Without having completed my studies, how many weeks do I have before I need to leave?

[BARESALE]

Hello everyone,

I am here as a graduate student and would like to leave before finishing my degree. I have two problems: I still have a lease for my apartment and I need to find a place to live when going back to Europe, which will take me some time.

a) How many weeks can I stay after having finished my semester (which was December 23rd), without violating any rules?
b) If I return on a visitors visa and live in my apartment for a couple of months, will that be a problem?

Thanks for responding!

[kabkaba]

If you don't register for classes in the next semester before their registration deadline you will be considered out of status and will have to leave immediately. So it is a good idea to talk to your DSO and terminate your SEVIS record, so that you get some time to leave the country (probably 30 days, your DSO will know)

[BARESALE]

Can I return on a tourist visa immediately after having terminated the F1?

Thanks for responding to the first part of my question. I am still wondering whether it will be a problem to go to Canada for a day or two and then return on a tourist visa for up to 3 months (I would like to finish my apartment lease and take an exam in the US).

[kabkaba]

There should be no problem.