End of Program

At the end of your F-1/J-1 visa program at UConn, including any post-completion Optional Practical Training or Academic Training you use, you have several options. You will need to notify ISSS which option you will choose at the end of your F-1/J-1 visa program by completing the appropriate record.

Depart the U.S.

Transfer out to another University

Change Visa Status

Students who will stay in the U.S. for Optional Practical Training, should not submit the records on this webpage. Instead, review Optional Practical Training.

 

Students who will continue in a new program at UConn should not submit the records on this webpage. Instead, review  New Program/Major Change.

Depart the U.S.

Before departing the University of Connecticut, all F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors need to submit a Program Update-Completion/Shorten record to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) so that we may accurately update your SEVIS record and archive your file.

 

Submit this record to let us know you are departing the U.S. after completing your program or completing your post-completion OPT or Academic Training.

For F-1 visa students, your 60 day grace period in the U.S. begins from the date you finish your academic program. The program end date on your I-20 should reflect the day you finish your academic program. Students who stay on for post-completion OPT also have a 60-day period following completion of the OPT. For J-1 students, your 30 day grace period begins following the end of your academic program, or the end of your Academic Training. Your DS-2019 end date should reflect the day that you finish your academic program OR the day you finish post-completion Academic Training (if applicable).

If your Form I-20/DS-2019 lists a program end date into the future, it will be  updated to reflect the date you complete or anticipate completing your program. This will help you in calculating your grace period.

During your grace period you may:

  1. Prepare for departure from the U.S.
  2. Travel within the U.S.
  3. Obtain another Form I-20/DS-2019 from another program at UConn. See I-20 or DS-2019 Request - OPTION 2 for Continuing Students
  4. Transfer to another school to start a new program*
  5. Change to another U.S. visa status
  6. F-1 students may also apply for post-completion OPT during the 60 day grace period following completion of a degree program.

* F-1 students may transfer during the grace period. J-1 students must transfer their SEVIS record out to the new school before their DS-2019 program end date.

Transfer Out to Another University

UConn students who have been maintaining status and have been admitted to a new program of study may request to transfer their SEVIS records to their new school if they meet the following requirements

  1. F-1 students must request ISSS to transfer your SEVIS record within 60 days following your program completion date (date of degree completion or date of post-completion OPT completion).
  2. J-1 students must request ISSS to transfer your SEVIS record BEFORE your DS-2019 end date.
  3. If you start a new program without completing your current academic semester at UConn (withdrawal mid-program), you must request ISSS to transfer your SEVIS record immediately following last day of attendance.
  4. F-1 students must begin the new academic program in the next available start term, no later than 5 months after completing program/last day of attendance. F-1 students who are eligible for an annual vacation may take that vacation provided their new program will begin within 5 months of program completion.
  5. J-1 Students: Please make an appointment with your International Advisor to determine transfer out eligibility and procedures.  This must happen well in advance of their program end date.

Submit a SEVIS Transfer Out (F-1 Students) or SEVIS Transfer Out (J-1 Students) record online via the ISSS Portal.  You will need to upload the following documents with your request:

  1. A copy of your admission letter from the new school
  2. SEVIS Transfer Form from your new school (if they have one).



Points to remember:

  • You MUST let UConn know you are not returning for the next term.
    • Undergraduate Students need to contact the Dean of Students about canceling enrollment for next term.
    • Graduate Students must contact the Graduate School and/or your academic advisor to notify them you will not return for next term.
  • UConn will not have access to your SEVIS record after your transfer release date.
  • Remember, you may not be employed by UConn after your SEVIS transfer release date or program end date, whichever comes earlier.
  • You may not work using on-campus employment after your I-20 end date or SEVIS transfer release date (whichever comes first).
  • Any CPT or OPT will end immediately on the SEVIS transfer release date.
  • You may not continue to study at UConn after your SEVIS transfer release date.

You may cancel your transfer request up to the day before your transfer release date by contacting ISSS. Please be sure that you have made your decision to attend the transfer school BEFORE requesting to transfer your SEVIS record.

Change Visa Status

If your visa has changed from F-1/J-1 to another non-immigrant status or permanent resident/immigrant, you must notify ISSS so that we may accurately update your SEVIS record and archive your file. Please submit the Program Update - Change Visa Status Notification record to ISSS online and upload a copy of your change of status approval documentation, your new visa stamp in your passport or your new I-94 showing a status outside of F-1/J-1.




1. USCIS Approval Notice, for change of status petition
2. New I-94 Record issued by USCIS or from CBP, if applicable
3. Visa Stamp Page, if applicable
4. Green Card, if applicable
5. I-983 Final Evaluation (page 5), required if currently on STEM OPT and changing status in addition to other change of status approval documents.