Immigration laws do not allow a student to both have OPT authorization and pursue a degree objective. This means that an F-1 student cannot work with OPT authorization and also take classes toward a degree objective. An F-1 student who has been authorized for OPT and wants to begin a new degree program (either at the former school or a new school) will need to obtain a new I-20 document before beginning the new degree. At any time during the OPT period an F-1 student can apply for admission to a new degree program. Once admission is granted by the college or university, the F-1 student will need to decide when to begin classes. This is often determined by the academic calendar of the admitting institution. Communication between the student and the admissions officer is essential!

Important clarificatons:

1. A student authorized for OPT will have a 60 day grace period to “be” in the U.S. once the OPT permission has expired. This means the F-1 student can legally be in the U.S. to process the new I-20 required to begin a new degree. The F-1 student is NOT able to continue working or begin taking classes.
2. Once a new I-20 is issued for the new of degree the OPT work permission which was authorized for the previous degree is no longer valid. For this reason, the F-1 student intending to begin a new degree will need to communicate their individual circumstances with the admissions advisor and should work with the international student advisor to determine how to take advantage of the OPT work permission and also follow the proper immigration procedures to obtain a new I-20.
3. F-1 student should obtain the I-20 to start the new degree program (at UGA or another university) be issued BEFORE the 60 day grace period expires. If you are authorized for OPT currently, that you should wait to request UGA to transfer your I-20 record in SEVIS from UGA to the new school sometime within the 60 day grace period after your OPT has expired or when you are prepared to stop your employment.

I want to transfer from UGA to another school, what do I do?

Immigration laws do not allow a student to both have OPT authorization and pursue a degree objective. A UGA F-1 student who is pursuing a degree or authorized OPT work permission can transfer to another institution in the U.S. by following these instructions:

1. receive full academic admission from the new school
2. request the UGA advisor to transfer your I-20 record in SEVIS to the new school using the transfer release request form
3. report to the new school to obtain the new I-20 (from the admissions office or the international student advisor) before beginning classes there.

Remember, if you are authorized for OPT currently, you should request UGA to set the transfer release of your I-20 record in SEVIS to the new school sometime within the 60 day grace period after your OPT has expired or when you are prepared to stop your employment. Communication between the student and the admissions officer is essential!