My OPT ended last month, on February 1st. I have decided to apply for transfer to a new program of study, which starts in August this year. What are the timelines that I need to be aware of in order to have my SEVIS record transferred?
14 Mar 2014Answer
Under the regulation, “[i]n the case of an F-1 student authorized to engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT), the student must be able resume classes within 5 months of transferring out of the school that recommended OPT or the date the OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier.” Based on this rule, your new program of study should start no later than 5 months from the date your OPT authorization expired, which would be July 1. In addition, you should complete your transfer no later than the expiration of your 60-day grace period which started on February 2, the day after your OPT expired. While it does not appear that you would be eligible to transfer to the program of study that starts in August, you may be able to transfer to another program that starts before July 1. (14.Mar.2014)
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