Below you will find detailed information about the steps that are needed to successfully report to the Interntional Center that you will no longer require your F-1/J-1 immigration status for studies at UCI. Please review carefully and take the necessary actions to complete your immigration status requirements.
Graduating from UCI
After completion of your studies at UCI, you will have a grace period after the last date of your final quarter of attendance. You will need to update the International Center with your post-graduation plans.
Grace Periods
F-1 Students: Your grace period is 60 days, during this period you will have a 60-day grace period to pursue one of the following options:
- Depart from the U.S. Once you leave the U.S. (including trips to Mexico or Canada, you will not be eligible to re-enter the U.S. after your I-20 has ended.
- Before departure, complete a Student Check-Out Form to notify the International Center that you no longer require your F-1 status and have completed your program.
- Upload your information to the Student Upload Tool.
- If you will be pursuing a new degree at UCI, you will need to work with your admitting department to request a new I-20.
- If you transfer to another school, you will need to complete the process to transfer your SEVIS record to a new school.
- Start your Post-Completion OPT
- Change status to another visa category
J-1 Students: Your grace period is 30 days, during this period you will have a 30-day grace period to pursue one of the following options:
- Depart from the U.S. Once you leave the U.S. (including trips to Mexico or Canada, you will not be eligible to re-enter the U.S. after your DS-2019 has ended.
- Before departure, complete a Student Check-Out Form to notify the International Center that you no longer require your J-1 status and have completed your program.
- Upload your information to the Student Upload Tool.
- Start your Post-Academic Training
- Change status to another visa category
Completion of Post-Completion Work Authorization
F-1 Students: If you did not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during Post-Completion OPT, or 150 days of unemployment during STEM OPT Extension, you will have a 60-day grace period after the end of your work authorization period.
- Depart from the U.S. Once you leave the U.S. (including trips to Mexico or Canada, you will not be eligible to re-enter the U.S. after your I-20 has ended).
- Before departure, complete a Student Check-Out Form to notify the International Center that you no longer require your F-1 status and have completed your program.
- If you will be ending OPT early before the end of your EAD you must also submit an Employment Update Form
- Upload your information to the Student Upload Tool.
- Before departure, complete a Student Check-Out Form to notify the International Center that you no longer require your F-1 status and have completed your program.
- If you will start a new degree program after Post-OPT or STEM OPT, you will need to request to transfer your SEVIS record to your new school.
J-1 Students: Once you have completed your Post-Academic Training period you will have a 30-day grace period and must complete the following steps:
- Depart from the U.S. Once you leave the U.S. (including trips to Mexico or Canada, you will not be eligible to re-enter the U.S. after your DS-2019 has ended).
- J-1 visa regulations require that you submit a final evaluation about your Academic Training experience.
- Upload your Academic Training Evaluation and a Student Check-Out Form to the Student Upload Tool within 10 days of the completion of your Academic Training.
Change of Status
If your visa status changes and you no longer need to maintain your F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status, you must notify the UCI International Center of your new visa status within 10 days of the change.
- Complete a Student Check-Out Form and provide the supporting documentation listed on the form to notify the International Center that you no longer require your F-1/J-1 visa status.
- Upload your information to the Student Upload Tool.