Grace Periods

F-1 Grace Periods

As an F-1 student, you and your dependents are granted two grace periods- one before your program start date, and another after your program ends.

Grace Period Prior to Program Start Date (30 days)

This grace period allows you to enter the U.S. as early as 30 days prior to the program start date listed on your Form I-20.

Grace Period Prior to Program Start Date (60 days)

As an F-1 student you are also granted a grace period after your program. This 60-day grace period applies to you after one of the following:

You complete your program of study
You reach the completion date of your OPT or STEM-OPT

Before the last day of this 60-day grace period, you must do one of the following:

Depart from the U.S.
Change educational levels at GW (for example, if you completed a bachelor’s degree, you may begin a master’s degree)
Transfer to a new SEVP-certified school,
File for a change of status

When you complete your program as scheduled, your F-1 SEVIS record status will automatically change from "Active” to “Completed” after 60 days if you do not take one of the actions above.

Grace Periods and STEM OPT Extensions

If you have filed a timely application for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, you may continue working for up to 180 days while your STEM OPT extension application is pending. USCIS must receive the Form I-765 STEM OPT application before the current period of post-completion OPT expires.

Grace Period & Cap Gap Extensions

If your employer files a H-1B petition before your OPT/STEM OPT end date, then your duration of status and any OPT/STEM OPT work authorization will be automatically extended. If your employer files the H-1B petition after the OPT/STEM OPT end date, ONLY your F-1 status will be extended. Your work authorization won’t be extended, and you can only resume employment after your H-1B has been approved!

Grace Periods and Leaves of Absence

If you are approved for a leave of absence, you must depart the US within 15 days following the date that the ISO sends you an email approving your leave of absence.

Limitations and Restrictions:

All on-campus and off-campus employment must end unless you have an extension for off-campus employment, such as STEM OPT or CAP GAP.
Neither F-1 students nor F-2 dependents are authorized to work or study during the 60-day grace period (except for limited part-time vocational study for the F-2 spouse).
Travel: As an F-1 student or F-2 dependent, if you depart the U.S. during the 60-day grace period, you automatically forfeit the remaining time, and you cannot re-enter the U.S. using your F-1/F-2 status.

Important Note:

In all cases, the grace period is ONLY granted if the visa holder has maintained their status throughout their program. Failing to maintain status may result in no grace period being granted, requiring immediate departure to avoid unlawful presence in the U.S.

J-1 Grace Periods

As a J-1 student, you and your dependents are granted two grace periods- one before your program start date, and another after your program ends.

Grace Period Prior to Program Start Date (30 days)

This grace period allows you to enter the U.S. as early as 30 days prior to the program start date listed on your Form DS-2019.

Grace Period After Program End Date (30 days)

As a J-1 student, you are also granted a grace period after your program end date. This grace period is also 30 days.

Before the last day of the 30-day grace period following your program completion, you must do one of the following:

Depart from the U.S.
Change educational levels at GW (for example, if you completed a bachelor’s degree, you may begin a master’s degree)
Transfer to a new SEVP-certified school,
File for a change of status

When you complete your program as scheduled, unless you’ve taken one of the actions above before your program completion date, your SEVIS record status will automatically change from "Active” to “Inactive” the day after the program end date.

Limitations and Restrictions

Neither the J-1 nor the J-2 dependent is permitted to work or engage in exchange visitor program activities during the grace period following program completion.
All on-campus and off-campus employment must end by the program end date listed on your DS-2019.
- There is only one exception to this rule: J-1 Degree Seeking Students and Non-Degree Seeking Students must apply for Post Academic Training prior to the program end date or current Academic Authorization end date.
Travel: As a J-1 or J-2 dependent, if you depart the U.S. during the 30-day grace period following program completion, you automatically forfeit the remaining time, and you cannot re-enter the U.S. using your J-1/J-2 status.

Important Note: