Overstayed J1 Program

[inneedofhelp!]

Hello

I've a little query that i hope someone can help me with.

I was in the states for 16 months a few years back.

J1 visa. I initially had it for 12 months but decided to extend it for 4. Extension was successful and i received a new ds2019 with expiry date 12/5/08.

I ended up finishing my placement on the 21st November. The university said i should technically work right up to the expiry date but made no big deal of it since i'd done so well on the program.

I also had an opportunity to go to AZ for thanksgiving too.

I ended up leaving the states on the 22nd December 08. I knew i had 30 days grace so i was well within with my ds 2019 being 5th Dec.

But it was 32 days after finishing my placement.

I now feel angry because i'm scared i overstayed. If my grace period started on the day after i left my placement then i did.

Can anyone shed some light onto my situation?

Thanks

[Mr. Knowitall]

Your thirty days would have started running at the end of your program. But the small discrepancy might not have been detected. This is more of an issue if you're from a country that participates in the visa waiver program, as if you enter under VWP you won't find out until you're at a port of entry. But if you're from a nation where you have to apply for a tourist visa, if you get the visa you can be pretty comfortable that they were satisfied with your departure date based upon your I-94.

[inneedofhelp!]

Your thirty days would have started running at the end of your program. But the small discrepancy might not have been detected. This is more of an issue if you're from a country that participates in the visa waiver program, as if you enter under VWP you won't find out until you're at a port of entry. But if you're from a nation where you have to apply for a tourist visa, if you get the visa you can be pretty comfortable that they were satisfied with your departure date based upon your I-94.

Wouldn't Esta pick any problems up?

Even though I left early the Information would have to have been put into SEVIS right?

My program manager wasn't bothered that I left early and didnt know until I was back in the UK.

Plus my placement was on the other side of the US than my sponsor.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Sadly, I lack the ability to go inside USCIS databases to see what's there.

[inneedofhelp!]

Sadly, I lack the ability to go inside USCIS databases to see what's there.

Thanks for your help on my matter but not all situations are the same i may add. The end date on the DS 2109 is the important thing here. If someone completes their studies and is not terminated from their course the expiry date on the DS2109 is all that matters.


Thanks again