Final Semester

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):

    • Meet with an academic advisor to confirm your degree completion timeline.
      • Undergraduate Students: Major Advisor.
      • Graduate Students: Graduate Program Coordinator.
    • Determine enrollment for your final term and prepare to apply for a final semester Reduced Course Load, if needed.*
      • Undergraduate Students: 12 credits
      • Graduate Students: 9 credits
    • If under-enrolled due to culminating experience (graduate students), submit a Culminating Experience request by the last day to add classes for the term.
    • Apply for graduation based on the University’s timelines for Undergraduate and Graduate students.
    • 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:
      • Get a new I-20 from SJSU to start a new degree program. 
      • Transfer SEVIS (I-20) record to another U.S. school in the U.S. to pursue a new degree program. 
        • Submit a SEVIS Transfer Out request after completion of your current program.
      • Apply for Post-Completion OPT, as long as you have not left the U.S. +
      • Depart the U.S. during your 60-day grace period (since you are not doing one of the other 3 options). 
    • Meet with an ISSS advisor if you have questions.

1 Semester Out (final semester):

      • Submit final semester RCL request by the last day to add classes for the term, if needed.*
        • For the fall semester, we start accepting these requests in iSpartan on August 1st. 
        • For the spring semester, we start accepting these requests in iSpartan on January 2nd. 
      • Attend Post-Completion OPT information sessions to learn more about applying for OPT.
      • Submit an I-20 extension request a minimum of 2 weeks before your I-20 end date, if you need more time to complete your degree program.
      • 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:
        • Get a new I-20 from SJSU to start a new degree program. 
        • Transfer SEVIS (I-20) record to another U.S. school in the U.S. to pursue a new degree program. 
          • Submit a SEVIS Transfer Out request after completion of your current program.
        • Apply for Post-Completion OPT, as long as you have not left the U.S.+
        • Depart the U.S. during your 60-day grace period (since you are not doing one the other 3 options). 
      • Meet with an ISSS advisor if you have questions.

Special notes: 

*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 Fall 2022, your new I-20 end date will be December 14, 2022. You will receive an updated I-20 showing this information.

      • 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-OPT. If you depart the U.S. during your grace period and have not applied for Post OPT, a SEVIS transfer, or a Change of Education Level, 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.

+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, 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.