J1 Visa Gap between residency and fellowship

[DG09]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 15 day gap between end of my residency and fellowship. My residency ends on June 30th, and fellowship starts on July 15th. My current program is not willing to extend or do a unpaid leave of absence for 15 days. Can I leave the country and enter once I have my DS 2019? is it allowed to have J1 visa gap of 15 days? I am in such a difficult situation, please advice.

Thank you

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[Dral]

@NotAProgDirector seems to be in the know about visa issues. Maybe they can help out.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It's possible that this may help: https://csess2.ecfmg.org/evsp/surgery-gap-sa-form.pdf

That says it's specific to surgery residents, but perhaps they will be flexible.

The other possibility is that, after completing a residency on a J1, you get a 30 day grace period before you need to leave the US. It's possible that you might be able to get a new J visa during the grace period, and be OK. I don't know if this is acceptable, and you should contact your visa office to see. The grace period only exists at the end of training -- which is why J1 visa residents are not allowed to have any gap in training during residency, no matter how short.

 

[Giovanotto]

So I am going through this with employment, though be forewarned, my situation may be slightly different since I am not on a J1. But I am applying for a visitor visa as a stop gap.