Leaving UMMS

Before you leave UMMS, be sure to inform the Administrator in your Department so that he/she can inform Human Resources and the International Students and Scholars Office of the end date of your UMMS appointment or the completion of or withdrawal from your degree program.  We recommend that you also check with your department, advisor, UMMS policy or HR Consultant to determine the appropriate resignation / program withdrawal process for your particular UMMS affiliation. 

In addition, please note that depending on your visa status, the ISSO may be required to notify the appropriate U.S. government agencies that you have left the university.

The Office of Human Resources provides information for employees who are terminating their employment at UMMS for reasons other than retirement [UMMS Intranet ONLY].  The guide provides helpful information concerning benefits and other subjects important to any terminating employee. 

In addition, please review the following information:

If you will be remaining in the U.S. but moving to a new employer or degree program, please see the information about transferring your visa status 

Information for graduating F-1 students who will be working elsewhere on a period of approved Optional Practical Training:

Please remember that even if you are no longer enrolled at UMMS and are working on your F-1 OPT elsewhere in the U.S., you are required to report certain information to the ISSO throughout your entire period of OPT.  Please see the OPT responsibilities information on our website.

Alternately,if you are NOT a UMMS graduate, but were working at UMMS on your approved period of Optional Practical Training, we recommend that you contact the international office at the school from which you graduated so that they can update any required information.

 If you are leaving the United States, please review the following information:

  • I-94 card and Visa Documents
    • I-94 CARD (Arrival/Departure Record): When you leave the United States, you should surrender your I-94 card (usually to the airline). Otherwise, there will be no record that you departed the United States in a timely manner and you could be considered an "overstay" by the U.S. government. This may also cause problems for future visits to the United States.

      If for some reason you do not give up your I-94 card upon departing the United States, contact the ISSO and we will give you instructions for forwarding it to the appropriate government office.
    • VISA DOCUMENTS: Keep ALL visa documents (e.g. Form DS-2019, Form I-797, Form I-20) in a safe place for your records. You may be asked to provide copies of these documents in the future if you return to the United States.
  • Early Termination or Withdrawal from Degree Program
    • FOR J-1 VISA HOLDERS: If you leave UMMS more than 30 days before the end date on your DS-2019, the ISSO is required to process an "early termination" in SEVIS, and your J-1 program will end as of your early termination date. We will confirm this date with you and your Department before processing the early termination.
    • FOR H-1B VISA HOLDERS: If you leave UMMS before the end date on your H-1B approval notice, the ISSO is required to notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of Labor. Please notify the ISSO  if you complete, withdraw, or resign from your appointment prior to the expiration of your current H-1B status, and provide the specific date of early termination.
    • FOR F-1 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN GSBS PROGRAM:  Please check with the graduate school for specific information regarding early withdrawal from a degree program.  The ISSO is required to process a "withdrawal" in SEVIS, and your F-1 program will end as of this date.
  • Grace Period (time allowed to remain in the U.S. in preparation for departure)
    • FOR F-1 VISA HOLDERS: 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 (or after completion of their degree program should they not apply for the OPT benefit) during which they may remain in the United States. However, they are not allowed to work during the grace period.  Please note that enrolled students who withdraw from their graduate program are not eligible for the grace period or F-1 OPT unless they 'Mastered out'.
    • FOR H-1B VISA HOLDERS: The H-1B regulations require you to leave the United States on or before the end date on your I-94 card.  Please note, however that when you enter the United States in H-1B status, the immigration officer may give you an extra 10 days beyond the end date on your H-1B approval notice during which you may remain in the United States. This "grace period" only applies if the extra days are given at the time of entry and clearly marked on your I-94 card.
    • FOR J-1 VISA HOLDERS: 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 United States. However, they are not allowed to work during the grace period. If they need more time to complete their research at UMMS, they must obtain an extension from the ISSO.
    • FOR TN VISA HOLDERS: There is no "grace period" for individuals in TN status. They must leave the United States on or before the end date on the I-94 card.

Tax Information 

Review the tax information on the ISSO website. 

If you were paid by UMMS, be sure that you submit your forwarding address to HR.  This form is available in the HR information for employees who are leaving the institute. 
The UMMS Payroll Office will send you a "W-2" form, which is required for your tax filing. You should receive this form by early March for the previous year. If you do not receive it, contact the UMMS Payroll Office for assistance.