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NIH Visiting Program Scientists

Visiting Program Scientists

Leaving NIH

Leaving NIH​

If you plan to leave NIH, please refer to our checklists below. Refer to our poster of the Visiting Program Separation/Termination Notice process.

DIS/NIH Tasks
  • Notify your Administrative Officer (AO). Your AO will submit a Termination notice to DIS. Your AO will also update your forwarding address in the relevant NIH systems and confirm you have completed all necessary separation processes for your Institute/Center.
    • Review NIH Form 3000 and complete if necessary. Questions should be referred to the IC and/or the email address on the form.
  • Return your NIH ID badge.
  • Unsubscribe from the DIS Scientist Listserv.
  • Health Insurance - Fellows must email faesinsurance@mail.nih.gov a Fellowship Termination Notification. You will receive follow-up information on how to continue health insurance coverage, if needed.
  • If you will continue to work for NIH from outside the United States, coordinate with your Administrative Officer to obtain authorization for remote access and/or government equipment. DIS is not involved in this process.
Other Tasks
Avoid Unlawful Presence

Unlawful presence occurs when you overstay your authorized time in the United States or are present in the United States without being lawfully admitted. If you accrue unlawful presence, you may be barred from re-entry to the United States for certain periods of time and/or may become ineligible to obtain a U.S. nonimmigrant visa anywhere other than your home country.

Refer to the USCIS guidance on Unlawful Presence and Bars to Admissibility.

To avoid unlawful presence or a violation of immigration rules, depart the United States on or before the last day of your authorized stay:

  • J-1 – depart within 30 days after end of DS-2019 or end of program, whichever is earlier
  • H-1B – depart by end date of I-94 or after end of employment, whichever is earlier
  • O-1 – depart by end date of I-94 or after end of employment, whichever is earlier
  • TN – depart by end date of I-94 or after end of employment, whichever is earlier
  • F-1 – 60 days after end of I-20 or end of program of studies or OPT, whichever is earlier

You are considered to be lawfully in the United States after your end of program if you have filed a non-frivolous petition with USCIS to extend your stay, change your status, or adjust your status before expiration of your lawful stay. Consult with an immigration attorney if necessary.

Do not use your NIH immigration documents to travel or work in the United States if you are no longer sponsored or employed by NIH.


Revised 08/2022

DIS Info

​​​Service Hours:
9:00AM - 4:00PM ET

Non-FTE Check-In/EOD:
Monday By 11:30am (​in local time zone of lab)
Submit Remotely
Advising Services:
Drop-Ins and Appointments​
Document Pickup:
By Appointment
J-1/J-2 Travel Signature Requests:​
Submit Remotely
Badge Validation:
Submit Remotely