Recently Graduated J-1 Students

As a J-1 student, you have options after completing your program and graduating from UT Southwestern.

• You can leave the U.S. in 30 days.
• You can apply for academic training.
• You might be able to change to another visa status in the U.S.

Grace Period After Program Completion

United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) allows all J-1 exchange visitors 30 days of lawful status in the U.S. following completion of their J-1 program.

The 30-day grace period is not listed in the program dates on the end date of your DS-2019 form. During the grace period, you can settle your affairs, prepare to return home, or apply for a change of status.

Many J-1 exchange visitors choose to spend their 30-day grace period sightseeing around the U.S. or visiting Canada or Mexico.

If you travel outside the U.S. during the grace period, you will not be allowed to reenter the U.S. in J-1 or J-2 status. Employment is also prohibited during the 30-day grace period.

Academic Training

Academic training is the name the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program uses for employment training or practical experience related to your field of study.

It is a type of off-campus work authorization for employment or training experience directly related to a J-1 student's field of study.

Academic training offers a variety of paid and unpaid training or employment situations – full time or part time, with one or more employers – to supplement your academic program in the U.S.

Academic training is available while you are enrolled in school or after you complete your academic program, as long as you maintain valid J-1 status and stay within the stated time limits.

Your authorization must be processed before your official academic program completion date. Academic training will be endorsed in the student's DS-2019 with a start date within 30 days from the program completion date.

The official regulation states: “A student may participate in academic training programs during his or her studies, without wages or other remuneration, with the approval of the academic dean or advisor and the Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Officer (RO or ARO).

A student may be authorized to participate in academic training for wages or other remuneration during his or her studies or commencing not later than thirty (30) days after completion of his or her studies.”

Students who complete a degree program are permitted an overall academic training period of 18 months.

This includes all academic training, whether before or after completion of studies. After completing a Ph.D. program, you are eligible for an additional 18 months of postdoctoral training, for a total of 36 months of academic training.

Time spent in part-time employment under academic training 1.) will count as full-time academic training, and 2.) will be deducted from the 18 or 36 months of post-completion academic training.

Change of Status

If you are not subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement (212[e]), you are eligible to apply to change your nonimmigrant status. USCIS must receive the application before the end of your grace period.

Find out if you are subject to this requirement by seeking guidance from your Office of International Affairs immigration adviser.