End of Program/Employment Options

On Time Completion

If a J-1 scholar completes their exchange program on time, their department should report the on time completion by logging into ISSS Link and completing the "J-1 Scholar End of Program" e-form found under the "J-1 Scholar Management" tab. The scholar will get a 30-day grace period to leave the US.

Early Completion

If a J-1 scholar finishes their exchange program early, their host department should report the early completion date by logging into ISSS Link and completing the "J-1 Scholar End of Program" e-form found under the "J-1 Scholar Management" tab. This form should be submitted before the scholar actually completes their program. The scholar will have a 30-day grace period to depart the US.

Early Withdrawal

If a J-1 scholar withdraws from their exchange program early without completing it, their host department should report the withdrawal by logging into ISSS Link and completing the "J-1 Scholar End of Program" e-form found under the "J-1 Scholar Management" tab. This form should be completed before the scholar actually withdraws. If possible, exchange visitors should plan a withdrawal carefully because they will not get the standard 30-day grace period to depart the US. Instead, the J-1 scholar will have to leave the US right away.

Transferring to Another Institution

To continue their J-1 program objective at another institution, Exchange Visitors must complete the following procedures:

1. Direct their host department to report the transfer by logging into ISSS Link and completing the "J-1 Scholar End of Program" e-form found under the "J-1 Scholar Management" tab. This form should be submitted by the department administrator and the supervisor before the J-1 scholar completes their J-1 activities at Emory. 
2. Obtain an official invitation letter to participate in the other institution's exchange visitor program.
3. Submit a completed J-1 Scholar Transfer Out Request Form (PDF) to ISSS. Before emailing the completed form to isss@emory.edu, the scholar must have:
   • Section B completed and signed by their new international scholar advisor (at the transfer-in non-Emory institution) and 
   • Section C completed and signed by their current Emory supervisor/department chair

An ISSS advisor will review the request to make sure the transfer supports the scholar's original exchange visitor program objective and to certify that the scholar has maintained your J-1 status. Once the transfer is approved, ISSS will work with the new institution to set the official transfer-out date in SEVIS.

Termination

The following are reasons a scholar's SEVIS record could be terminated. If ISSS has to terminate a J-1 scholar's program for any of these reasons, the scholar will have to leave the US right away. 

1. Failure to maintain health insurance
2. Unauthorized employment
3. Failure to pursue exchange program activities
4. Conviction of a crime
5. Disciplinary action
6. Violating exchange visitor program regulations
7. Violating university rules and policies

On Time Completion

H-1B employees may be granted a 10-day grace period during. The I-94 must properly indicate whether this grace period was granted upon the scholar's last entrance into the US. If the date on the I-94 is 10 days after the approved end date on the I-797 approval notice, the scholar was granted a grace period and they should depart the US by that date. H-1B employees cannot work during that 10-day grace period. 

Early Departure (Resignation or Termination)

If an H-1B scholar will leave Emory University early for any reason (resignation or termination) before their H-1B approval end date on their I-797, the scholar and the department must inform ISSS before the scholar's last day at Emory.  

Once the department is aware of a scholar's departure, the department administrator must log into ISSS Link and initiate the "H-1B/E-3 Status or Employment Ending Early" e-form found under "H-1B/E-3 Employee Management." Once completed, ISSS will do the following:

• Email the department the necessary instructions depending on the reason for the employment ending early. 
• Notify USCIS and the Department of Labor of the H-1B early termination. 

If an H-1B scholar is considering leaving Emory early, ISSS recommends that the scholar discuss their options with their ISSS advisor in advance. The ISSS advisor can provide the scholar with advice on what is required of the scholar to maintain legal H-1B status. H-1B scholars do not receive an automatic a grace period at the end of their authorized stay, so it is advisable that they leave the US right away unless they have already done one of the following:

• Secured employment elsewhere and the new employer has already filed its H-1B petition to sponsor the scholar for employment.
• Have filed a petition to change status inside the US to another status prior to the end date of their employment.

On Time Completion

O-1 employees may be granted a 10-day grace period during. The I-94 must properly indicate whether this grace period was granted upon the scholar's last entrance into the US. If the date on the I-94 is 10 days after the approved end date on the I-797 approval notice, the scholar was granted a grace period and they should depart the US by that date. O-1 employees cannot work during that 10-day grace period.

Early Departure (Resignation or Termination)

If an O-1 scholar will leave Emory University early for any reason (resignation or termination) before their O-1 approval end date on their I-797, the scholar and the department must inform ISSS before the scholar's last day at Emory. Once the department is aware of a scholar's departure, the department administrator must submit an O-1 Early Termination Notification (PDF).

O-1 scholars don't get a grace period at the end of their authorized stay, so they will need to leave the US right away. O-1 employment authorization isn't portable, meaning that if an O-1 scholar is changing employers within the US, they have to get new O-1 authorization with the new employer.

On Time Completion

TN scholars should plan to depart the US on the admit until date listed on the I-94. 

Early Departure (Resignation or Termination)

If a TN scholar will leave Emory University early for any reason (resignation or termination) before their TN employment end date (as listed on their I-94 or their I-797 approval notice), the department and scholar must let their department's assigned ISSS advisor know. Otherwise, there's nothing else the scholar or department need to do. 

On Time Completion

E-3 scholars should make plans to depart the US by the end date on their LCA or the admit until date on their I-94 (whichever is earlier). 

Early Departure (Resignation or Termination)

If an E-3 scholar will leave Emory University early for any reason (resignation or termination) before their E-3 approval end date, the scholar and the department must inform ISSS before the scholar's last day at Emory.  

Once the department is aware of a scholar's departure, the department administrator must log into ISSS Link and initiate the "H-1B/E-3 Status or Employment Ending Early" e-form found under "H-1B/E-3 Employee Management." Once completed, ISSS will do the following:

• Email the department the necessary instructions depending on the reason for the employment ending early.
• Notify USCIS and the Department of Labor of the H-1B early termination. 

If an E-3 scholar is considering leaving Emory early, ISSS recommends that the scholar discuss their options with their ISSS advisor in advance. The ISSS advisor can provide the scholar with advice on what is required of the scholar to maintain legal E-3 status. E-3 scholars do not receive an automatic a grace period at the end of their authorized stay, so it is advisable that they leave the US right away unless they have already done one of the following:

• Secured employment elsewhere and the new employer has already filed its E-3 petition to sponsor the scholar for employment.
• Have filed a petition to change status inside the US to another status prior to the end date of their employment.