OPT Grace Period: The 60-Day Window After OPT Ends

What Is the OPT Grace Period

After OPT or STEM OPT ends, F-1 students have a 60-day grace period during which they can remain in the US legally. The grace period begins the day after the OPT authorization period expires.

The grace period is not an extension of your studies or work authorization. It is a window of lawful presence specifically for wrapping up your time in the US, applying for a change of status, or beginning a new academic program.

The end date of the grace period is shown on your I-20. Your DSO records this date in SEVIS when your OPT ends.

Source: USCIS Optional Practical Training — USCIS OPT information for F-1 students

What You Can Do During the Grace Period

During the 60-day grace period, you can remain in the US legally, apply for a change of status to another visa category, or enroll in a new academic program.

If you enroll in a new F-1 program and your new school issues a new I-20 before the grace period ends, you continue in F-1 status without interruption. Your new program start date is recorded on the I-20.

You can also apply for change of status to H-4 (as a dependent of an H-1B holder), B-2 (visitor), or F-1 for a new course of study. Filing a change of status application before the grace period ends means you remain in authorized stay while the application is pending, even if it is not approved until after the grace period.

Work Authorization During the Grace Period

If you continue working after your OPT EAD expires and do not have another active work authorization, you are working unlawfully. This is a violation of F-1 status with serious immigration consequences.

One exception: if your employer filed an H-1B petition for you and it was selected in the H-1B lottery, cap gap may extend your work authorization through September 30. Cap gap is separate from the grace period and has specific conditions.

Driver's License During the Grace Period

State DMVs issue driver's licenses based on the expiration date of your lawful presence documentation. During the grace period, most states accept an I-20 showing the grace period end date as evidence of continued lawful presence.

If your driver's license expires during or before the grace period, bring your I-20 (showing the grace period end date), your passport, your I-94, and your expired EAD card to the DMV. The documents you need vary by state.

STEM OPT Denial After Initial OPT Expires

If USCIS denies a pending STEM OPT extension application after your initial OPT has already expired, you receive a separate 60-day grace period starting from the denial date, not from the OPT expiration date.

If USCIS denies the STEM OPT application while your initial OPT is still valid, no separate grace period is triggered. In that case, the denial occurs during your active OPT period and you proceed through the standard 60-day grace period when your OPT ends.

If you receive a STEM OPT denial after your initial OPT has expired, contact your DSO immediately. You may also want to consult an immigration attorney, particularly if you want to pursue a motion to reopen or reconsider the denial.

Unemployment Days and the Grace Period

The grace period does not reset or add to your OPT unemployment day count. If you used all 90 unemployment days during your initial OPT period, the grace period does not give you additional days.

Unemployment days count only during active OPT authorization. Once your OPT ends and the grace period begins, unemployment day tracking stops because you no longer have OPT authorization.

What to Do During the Grace Period

Your main options during the 60-day grace period are: apply for a change of status, enroll in a new academic program, or depart the US.

Change of status options include H-4 (if your spouse or parent has H-1B status), B-2 (visitor), and F-1 for a new academic program. If you apply for a change of status before the grace period ends, you remain in authorized stay while the application is pending.

H-1B cap gap: if an H-1B petition was filed by your employer by April 1 and was selected in the lottery for an October 1 start date, your OPT authorization extends through September 30. This is separate from the standard 60-day grace period and has its own conditions.

If no change of status or enrollment applies to your situation, you must depart the US by the end of the 60-day grace period. Staying beyond the grace period without a valid status accrues unlawful presence.

Source: ICE SEVP F-1 Student Status — ICE/SEVP guidance on F-1 student status and post-completion grace periods