Reminders for F-1 Students Graduating in Summer
in Uncategorized
May 9th, 2023
As you near the end of your program, it is important for you to read the information below so you can understand your how program completion impacts your F-1 student status.
The end date on your I-20 is initially determined by the average length of your program but often changes during your final semester to reflect the date you will officially complete your program. Since the official BU summer graduation date has changed from September 25 to August 25, we will be adjusting I-20 end dates throughout the summer when you apply for OPT, when you apply to be part-time in your final summer semester, or, after your summer graduation is confirmed
I am graduating in summer and want to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Please note that you must be physically present inside the US in valid F-1 status and you must obtain a new I-20 with the OPT recommendation from ISSO BEFORE you can submit your OPT application to USCIS.
USCIS is currently processing OPT applications in 2 to 3 months and your OPT must be approved before you begin any work. The deadline to submit your Optional Practical Training (OPT) application to USCIS will end 60 days after your official program completion date on August 25, 2023. This means that your OPT application must arrive at USCIS on, or before October 24, 2023.
The ISSO offers a toolbox of services to help you prepare your OPT application:
- Learn more about OPT from the ISSO website
- Watch all 8 short videosto learn about the application process and what to expect
Once you ready to apply for OPT based on your August 25, 2023 graduation:
- Make sure you have been cleared to graduate by your school/college and that your expected graduation is posted as Summer 2023in the student registration system
- Gather all of the documentation on the OPT checklist
- Obtain a new I-20 from the ISSO with the OPT recommendation by completing the drop off application process at the ISSO.
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- valid passport
- passport with most recent US visa (if different from current passport)
- current I-20
- printed version of your I-94 record listing your most recent entry to the US in F-1 student status which can be retrieved and printed from the USCBP I-94 website
- completed ISSO OPT Acknowledgement Form indicating that you take responsibility for the success of your OPT application
- printed copy of the email confirmation that you have paid the $100 ISSO OPT Processing Fee
- if you are enrolled in fewer than 12 credits this summer, you must also complete and submit a the Summer Semester Verification Form to request authorization for a reduced course load during your final term
- Once we review your request and confirm that you are scheduled to graduate in summer, we will send you the new I-20 with the OPT recommendation to you via email in approximately 10 business days.
OPT Drop off process disclaimers:
- Please be advised that the staff at the front desk of the ISSO will not be able to advise you on how to file your OPT application so it is critical that you review all of our OPT application videosfor specific details.
- All OPT applications are the responsibility of the student applicant and are adjudicated at the discretion of USCIS.
- If during review, ISSO finds your records are incomplete, we reserve the right to require an OPT advising appointment.
- Please be advised that we cannot accept drop-off requests for OPT I-20 via email as we must check immigration documentation.
I am graduating in summer but not planning to apply for OPT
You should take one of the following actions during the 60 day grace period after your August 25, 2023 Check the end date of your I-20. If you will NOT complete your program of study by the program end date on your I-20, you must apply for a program extension. The extension request and all supporting documentation must be submitted to the ISSO at least two weeks in advance of the expiration of your I-20. Please refer to the ISSO web page for more information on extending your program and I-20. You should also work with your school/college to update your expected graduation date in the student registration system. program completion date:
I am NOT graduating in Summer
- Submit a request for the ISSO to transfer your SEVIS record to another college or universityif you have been admitted to a program at the new school and will start classes at the new school within 5 months of the day you last attended classes at BU.
- Inform the ISSO that you have been admitted to a new program of studyat Boston University and obtain a new Form I-20 for your new program.
- Apply for a change of status to another nonimmigrant classification, if you are eligible to do so.
- Depart the U.S.
Your 60-day grace period allows you to remain in the U.S. but not to depart and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status. Once you leave the U.S. you may not return in F-1 status unless you have a new I-20 for a continued F-1 study.
As a reminder, for the entire time you remain in the U.S. in F-1 status under the sponsorship of Boston University, federal regulations require that you keep Boston University informed of your current residential address. You must do so by updating your “Immigration-U.S.” address on the MyBU Student Portal within 10 days of moving.
If you have any questions or wish discuss any of these options, please feel free to connect with our virtual advisor-on-call or email our team at isso@bu.edu.
