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Are you an international student in F-1 status completing your academic program in fall 2026? Here are some important reminders!

Notify ISSS 

• If you are completing your degree requirements:
  • Complete the ISSS Confirmation of Final Semester e-form available in the MyISSS portal.
• If you plan to defend your dissertation or thesis prior to the start of the Spring 2027 term on January 7, 2027:
  • ·¡³¾²¹¾±±ôÌýISSS as soon as possible to discuss important information regarding your F-1 status.

Your I-20 End Date will be Shortened

Your F-1 status is based on continued required enrollment or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• If you complete your studies in Fall 2026, including defending your thesis or dissertation before the start of the Spring 2027 term, the program end date on your I-20 will be shortened to December 11, 2026.

Students who meet all degree requirements cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes.

• Successfully defending your thesis or dissertation means you do not need to enroll in subsequent terms. Continued enrollment for administrative purposes is not allowed.
• If you complete all degree requirements but continue enrolling in courses for other purposes, such as preparing for graduate school or completing a certificate, this is considered enrollment for administrative purposes.
• Enrollment for administrative purposes does not maintain your F-1 status.

Consult ISSS for Post-Graduation Options

• Discuss your options for staying in the U.S. after defending your thesis or completing your degree.

Grace Period to Depart the U.S.

If you complete your degree requirements in Fall 2026 or defend your master's thesis or Ph.D. dissertation before the start of the Spring 2027 term, then, according to current DHS rules*, your grace period to legally remain in the U.S. in F-1 status ends on 02/09/2027.

• *Note: Please monitor the ISSS immigration update webpage for information about changes to current DHS rules. 

Work Authorization On and Off-Campus

Your ability to work in the U.S. is based on your continued enrollment or OPTÌý²¹³Ü³Ù³ó´Ç°ù¾±³ú²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô.

• All employment authorizations end on the last day of the Fall 2026 semester, December 11, 2026. This applies to on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) and off-campus work authorization (e.g., curricular practical training, pre-completion OPT).
• To work on or off-campus after December 11, 2026, you must:
  • Apply for post-completion OPT before the end of your grace period.
  • Receive your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.
  • Be within the work authorization period indicated on your EAD card.

Applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are graduating or defending your thesis/dissertation and are interested in applying for Post-completion OPT, you must apply before the end of your grace period. USCIS must receive your application no later than February 9, 2027*.

• *Note: Please monitor the ISSS immigration update webpage for information about changes to current DHS and USCIS rules.

Before filing your OPT application with USCIS, you must receive an I-20 from ISSS recommending you for the OPT benefit.

• ISSS recommends applying for post-completion OPT as early as possible to increase your chances of receiving your OPT EAD card in a timely manner.

Visit our OPT webpage and attend a Post-Completion OPT Workshop to learn about the application process.

Congratulations and best of luck to our graduates!