Program End Date

The application window for post-completion OPT begins 90 days before the I-20 program end date.

The I-20 program end date is generally established as the last day of the last month of the final term in which you will register to complete academic requirements (e.g. April 30 for Winter, June 30 for Spring, August 31 for Spring/Summer, or December 31 for Fall). Please note that certain programs (e.g. Law School and a few others) may have different end dates than these.

If you are completing your required enrollment in the current term and the I-20 end date is in the future, the I-20 program end date will be shortened by the International Center. This shortening of the program end date will occur at the time the OPT I-20 is issued.

Please note that your university graduation date/degree conferral date has no significance from an F-1 immigration perspective. Therefore, your graduation date may differ from your I-20 program end date.

Attention Bachelor’s and Master’s Students: If you are completing your enrollment within the first seven-week half-term, e.g. “Fall A” or “Winter A”, your I-20 end date will be shortened to the end of October and February respectively, which in turn will impact your OPT application timeline.

Attention PhD Students: Using the Rackham Grace Period to complete your degree requirements does not extend your I-20 end date. Your I-20 program end date is strictly based on your final term of enrollment. Please refer to our website for more information on the Rackham Grace Period and F-1 immigration considerations Links to an external site..

In addition, Ph.D. candidates who wish to request a post-completion OPT start date earlier than the standard completion date (e.g. after dissertation defense date) should consult Links to an external site. an international student advisor for guidance.

Note: A doctoral student must be enrolled for eight hours of candidacy during the full term in which s/he defends, including the Spring/Summer term.

On-Campus Employment Considerations: Remember that your on-campus work authorization ends on your I-20 end date. If you plan to work for the University of Michigan after your I-20 end date, you must wait to begin that employment until you have employment authorization based on optional practical training. You cannot continue on-campus employment if your period of authorized Optional Practical Training has not yet started.