Designated school officials (DSOs) are school employees that are dedicated to helping F and M students at their school maintain their nonimmigrant status. “Ask a DSO” is a series with advice from DSOs on the different situations F and M students may encounter and for which they need to be prepared.

Finishing a program of study is an exciting and often busy time as you prepare to move on to the next stage in your life. As you plan your transition from your academic program, it is also important to manage your immigration status. Your post-completion plans will determine what you must do to maintain legal status in the United States. Here are a few things to remember as you make your plans:

Leaving the United States

If you are an F-1 student, you can remain in the United States for an additional 60 days after you have fulfilled your program requirements. You can use this time to prepare for the next stage in your life, or you can use this time to see more of the United States. You must leave by the end of this period if you have not taken steps to extend your nonimmigrant status.

If you are an M-1 student, you may remain in the United States for an additional 30 days after you have fulfilled your program requirements. You can use this time to prepare for the next stage in your life, or you can use this time to see more of the United States. You must leave by the end of this period.

All students should use caution if planning a trip where you will leave the United States (like a cruise or day trip into Canada, Mexico or islands in the Caribbean) as U.S. Customs and Border Protection may not re-admit you after your program end date. Talk to your DSO before taking a trip like this.

Stay in the United States to begin another program

If you are an F-1 student and have applied for and received admittance to another program of study, a DSO must update your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record to include your new program of study. If this program is at your current school, talk to your DSO about getting a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status" for the new program.

If the new program of study is at a different school, a DSO at your current school needs to transfer your SEVIS record to your new school (transfer-in school) so a DSO at the transfer-in school can issue you a Form I-20 for your new program. DSOs at both schools must coordinate the transfer so be sure to talk to both DSOs throughout the process.

Stay in the United States to Work

If you would like to work in the United States, ask your DSO if you are eligible for practical training and, if so, with what limitations. There are strict deadlines for filing for practical training, so you will want to find out your options as soon as you can. If you are an F-1 student and practical training is not an option, you can talk to potential employers about the possibility of them sponsoring you for H-1B status. In order to be aware of all of the options that are available to you, you should talk to your DSO to start this process several months before your program end date.

Stay in the United States, but apply for a change of status

If you are an F-1 student and plan to remain in the United States after the end of your 60-day period, you need to apply to change of your immigration status because you cannot remain the United States on a student visa without being a student. You must file a Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status” with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before the end of your 60-day period.

If you are an M-1 student, you cannot change your status, and you must leave after the 30-day period following your program end date.

Remember that DSOs are a resource for F and M students. Talk to your DSO if you have any questions about postgraduate opportunities.