As an F-1 student, you have several options after completing your program and graduating from IU.
Preparing for your graduation
Duration of Status
Will you still be in the U.S. as of September 14, 2026?
Options as you prepare for program completion
- Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) so you can engage in training experience in the United States in your major field of study. Applications for OPT can be submitted before your completion date and must be received by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the deadlines outlined through OIS OPT resources. Start your OPT Checklist in Atlas under F-1 Practical Training. The Checklist is your step-by-step guide to OPT application.
- Transfer to a new school to begin a higher level of study. See the SEVIS Transfer from IU web page for details.This is a request that you make in Atlas. You will need to have your transfer out approved by OIS before the end of your period of preparation for departure. Work with your new school to request an I-20 and apply for any Extension of Stay (EOS) that you may need.
- Be admitted to and begin a new program of study at a higher education level at your I-20 issuing IU campus. You must be fully admitted, and apply for and receive a new I-20 from OIS before the end of the preparation for departure period. Updated financial documentation will be required. You can make your request for your new I-20 through the Change of Program Level e-form via Atlas. An EOS or travel may be required.
- Leave the United States before the end of the preparation for departure period. Complete the Student Exit e-form via Atlas when your departure plans are finalized.
- Apply for a change of status if applicable. USCIS must receive the application before the end of your period of preparation for departure.
If you have not made other plans, you must depart the country by the end of your preparation for departure. Failure to do so can result in accrual of days of unlawful presence.
Program completion and your F-1 status
The program end date listed on your I-20 is generally an estimate of how long a student will take to complete a specific program. Your program completion date may be different from the date printed on your I-20 and may be earlier than your graduation date. If you finish your program of study earlier than your I-20 program completion date, OIS will shorten your actual I-20 program end date to match. Remember, your eligibility to work on campus ends upon completion of your program of study. Do not work after you complete your program.
If you are an undergraduate or a master’s student completing your study with coursework (classroom study) as your final requirement, the last day of your enrollment in your final required term of study will be your actual I-20 program end date.
If you are a graduate student completing with a thesis or dissertation as your final academic requirement, your completion date will be the date that you submit the final version of your thesis or dissertation (provided that you have been making steady progress toward your degree completion).
If you are completing with a final requirement other than coursework, thesis, or dissertation, this may impact your I-20 program end date. Examples include completion with required internship or with a capstone project. As your final term approaches you may wish to be in contact with OIS to discuss your I-20 program end date.
Your eligibility to work on campus ends upon completion of your program of study.
Your post-completion period of preparation for departure
Federal regulations provide you with a period of preparation for departure that starts the day you complete your program of study. The preparation for departure period is 30 days from the date you complete your program, or your U.S. departure date, whichever date comes first.
For example, if you complete your program of study on May 4, 30 days from that date is June 3. Your preparation for departure period then ends as of June 3 OR the date you depart the U.S., whichever date comes first.
I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) versus period of preparation for departure end date
Your I-94 should indicate an Admit Until Date (AUD) that is 30 days after your I-20 program end date on the I-20, or four years from the date you last entered the U.S., whichever is shorter.
Note: The I-20 end date is often an estimated program end date. If you complete your program on an earlier date, your actual 30 day period of preparation for departure will end 30 days from your actual program completion date rather than the AUD printed on your I-94.
Example:
- Your estimated I-20 program end date is May 31 and your I-94 AUD is June 30
- You complete your program of study on May 4. The end of your 30 day preparation for departure period is June 3, rather than the June 30 AUD printed on your I-94.
Still in the U.S. as of September 14, 2026?
If you were in the United States in F-1 status as of September 14, 2026, and you have not departed the U.S. since then, you would still have an I-94 with an Admit Until Date (AUD) of D/S (duration of status). Read more about the regulation change.
This means that following the completion of your program, you have a grace period of up to 60 days from that program completion date. Your F-1 grace period would end 60 days from your program completion date OR the date you depart the U.S., whichever comes first. You have up to 60 days to take one of the actions described above in the Options as you prepare for program completion section.
Travel after completing your program
If you plan to travel outside of the United States (such as Canada, Mexico, etc) during your period of preparation for departure, OIS will not be able to sign your I-20 for travel. Any existing travel signature on your I-20 will no longer be valid to request re-entry to the U.S. as of your actual program completion date. If you travel outside of the country, you will NOT be able to re-enter the United States as an F-1 student, because you have completed your program.
You may be able to re-enter the United States as a tourist. Discuss your plans before you travel in an appointment with an international student advisor.
Dependent status after completing your program
If you have F-2 dependents with you in the United States, their status is dependent upon yours. If you choose to leave the country after you complete your program of study, your family may not legally stay in the United States without you if they hold F-2 status. Special note: Be sure to determine whether your dependent has an AUD, and if it differs from yours. They may need to take action before you.