J-1 scholars who are concluding their activities in the USA have certain responsibilities to ISS. In large part, the responsibilities ensure that the SEVIS record for the scholar's J-1 program aligns with the scholar's actions in real life.
If the scholar is subject to 212(e) home residence or J-1 repeat participation rules, note that the timeline for satisfying those rules begins only on the day after the program closes in SEVIS; the scholars 'real' actions are irrelevant if the underlying SEVIS program does not reflect those actions. In other words, exiting the USA does not, by itself, begin the timeline for satisfying a repeat participation rule unless the SEVIS program also closes on that same departure date.
Regardles of why the scholar is concluding their Purdue activities, the following actions are required when the J-1 scholar's activities will end:
- On or within 15 days before the end date for their program activities in Box 3 of their DS-2019
- The scholar must go to MyISS and submit the eForm entitled "Intent to End J program". This will prevent ISS from contacting the scholar and host to query whether extension is needed.
- The J-1 program will automatically close in SEVIS as of the date listed in Box of the DS-2019 as the program end date.
- More than 15 days before the end date for their program activities in Box 3 of their DS-2019
- The scholar must go to MyISS and submit the eForm entitled "Intent to End J program". This will prevent ISS from contacting the scholar and host to query whether extension is needed.
- ISS will update the SEVIS program to reflect the new program end date, and issue a revised DS-2019 form to the scholar. ISS reccomends that scholars retain all DS-2019s issued to them.
- After the end date for their program activities in Box 3 of their DS-2019
- The scholar must contact intlscholars@purdue.edu to discuss.
- In general, program activities may not occur after the end date listed in the For DS-2019, so either the scholar's plans must change, or the department must initiate a request to extend the program activities as needed.
Even once the scholarly activities end at Purdue, scholars may remain in the USA during their grace period. Please see our discussion of grace period (and maintaining status) to understand the applicable limits and obligations.