After Middlebury

F-1 Students 

For F-1 students who have reached their program end date or authorized employment end date, the options below must take place within 60 days of your program end date (found on page 1 of your I-20 or your most recent EAD card).  These choices are mutually exclusive (for example, you cannot exit the country after the program end date and then apply for OPT).  

Options: 

1. Transfer to a new program of study at another U.S. institution 
2. Exit the U.S.  
3. Apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) 
4. Change/adjustment to another legal status in the U.S. 
5. H-1B Cap-Gap Extension (only if transitioning from OPT/STEM OPT to H-1B) 

1. Transfer to a new program of study at another U.S. institution 

Current enrolled F-1 Middlebury students who intend to graduate from their Middlebury program or to leave Middlebury and complete their degree program elsewhere within the U.S. may be eligible to transfer their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution. This is called a SEVIS Transfer. 

What is a SEVIS Transfer? 

If you are currently maintaining your F-1 status and enrollment at Middlebury and have been admitted to another U.S. institution that is certified to receive F-1 students, then you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record from Middlebury to the new U.S. institution. Your SEVIS record was created when your I-20 was issued and can be transferred to another SEVP-certified school, allowing you to maintain their F-1 status without any interruptions. Please make sure you consult with the International Student Advisor at the new institution about transferring your SEVIS record from Middlebury. 

Are You Eligible?  

• If you are an F-1 student in ACTIVE status, then you are likely eligible to transfer your SEVIS record.  
• If you are an F-1 student in COMPLETED status, then you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record. Contact our office and your transfer-in school to discuss your circumstances. 
• If you are an F-1 student in TERMINATED status, then you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record. Contact our office and your transfer-in school to discuss your circumstances.    

If you are not eligible for a SEVIS transfer, then you will need to exit the U.S. at the end of your current semester or program (if you have not already) and follow the instructions from your new institution to obtain a new initial I-20 (a new SEVIS record).  

SEVIS Transfer-Out Process 

Submit the SEVIS Transfer-Out Form found under Current Students on the Forms and Resources page. You will need the following information to complete the form; you may need to consult with the (P)DSO/International Student Advisor at the new institution first to confirm this information: 

• Your SEVIS ID 
• Transfer-in school name  
• Transfer-in SEVIS school code 
• Name and email address of (P)DSO/International Student Advisor at new institution 
• Requested SEVIS release date  
• Copy of your acceptance letter (must include your name and the term of admission) 
• Middlebury College students only: Discuss and complete the College’s transfer-out process with your Class Dean

How to Determine your SEVIS Release Date  

The SEVIS release date is the date when your SEVIS record will transfer from Middlebury to your new institution. On this date, Middlebury will lose access to your SEVIS record and your current I-20 will no longer be valid. If you have work authorization (on-campus employment, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT), that authorization will end on the day of transfer, and you will be unable to continue employment without new authorization. Therefore, choosing an appropriate SEVIS release date is very important.  

Factors to consider when choosing a SEVIS release date: 

• Your current Middlebury program end date/last day of your final semester at Middlebury/last day of authorized employment 
  • Graduates: As indicated on your current I-20 (page 1) 
  • Those leaving in the middle of their program to study elsewhere: Last day of final exams at Middlebury  
  • Alumni on OPT or STEM OPT: As indicated on your most recent EAD card 
• New institution program start date 
• Where you are physically located/if you intend to travel outside the U.S. at any time between programs 
• If you are currently on an approved work authorization period 

If you intend to remain in the U.S. between ending a program & starting a new one, you must select a SEVIS release date after your current program end date and before the 60^th day after the current program/employment end date (a.k.a. “60-day grace period”).  Your new program must begin within five months after your current program end date. 

If you are leaving in the middle of your program to transfer to a new institution and intend to remain in the U.S. between programs, consult with ISSS before requesting a transfer. 

If you intend to leave the U.S. between programs, it is important to share these plans with Middlebury ISSS and the (P)DSO/International Student Advisor at your new institution. 

2. Exit the U.S. 

If you plan to leave the U.S. after you finish your program or OPT/STEM OPT period, you have 60 days to remain in the U.S. before you must exit. If you are leaving the U.S. in the middle of your program or OPT/STEM OPT employment period, contact ISSS first. 

3. Apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

If you are finishing your degree program, you can apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (click on the link for more information). 

4. Change to another legal status in the U.S. 

If you intend to remain in the U.S. following completion of your program, OPT period, or STEM OPT period and your primary purpose will not be full-time study, you may qualify to apply for a change of status. An ISSS advisor may be able to give general information about eligibility for change to another nonimmigrant status (such as H-1B or TN temporary nonimmigrant worker categories or F-2 dependent category). Visit USCIS for general information about immigration status. 

5. H-1B Cap-Gap Extension (only for beneficiaries of a H-1B petition) 

If you are the beneficiary of (1) a timely filed H-1B petition requesting change of status and (2) have an employment start date of October 1st of the following fiscal year, your F-1 status and OPT/STEM OPT employment authorization will be extended. If the H-1B petition filed on your behalf is rejected, denied, or revoked, the extension of status and work authorization automatically terminates. 

If you are granted the automatic extension (“H-1B cap gap”), you do not need an updated I-20 with cap gap remarks. If your employer requires it, request a new I-20 with the Updated I-20 Request Form on the Forms and Resources page.

You are encouraged to contact ISSS with questions relating to the H-1B cap gap, eligibility requirements and documentation procedures. 

J-1 Students 

J-1 students also have a variety of options after finishing their program. Some actions must be complete before your program end date, while others can be completed in the 30 day grace period after your program end date. For details, read about your options after completing your J-1 program.