Termination Of Employment

Before you leave Temple University, be sure to inform your Department Administrator. S/he should notify Human Resources and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services of the end date of your Temple University appointment. Depending on your visa status, ISSS may be required to notify the appropriate U.S. government agencies that you have left Temple.

Keep ALL visa documents (e.g. Forms DS-2019 / I-797 / I-20 / I-94) in a safe place. You may be asked to provide copies of these documents in the future if you apply for a new benefit with USCIS, if you apply for US Legal Permanent Residence (green card) or if you depart and then return to the United States.

Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing information for nonimmigrant workers whose employment has terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. These workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations. Click here and here for more information.

Ending your Authorized Stay Earlier Than Originally Planned
  • J-1: If you leave Temple more than 15 days before the end date on your DS-2019, ISSS is required to shorten your J-1 program in SEVIS. Your J-1 program will end as of your early completion date. We will confirm this date with you and your Department before processing the SEVIS event.
  • Employment Visa Holders (H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1): Temple may be required to notify USCIS and/or the U.S. Department of Labor if you leave Temple before the end date of your immigration status. Please notify ISSS in writing if you complete, withdraw, or resign from your appointment prior to the expiration of your current status, and provide the specific date of early termination.
Transfering To Another Institution
  • J-1 Scholars, their department and ISSS will need to work closely with the new institution during the J-1 Transfer Process. Contact  for more information.
  • Employment Visa Holders (H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1): Please contact ISSS for more information. Either a Form I-129 will need to be filed with USCIS or you will need to depart the US and reenter with the documentation to support the transfer process. Contact for more information.
Grace Periods

Note that individuals in their "Grace Period" may not engage in any employment.

  • 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 during which they may remain in the US.
  • 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 US.

Discretionary Grace Periods for Employment Visa Holders (H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1):

Unlike the F and J immigration categories, there is no automatic "grace period" for aliens holding an Employment Immigration status (E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, L-1, or TN) after their period of authorized stay ends or after their employment terminates. However, DHS may in its discretion grant grace periods to certain employment-based nonimmigrants, including:

  • A 10-day period before and after the validity period of the petition, in the E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, L-1, or TN categories
  • Up to 60 days once during each authorized validity period in the E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1 or TN categories, during which DHS will not consider the worker and his or her dependents will "to have failed to maintain nonimmigrant status solely on the basis of a cessation of the employment on which the alien's classification was based"

The application of these rules can be complicated.

  • The grace periods are not automatic
  • They are granted on a discretionary, case by case basis by DHS
  • The beneficiary may not work during either a 10-day or a 60-day grace period
  • Since they deal with maintenance of individual immigration status, nonimmigrant workers should consult an experienced immigration lawyer if they have detailed questions about their own particular case.
IRS Sailing Permit

Click here for more information.

Foreign National Taxation

Visit HR's website here.