Graduation Overview

Graduation for international students is defined as the time when international students complete all program requirements for their degree program and not the day of their graduation ceremony. Once students meet all of their program requirements, then they must have their I-20 program end date shortened to the last day of their graduating semester. International students that have a Graduate Assistantship will need to check their GA contract end date to calculate their new program end date and 60-day grace period.

Grace Period After Graduation

Once this is done, students will have a 60-day grace period after their program end date to choose between the following options:

  • Return to their home country before the end of the 60-day grace period,

  • Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

  • Change their immigration status by filing an application with USCIS

  • Begin a new degree program (either at UNLV or another school)

Grace Period After Completion of OPT

In addition, students who are finishing their OPT will have also have a 60-day grace period after their approved OPT end date in which they have the following options:

  • Return to their home country before the end of the 60-day grace period,

  • Apply for the OPT STEM Extension (if eligible)
    Note: USCIS must receive your completed application before the end of your first year of OPT.

  • Change their immigration status by filing an application with USCIS

  • Begin a new degree program (either at UNLV or another school)

If an F-1 student does not follow one of the above options after completing a degree program at UNLV or their approved OPT, they will be considered out of status.

Changing your Immigration Status

If you decide to change your immigration status, you will need to submit the application to USCIS as soon as possible and at least have the receipt notice by the end of your 60-day grace period.

USCIS has issued guidance that students must maintain their current status while the change of status application is pending. Therefore, International Student and Scholar Services recommends that students maintain their F-1 status until their new immigration status is approved. If you have questions about how to do this, please contact your international advisor.

Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) 90-days before the end of their graduating semester up until 60-days after their graduation date (the last day of the graduating semester, not the day of the graduation ceremony).

Students who want to apply for OPT must work with their International Student and Scholar Services advisor to get an OPT recommendation in SEVIS (OPT-Recommended I-20) and then submit the completed OPT application to USCIS before the end of their 60-day grace period.

Find more information on the OPT application process.

Applying for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension (if already on OPT)

If you have earned a qualifying STEM degree, then you may be eligible to apply for the OPT STEM Extension. The application window for the OPT STEM Extension is from 90-days before your first year of OPT ends up until your approved initial OPT end date. You must submit the application to USCIS within this window for the OPT STEM extension to be approved. Find more information on the OPT STEM Extension.

Starting a New Program at UNLV

If you decide to return for another program at UNLV, you will need to work with the proper admissions office to be admitted and be issued your new, Change of Education Level I-20. This new I-20 must be issued before the end of your 60-day grace period and your new program must start within 5 months of your OPT end date or the next available semester (whichever is first).

Starting a New Program at another SEVP Approved School

If you decide to transfer to another school to begin a new program, you will first need to be admitted to the new program and follow the steps listed in the Transfer-Out Request in the OISS Portal. A new Transfer-Pending I-20 from your new school must be issued before the end of your 60-day grace period and your new program must start within five months of your OPT STEM Extension end date or the next available semester (whichever is first).