It's August, and October is rolling around. I have 26 days. If I take it in mid September will it bleed into the deadline and I lose it anyway? Or is it so long as it's approved before Oct 1?

Just came back after 6 months and it crept up on me. Also given that I'm trying to go overseas (which is probably a long process) I'm likely screwed eitherway, just wanted to know how much.