Withdraw or leave of absence (J-1)
FAQ.
Answered by Robin Catmur-Smith, Managing Director of the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
Withdraw or leave of absence (J-1)
You may possibly be able to withdraw from your program, but you must work with your program sponsor (whoever issued your DS-2019) to get approval. If your sponsor is an outside organization (e.g., Fulbright/IIE), only their RO/ARO can update your SEVIS record. Without sponsor approval, withdrawing could be considered a violation of status.
Withdrawing
Complete your school's withdrawal process and required forms.
Your RO/ARO updates your SEVIS record (for sponsored programs like Fulbright, only the sponsor's RO/ARO can do this).
Once your record is shortened/ended with sponsor approval, you have 30 days from the DS-2019 end date to leave.
To return later, you'll need a new DS-2019, and possibly to repay the SEVIS fee and get a new visa stamp.
Be sure to understand how the 12 month and 24 month bars might affect your ability to return to the U.S. in J-1 status
Taking a leave of absence
Follow your program's leave process and notify your sponsor.
Your sponsor must authorize the interruption in SEVIS — and you'll generally need to leave the U.S. during the leave.
On return, the sponsor decides whether to reactivate your record or issue a new DS-2019 (new SEVIS number means repaying the fee and possibly a new visa).
Be sure to understand how the 12 month and 24 month bars might affect your ability to return to the U.S. in J-1 status
Important: You only get the grace period if the leave/withdrawal is coordinated with your sponsor. Sponsors have discretion — some allow reactivation, others require a new DS-2019.
