Conference Circuit: Stakeholder Questions is a blog series on Study in the States that answers questions that stakeholders ask at conferences. Representatives from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) frequently attend and participate in international education conferences in person and via teleconference or webinars. If you would like to view SEVP’s conference presentation, read our monthly Conference Bulletin, or take our Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey, visit our Conference and Outreach page.

Question: How can my students continue their studies after completing their program?

If your F-1 students finish the program they entered the country for, and want to continue their studies, they should take action to maintain their status before the program end date on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status” or during the 60 day grace period after this date. They have two options:

• Transfer to a new school
• Apply to change their educational level

To apply, they should complete the Form I-539, "Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status," with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Students should not travel until they have been admitted to a new program of study and have an updated Form I-20 to indicate this change.