International Students and Scholars Office

Leaving Brandeis

Before you leave Brandeis, be sure to inform your department so that they can update your information with Human Resources. Depending on your immigration status, the ISSO may be required to notify the appropriate U.S. government agencies that you have left Brandeis, including the Department of Labor, USCIS, and US Department of State.

In addition, please review the following information:

Visa Documents

Keep ALL visa documents (e.g. Form DS-2019, Form I-797, Form I-20) in a safe place for your records. You may be asked to provide copies of these documents in the future.

Ending Appointment Early
Please note an immigration document from Brandeis is not an employment contract. Your department can end your appointment/employment at any time, with appropriate advance notice to you. If your appointment ends early, your status will end as of your last day at Brandeis, regardless of the end date shown on your DS-2019 or H-1B approval notice.
  • J-1: If you leave Brandeis before the end date on your DS-2019, the ISSO is required to update the end date in SEVIS, and your J-1 program will end as of your early completion date. If you are eligible for a SEVIS transfer to begin your appointment at another institution, the ISSO will work with your new J-1 sponsor to complete the necessary process.
  • H-1B: If you leave Brandeis before the end date on your H-1B approval notice, the ISSO is required to notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of Labor. Please notify the ISSO in writing if you complete, withdraw, or resign from your appointment prior to the expiration of your current H-1B status, and provide the specific date of early termination.
"Grace Period"
  • F-1 OPT: Individuals in F-1 status (and their dependent family members) have an automatic 60-day grace period after the end date of their F-1 OPT. You may remain in the United States during your grace period, but you are not allowed to work.
  • H-1B: The H-1B regulations require you to leave the United States on or before the end date on your most recent admission stamp in your passport or paper I-94 card.
    • When you enter the United States in H-1B status, the immigration officer may give you an extra 10 days beyond the end date on your H-1B approval notice during which you may remain in the United States. However, this "grace period" only applies if the extra days are given at the time of entry and clearly marked on your admission stamp or paper I-94 card.
  • J-1: Individuals in J-1 status (and their dependent family members) have an automatic 30-day grace period after the end date of their J program during which they may remain in the United States. However, they are not allowed to work during the grace period. If they need more time to complete their research, they must obtain an extension Form DS-2019 from the ISSO. If a J-1’s J-2 dependent has work authorization, it will cease on the day the J-1 has completed their program; the EAD card will cease to be valid, even if the expiration date reaches a date beyond the J-1 completion date.
  • There is no "grace period" for individuals in TN status. They must leave the United States on or before the end date on your most recent admission stamp in your passport or paper I-94 card.
Taxes

All international scholars are required to file a U.S. tax return. You can still file your tax return when you depart the United States. Please email the ISSO at scholars@brandeis.edu for more information prior to the tax filing deadline in the following year.