There cannot be any time gap between the end of one DS-2019 and the start of the next one. For example, if your UMass DS-2019 ends on April 1, then your new DS-2019 from the new institution must start on April 2.
All international students and scholars who were in the U.S. for any period of time during any calendar year must file a federal tax statement, called an income tax return. Even if you were not paid, all visitors will file some type of tax form.
For more information, visit our guidance on taxes.