Leaving UNM

F-1 Students

If students are close to graduation and in their final semester at UNM, it is time to start thinking about options for future plans. International students have 60 days from the day they COMPLETE their studies to do one of the following:

• Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for one year of full-time work authorization in the U.S.following program completion, or
• Leave the country, or
• Apply for a change to another immigration status, or
• Obtain a new I-20 from a new school or a new UNM program and begin attendance in that program in the next possible semester.

If a student plans to go back home within the 60-day grace period, they must log into their https://mygeo.unm.edu portal and complete the LEAVING UNM section (located at the bottom of the Personal Information section).

Once international students have completed their programs, GEO will no longer sign their I-20's for travel. This means that they should not plan any short trips to Mexico or anywhere outside the US after completing their program unless they have received OPT work authorization. Students may, however, return to their home country directly from the country they plan on visiting, or they may return to the US on a tourist visa. 

J-1 Students

International students here on a J-1 visa (DS-2019) may apply for Academic Training (AT) work authorization following their program of study, but must apply BEFORE their DS-2019 expires.To be eligible, a student will first need a job offer related to their major.Once they have a job offer, they must review the Academic Training handout and required forms and then call 277-4032 to schedule an appointment with an international advisor at GEO. 

If a J-1 student will NOT apply for Academic Training work authorization, they have 30 days from the day they COMPLETE their studies to do one of the following three things: 

• Leave the country, or
• Apply for a change to another immigration status, or
• Obtain a new DS-2019 from a new school or a new UNM program and begin attendance in that program in the next possible semester.

NOTE: Please note that international students cannot work on campus after completion of their program unless they have received Academic Training authorization from GEO.The 30-day deadline is final and non-negotiable. The expiration date is listed on students' DS-2019. If a DS-2019 will expire this semester but a student plans to continue studying at UNM they must apply for an extension.

DS -2019's cannot be signed for travel once students have graduated unless they have applied for Academic Training.This means that they should not plan any short trips to Mexico or anywhere outside the US after completing their program unless they have either received AT work authorization, they will return to their home country directly from the country they plan on visiting, or they will return to the US on a tourist visa.

Important Tips

1. TAXES/ PAYROLL: If you received payment from the university during your time in US, contact the payroll office to give them your new address before you leave so they can send you the appropriate tax documents at the end of the calendar year. Remember that even if you leave the country before tax reporting time (April 15), you are still required to complete US tax forms for your time in the US. You can look on the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov, contact GEO, or go to a US consulate abroad to obtain these forms. If you are a non-resident for tax purposes, the forms you complete may include: form 8843 and either form 1040NREZ or 1040NR if you earned money.

   -Update mailing address:
   
   https://my.unm.edu/dashboard
   Login using your UNM email net ID
   Enter Loboweb
   Student Tab: My addresses and Directory Info -> Demographic Information -> Mailing Address -> Update.

   -Update a non-UNM e-mailing address:

   https://my.unm.edu/dashboard
   Login using your UNM email net ID
   Enter Loboweb
   Student Tab: My addresses and Directory Info -> e-mail -> Preferred e-mail address -> Update.

2. REGISTRAR's OFFICE: Please provide the Registrar's Office with a post-graduation address. You may do this on-line at my.unm.edu. Login using your UNM email net ID, enter LoboWeb, click on Personal Information and log in to enter your Demographic Information.

   -Request an official transcript:

   https://my.unm.edu/dashboard
   Login using your UNM email net ID
   Enter Loboweb
   Student Tab -> Records -> Order Official Transcript from Parchment -> Access the Transcript Ordering Site -> Fill in the forms -> Submit.

3. UNM E-MAIL:  Your UNM email account is directly associated to your UNM NetID. When you no longer have an active role in the Banner system with NetID privileges, your NetID starts a 65-day deletion cycle. Your account will lock on the 8th day of the cycle.  The entire account will be deleted on the 65th day. 
   
   
4. ALUMNI RELATIONS: Give Alumni Relations your new address. You may do this on-line at www.unmalumni.com. Alumni Relations can also inform you about alumni groups that exist in your home region so that you can stay in touch with the University of New Mexico Community.
   If graduated from UNM on a degree program, students should submit an Alumni ID Number Request Form: https://www.unmalumni.com/ 
    First-Time Login (Top Right of the page)
   "Need Help?" Alumni ID Request Form:  http://alumniconnections.unmalumni.com/idrequest
   
    Please contact an advisor in GEO if you have any questions about these procedures.