April 22 OISS Newsletter

Information for F-1 & J-1 students completing studies Spring 2008

For F-1 students who are completing a course of study at the end of Spring Semester 2008, you have the following options under current Immigration Rules and Regulations:

You may return back to your home country and you have 60 days after graduation or until July 16, 2008 to depart the United States.
You may continue your studies by applying for and being accepted for a higher level of study or the possibility of changing your program within the same level you are in now.
- You would need to be accepted either here at St. Thomas or in a different U.S. university within the 60 days following the completion of your program. You would be expected to be a full time student beginning in the Fall Semester of 2008.
- A student’s SEVIS record must be electronically transferred to the new F-1 program sponsor. Students who have applications pending at multiple schools should not request a SEVIS transfer until the student has decided which school s/he will attend.
- Discuss with an OISS adviser regarding intent to transfer and to determine a SEVIS “transfer effective date”. Students should complete OISS’s transfer out form on the website.
You may change your visa if you qualify e.g. H-1, J-1, or Permanent Resident. If you qualify you need to apply for this visa change within the 60 days following the completion of your program (before July 16, 2008).
You might be eligible for one year of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which means you may stay in the United States and work in a field related to your major course of study listed on your I-20. To follow this program you need to set up an appointment with an advisor in OISS to begin the paperwork for the Immigration Department. You do not need to have a job in hand to apply. You need to be sure that you are going to complete your studies by May 17. We recommend that you apply NOW since the Immigration Department must receive your OPT application before May 17, 2008 and it has been taking about 3 to 4 months to receive the EAD card, which is required to work during OPT. A student completing a course of study at the end of Spring semester 2008 should apply for OPT before May 17, 2008. Please see an OISS advisor if you have any questions or concerns.
Once you are done with your degree program, you are no longer eligible to work on-campus. You will not be able to print a summer work contract.

For J-1 students who are completing a course of study at the end of Spring Semester 2008, you have the following options under current Immigration Rules and Regulations:

You may return back to your home country within 30 days after your program completion or graduation to depart the United States. During this 30-day grace period (until June 16, 2008) you can either depart the US or travel within the U.S.
You might be eligible for Post-Completion Academic Training, which means you may stay in the United States and work in a field related to your major course of study listed on your DS-2019. To follow this program you need to set up an appointment with an advisor in OISS to begin the paperwork for the Immigration Department. A student completing a course of study at the end of Spring semester 2008 may not apply for Post-Completion Academic Training after May 17, 2008. Please see an OISS advisor if you have any questions or concerns.
Once you are done with your degree program, you are no longer eligible to work on-campus. You will not be able to print a summer work contract nor are you allowed to be involved in any J-1 activities during the 30-day grace period.

Congratulations to students who are completing their degree/certificate program at St. Thomas!