Grace Periods & Departure
Guide
When your program ends normally, you get a short grace period in the U.S. to wrap up and prepare to leave. Learn more about how it works in this overview of grace periods and departures for international students.
Written by Jennifer Glass, Immigration Coordinator at the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
How long is the grace period?
F-1 students inside the U.S. in D/S status on or after September 15th, 2026: 60 days after your program end date (or after OPT/STEM OPT ends). Talk to your DSO to confirm what your program end date is. It varies by school but generally coincides with the point at which you have completed all degree requirements and enrollment.
F-1 students admitted to the U.S. on or after September 15th, 2026, with a date-certain end date: 30 days after your Admit Until Date (AUD). Confirm your end date with your DSO.
J-1 students: 30 days after your program completion date. Talk to your ARO to confirm what your program end date is. Same as the F, it generally coincides with the point at which you have completed all degree requirements and enrollment.
Note that this grace period applies only if your program ends normally — it does not apply if your program has ended for another reason, such as a withdrawal or status violation .
What you can (and can't) do
During the grace period, you may prepare to depart — pack, close accounts, move out of housing, get reference letters, travel within the U.S.
You may NOT work or continue program activities (employment, research, teaching) after your program end date.
If you don't depart the U.S. (and haven't filed for an eligible alternative benefit, such as a change of status or OPT) by the end of the grace period, you are considered to be “out of status,” which can create serious future immigration problems.
Leaving during the grace period
Once your program ends, leaving the U.S. during the grace period effectively ends the grace period. Think of your grace period as “use it or lose it.” Once you depart, you can't re-enter to "use up" any remaining days; your grace period is over once you depart the U.S.
