Trying to find out about a student on J-1 Work travel program with DS-2019 work certificate. This student here through the Alliance Abroad Group and is dissatisfied with their program and wants to leave that program to stay/visit (not work) with friends of her parents in CA. Then she would exit the US on her original departure date. Seems to us the only thing she needs to do is to inform SEVIS of her change of plans and her change of location. Can you let us know what she can do to remain within the law? Her exit date would be honored and she has no plans to overstay only to leave that program and change her location.

For J-1 Work travel program, if participant leaves the job before completion of employment term as stated on the contract, he/she must leave US immediately. However, if the participant completes the job, he/she is entitled to grace period of 30 days to travel in US.