On This Page: Check your I-20 or DS-2019 end date • Get ready for graduation • Apply for post-completion OPT • Start a new degreee program at UArizona • Transfer to another U.S. school • Change immigration status • Leave the U.S. by the end of your grace period
Getting ready to complete your program at the University of Arizona? Review the items below to help you prepare.
Check your I-20 or DS-2019 end date
Make sure your program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 is accurate. For most students, the program end date will be the last day of finals for the semester you are completing your degree. If your I-20 or DS-2019 end date is not correct, it must be updated before your document expires. Learn how to extend or shorten your document at Program End Date.
Get ready for graduation
If you are an undergraduate student, review the instructions for the degree candidacy process from Graduation Services in the Registrar’s Office. If you are a graduate student, review Degree Requirements on the Graduate College website.
For information about the graduation ceremony, visit Commencement.
Apply for post-completion OPT
If you are an F-1 student and would like to work in the U.S. after graduation, apply for Post-Completion OPT before the end of your 60-day grace period. All employment must be related to your field of study. Eligible students can be approved for up to 1 year of post-completion OPT and students in qualifying STEM degrees may be eligible for an additional 2-year extension. Learn how to request an I-20 recommending OPT at Optional Practical Training.
Start a new degree program at UArizona
If you are an F-1 student admitted to a new degree program at the University of Arizona, you must request a Change of Level I-20 before the end of your 60-day grace period. Learn how to request a new I-20 at Change of Level.
Transfer to another U.S. school
If you have been admitted to another school in the U.S., request a SEVIS transfer before the end of your grace period. Learn how to request a transfer and select a release date at Transfer Out.
Change immigration status
Eligibility for changing to another nonimmigrant category within the U.S. is limited and requires consultation with an immigration attorney. For general information about employment-based visas, review the presentation materials from one of our previous Work Visas Made Easy sessions.
Leave the U.S. by the end of your grace period
If you are not planning to start a new degree program, apply for OPT or change immigration status, then you must leave by the end of your grace period (60 days for F-1 students and 30 days for J-1 students). If you leave the U.S. before the end of your grace period, you will lose the remaining days. You cannot leave and reenter the U.S. during your grace period.
You do not need to check out with ISS before leaving the U.S.