Can I Continue Studying After OPT?

S

seasines

New Member
I am in OPT (expires Feb,2007) after graduating master. Iam not working now and i wanna go a college for a Certificate Program which provides I-20. But my visa and I-20(from the school that i graduated) expired in August 2006. Am i eligible to have I-20 from the new college and continue my F1 status after OPT. Or is it too late?

Thanks
 
you are on OPT which means you are still in F-1 status and will be so until your card expires. You need to get an new I-20 within 60 days of that expiration date and start school within 5 months in the first available semester. It looks like for you it's going to be Summer Semester.

When I was on OPT, my old I-20 was extended on the 3rd page through an annotation that I was on OPT through "OPT end date".
 
I agree with LucyMO, but beware that a transfer between schools within SEVIS may terminate the rest of the OPT when your old school releases your file. I said "may" as I am not 100% sure. but remember reading something about that from my school. I would consult your old school's international office for sure.

I finished my undergrad, got my OPT and then went to another school for a 2 year certificate with no problem. Assuming you are in-status, you should be ok.
 
issuing a new I-20 and transferring your SEVIS record to another uni/program definitely cancels the remainder of your OPT. So, time it right.
 
Thank you all

I am searching for school now for a certificate program that can give me I-20. I hope that the transfer from the previous school wont cause any problem. I am glad to learn that there is 60 great period after expiration date of OPT.

Thank you all for the responses.
 
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