Post-Completion OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit for F-1 students that allows for up to 12 months of practical experience, i.e., employment in your field of study.

Two types of practical training are available to F-1 students:

• Pre-Completion OPT
• Post-Completion OPT (with potential extension for certain STEM qualifying degree programs)

Note: Pre-Completion and Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) use the same available 12 months, but Post-Completion OPT can only be used when you will complete your degree in the near future and meet the Post-Completion OPT eligibility requirements.

---

Post-Completion OPT Eligibility

Applying for OPT: A Two-Step Process

OPT Timeline and Deadlines

OPT Availability and Employment/Unemployment

Completing the OPT Application Form I-765

OPT Reporting Requirements

How to Withdraw a Pending OPT Application

Travel while on OPT

OPT Resources

---

Post-Completion OPT Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for OPT if you:

• Have not been approved for a total of 365 days of full-time CPT (Curricular Practical Training).
• Were enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (two semesters). Summers do not count.
• Have maintained active F-1 status.
• Will complete your degree in the near future.

Applying for OPT: A Two-Step Process

1. Request an OPT I-20 in iStart.
   ISSA issues eligible students an updated I-20 including the OPT recommendation.
2. Submit form I-765, the signed I-20 with the OPT recommendation, and other required documents to USCIS online.
   • Check the current USCIS processing times for form I-765.
   • You must be in the U.S. when you submit form I-765.

OPT Timeline and Deadlines

• Apply for OPT as early as 90 days before your program end date.
  • Note: ISSA can issue the I-20 with the OPT recommendation only after the 90-day window opens.
• Pick an OPT start date that falls within the 60-day grace period after your program end date.
• Submit your OPT application to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days of the date of OPT I-20 issuance or by the 60th day from the program end date, whichever comes first.
• The OPT application window closes on the 60th day from the program end date.
• Submit your OPT I-20 request in iStart early to give ISSA time to issue your OPT I-20. We recommend submitting the form at least 4 weeks before the end of your program end date.

Determining Your Program End Date

Are you...	End of the semester in which you will graduating	Oral defense date	Four weeks after your defense date	Any date after the completion of all of your degree requirements/courses but before your defense date
Undergraduate student	x
Medical student	x
Law student	x
Graduate student with coursework only	x
Graduate student with a paper, thesis, or dissertation requirement	x	x	x	x

 

 

Note: You cannot work on campus past your I-20 program end date unless you can continue working with your OPT EAD card. This is important if your program end date on the I-20 will be shortened for OPT purposes!

OPT Availability and Employment/Unemployment

• OPT available for each academic level (i.e., Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
• Employment must be closely related to your program of study, i.e., major.

Note: A job offer is not required at the time of application.

• Total of 90 unemployment days available during the 12 months of the Post-Completion OPT.
  • The unemployment days start counting on the start date on the OPT EAD card.
  • Once all 90 unemployment days are used up, your OPT is no longer valid, you are considered out of status, and need to leave the U.S.
• Reporting your OPT employment via iStart on or after the start of your OPT stops the unemployment counter.
• You can only begin working after the OPT start date listed on your EAD card has arrived and you have received your EAD card.

Completing the OPT Application Form I-765

1. Set up an online USCIS account
2. Complete the OPT application form I-765
   Note: You must be in the U.S. when you submit the I-765 to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). 

Access ISSA's Guide to Form I-765 (pdf format)

Be sure to have the following required documents ready:

• Processing fee for form I-765
• Passport-style photo
• Signed I-20 with the OPT recommendation on page 2 (make sure you have signed and dated on page 1)
• Copy of the F-1 visa in your passport (even if it is expired)
• Copy of your passport photo page
• Your most recent I-94 arrival record
• CPT and previous OPT I-20s, if applicable
• I-20s with a different SEVIS ID, if applicable
• Previous EAD card, if applicable

Note: Premium processing for OPT, using form I-907, is available from USCIS at an additional cost. This is an optional upgrade to speed up the processing time with a guaranteed USCIS review window of 30 days.