What Is the OPT Grace Period?
Quick Answer
The OPT grace period is a 60-day window after your OPT employment authorization expires during which you may remain in the United States in F-1 status. During this period, you cannot work but you can prepare to depart, apply for a change of status, or transfer to a new academic program. The grace period begins the day after your EAD card end date.
Key Takeaway
The 60-day grace period is not work authorization—use it to depart, transfer to a new school, or finalize a change of status. Plan your next step before OPT ends so you can act quickly during the grace period.
Understanding the 60-Day Grace Period
The 60-day grace period is a provision in federal immigration regulations that allows F-1 students to remain in the United States for up to 60 days after their post-completion OPT authorization period ends. The grace period begins the day after the end date on the student's EAD card. During this time, the student maintains F-1 status for purposes of remaining in the country but does not have work authorization.
This grace period applies only to students who were in valid F-1 status when their OPT ended. If a student's SEVIS record was terminated before the OPT end date—for example, due to exceeding the unemployment limit—the grace period does not apply. Similarly, students whose OPT was revoked or who otherwise fell out of status prior to the OPT end date are not entitled to the 60-day grace period.
The purpose of the grace period is to give students time to make arrangements for their next step, whether that means leaving the country, beginning a new academic program, or completing a change of immigration status. It is a transitional period, not a continuation of OPT.
What You Can and Cannot Do During the Grace Period
During the grace period, you may remain in the United States, travel domestically, settle personal and financial affairs, and prepare for departure. You may also use this time to transfer your SEVIS record to a new school if you plan to start a new academic program, or to finalize a change of status application if one is pending.
You may not work during the grace period under any circumstances, unless you have obtained separate work authorization through another visa category. The grace period is not a work permit and does not extend your EAD validity. Any unauthorized employment during this period is a violation of immigration law and can result in serious consequences, including accrual of unlawful presence and future visa ineligibility.
- Remain in the United States for up to 60 days
- Prepare to depart the country
- Transfer SEVIS record to a new school
- Apply for or finalize a change of immigration status
- Cannot work—no employment authorization during grace period
- Cannot re-enter the US on expired OPT if you depart during grace period
If you leave the United States during the 60-day grace period, you generally cannot re-enter on your F-1 visa and OPT. Departing effectively ends your F-1 status.
Grace Period After SEVIS Termination vs. OPT Expiration
It is important to distinguish between the grace period after OPT expiration and the situation after a SEVIS termination. If your SEVIS record is terminated—for example, because you exceeded the 90-day unemployment limit or failed to report employment—you do not receive a 60-day grace period. Instead, you may be expected to depart the United States immediately or within a very short period as determined by your circumstances.
Students who are uncertain about their status should consult with their DSO or an immigration attorney immediately. Operating under the assumption that you have a grace period when your SEVIS record has actually been terminated can lead to accrual of unlawful presence, which carries serious long-term immigration consequences.
Planning for Life After the Grace Period
The grace period is your final window to act, so preparation should begin months before OPT ends. If you plan to continue in the U.S., explore your options early: apply for the STEM OPT extension if eligible, discuss H-1B sponsorship with your employer, or research new academic programs. If your employer has filed an H-1B petition that was selected in the lottery, the cap-gap provision automatically extends your status, and you may not need to rely on the grace period at all.
If you plan to depart, use the grace period to close bank accounts, terminate leases, forward mail, and arrange shipping for personal belongings. Keep copies of all your immigration documents—I-20s, EAD cards, I-94 records, and tax returns—as you may need them for future visa applications. Even after departure, these records are important for demonstrating your prior lawful status in the United States.