30-Day Grace Period

At the end of your program, you will likely have a grace period of up to 30 days for personal travel and preparation for your departure. Although you are not permitted to intern or train past the program end date on your DS-2019 Form, you are permitted to travel within the U.S. during this time.

To see if you have been granted a grace period, confirm that your I-94 record says “D/S”. This means “duration of status”, which denotes your program dates plus 30 days. If your record does not say “D/S” and instead has a date written on it, you must leave the U.S. by that date, even if it is before your program end date.

As both your DS-2019 Form and J-1 Visa will expire at the end of your program, you may not travel internationally during your 30-day grace period unless you are leaving the U.S. permanently. If you leave the U.S. during your grace period, you will not be permitted to re-enter unless you secure a visa for a new program or a tourist waiver. If you’re denied entry, you will be responsible for paying for your own plane ticket home.