Congratulations on making it this far during your LSU studies!
When F-1 or J-1 students finish their program of study, U.S. Immigration regulations allow a grace period during which students can do the one of the following:
F-1 Student 60-day Grace Period
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J-1 Student 30-day Grace Period**
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- Travel within the United States & prepare to depart the U.S. by the end of the grace period.
- Apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for a change of status.
**U.S. Immigration regulations require J-1 students to request certain actions before the expiration date on their DS-2019, including:
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Special circumstances for certain graduate students
F-1 students who are in graduate programs with a thesis or dissertation requirement may apply for OPT authorization when they have completed all coursework requirements. Be advised that this type of OPT would be considered "Post Coursework Completion OPT."
Degree only
Based on the Graduate Student Handbook and U.S. federal regulations below, I-20s or DS-2019s cannot be extended for Degree Only registration. (Click the link to review our article for more details.)
Students who intend to depart the United States after completing a program of study only need to depart the U.S. within the grace period. If a student leaves the U.S. before the end of the grace period, the remaining days of the grace period are lost. They cannot re-enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student during the grace period.
Students who want to apply for Optional Practical Training (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1) must do so from within the United States.
Students may begin a new program of study at LSU after completing their current program. Students can find the most up-to-date Change of Academic Level/Program request and instructions at F-1 and J-1 Requests.
Students will need to submit proof of funding as part of their request for the new program I-20/DS-2019. See our article on the Required Financial Documentation to Receive an LSU I-20 or DS-2019.
Students can request to have their SEVIS record transferred to another U.S. school to which they have been admitted for the purposes of receiving a new I-20/DS-2019 from the new school. Students may submit the Transfer Out request to LSU ISS before their program of study completion date.
F-1 student instructions
F-1 students are eligible for the SEVIS transfer through the end of their 60-day grace period and should submit their Transfer Out request to ISS at least two (2) weeks before the end of their grace period to allow ISS time for review and processing. Students can find the most up-to-date Transfer Out (SEVIS) request/instructions at F-1 and J-1 Requests.
Be advised that, per Immigration guidance, students must start attending classes at the new school within 5 months (150 days) of the last day they attended classes at LSU or the next available session, whichever comes sooner. If the next available session does not start within 5 months, the student is not eligible for a SEVIS transfer and must depart the United States. In this case, the student would request an "Initial attendance" I-20 from the new school, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee for that new I-20, and apply for a new F-1 visa, if required.
J-1 student instructions
SEVIS records automatically change to "Inactive" the day after the J-1 Program End Date. Because of this, J-1 students must discuss their plans with the Responsible Officer/Alternate Responsible Officer of both programs (LSU and the new U.S. school) before beginning the transfer process to make a definite decision about the transfer and make sure that all parties involved have agreed on the date of transfer.
Optional Practical Training (F-1 students)
F-1 students who have enrolled full-time for one academic year and are in lawful F-1 status may be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students can read our OPT articles for additional information about the OPT application process, scheduled ISS workshops and the mandatory Moodle course, and Frequently Asked Questions.
Academic Training (J-1 students)
J-1 students who are in lawful J-1 status may be eligible for Academic Training (AT). The amount of time available for AT varies depending on individual student circumstances. J-1 students should contact an ISS advisor for AT information.