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Let ISSS Know!

• If you are graduating this semester:
  • 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 2024 term:
  • Email ISSS as soon as possible so that ISSS can provide important information regarding your F-1 status.

Your I-20 End Date Will Be Shortened

Did you know that your F-1 status is based on continuing enrollment or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization?

• If you are completing your studies in Fall 2023, including defending your thesis or dissertation before the start of the Spring 2024 term, then the academic program end date on your I-20 will be shortened to 12/20/2023. 

Students who satisfy all requirements for the completion of their program cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes.

• Students who successfully defend their thesis or dissertation do not need to enroll in subsequent terms. Future enrollment is considered enrollment for administrative purposes. 
• Students who complete all requirements for their degree and continue to enroll in courses to prepare for graduate school or the completion of a certificate, are considered enrolled for administrative purposes.
• Enrollment for administrative purposes does not allow a student to maintain their F-1 status.

Consult ISSS to discuss your options for staying in the U.S. after defending your thesis or completing your degree.

Work Authorization On and Off-Campus

Your ability to work in the U.S. is based on your continued enrollment or OPT authorization.

• All employment authorization ends on the last day of the Fall 2023 semester, 12/20/2023. This applies to on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) and off-campus work authorization (e.g., curricular practical training, pre-completion OPT).
• You are not able to work in the U.S. after 12/20/2023 unless you meet all the following criteria:
  • applied for post-completion OPT;
  • received your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card); and
  • it is within the work authorization period indicated on the card. 

Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are graduating or defending and are interested in applying for post-completion OPT,  you must apply before the end of your 60-day grace period. To ensure your application is receipted in time by USCIS, you must apply no later than 02/16/2024.

• For Fall 2023 graduates, the 60-day grace period ends on 02/18/2024, 60 days after the semester end date of 12/20/2023. 

Before filing your OPT application with USCIS, you must receive an I-20 recommending OPT from ISSS. ISSS recommends you apply for post-completion OPT as close to 90 days prior to your F-1 program completion date to increase your chances of receiving your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card in a timely manner.

• For Fall 2023 graduates, ISSS can make the required OPT recommendation in SEVIS as early as 09/21/2023.

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

Congratulations and good luck to our Fall 2023 graduates!