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Updated on 07.03.2022

Grace Period

Many foreign students or interns would like to travel to the USA before or after their actual studies or internship. We explain in which cases this is possible.

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Bild von Personen mit Ausbildungsvisum in den USA

Foreign nationals completing training or further education in the United States can extend their stay in the USA beyond the actual duration of the program before or after the actual training program. The time before and after attending the educational institution can thus be used for travel within the United States, for example.

In principle, the following visa categories can be considered:

  1. The F-1 visa is the most frequently used type of student visa and allows the attendance at an academic / scientific educational institution in the USA (e.g. university, college, etc.) or a language course of longer duration.
  2. The J-1 visa includes various exchange programs in the US, such as internships or trainee program.
  3. The M-1 visa allows you to attend a recognized non-academic or vocational educational institution in the United States (e.g. flight school).

What is the Grace Period?

How long international students are allowed to stay in the United States is specified for F-1 and M-1 visa holders in the I-20 Form and for J-1 visa holders in the DS-2019 form.

The so-called Grace Period allows individuals with an F-1, J-1 or M-1 visa to enter the USA for a certain period of time before the start of their training and th remain in the USA for a certain period of time after completion of their training.

Applicants may not exceed the following maximum periods:

F-1 Visa

  • Entering the USA up to 30 days before the start of studies
  • Departure from the USA up to 60 days after completing the degree

J-1 Visa

  • Entering the USA up to 30 days before the start of the exchange program
  • Departure from the USA up to 30 days after completion of the exchange program

M-1 Visa

  • Entering the USA up to 30 days before the start of training
  • Departure from the USA up to 30 days after completion of the training
Please note:

Holders of an educational visa may only stay in the USA for up to 30 days (J-1 / M-1) or up to 60 days (F-1) after the end of the program if they have completed their studies in the United States or have successfully completed a program.

If the program is interrupted, the grace period is only available for 15 days as a "program terminating" person only has 2 weeks to leave the United States.

Many American universities, for example, consider a semester stay to be an incomplete degree and enter it in the SEVIS system as a program interruption. Holders of an F-1, J-1 or M-1 visa should therefore always consult with their educational institution for shorter study and school stays in order to avoid an illegal overstay.

If you require further information on US visas for study and school or have questions about your individual case, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Updated on 07.03.2022