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Completing Your Program & Departure

Plan Before Your J-1 Program Ends

Contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) before completing your exchange program, departing the United States, or transferring to another J-1 sponsor.

The program end date on Form DS-2019 reflects the anticipated end of your authorized exchange activities. If your actual final participation date changes, ISSS may need to update your SEVIS record and issue revised immigration documentation.

Planning ahead also gives you and your host department time to complete university closeout steps and understand how the end of the J-1 program affects any J-2 dependents.

Completing Your Program as Scheduled

If you will complete your exchange activities on the program end date shown on Form DS-2019:

  • Email ISSS before the program ends to confirm your anticipated completion and departure plans;
  • Complete the J-1 Departure Form in the Coyote International Portal;
  • Respond to any follow-up questions from ISSS; and
  • Coordinate final university and departmental responsibilities with your host department.

ISSS may also contact you before the program end date to confirm your plans. Please respond even if you will complete the program as scheduled.

When a program ends on its scheduled date, the J-1 SEVIS record normally becomes inactive after the Form DS-2019 program end date. The associated J-2 records are affected at the same time.

Coyote International Portal Log-In

 
Tell ISSS Before Your Final Participation Date Changes

Do not wait until after leaving CSUSB to report that your exchange program ended early.

If you will complete, withdraw from, or otherwise stop participating in the program before the end date on your current Form DS-2019:

  1. Email ISSS as soon as the earlier date becomes known.
  2. Include your name, SEVIS ID, current Form DS-2019 end date, proposed final participation date, and a brief explanation.
  3. Ask your host department to confirm your actual final participation date with ISSS.
  4. Follow the instructions provided by ISSS.
  5. Complete the J-1 Departure Form in the Coyote International Portal.

ISSS will determine whether the program end date must be shortened in SEVIS and whether updated Forms DS-2019 should be issued for you and any J-2 dependents.

An earlier program end date can affect the period during which you are considered to be participating in the J-1 program and when any applicable departure-preparation period begins. Departmental approval or completion of a university checkout process does not automatically update your immigration record.

 

After Your J-1 Program Ends

After successful completion of a J-1 program, an exchange visitor and accompanying J-2 dependents are generally allowed up to 30 days to prepare to depart the United States.

This period begins after the program end date on Form DS-2019, including an earlier date established when ISSS shortens the program. It is a departure-preparation period—not an extension of the exchange program.

 
The 30-Day Period Does Not Extend Your Program

During the departure-preparation period:

  • You may not continue CSUSB exchange-program activities;
  • You may not work or receive payment based on the completed J-1 program;
  • ISSS cannot extend or transfer the completed program after its end date;
  • A travel signature does not authorize reentry for a program that has ended; and
  • J-2 dependents do not receive an independent period beyond the J-1 visitor’s authorized stay.

If you leave the United States after completing your program, you generally cannot use the remaining days to return in J-1 or J-2 status. Make any plans for international travel or a transfer before the program end date.

The 30-day period generally applies following successful completion—not when a record has been terminated for a status violation. Contact ISSS immediately if you are uncertain about your SEVIS record or permitted departure date.

Department of State: J-1 Lifecycle Guidance

Complete Your Departure Steps

Before departing:

  • Confirm your final program-participation date with ISSS;
  • Complete the J-1 Departure Form and exit survey in the Coyote International Portal;
  • Provide your anticipated departure date and updated contact information;
  • Confirm the departure plans of any J-2 dependents;
  • Save copies of your Forms DS-2019, Forms I-94, passport identification pages, visas, and other immigration records;
  • Resolve housing, transportation, banking, billing, and other personal arrangements;
  • Review any continuing U.S. tax-filing responsibilities; and
  • Depart the United States no later than the end of your applicable authorized period.

Complete the J-1 Departure Form

Completing the form does not replace the need to email ISSS about an early program end date. Early completion must be discussed before the visitor stops participating or departs.

 
Host Department Closeout

The exchange visitor and host department should coordinate the return of:

  • University keys or access cards;
  • Borrowed equipment, materials, or records;
  • Library materials;
  • Departmental property; and
  • Any other items issued during the appointment.

The department should also complete the appropriate university process to end the visitor’s appointment or affiliation and arrange for the timely closure of campus access associated with the Volunteer Form, when applicable.

ISSS manages the immigration-program record but does not independently close a visitor’s CoyoteID, library access, building access, or departmental appointment.

Notify ISSS if a J-2 spouse or child will permanently depart the United States before the J-1 Exchange Visitor. Federal reporting rules require the sponsor to update an accompanying dependent’s record when the dependent leaves before the principal visitor’s departure.

Transfer Before Your CSUSB Program Ends

A J-1 transfer requires coordination between CSUSB and the receiving program sponsor. Submit the transfer request early enough for both sponsors to review the proposed transfer before your CSUSB program ends.

Submitting the form does not automatically approve or complete the transfer.

How to Request a J-1 Transfer
  1. Contact the prospective sponsor and confirm that it is willing to accept your J-1 record.
  2. Discuss the proposed transfer date with the receiving sponsor.
  3. Submit the J-1 Transfer Form through the Coyote International Portal.
  4. Provide confirmation from the receiving sponsor that it will accept the transfer.
  5. Provide the receiving sponsor’s name, program information, responsible officer contact information, and requested transfer date.
  6. Respond to any requests from ISSS for additional information.
  7. Wait for confirmation that ISSS and the receiving sponsor have coordinated the transfer.

ISSS and the receiving sponsor must determine whether the proposed program and exchange visitor are eligible for transfer. Additional documentation may be required based on the visitor’s category, activities, program history, funding, and remaining eligibility.

Submit the J-1 Transfer Form

 
The Transfer Date Changes Sponsor Responsibility

The agreed transfer date is important:

  • Continue following CSUSB’s program requirements until the transfer becomes effective;
  • Do not begin activities with the new sponsor before authorization from that sponsor;
  • CSUSB’s responsibility for the SEVIS record ends when the transfer becomes effective;
  • The receiving sponsor becomes responsible for issuing the new Form DS-2019 and completing its program requirements; and
  • Coordinate international travel carefully with both sponsors when travel will occur near the transfer date.

A transfer must be arranged before the CSUSB program ends. Do not allow the current Form DS-2019 to expire while waiting for transfer arrangements or assume that an appointment or invitation from another institution completes the transfer.

Completing, Departing, or Transferring?

Contact ISSS before your J-1 program ends if:

  • Your final participation date has changed;
  • You are uncertain about your departure deadline;
  • A J-2 dependent will leave the United States early;
  • You are considering transferring to another sponsor; or
  • Your immigration plans have changed.