Departure or Transfer Out

Departure EForm

F-1 and J-1 students who are ending their program and departing the United States, including those going on a leave of absence, must complete a Departure EForm for ISSS. This includes:

  • Students who are departing the U.S. following graduation or completion of exchange program
  • Students taking a leave of absence from the University, including for military service, medical reasons, or other personal reasons
  • Students who are ending OPT/STEM OPT training early and leaving the U.S.
  • Students who are departing the U.S. and will complete the degree online from outside the U.S.  These students are not eligible for post-completion Optional Practical Training or post-completion J-1 Academic Training

It does not include:

  • Students requesting a SEVIS Transfer (see SEVIS Transfer Out EForm)
  • Students who have changed status (see Immigration Status Update EForm)

Students who are temporarily doing research overseas or participating in a Study Abroad who plan to return to the University to continue study in person at a future date (see Out of Country Reporting EForm)

Grace (or Departure) Period

The “grace period,” sometimes referred to as a “departure period” follows the completion of a F or J student or scholar’s program.   It applies when a student graduates; when an exchange student completes the exchange program, or when a student completes OPT, STEM OPT, or Academic Training.   Currently, the grace period for F-1 students is 60 days.  The grace period for J-1 exchange visitors is 30 days.

If you are not completing a degree program (for example, if you are taking a leave of absence) the grace period does not apply.  Please see below.

Conditions When No Grace Period Is Given

If a student takes a leave of absence from the University the I-20 or DS-2019 will be terminated for authorized early withdrawal.  The student must depart the United States within 15 days of when they stopped attending courses.  No additional 30 or 60 day grace period is allowed.

If a student is dismissed, expelled, or violates status, the SEVIS record will be terminated and the student must depart the United States immediately.  No grace period will apply.

If a student on post-completion OPT exceeds 90 days of cumulative unemployment, or if a student on STEM OPT exceeds 120 days cumulative unemployment between the OPT and STEM OPT periods, no grace period is given. Students must depart the United States, change status, or transfer to start a degree program prior to exceeding the allowed unemployment days in order to avoid violating status.

To submit the Departure EForm

  1. Log into AccessISSS. Watch this recording if you need help navigating on the web portal.
  2. Select "Departure EForm" from the EForm menu.
  3. This EForm will ask you to upload supporting documents. If you need assistance, please review the File Upload Instructions.

All updates related to your EForm will be communicated over email. Please allow up to 5-7 business days for processing.

 

SEVIS Transfer Out Request EForm

A “SEVIS Transfer” is the process by which a student’s SEVIS record is transferred from one school to another so that they can start a program at that new school.

To be eligible, the student must:

  • Be in the United States with a currently active SEVIS record. If your SEVIS record is completed/terminated please consult your new school about options for travel or reinstatement.
  • Have an acceptance letter to a new program that starts at the next available session or within five months of completion of study at UAlbany or the last date of your OPT employment, whichever comes first.

When a student submits a SEVIS transfer request they also need to request an eligible SEVIS release date. The release date can be scheduled in advance and is the date the SEVIS record moves from UAlbany to the new school. On the SEVIS release date:

  • Your University at Albany I-20 is no longer valid and you are no longer authorized for on-campus employment at UAlbany.
  • If you are transferring while on practical training (CPT, OPT, STEM OPT) any practical training authorization will automatically end on the SEVIS release date.
  • Your new school will have access to issue you a transfer-in I-20 after the SEVIS release date. Please follow their instructions for next steps. 

To submit the SEVIS Transfer Out EForm

  1. Log into AccessISSS. Watch this recording if you need help navigating on the web portal.
  2. Select "SEVIS Transfer Out" from the EForm menu.
  3. This EForm will ask you to upload supporting documents. If you need assistance, please review the File Upload Instructions.

All updates related to your EForm will be communicated over email. Please allow up to 5-7 business days for processing.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site/form is provided as a service to international students, faculty and staff at the University at Albany. It does not constitute legal advice. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site or form.

Neither the University at Albany nor ISSS is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel; students may wish to consult an immigration attorney on the specifics of their case as needed.