Employment authorization

If you are interested in working in your field of study after completing your academic program, you will need to apply for employment authorization.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides one year of employment authorization in your field of study. Your application must be submitted and arrive at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by the last academic calendar day of your final quarter; however, you are encouraged to apply much earlier. Due to slow processing times, we recommend applying approximately three months in advance. For more information about eligibility requirements and how to apply, see Optional Practical Training.

Grace period and travel

If you do not apply for OPT, you have a 60-day grace period after the last day of your last class. Within this 60-day period you have the following options:

• Depart the U.S. Once you leave the U.S. after completing your studies you are not eligible to re-enter with your current I-20. The grace period is meant for travel within the states and preparation to depart the U.S.
• Request a new I-20 to continue in a new degree program at Saint Mary’s.
• Transfer your SEVIS record to a new school.
• Apply to change status to another visa category.

Health Insurance

It is important that you maintain medical insurance coverage after you graduate, as medical expenses in the U.S. can be very costly. Depending on whether you have purchased the annual or quarterly coverage through Saint Mary’s health insurance program you may be covered for a limited period beyond your last class.

You should research individual plans through companies that insure international students in the U.S.

While working under OPT, you may receive insurance through your employer; however, it is very common to have a gap in insurance coverage between the student plan's end date and potential coverage through an employer.

Graduation, commencement, and diplomas

Specific steps must be taken to apply for graduation, participate in the Commencement Ceremony, and ensure that your diploma will be mailed to the correct address. For more information, please see Commencement.

Inviting family members to visit the U.S.

As graduation approaches, you may want to invite your parents or other family members to celebrate commencement with you. Here are some suggestions to help them apply for a visitor's visa (B-2) at a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country.

If you need a letter to the Embassy for them to attend, please fill out the Graduation Embassy Letter form and send it to the following address:

Saint Mary's University
Attn: Mary Thole
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

To facilitate their visa interview process you should do the following:

• Write a letter of invitation. Include the purpose of the visit, your relationship to the individuals, a statement of your status here, itinerary details and the length of time they will be visiting (usually less than three months). It is best to emphasize the temporary nature of the invitation and to demonstrate their intention to return to their home country following the visit. If you will provide their financial support while they are here, include that information as well.
• Include an Enrollment Verification Letter from the Office of Student Services
• Provide details of the Commencement Ceremony.
• For additional information about U.S. consulate/embassy locations and application procedures, review the U.S. Department of State visa information.

Providing your family members with this documentation may improve their chances of obtaining a visa; however, there is no guarantee a visa will be issued.