When does the grace period officially begin?

[syadav01 0]

Hi. I have finished my bachelor's degree on an F-1 visa. I have gotten all my grades, been to graduation etc. But I haven't yet received the degree and "degree conferred" has not yet appeared on my transcript. My question basically is: When does the 60 day grace period actually begin? The day of the graduation ceremony? The day the semester ends, after finals? Or when my transcript shows the I have officially been granted the degree.

[Little_My 464]

I believe it's the date marked on your I-20 (1st page, expected to finish studies no later than _____ or something like that) - but you can always double check with your school's international student services office.

[Bsze 50]

Actually, according to DHS regulations, the 60 day grace period "should be calculated from the date of completion (of course of study)". Now, DHS does not specify what they mean by completion but it does say "If a student completes the program of study prior to the completion date, the I-20 will automatically expire on the date the student completes". That plus the fact that the date on the I-20 is an estimate, I would say it's the date you graduated.

Are you planning to apply for OPT?

[syadav01 0]

Actually, according to DHS regulations, the 60 day grace period "should be calculated from the date of completion (of course of study)". Now, DHS does not specify what they mean by completion but it does say "If a student completes the program of study prior to the completion date, the I-20 will automatically expire on the date the student completes". That plus the fact that the date on the I-20 is an estimate, I would say it's the date you graduated.

Are you planning to apply for OPT?

i am thinking about it. It has only been 5 days since I graduated so even if I apply now I should have a couple of months to find a job. My sister lives here as well...so rent is not a problem.

Sorry to bother, but I have a couple of questions. Are you allowed to apply to graduate school while on OPT(I am thinking of applying for Spring 2012) or should will I have leave the US and apply from my home country? And is volunteer/unpaid work in my field of study eligible for the OPT?

[Bsze 50]

i am thinking about it. It has only been 5 days since I graduated so even if I apply now I should have a couple of months to find a job.

The thing is OPT can take anywhere from 3 to 4 months to receive. By then you will have passed the grace period and might technically be accruing overstay. I suggest you talk to your DSO to see if you can still apply.

As for your other questions - 1) yes, you can still apply for grad school while under OPT. 2) I'm not sure.

[Little_My 464]

Yes, volunteer/unpaid work is acceptable for OPT, as long as it is related to the field you graduated from. There are no regulations about the pay you receive (or don't receive) during OPT.

[Harsh_77 718]

The grace period would start from the day the semester ended which should be the validity date on your I-20.

I-20 does not work based on when you graduated or when the degree was confered.

lately I have heard the OPT is taking long time, during my time OPT was not this bad we used to get it back in like 30 days and Int office was contacting us when they get info that int student has filed for graduation and were making sure we got all our paper work for OPT in.

You can work as voulnteer or unpaid job while on OPT there is no restriction as long as the job is in the area of your study. You can apply for Grad school while you are on OPT that should be fine and you dont have to go back to your home country to get your F1.

You would be in the good standing as long as your I-94 says D/S and you maintian your status as student.

[hong46 0]

I believe it's the date marked on your I-20 (1st page, expected to finish studies no later than _____ or something like that) - but you can always double check with your school's international student services office.

Are you sure about this? I don't mean to be rude but I just wanted to know for sure...

my F1 expired in May but I stay for almost the whole 60 days to spend time with my boyfriend and looking bad I am a bit worried.... If it is the date on the I-20 I'm fine, if it's the date of graduation I just made it, but if it's the date of the final day of classes I think I'm screwed...

[canadian_wife 1,822]

When I was a student it was the date that your study was completed.

Have you even bothered to check with your DSO?

Good luck

[jaycali 415]

The thing is OPT can take anywhere from 3 to 4 months to receive. By then you will have passed the grace period and might technically be accruing overstay. I suggest you talk to your DSO to see if you can still apply. As for your other questions - 1) yes, you can still apply for grad school while under OPT. 2) I'm not sure.

Not true. The vast majority of F-1 students do not have a date marked in their I-94. rather, the I-94 says "D/S" - Duration of Status. Even if a student stays past the end of his/her grace period, actual accrual of overstay does not begin until deemed out of status by an immigration judge. Also, just like filing for AOS starts a period of authorized stay, applying for OPT within 60 days of completion starts a new period of authorized stay. Applying for OPT on the last day of one's 60 day grace period will actually allow the applicant to stay until a decision is made on the OPT application.

To the OP: The grace period begins on the day your course work is completed - Usually the last day of classes/finals.