Once you complete OPT you have a 60-day grace period during which time you may:
1. Leave the United States,
2. While still on OPT, apply for a new program of study.
a. You must know that you have been accepted before your 60-day grace period is over.
b. Your new program must start within five months of the OPT expiration date.
3. Apply for (
and receive) a change of visa status. You must both apply and receive approval
before the 60-day grace period is over. Although your experience may vary, a change of status averages about four months to adjudicate (in most cases, between two and six months; sometimes longer).