What Is the F-1 60-Day Grace Period After OPT Ends?
By Pinal Dave | Last updated: 2026-08-02
TL;DR: After your OPT (or STEM OPT) authorization ends, or your program end date passes, F-1 students generally get a 60-day grace period to prepare to leave the US, transfer to another SEVP-certified school, or change to another status. You cannot work during this grace period — OPT employment authorization has already ended — and it's a one-time window per program level, not something that resets or extends further.
The Claim
The 60-day grace period is a fixed transition window built into F-1 regulations, giving students time to wrap up their affairs in the US after their academic program or post-completion OPT ends, without immediately falling out of status.
The Evidence
Federal regulations provide F-1 students a 60-day grace period following the completion of their program of study or the end of any authorized post-completion practical training (OPT or STEM OPT extension), whichever is later. During this period, students may prepare for and depart the US, apply to transfer to another SEVP-certified school, or file to change to a different nonimmigrant status. Employment is not authorized during the grace period, since OPT work authorization ends when the EAD expires or the program/OPT period concludes. If a student instead has their SEVIS record terminated (for a status violation, for example) rather than reaching the normal end of program/OPT, the 60-day grace period generally does not apply in the same way — termination is a different, more serious situation.
Comparison: What You Can and Can't Do During the Grace Period
| Activity | Allowed During 60-Day Grace Period? |
|---|---|
| Remain in the US preparing to depart | Yes |
| Apply to transfer to a new SEVP-certified school | Yes, if done properly through your DSO before the grace period ends |
| File to change to a different nonimmigrant status (e.g., H-1B change of status, if cap-gap doesn't apply) | Yes, generally, if filed within the window |
| Work in any capacity, including on OPT-related employment | No — OPT authorization has ended |
| Travel outside the US and re-enter on F-1 during the grace period | Generally not advisable — reentry in grace-period status is restricted; check with your DSO |
| Ignore the deadline and simply stay past 60 days without action | No — this risks falling out of status |
Step-by-Step: Using Your Grace Period Wisely
- Mark your exact end date. It's 60 days after your program end date or OPT/STEM OPT end date, whichever is later — confirm the precise date with your DSO, since SEVIS records this specifically.
- Decide your path early: departure, school transfer, or change of status (like a pending H-1B change of status, if you have an employer sponsoring you).
- If transferring schools, work with both your current and new DSO to complete the SEVIS transfer before the grace period ends.
- If changing status, confirm your specific timeline** — for H-1B change of status tied to the annual cap and start date, cap-gap rules may extend your F-1 status and work authorization differently than the standard grace period; ask your DSO or attorney which rule applies to you.
- Don't work during the grace period. Even informal or unpaid work can create status problems, since OPT employment authorization has already ended.
- If your plans change last-minute, contact your DSO immediately — the grace period is not extendable beyond its fixed length.
Why This Deadline Catches People Off Guard
Students sometimes assume the grace period is more flexible than it is, or that it functions like an extension of OPT. It doesn't — it's strictly a wind-down window with no work authorization, and it doesn't apply the same way if your SEVIS record is terminated rather than naturally concluding. Because "60 days" runs from a specific SEVIS-recorded date, not an estimate, verifying that exact date with your DSO as soon as your program or OPT is ending is the safest first step.
FAQ
Can I work during the 60-day grace period after OPT ends? No. Employment authorization ends with your OPT/STEM OPT period or EAD expiration, and the grace period does not extend or restore work authorization.
Does the 60-day grace period apply if my SEVIS record was terminated for a status violation? Generally no — termination is treated differently from the normal end of a program or OPT period. Talk to your DSO immediately if this happens to you, since the situation and options differ.
Can I extend the 60-day grace period if I need more time? No, it's a fixed period under the regulations. If you need more time, your options are generally limited to timely completing a school transfer or change of status within that same 60-day window.
If I'm switching to H-1B, does cap-gap change my 60-day grace period? It can. Cap-gap provisions may extend F-1 status and, in some cases, work authorization differently from the standard grace period for students with a timely-filed, pending or approved H-1B petition tied to the annual cap — confirm the specific rule with your DSO or an immigration attorney.