J-1 Intern/Trainee: Travel Outside the US


​International Travel Guidance
As a J-1 Intern or Trainee, you are permitted to travel outside the United States during your program, provided your time abroad does not exceed 30 consecutive days.

Re-entry to the US Post- International Travel
To re-enter the United States and continue your J-1 Program after traveling internationally, you must obtain a new sponsor signature on your DS-2019 Form. This signature should be placed in Section 8, labeled "Travel Validation by Responsible Officer."

Follow the instructions below to obtain the necessary signature:

Notify Pan Atlantic in advance: At least two (2) weeks prior to your planned departure, provide your Pan Atlantic Representative with:
  1. Your scheduled departure and return dates.
  2. A letter or email from your host company supervisor/manager confirming that you are in good standing with the J-1 Program and that your time off has been approved.
  3. An overseas contact number and email address where you can be reached in case of emergency.

Important Considerations for International Travel
  • Entry requirements for destination countries: It is your responsibility to research and comply with the entry requirements of the country you plan to visit. The travel validation on your DS-2019 Form only authorizes re-entry to the United States and does not affect your ability to enter other countries. Depending on your passport country, you may need a visa for entry into certain destinations.
  • Visa and DS-2019 Form validity: Before finalizing your travel plans, check the expiration date on your J-1 Visa and DS-2019 Form. The dates on your DS-2019 indicate the period you are authorized to train in the US, while the dates on your J-1 Visa represent when you can apply for US entry. If your DS-2019 is still valid but your visa has expired, contact the US Embassy that issued your J-1 Visa for information on applying for a renewal before traveling.
  • 30-day grace period: You are not allowed to re-enter the US during your 30-day grace period, which follows the end of your program. If you plan to use this grace period, ensure that you remain in the US during this time.
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Avoid Excessive International Travel
The US government expects that J-1 Visa holders commit to fully participating in their programs. Frequent travel outside the US with multiple re-entries may lead to re-entry denial by Customs and Border Protection. Use your J-1 Visa responsibly, and avoid excessive international trips during your program.