Leaving The United States During Your J-1 Intern & Trainee Program
Information For Your J-1 Intern or Trainee Program
As a BridgeUSA J-1 Intern or Trainee in the United States, you might view international travel to neighboring or other countries as an exciting opportunity. However, it is important to note that leaving the country during your program should be reserved for personal or emergency purposes rather than leisure travel, even if your host company approves your plans. Exiting the country during your program requires careful consideration and adherence to specific guidelines.
Nonetheless, if you must depart the country while your program is ongoing, it is essential to follow specific steps to facilitate a seamless return to the United States and resume your J-1 Intern or Trainee Program.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from checking your visa's expiration date and entry permissions to obtaining the necessary authorizations and documentation. By following these steps, you can mitigate the risk of being denied re-entry into the U.S. and ensure that your international travel does not disrupt your J-1 Intern or Trainee Program experience.
Here’s what you need to do to prepare for international travel during your program:
Check the expiration date on your J-1 Visa:
Please be aware that the expiration date of your J-1 Visa may differ from the end date listed on your DS-2019 Form. It is important to possess a valid J-1 Visa for your re-entry into the United States. If your J-1 Visa has expired but you are still within the program dates specified on your DS-2019, you will need to contact the U.S. Embassy in your home country to start the process of renewing the visa stamp in your passport. However, if your J-1 Visa is still valid and you are within the program dates indicated on your DS-2019, you can use your existing visa for re-entry into the country.
Check your J-1 Visa to see if you have a multiple entries visa:
Check your J-1 Visa to see how many times you can enter the U.S. You can see these by viewing what is written in the “entries” category on your visa. You may see a 1, 2 or M in this category.
“1” - indicates a single entry visa. If your visa is a single entry, you will not be permitted to re-enter the United States once you leave. Therefore, you cannot travel internationally while participating in your J-1 Intern or Trainee Program.
“2” - indicates you are permitted to enter the U.S. twice while on your J-1 Intern or Trainee Program.
“M” - indicates a multiple entries visa.
If you have a multiple entries visa (2 or M), please follow the instructions below. There is always a small chance that you will not be permitted to re-enter the United States. However, if you go within the dates of your DS-2019 Form and follow the procedure below, you will most likely not have any problems.
Consult with your host company regarding your reasons for traveling, whether they are personal or due to an emergency.
Your host company will need to prepare an e-mail or a letter confirming that they are agreeing to allow you to leave your J-1 Intern or Trainee Program for the exact agreed upon dates and that they are willing to continue your program upon return.
Discuss with your J-1 Sponsor Organisation about the procedures of authorizing your DS-2019 Form for international travel.
Since you are participating in a J-1 Intern or Trainee Program with us, your J-1 Sponsor Organisation is our sister company, Odyssey International Exchange. You must contact them in regards to your plans to exit the United States and re-enter in the country. We recommend to contact them at least 4 weeks before your travel plans. Please send an email to info@odcinternational.com for instructions.
In conclusion, while international travel during your BridgeUSA J-1 Intern or Trainee Program can be tempting, it is important to approach it with careful planning. To prepare for international travel during your program, make sure to check the expiration date of your J-1 Visa and your program dates on the DS-2019 Form. Additionally, confirm whether your visa allows multiple entries, as this will determine your eligibility to re-enter the United States after leaving.
Communication with your host company is essential as you need to obtain their approval in writing for your travel plans and ensure they confirm their commitment to your continued participation in the program upon your return. Finally, consult with your J-1 Sponsor Organization to authorize your DS-2019 Form for international travel and ensure all necessary documentation is in order before the travel plans.
By following these steps and guidelines, you can minimize risks and potential disruptions to your J-1 Intern or Trainee Program. If you have any questions in regards to this, please do not hesitate to ask your ITN Representative.
