Completing or Ending OPT

Students who have maintained status and completed their Initial OPT year or STEM OPT years without exceeding the unemployment day limit will receive a 60-day grace period. During your 60-day grace period, you can do one of the following:

• Remain in the U.S.:You cannot work in the U.S. unless you obtain additional employment authorization under another visa status.
• Depart the U.S.: Your grace period ends after you depart the U.S. - even if you had time remaining.
• Transfer your SEVIS record to another school to start another academic program.
• Request a Change of Program Level I-20 if you are starting another program at UC San Diego.

If you are planning to apply for a change of status to H-1B, and your OPT end date is between April 1 and October 1 during the year that you apply for the H-1B status, you may be eligible for an extension of your OPT to accommodate for the gap between the end of your OPT and the beginning of your H-1B. This extension is known as Cap Gap. Visit our Cap Gap Extension page for more information.

If you have received an approval notice for your H-1B, then make sure to update your immigration status by submitting the Ending F-1 Visa Status Request in iServices:

• Find the Ending your F-1 Visa Status at UC San Diego category in the left menu.
  • Select the Ending F-1 Visa Status Request.
• Prepare a PDF copy of your proof of your adjusted visa status - your I-797 Approval notice.
• You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
• ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.

F-1 students on Intial OPT who earned bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for an extension of post-completion OPT. If you are eligible, you may apply up to 90 days before your OPT EAD expiration date, but no later than the expiration date of your OPT. Visit our STEM OPT Extension page for more information.

If you plan to withdraw from your post-completion OPT or STEM OPT with no intention to return to the U.S. to continue employment, submit the Ending F-1 Visa Status Request in iServices:

• Find the Ending your F-1 Visa Status at UC San Diego category in the left menu.
  • Select the Ending F-1 Visa Status Request.
  • If you are departing the U.S.:
    
    • Prepare a PDF copy of your proof of your airline ticket or flight itinerary showing the date of your planned departure from the U.S.
  • If you are ending STEM OPT early for any reason:
    
    • Prepare a PDF copy of your I-983 (p.1-4) including the Final Evaluation section on page 5.
  • If you are changing program levels: 
    • You must also submit the Change of Program Level I-20 Request.
  • If you are transferring to a new institution:
    • You must also submit the SEVIS Transfer Out Request.
  • If you are changing to a different visa status:
    • Prepare a copy of your I-797 Approval Notice or green card.
• You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
• ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.