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Grace Period Information

60 Day Grace Period After Program Completion:
  • According to the F-1 regulations, you have a 60-day grace period from the program completion date on your I-20 to stay in the US, transfer to a new school, apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) work benefit, or apply to change your visa status. If you will not transfer to a new school, apply for OPT, or apply to change your status, you must depart the US no later than the 60 day limit.
  • Students may not reenter the US in F-1 status during the 60 day grace period.
  • If your SEVIS record is in Completed status, no grace period is available. You must apply for reinstatement if eligible or depart the US immediately.
60 Day Grace Period After OPT/STEM OPT Completion:
  • Students are eligible for the 60-day grace period at the end of OPT/STEM OPT. This time may be used to transfer to a new school or depart the US.
Is there a grace period if my OPT is denied?
  • F-1 students do not receive an additional grace period after the denial of an OPT application (post-completion or STEM). The grace period allowed to the student would be the grace period from the end of the program, if the student is denied a post-completion OPT, or the end of the post-completion OPT, if the student is denied a STEM extension.
  • If your SEVIS record is in Completed status, no grace period is available. You must apply for reinstatement if eligible or depart the US immediately.