Completing Your Program

Students should be aware of the visa regulations and options for staying in the U.S. after completing their program of study. Please note you are expected to complete your program by the program end date listed on your I-20. If you are completing your program earlier than the program end date listed on your I-20, your program end date will automatically be shortened to the last day of commencement. Please read the details below and talk to an ISSS advisor if you have any further questions.

Your 60 Day Grace Period to Depart the United States: After you complete your program (the date of your last class or completion of your last assignment or exam), you have sixty days to pack and return to your home country. After sixty days, your SEVIS records will be auto-completed by the U.S government. During these 60 days you can travel within the United States, but if you leave the U.S. (even to Canada or Mexico) you cannot re-enter in F-1 status.

Transferring Out: After you complete your program (the date of your last class or completion of your last assignment or exam), you have sixty days to transfer your SEVIS records to another U.S institution. You must provide the ISSS office the following documents and ISSS needs to release your record before the end of your grace period:

  • An acceptance letter from the new school you plan to attend
  • A "transfer verification form" from the new school you plan to attend (contact the International Student Services office at the new institution for this form)
  • The date you would like your SEVIS immigration record to be "released"

After 60 days, your records will be auto-completed by the U.S government. ISSS will not be able to transfer SEVIS records and you will need to request a new initial I-20 from new schools.

Applying for Work Authorization: After you complete your programs (the date of your last class or completion of your last assignment or exam), you have 60 days to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

Please note that if you leave early from your program the above may not apply to you, so please refer to the Leave of Absence and Withdrawal page.