For F-1 students, a grace period is 60 days following the end of their program. For undergraduate students, this is the last day of your coursework. For graduate students, this is the last day that you complete or submit any final thesis, dissertation, or coursework if not pursuing a thesis. By the end of the 60 day grace period, an F-1 student must have taken action with his/her status or departed the U.S. The following actions are available for legal status:

• Apply for Optional Practical Training
• Apply to transfer to another U.S. institution
• Change their degree level to a new program at Miami (example: bachelor’s student matriculating to a new master’s program)
• Travel inside of the U.S.

An F-1 student cannot do the following during the end of their grace period:

• Work on campus without authorization
• Apply for a program extension
• Travel outside of the U.S. and re-enter on their completed program’s I-20 without having applied for OPT

J-1 students have a 30 day grace period. For undergraduate students, this is the last day of your coursework. For graduate students, this is the last day that you complete and submit any final thesis, dissertation, or the date you complete your coursework if you are not pursuing a thesis. J-1 students have unique guidelines regarding the types of activity permitted during their grace period. As a result, you must take the following actions before your J-1 student record is de-activated in the government system on the day immediately after your program end date:

• Apply for Academic Training
• Apply for any needed program extensions
• Apply to transfer to another university
• Change degree level to a new program at Miami (example: bachelor’s student matriculating to a new master’s program)