Once your academic program is complete, you must pursue one of the following options within the 60-day post-completion grace period:
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Option 1: Leave the U.S.
- If you leave the U.S. during your 60-day grace period you are not permitted re-entry on your F-1 visa and I-20. If you want to return during this time, you must use a different immigration status like ESTA, a B-1/B-2 tourist waiver, etc.
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Option 2: Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
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Your OPT application must be at USCIS by day 59 of your grace period or you are not eligible for OPT.
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Option 3: Transfer to a new institution or start a new degree program at UMass
- Transfer to a new institution: Students transferring their immigration record to a new institution should follow the instructions under the “Transfer to Another Institution” section.
- New Degree Program: if you have been accepted into a new degree level at UMass (i.e., Bachelor’s to Master’s), ISSS will contact you with instructions on how to change your degree level on your I-20.
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Option 4: Change your immigration status
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You can change your immigration status from F-1 to another status. Please work with an immigration attorney if this is your plan.
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If you are no longer a student at UMass after changing your status, your NENS access to UMass systems (access to UMass email, UMass VIP, etc.) will be deactivated 30 days after your new change of status begins. Please plan accordingly.
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Note: the 60-day grace period also applies to F-2 dependents
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If you plan to withdraw from the University, take a temporary absence from your studies, etc., please contact your ISSS Advisor before making your final decision.
Once you have consulted with ISSS and finalized your withdrawal/leave of absence, you will need to take official steps of notifying the Registrar’s Office of your withdrawal from the University. Refer to the Registrar's Office website for details.
Graduate Students: Please work closely with your academic department/advisor. They can advise accordingly on other options.
If you are planning to transfer to another U.S. university or college, please access our Transfer Out E-Form to transfer your immigration record. Use your UMass NETID credentials and choose Amherst as your campus to log into the system.
You will need:
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Your Acceptance Letter from the new school
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School Code for F-1 Students is a 15-digit code and starts with 3 letters. It can be acquired from your new institution.
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Release Date: Usually after the last date of finals or the last date of your contract (for graduate students). The release date must be within 60 days of your completion of studies date.
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Students on OPT/STEM OPT: the release date you choose will be the same day your OPT/STEM OPT authorization ends. Please plan your employment end date and transfer accordingly.
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The transfer release date can be anytime while you are on OPT and 60 days after the EAD expiration date.
Since transfer out requests take 10 business days to process, please try to submit it no later than day 50 of your 60-day grace period to ensure there is enough time for ISSS processing. Please work with your new institution on your new I-20.
In accordance with regulatory SEVIS transfer procedures found at 8 CFR 214.2.(f)(8)(ii), the UMass Amherst Office of Global Affairs will not accept nor complete transfer forms (or pre-admission forms) from the new institution as they are not required per regulation. The SEVIS transfer procedure will be handled entirely through the UMass ISSS transfer request process.