How Long to Wait Outside the Country Between F1 and Tourist

[Nelchior]

Hi everyone!!

I have been in the U.S for three years now. I arrived here as a tourist, looked for an internship, found one, came back to France to grab my J1, then i studied here at the end of my internship (and therefore went back to France to grab a F1)

Now My OPT grace period expire this Sunday (which leads me to another question (1): my last day of OPT/EAD was February 22. Does the grace period start the next day? Also, if I leave on the 60th day, I will arrive in France and pass the customs technically on the 61th day. is that possible)

(2) I wanted to know how long I have to wait outside the U.S before I can come back. I have a few things to do here (emptying my apt, attending to an important dentist surgery operation, etc).

I have been told two weeks, while some other people told me three months. Of course I would like to come back as soon as possible.


Also, last question: Should I come under a regular tourist visa ( and therefore just register on the ESTA website) or should I try to get a B1/B2 ?


Thank you so much for your time!


G.

[Mr. Knowitall]

The OPT grace period starts the day after OPT expires.

You should try to resolve your affairs during the grace period - that's what it's for.

If you obtain a B1/B2, the odds of reentry without problem go up as your visa has already been approved. I cannot promise you what's going to happen at the port of entry, although you appear to have a good track record of compliance with nonimmigrant visas.

[Nelchior]

Thank you for your answer. As I specified on my post, I already reached the end of the Grace period. I would like not to have to go trhough an B1/B2, my questions was about the amount of time I should wait before coming back to the U.S as a tourist