Congratulations on completing your degree at Duke University! 

It is now time to move forward with your next pursuit.  We are providing information on your options to ensure you submit the correct requests to our office to maintain your legal status in the U.S.  As you know, you have a 60-day grace period that starts after your program completion date of 5/11/2025.  You must decide no later than the end of the grace period what you plan to do next.  Below are options to help you decide.  If you need to submit a request to our office, the link is below.  Our processing time is 2 weeks.

Note: If you graduated on May 11th but your I-20 has a later end date, we will shorten your I-20 end date to the May 11th graduation date.  The 60-day grace period still applies to your situation.

Apply for OPT:  You can apply for post-completion OPT until July 10th, 2025.  The application must be received at the USCIS no later than July 10th.  You can use this link to request an OPT I-20 from our office: http://tds.visaservices.duke.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10007

Transfer Out:  If you have been accepted to a new school, submit a transfer out request to our office.  The transfer must be scheduled before July 10th.  Submit the request here: http://tds.visaservices.duke.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10010

New Duke Program:  If you plan to start a new Duke academic program during the Fall 2025 semester, work with the admissions office to submit the new program information to our office.  If you are not using OPT, the program level update must be made in SEVIS before July 10th.

Change your status:  If none of the above apply to you but you plan to remain in the U.S., consider changing your status to one approved for the reason you wish to remain in the U.S.  

Leave the U.S.:  If you plan to leave the U.S., you must depart before the end of your 60-day grace period.  Failure to depart within this period can lead to an overstay of your visa.

It has been our pleasure to work with you during your stay at Duke University!

Duke Visa Services