Grace Period and Options After OPT

Students who maintain their F-1 status while on OPT will receive the 60-day Grace Period upon the expiration of the OPT card. The student has the following options prior to the expiration of the grace period:

Request I-20 for Admission to New Program at UF

Students who have applied and been admitted to a new program at UF must request an I-20 for Change of Educational Level (COL). In order for the student not to be required to depart the US before the start of the new program:

  • the new program must start within 150 days or less from the OPT expiration date and
  • the I-20 request must be made in ISSS at least 7-10 business days prior and the I-20 must be issued before the OPT 60 day grace period expires.

If the program will not start within 150 days or less, or if the I-20 update request is not made to the ISA at least 7-10 business days prior to the grace period deadline, the student will be required to leave the US by the end of the OPT 60 day grace period. An Initial I-20, which will have a new SEVIS ID, to apply for a new F-1 visa abroad, will be mailed to the student’s home address abroad. Students are required to pay the SEVIS fee for the new SEVIS ID, along with the F-1 visa application fee. The student will then be able to return to the US within the 30 days prior to the program start date indicated on the Initial I-20.

When a student is admitted to a new program at the same school, the remaining portion of OPT, if any, is automatically terminated when the current school registers the student for the new program in SEVIS.

Request SEVIS Transfer to Another U.S. Institution

Students who have been admitted to a new program at a school other than UF must request a Transfer-Out to transfer their F-1 SEVIS record to the new school. In order not to be required to depart the US before the start of the new program:

  • the new program must start within 150 days or less of the OPT expiration date and
  • the request must be made in ISSS at least 7-10 business days prior to and the SEVIS record must be transferred before the OPT 60 day grace period expires.

A SEVIS transfer is not possible after the Grace Period has expired.

If the program will not start within 150 days or less, or if the SEVIS transfer request is not made to the ISA at least 7-10 business days prior to the grace period deadline, the student will be required to leave the US by the end of the OPT 60 day grace period. The new school will provide the student with an Initial I-20, which will have a new SEVIS ID, to apply for a new F-1 visa abroad. Students are required to pay the SEVIS fee for the new SEVIS ID, along with the F-1 visa application fee. The student will then be able to return to the US within the 30 days prior to the program start date indicated on the Initial I-20 from the new school.

When a student is admitted to a new program at another school, the remaining portion of OPT, if any, is terminated when the SEVIS record is transferred to the new school.

Apply for a Change of Visa Status*

If the F-1 student has applied for and received approval for a change of visa status, such as to F-2, H1B, H4, J1, J2, Permanent Resident, etc., the student should email their ISA. Include the UFID number and a copy of the USCIS approval notice or Permanent Resident/Green Card.

If the F-1 student would like to apply for a change of status from F-1 to F-2, and the F-1 spouse is a student at UF, please visit Requesting Change of Visa Status to F-2 and contact the spouse’s F-1 advisor.

If the F-1 spouse is a student at another institution, please contact the spouse’s F-1 advisor at the other U.S. institution.

* USCIS may require that the Change of Status application is filed prior to the expiration of the OPT card itself. This means the USCIS receipt date of the application may need to be prior to the start of the 60-day grace period.

Depart the U.S. Indefinitely

Students who will leave the U.S. indefinitely, with no current intentions of returning to continue their OPT, or if the OPT has ended, should send an email to their ISA; include the UFID number and a copy of the flight itinerary. This does not include temporary travel for vacation or work, if the student plans to return to continue their OPT.

 

The student’s F-1 SEVIS record will be terminated/completed, and the remainder of the OPT, if any, will become invalid; this decision is final, cannot be withdrawn/revoked. The student must depart the US within 15 days of the termination of their SEVIS record.