International Student Departure & Ending Status
An international student must notify OIS when they permanently depart the U.S. or no longer need the benefits associated with their non-immigrant status sponsored by UIC. This notification allows OIS to appropriately update your immigration record both at the University and with the U.S. government. In many cases, international students not sponsored by UIC should also notify OIS when departing or experiencing a change in immigration status. See below for more details.
If you have been admitted to another academic institution in the U.S. and want to transfer your SEVIS record to the new school, please see F-1 SEVIS Transfer Out or J-1 SEVIS Transfer Out.
Submitting a status update to OIS Heading link
International students should submit the Status Update E-form in myOIS in the following situations.
- When you complete your academic program and intend to return to your home country.
- When you complete F-1 Post-Completion OPT or J-1 Academic Training and intend to return to your home country.
- When you change your immigration status to H-1B, Permanent Residency, F-2, or other status that requires and update to your current non-immigrant status sponsored by UIC.
Understanding your grace period Heading link
International students in F-1 or J-1 status are allowed to remain in the U.S. for a period of time following program completion. The length of your grace period, and the activities you can engage in during that time, depend on your immigration status.
- F-1 students have a 60-day grace period following completion of studies or authorized post-completion optional practical training. F-1 students can use this time to depart the U.S., continue studies via a change of education level or F-1 SEVIS transfer out, or apply for optional practical training (if eligible).
- J-1 students have a 30-day grace period following completion of studies or authorized post-completion academic training. J-1 students can only use this time for departure. Any J-1 SEVIS transfer out or post-completion academic training requests must be submitted before the end of the program of study or DS-2019 expiration.
FAQs Heading link
Here are some frequently asked questions about departure and the status update form.
-
I am graduating at the end of the semester and will depart the U.S. What should I report to OIS?
If you will complete your program of study and plan on returning to your home country permanently (i.e. will not return to the U.S. right away to participate in authorized OPT/AT), please submit the Status Update E-Form in myOIS. On the form you will enter the “as of” date which should reflect the date you plan to depart the U.S. and therefore no longer need your F-1 status.
-
I have completed post-completion OPT or STEM OPT and will return to my home country. How long can I remain in the U.S. after my authorization ends an ddo I need to notify OIS?
If you successfully complete your period of authorized post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, you are allowed a 60 day grade period following your final day of employment authorization. You may depart the U.S. any time during those 60 days but you cannot re-enter. If your plan is to return to your home country permanently after your OPT/Grace Period please submit both the OPT/STEM OPT Update E-Form and the Status Update E-Form via myOIS. Please indicate on the form the date in which you plan on departing the U.S. permanently so your F-1 record can be closed.
-
I will change my visa status from F-1 to another visa type. What should I report to OIS?
If you have applied for and been approved for a change of visa status from F-1 to a different visa (common visa types are H1B, F2, Permanent Residency) please submit the Status Update E-Form via myOIS. If you have been approved for a change of status to H1B, please also include a copy of your approval notice (I-797) from USCIS that indicates the date on which your new visa status takes effect. If you have been approved for Permanent Residency, please include a copy of your approval notice (I-485). Please indicate on the form the date on which your new visa begins so your F-1 record can be closed.