Complete Your Internship

The end date listed on your Form DS-2019 is the last day you may work at your host company. After this date, you are allowed a 30-day grace period that allows you to travel and pack before leaving the U.S. You must leave the country by the end of this grace period.

When you leave the U.S., be sure a U.S. inspection agent takes your Form I-94 at your port of departure. This form serves as a record of your departure. If it is not collected, you will be tagged as overstaying your visa and may have difficulties visiting the U.S. in the future.

If an inspection agent does not take Form I-94 upon your departure, you must immediately contact the U.S. government at the address below so that their records can be updated to show that you left. Complete the back of the card listing the port of departure and date of departure from the United States and the carrier/flight information. Mail this along with a letter of explanation and evidence of departure to:

DHS-CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
USA

Evidence of departure can include a boarding pass from your flight or a copy of the stamp you received in your passport when you returned to your home country. Be sure to make copies of all of these documents before sending them.

We hope to hear from you once you have finished your program and have returned to your home country. You might consider entering our My America photo contest or our ABROADcast video contest. Both contests offer you the opportunity to win great prizes while sharing your experiences in the United States.

Finally, the greatest compliment you can give us is a referral to your friends and professional contacts. If you would like to help us promote international exchange through your home university or company, contact us at .

Terminate Your Internship Early

You are expected to complete your internship according to the end date on your Form DS-2019. If you are unable to complete your program, you must notify your host company and your CDS representative. You should provide a brief explanation of why you must leave early, when your last day with the host company will be, and your supervisor’s contact information.

If you are dismissed or laid off by your host company, you must notify your CDS representative immediately, as this impacts your J-1 visa status.

Typically, you must leave the U.S. within 30 days of completing your program; however, if you have been dismissed from your host company due to a disciplinary action, you may need to leave the U.S. within five business days.

Please note that CDS will reimburse you for any unused months of health insurance. Since it will be easier to cash a refund check while you are still in the U.S., it is best to notify us as soon as you have plans to leave early.