Below is information that you must know as you near the end of your J scholar appointment. Remember that by law you have a limited time to take action from the date you COMPLETE your appointment before your presence in the US is no longer legal. The program end date on your DS-2019 reflects the date you should COMPLETE your appointment. This date is important for interpreting the information in this handout. If you plan to leave your J-1 employment prior to the program end date listed on your DS-2019 you should contact an International Advisor in GEO immediately! Scholars who complete or terminate their program before the end date on their DS-2019 are no longer authorized to be present in the US and must leave the country immediately.