Working in the US after a J1 visa
<p>I can have a 6-months J1 visa to work in the US and I'm wondering how I could stay working in the US after the visa expires.</p>

<p>On <a href="http://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/" rel="nofollow">http://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/</a> it says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>My visa has expired during the program. What do I do?</p>
  
  <p>If your visa has expired and you do not plan to travel outside of the U.S., you do not need to renew the visa.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So, is it legal to stay in the US after the visa expires?</p>

<p>Also, what about my girlfriend, could see come too?</p>

<p>According to the <a href="http://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/" rel="nofollow">Common Questions</a> you have 30 days to leave the country <strong>after your program is over</strong>. However, this implies that you may not work unless you have obtained an extension to your program. <strong>The answer that you quote seems to mean that if your visa expires but the original program is still continuing, then you can stay</strong>. Otherwise you have to leave within 30 days.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Can I participate in another J1 program after finishing my current program?</strong></p>
  
  <p>Your current J-1 visa is ONLY applicable for your current J-1 exchange
  program and under your current program sponsor. Upon completion of
  your current J-1 program, you are expected to depart the United
  States.</p>
  
  <p>If you intend to pursue a 2nd J-1 exchange program (in a different
  category and with a different J-1 sponsor), you will need to apply for
  a new J-1 visa for your new exchange program and new J-1 sponsor – in
  order to reenter the U.S. for the 2nd program.</p>
  
  <p><strong>How long before my J-1 program starts can I arrive in the United
  States?  How long can I remain after my program ends?</strong></p>
  
  <p>You may not arrive more than 30 days before the program start date
  shown on your DS-2019.  Upon completion of your exchange program, you
  have a grace period of 30 days to depart the United States.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The remainder of the answer that you quote is relevant.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all
  matters relating to your J-1 program, including authorizing travel
  outside of the U.S. and ensuring that your J-1 non-immigrant documents
  are valid at all times.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The date of your visa's expiration has no bearing on whether you can remain in the country, or for how long.  See <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/visa-expiration-date.html" rel="nofollow">https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/visa-expiration-date.html</a>.</p>

<p>What matters is the stamp in your passport.  If it has an "admit until" date, you must leave by that date.  If it says "D/S," duration of status, you can stay as long as you maintain J-1 status.  If you "complete" your program successfully, you get a 30-day grace period before you have to leave.  Otherwise (if you leave the program early), you have to leave immediately.</p>

<p>Note that the question is asking about a visa that expires "during the program" -- because J-1 status is dependent on your remaining in the program.  If the visa expires after the end of the program, the answer to the question is different.</p>

<p>The question you should be asking is not be whether it is legal to stay in the US after the visa expires, but rather</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Is it legal to stay in the US after I finish my J-1 program?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>And the answer to that question is</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Yes, <strong>for 30 days only,</strong> unless you leave the program early, in which case you must leave the US immediately.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Some J-status nonimmigrants may be eligible to change into another nonimmigrant status without leaving the US.  For more information, see <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/visit-united-states/change-my-nonimmigrant-status-category/change-my-nonimmigrant-status" rel="nofollow">https://www.uscis.gov/visit-united-states/change-my-nonimmigrant-status-category/change-my-nonimmigrant-status</a>.</p>

<p>Your real question, though, is how to stay in the US working after your program finishes, so you need to find a nonimmigrant status that will allow you to do that.  You also need to find an employer willing to sponsor you.  This can be difficult, depending on your qualifications.</p>

<p>As to your girlfriend, she will only be able to come with you if she qualifies independently for a visa.  If you want to sponsor her to come with you, you would need to marry her, and even then she would be only eligible to accompany you as a dependent in <em>certain classifications.</em>  For example, if you had an H-1B visa, you could bring her as a family member in H-4 status.</p>

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