F-1 to ESTA

[fbfriend 0]

Hi,

I am a student with F-1 visa. I also have a valid ESTA from a previous stay in the US. I was wondering what happens if my F-1 is terminated? How long long will I have time until I have to depart the US? And is it possible to change my status from F-1 to ESTA(student to visitor) while in the states? And does it have any future consequences for just visiting the states if I violate my F-1 by dropping out of a full time student status?

thank you in advance

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

You usually need to leave within 30 days if you drop out or your status is terminated. You cannot use VWP and may have difficulty getting other visas if you overstay/ violate your F1 (dropping out itself is ok, just not staying after you drop out). You cannot change to VWP from F1, or anything else, as VWP is not a status. You *should* be able to travel abroad briefly, ie for a few days, and then come back on VWP if you have not violated your status and have told them you are no longer in need of your F1.

[hmh33 117]

You could apply to change status to B-2 if you need a few months to arrange your affairs. But $$$.

[jaycali 415]

Hi, I am a student with F-1 visa. I also have a valid ESTA from a previous stay in the US. I was wondering what happens if my F-1 is terminated? How long long will I have time until I have to depart the US? And is it possible to change my status from F-1 to ESTA(student to visitor) while in the states? And does it have any future consequences for just visiting the states if I violate my F-1 by dropping out of a full time student status?thank you in advance

Generally you have a 30 day grace period to leave the US after your student status is terminated - 60 days if you graduate. You cannot go from F-1 to VWP, as penguin mentioned, VWP is not a status, nor is it a visa.

However, dropping out of school early has no bearing on any future visits through the VWP as long as you leave the US within 30 days of dropping out. Quitting school is not a violation of your student visa. Quitting school and staying in the US is.

I dropped out of school my junior year of college in the US and decided to take a year and a half off. Went back to Norway 2 weeks after dropping out. I visited on the VWP 5 months later and had no problems what so ever. I applied for a new student visa a year after that to finish my senior year and had no problems what so ever.

In theory, you can leave the US, and return the next day on the VWP if you want to.

Edited November 3, 2012 by Jay Jay

[fbfriend 0]

Thank you everyone. This cleared up things for me a lot.