The window to leave the US, transfer schools, or change status after finishing a degree is being cut in half, alongside the end of Duration of Status
As part of the same DHS rule ending "Duration of Status" that we previously reported on, F-1 students will also see their post-completion grace period cut from 60 days to 30 days, effective September 15, 2026. This is the window students currently have after finishing their academic program to depart the US, transfer to a new program, or change their immigration status.
Key Facts at a Glance
- New grace period: 30 days after completing your program, down from the current 60 days
- Effective date: September 15, 2026
- What the grace period is for: Departing the US, transferring to another SEVP-certified school, changing to a different visa status, or beginning an approved period of Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- What hasn't changed: OPT and STEM OPT themselves remain available to eligible students; this rule shortens the transition window around them, not the programs themselves
- Applies alongside: The broader shift from open-ended "Duration of Status" to a fixed admission period, covered in our earlier report
What this means for students
A shorter grace period means less room for delay between finishing your program and your next step. Students planning to start OPT, transfer schools, or change status will need to have that process underway before their program's official completion date, rather than treating the weeks afterward as planning time. This is a bigger practical shift for students who intended to travel, wrap up personal affairs, or decide on next steps only after graduating.
What you can do
- If you're completing a US degree around or after September 15, 2026, plan your post-graduation steps — OPT application, school transfer, or departure — well before your program end date rather than during the grace period itself.
- Confirm your program's official completion date with your Designated School Official (DSO), since the 30-day window is counted from that date.
- If your plans depend on more time after graduation, discuss options with your DSO as early as possible, since the shorter window leaves less margin for last-minute changes.
IRS Study Abroad, Kottayam, helps students planning to study in the US understand current visa timelines and prepare realistic, well-sequenced plans for their time in the country and after graduation.
