When Must I Leave the United States?

There are three points at which you would be expected to leave the U.S:

1. Your visa status is in good standing and your date of completion is still in the future, but you have completed your program of studies and are graduating; unless you have authorized post-completion practical training or a new job with a different visa status, your F-1 status becomes invalid and you will be expected to leave the U.S. within 60 days. The 60 days is called a grace period. You are not permitted to study or work during the grace period.

2. Your visa status is in good standing and your date of completion is still in the future, but you have decided to terminate your participation in your program of studies; you will lose your eligibility for post-completion academic training, and unless you have a new job with a different visa status, your F-1 visa status becomes invalid and you will be expected to leave the U.S. within the 60-day grace period.

3. The University in rare cases decides to terminate a student's participation in a program of studies for academic or other reasons; your F-1 visa status becomes invalid, you lose your 60-day grace period, and you will be expected to leave the U.S. immediately.

 Last Updated On: 11/15/05