How much time is needed to inform college to leave the course by an international student?

Question

I am on student visa (M1) in US. I want to withdraw my course. How long I can stay in US on valid visa after informing my college about my withdrawl? Or should I leave the country and afterwards inform the college. Will it affect my next visa for US or not?

Answer 1

To remain in status of your M1 visa you must still be in school and fulfiling the criteria for which you were granted permission to enter the United States to complete. This 'criteria' is stated on your I-20M-N.

If you withdraw from college you are there-fore out-of-status of your M1 visa and no grace period is given, you will start accumilating unlawful presense in the Unied States from the date you withdraw from college, which simply means you must depart the U.S. on that date. Any unlawful presense accumilated may affect any future visa application and/or entry in to the U.S.

Withdrawing from college and leaving on the same date will not affect your next visa but be prepared to be questioned by both the consular officer at your next interview and the officer at your port of entry about why you did not complete the course when you were last admitted into the U.S.