OISA provided the following information as a reminder for students on F-1 visas completing their degree requirements in Fall 2020.
Please read the information below about your F-1 status:
- Please check your current I-20 to make sure that it has the correct program end date (it should say 12/19/2020). If you need a new I-20 with an updated program end date, please let me know. If you are currently on campus, I can drop of your updated I-20 at p-safe for you to pick up. If you are currently off campus/outside of the United States, please purchase a shipping label via UEMS. An updated I-20 will be shipped to you. Please keep ALL your I-20s in a safe place. If you would like to claim any of your F-1 benefits, you will be asked to present all your past I-20s.
- Please read the “Prepare for your End of Program” page carefully. This page contains information about grace period if you are currently in the United States. If you need your SEVIS records transferred to a different SEVP-certified school, please let me know ASAP. The transfer must be completed within 60 days after the program end date listed on your I-20.
- If you are interested in applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, please read the OPT page on the OISA website. Please note that you MUST be physically in the United States to submit your OPT application to USCIS.
- If you do not wish to apply for OPT, your F-1 status ends at the end of your grace period or the day you exit the United States, whichever comes first. You will NOT be able to use your F-1 visa/I-20 to come back to Wesleyan for the graduation ceremony in May 2021 if there is an in-person celebration. You will need to enter the U.S. using a different visa that matches the purpose of the trip (likely a B1/B2 visa – a business/tourist visa), even if your F-1 visa has not expired. Please check with your local U.S. embassy about how you can obtain a B1/B2 visa if desired.