Congratulations from the International Students and Scholars Center on completing your degree at Arizona State University!

As an F-1 student, you have a 60-day grace period after your degree completion date. During this time, you have a few options:
 

• Apply for Optional Practical Training.
• Start a new degree program at ASU.
• Transfer to a new institution.
• Apply for a change in visa status.
• Leave the U.S.

If you will not be graduating as expected, please contact the ISSC as soon as possible to talk about your options. 

You cannot work after your degree completion date. 

• Undergraduate students: Work must stop by Dec. 15, 2025.  
• Graduate students: Most work must stop by Dec. 15, 2025, but you should confirm your degree completion date with your academic advisor.

Please note:  RA/TA/GSA offer letter end dates might extend past your degree completion date, and you might get a paycheck after that date, but all work must stop by your degree completion date. Any work done after that is considered unlawful and could affect your F-1 status.

If you want to work in the U.S. after graduation, you need to apply for Post-OPT.  Your I-765 (OPT) application must be submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 60 days of your degree completion date. Before you apply, you need to request an OPT-recommended I-20 from the ISSC.

Your ASU student health insurance will end on Dec. 31, 2025. It’s a good idea to get health insurance through your employer or a private provider after that.

If you are admitted to a new program at ASU, you must request an I-20 from the ISSC for your new ASU degree program.

If you’re transferring to a different school, contact the ISSC to start the process of transferring your SEVIS record.

If you apply to change your immigration status, let the ISSC know once you receive a Notice of Action from USCIS so we can update your SEVIS record.

Keep all your immigration documents, especially your I-20s, for future reference. The ISSC keeps student files for a limited time, and we won’t be able to help you with documents or status verification after those files are destroyed.