As an international student in F-1 visa status, it is important for you to communicate with the International Student and Scholar Services Office. As you progress throughout your degree program, we recommend that you reach out to our office about a year before you complete your degree. Students should plan to do the following as they approach the end of their degree program: 

2 Semesters Out (2nd to last semester):

1. 1. Meet with an academic advisor to confirm your degree completion timeline.
      1. Undergraduate Students: Major Advisor.
      2. Graduate Students: Graduate Program Coordinator.
   2. Determine enrollment for your final term and prepare to apply for a final semester Reduced Course Load, if needed.¹
      1. Undergraduate Students: 12 credits.
      2. Graduate Students: 9 credits.
   3. If under-enrolled due to culminating experience (graduate students), submit a Culminating Experience request by the last day to add classes for the term.
   4. Apply for graduation based on the University’s timelines for Undergraduate and Graduate students.
   5. Think about your post-graduation plans and know your deadlines for completing them, as there may be a change in your I-20 end date. You have a 60-day period after the end of your degree program, to do one of the following options:
      1. Get a new I-20 from SJSU to start a new degree program. 
         1. Submit a Change Of Education Level request after completion of your current program.
      2. Transfer SEVIS (I-20) record to another U.S. school in the U.S. to pursue a new degree program. 
         1. Submit a SEVIS Transfer Out Request after completion of your current program.
      3. Apply for Post-Completion OPT, as long as you have not left the U.S. ²
      4. Depart the U.S. during your 60-day grace period (since you are not doing one of the other 3 options). 
   6. Meet with an ISSS advisor if you have questions.

1 Semester Out (final semester):

1. 1. 1. Submit the Reduced Course Load Request for a final semester RCL by the last day to add classes for the term, if needed.¹  The mode of instruction for your final course cannot be online. Therefore, this course will need to be in-person or hybrid. If your final course is online, then you will need to enroll in another course that is in-person or hybrid. Please keep this in mind when completing the RCL reqeust for a final semester RCL.
         1. For the fall semester, we start accepting these requests in iSpartan on July 15th. 
         2. For the spring semester, we start accepting these requests in iSpartan on November 15th.
      2. Want to stay in the U.S. after graduation to gain work experience in your major field of study? Review our webpage on Post-Completion Opptional Practical Training (OPT). Attend Post-Completion OPT Workshop to learn more about applying for OPT.
      3. Submit an Form I-20 Extension Request a minimum of 4 weeks before your I-20 end date, if you need more time to complete your degree program. Read more about I-20 extensions.
      4. Finalize your post-graduation plans and know your deadlines for completing them, as there may be a change in your I-20 end date. You have a 60 day period after the end of your degree program to do one of the following options:
         1. Get a new I-20 from SJSU to start a new degree program. 
            1. Submit a Change In Education I-20 Level Request after completion of your current program.
         2. Transfer SEVIS (I-20) record to another U.S. school in the U.S. to pursue a new degree program. 
            1. Submit a SEVIS Transfer Out Request request after completion of your current program.
         3. Apply for Post-Completion OPT, as long as you have not left the U.S.²
         4. Depart the U.S. during your 60-day grace period (since you are not doing one the other 3 options). 
      5. Meet with an ISSS advisor if you have questions.

Special notes: 

¹⁾ Upon approval of a Final Semester Reduced Course Load (RCL) request, your I-20 program end date will be shortened to the last day of the current term of the requested RCL. 

For example, if you request a final semester RCL for Spring 2025, your new I-20 end date will be May 21, 2025. You will receive an updated I-20 showing this information on page 1 of your new I-20.

• Your 60-day grace period will be the 60 days immediately following your I-20 end date. You may not depart and re-enter the U.S. during your grace period, unless you have applied for Post-Completion OPT. If you depart the U.S. during your grace period and have not applied for Post-Completion OPT, a SEVIS Transfer Out, or a Change in Education Level I-20 Request, your current F-1 status will end. 
• If you plan to depart the U.S. after completing your degree program and end your current F-1 status, you must depart no later than the last day of your 60-day grace period.

²⁾ Undergraduate students are expected to complete all degree requirements before beginning Post-Completion OPT. If you are concerned about graduating on time, please discuss your concerns with your academic advisor as well as an International Student Advisor from ISSS, wait to apply for OPT until final grades are posted, or request an I-20 program extension if your I-20 is ending and you need additional time to complete your degree requirements.