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End of Program and Departure Period

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F-1 Student
J-1 Exchange Visitor

F-1 Program End Date

For F-1 enrolled students, your Program End date will typically be the last day of finals for your last term at SCU. Note that your I-20 is originally issued with a program end date based on the expected time to complete your program. It will be adjusted if you complete your program early or are granted a Program Extension.
For F-1 students who have graduated and are currently engaged in OPT or STEM OPT extension, your end date will be the date that your EAD expires.

Program Extensions can only be approved prior to a student’s program end date. Program Extensions are rare. The following scenarios may qualify a student for a Program Extension:

  • Current or previous reduced course load
  • Delay caused by lost credits upon transfer to SCU
  • Delay caused by change in major field of study
  • Unforeseen research delay (doctoral students) 

To Request a Program Extension students must submit a Request for Extension Form at least 30 days prior to the end of their program. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Instructions for requesting a Program Extension will be provided to students who qualify. Please book an appointment with the ISS Team to discuss.

60 Day Departure Period

After your program completion you have a 60 day period to take action on your immigration status. This is sometimes called the "grace period" or the "departure period". During the 60 day departure period, you students must take one of these actions:

Before our during your 60 departure period you may apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

This does not require a job offer. Your application must be delivered to USCIS no later than 60 days after your program completion.Once your application is filed, you are allowed to stay while it is pending. Once approved, you can work in a position related to your studies for up to 12 months. Learn more at scu.edu/opt.

If you are planning to begin a new academic program at SCU, you will need to follow the "Change of Education Level" process. 

The I-20 Request Process is outlined on our website

Timing of the Change of Education Level

  • You must submit your Change of Education Level I-20 requests to our office as soon as possible, but no later than the I-20 deadline.
  • Your F-1 SEVIS record must be updated during the 60 day departure period.
  • You must start classes during the next available term, no more than 5 months from your program end date.
  • If you hope to engage in CPT during the break between your academic program, we will need to discuss this.

Change of Education Level General Information

  • If you plan to leave the U.S. during the break between your academic program, you will need your new I-20 in hand when you re-enter the U.S. We recommend that you receive the new I-20 prior to departing the U.S.
  • Your SEVIS ID number will not change.
  • You will not be required to re-pay the SEVIS fee.
  • If you currently have an unexpired F-1 visa stamp in your passport you will not need to apply for a new visa stamp.
  • You are not required to attend International Student Welcome (ISW), but are encouraged to do so (it may be quite different than when you attended years ago).
  • You are required to complete immigration check-in.
  • Additional information about ISW and immigration check-in will be sent to you as we approach the start of your new academic program.

During your 60 day departure period you can transfer your F-1 SEVIS immigration record to another school to begin a new academic program. You must begin classes at your new school for the next available term and within 5 months of the last day you attend classes (or engaged in OPT / STEM OPT) with SCU. If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. between programs, you will need the I-20 from your new school to re-enter the U.S. We recommend that you transfer your record prior to departing the U.S.

Transfer Out Process

In order to initiate the transfer process, please complete the Transfer Out Request eForm in the MyiSCU Portal.
Your submission will include:
  1. Proof that you have been unconditionally admitted to a new school.  If you have questions about whether your admission is conditional or not feel free to email our office with an attachment of your admissions letter.
  2. Confirmation of the exact date (MM/DD/YYYY) that you want your SEVIS Release Date.
  3. The SEVIS School Code for your new school.
  4. Any transfer in forms that your new school requires.

SCU does not have a "Transfer Out" form. If your new school asks for our contact information to send an electronic "Transfer In" form, please use iss@scu.edu for the form.

SEVIS Release Date

Your "SEVIS Release Date" will be the date that we release your F-1 SEVIS immigration record to your new school. On this date, you are no longer eligible to study at SCU and any employment you are engaged in (CPT, OPT, STEM OPT) must end.

Generally, your "SEVIS release date" should be as early as possible, either the day after your program end date or the day after your employment (CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT) ends. 

During your 60 day departure period you may file an application with USCIS to change your immigration status.

Your application must be filed with USCIS during the 60 day period. This application could eventually be approved or denied, but once the application is filed, you are allowed to stay in the U.S. while the application is pending.

Our office cannot provide guidance on the Change of Status application. We recommend that students filing a Change of Status application consult with a qualified, U.S. based immigration attorney.

If you elect to depart the U.S. you do not need to return to your home country and could enter another country (depending on travel restrictions).

Once you depart the U.S. you will not be able to use your F-1 status to return and will need to return in a different status (e.g. B-1/B-2 Tourist, ESTA, Visa Waiver) 

J-1 Program End Date

For J-1 Exchange Visitors (including non-degree students, and scholars), your program end date is listed on your DS-2019.

If you are interested in extending your time at SCU, please email iss@scu.edu to request an appointment to discuss the possibility of a program extension at least 30 days prior to the end of your program.

Qualifying students will be provided with instructions for requesting a Program Extension.

30 Day Departure Period

After your program completion you have a 30 day period to take action on your immigration status. This is sometimes called the "grace period" or the "departure period." During the 30 day departure period, you must take one of these actions:

J-1 students are eligible to participate in Academic Training, off-campus employment related to their field of study for up to the amount of time that they spent studying at SCU. Academic Training must be requested through the Academic Training eForm in the MyiSCU Portal prior to your program end date. Contact iss@scu.edu for questions about Academic Training.

The process to transfer your immigration record to another program must be completed before your program end date.

Transfer Out Process

In order to initiate the transfer process, please complete the Transfer Out Request eForm in the MyiSCU Portal.
Your submission will include:
  1. Proof of Acceptance
    • Students: Proof that you have been unconditionally admitted to a new school. 
    • Scholars: Proof that you have been invited, appointed or hired by a new school.
  2. Confirmation of the exact date (MM/DD/YYYY) that you want your SEVIS Release Date
    • For scholars, there can be no gap between programs. Please consult with ISS at least 30 days prior to the transfer of your record to ensure time for coordination with the new school.
  3. The SEVIS Program Number for the new school.
  4. Any transfer in forms that your new school requires.

During your 30 day departure period you may file an application with USCIS to change your immigration status.

Your application must be filed with USCIS during the 30 day period. This application could eventually be approved or denied, but once the application is filed, you are allowed to stay in the U.S. while the application is pending.

Our office cannot provide guidance on the Change of Status application. We recommend that students filing a Change of Status application consult with a qualified, U.S. based immigration attorney.

If you elect to depart the U.S. you do not need to return to your home country and could enter another country (depending on travel restrictions).

Once you depart the U.S. you will not be able to use your J-1 status to return and will need to return in a different status (e.g. B-1/B-2 Tourist, ESTA, Visa Waiver)