International students smiling at UWM graduation ceremony

Graduation

Congratulations! You are getting ready to graduate! Here are some topics to help you prepare for graduation.

Preparing for Graduation

View graduation planning information:

Graduation Ceremony: Graduation ceremony information is available here. If you are considering participating in a graduation ceremony other than your assigned graduation ceremony, you should contact the Secretary of the University (secofunv@uwm.edu).

Inviting Family to Graduation: You may have family or friends that want to visit during your studies or for your graduation ceremony at UWM. They will most likely need to apply for a tourist visa to do so. You can find information on the visitor visa request process and requirements at the Visitor Visa website.

It may be beneficial for you to provide your visitors the following for their visa application:

  • Letter of Invitation written by you, including the following:
    • A statement of your immigration status at UWM (that you are an international student on an F-1 or J-1 visa)
    • Purpose of the visit (examples: graduation, summer vacation, spring break, illness, birth of a child)
    • Dates of the visit (if specific dates are unknown, include the intended length of the visit)
    • Information about the individual
      • Their name as listed in their passport
      • Their date of birth
      • Their place of birth
      • Your relationship to the individual
  • Proof that you are currently studying (your current transcript showing your current in-progress enrollment or other enrollment verification letter/form)
  • Here is a sample letter for your reference

The U.S. Department of State has stated that it is not necessary or useful to have a letter of invitation issued by UWM’s ISSS Office when applying for a tourist visa.

Graduation Sashes: International students who will be participating in the UWM Commencement (Graduation) Ceremony will have the option to place an order through ISSS for a graduation sash representing their home country. Orders will be accepted for a limited time each semester. F-1 and J-1 students who have applied for graduation will receive an email with the sash order details. Sashes will be available for pick-up at the CIE front office. 

Immigration Issues in Your Last Semester

Less than Full-Time Enrollment Authorization

F-1 and J-1 students: Students in their graduating term whose remaining coursework totals less than full-time enrollment are eligible to request authorization for less than full-time enrollment.

  • F-1 students: The Less than Full-Time Enrollment Authorization Request is available in your ISSS Connect portal under the Documents & Requests tab.
    • Your academic/faculty advisor needs to verify your anticipated completion date as part of the request.
  • J-1 students: Contact your ISSS program coordinator to inquire about the steps to complete your request for less than full-time enrollment authorization.
Program Date Extension
  • F-1 and J-1 Students: Students who require an extension of their I-20 or their DS 2019 due to their inability to finish their academic program, must make an official request as outlined below.
    • F-1 Students: The I-20 Program End Date Extension request is available in your ISSS Connect portal under the Documents & Requests tab.
    • J-1 Students: Contact your ISSS program coordinator to request a program end date extension.
Pursuing a New or Advanced Degree
  • F-1 Students:
    • Students who will be pursuing a new or advanced degree at UWM or at a different institution must be accepted to the new degree program and receive an updated I-20 within 60 days of completing their current program.
    • If you have questions, call 414-229-4846 to make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator to review the appropriate process.
  • J-1 Students: You must contact your ISSS program coordinator to review the appropriate process.
Post-Completion Employment Authorization
  • F-1 Students Post-Completion OPT: Graduating students who are interested in participating in post-completion OPT, which would authorize up to 12 months of employment, should refer to the Optional Practical Training page for more information. 
  • J-1 Students Academic Training: Graduating students who are interested in participating in Academic Training should refer to the “Academic Training” section of the Employment page for more information. 

After Graduation

F-1 Student Requirements

As you prepare to complete your academic program at UWM, remember you have a 60-day grace period in which you must do one of the following:

  • Start a new program at UWM:
    • You may continue your education at UWM by starting a new degree program.
    • You must be issued your new I-20 from UWM within your 60-day grace period.
  • Transfer your SEVIS record:
    • You may continue your education at a different SEVIS approved institution. 
    • Your SEVIS record must be transferred to your new institution within your 60-day grace period AND prior to leaving the US, whichever comes first.
    • You must submit the F-1 SEVIS Transfer Out request in order for UWM to release your SEVIS record to your new institution; you can find this request by logging into your ISSS Connect portal under the Documents & Requests page.
    • Once UWM has completed the transfer, you must contact your new institution to discuss issuance of a new I-20. 
  • Apply for OPT:
    • If you are interested in learning more about Optional Practical Training, your first step is to read the information found on the Optional Practical Training page and watch the OPT Workshop Presentation.
  • Depart the US:
    • You can use your 60-day grace period to settle your affairs and depart the U.S.
    • Your SEVIS Record may be completed as soon as you depart.
    • Keep in mind that you will not be able to transfer your SEVIS record or apply for OPT after you depart the U.S.
  • Change to another legal immigration status: 
    • During your 60-day grace period, if you change to a different legal immigration status you must email isss@uwm.edu so that we can update your records.
    • If you have questions about different status options or how to request a change, speak with an Immigration Attorney.
J-1 Student Requirements

As you prepare to complete your academic program at UWM, consider the following: 

  • Start a new program at UWM:
    • You may be eligible to continue your education at UWM by starting a new degree program.
    • You must be issued the DS-2019 for the new program prior to your current DS-2019 listed program end date.
  • Transfer your SEVIS record:
    • You may continue your education at a different SEVIS-approved institution. 
    • Your SEVIS record must be transferred to your new institution prior to your current DS-2019 listed program end date.
  • Apply for Post-Completion Academic Training:
    • Graduating students who are interested in participating in Academic Training should refer to the “Academic Training” section of the Employment page for more information. 
    • Your Academic Training must be approved and processed prior to your current DS-2019 listed program end date.
  • Depart the U.S.:
    • You may use your 30-day grace period from the end of your program completion to settle your affairs and depart the U.S.
    • Your SEVIS status will automatically become “Inactive” the day following your current DS-2019 listed program end date.
  • Change to another legal immigration status: 
    • If you have questions about different status options or how to request a change, you should speak with an Immigration Attorney.
ISSS Connect Portal Login

Immigration Information & Resources