OPT Application After Graduation: Filing and Timeline
Complete guide to applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing a US degree. Covers post-completion OPT, Form I-765, STEM OPT extension, employer requirements, EAD card, and maintaining valid status.
Pre-completion OPT: work part-time (20 hrs/week) while enrolled, or full-time during breaks. Post-completion OPT: work full-time for 12 months after graduation. Most students apply for post-completion OPT. Each degree level (bachelor's, master's, doctorate) earns a separate 12-month OPT period.
Confirm you are applying for post-completion OPT (most common)
Verify you have not used 12 months of pre-completion OPT at this degree level
Confirm your eligibility for OPT
You must have been a full-time F1 student for at least 1 academic year, be in valid F1 status, and not have previously used 12 months of OPT at the same degree level. If you used pre-completion OPT, that time is deducted from your 12-month post-completion period.
Verify at least 1 full academic year of F1 enrollment
Confirm you have not violated your F1 status
Check if you qualify for the STEM OPT extension
STEM degree holders (CIP codes on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List) can apply for a 24-month extension on top of the initial 12-month OPT, for a total of 36 months. The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Check your degree's CIP code on your I-20 against the STEM list at studyinthestates.dhs.gov.
Verify your degree's CIP code is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List
Confirm your employer is enrolled in E-Verify (required for STEM extension)
Request OPT Recommendation from Your DSO
Contact your school's International Student Office
Start this process early — at least 90 days before your program end date. DSOs often have their own internal deadlines and processing queues. Some schools require an OPT workshop before they process your recommendation.
Schedule a meeting with your DSO
Complete any required OPT workshop or information session
Request a new I-20 with OPT recommendation
The DSO updates your SEVIS record with the OPT recommendation and issues a new I-20 with the OPT request noted on page 2. This I-20 must be included in your I-765 filing. The DSO sets your OPT start date — it can be any date between your program end date and 60 days after.
Choose your preferred OPT start date
Receive the updated I-20 with OPT recommendation on page 2
Sign the new I-20
File Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)
Understand the filing window
You can file Form I-765 up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after. Filing after the 60-day deadline means automatic denial. File as early as possible — USCIS processing times for OPT EADs are currently 3-5 months.
Calculate your filing window (90 days before to 60 days after program end)
Aim to file within the first week of the window
Complete Form I-765
File online at my.uscis.gov (faster and allows tracking) or by mail. Select category (c)(3)(B) for post-completion OPT. Enter your SEVIS ID, program end date, and employer information (if you already have a job offer). If no job offer yet, leave employer fields blank.
Complete I-765 online or on paper
Select eligibility category (c)(3)(B) for post-completion OPT
Gather and submit supporting documents
Copy of I-20 with OPT recommendation (all pages)
Copy of passport biographical page
Copy of F1 visa stamp
Copy of most recent I-94 (from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
2 passport photos (2x2 inches)
Copy of any previously issued EADs (if applicable)
Pay the I-765 filing fee
The OPT EAD filing fee is 410 USD. Pay online by credit/debit card if filing electronically, or by check/money order payable to 'U.S. Department of Homeland Security' if filing by mail. Fee waivers are not available for OPT.
Submit the I-765 application
Submit online at my.uscis.gov or mail to the correct USCIS lockbox
Save the receipt number from the I-797C receipt notice
Track case status at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus
Receive EAD Card and Start Working
Wait for EAD card processing
Current processing times: 3-5 months. USCIS automatically extends OPT work authorization for up to 180 days if you filed a timely STEM extension. For initial OPT, there is no auto-extension — you cannot work until the EAD card arrives and your OPT start date has passed.
Monitor your USCIS case status for approval and card production
Update your address with USCIS if you move during processing
Receive and verify your EAD card
The EAD is a credit-card-sized work permit. Verify your name, photo, SEVIS ID, card expiration date, and category code. Report errors to USCIS immediately by filing a service request at egov.uscis.gov.
Check all details on the EAD card for accuracy
Contact USCIS immediately if any details are wrong
Begin employment on or after your OPT start date
You cannot start working before both conditions are met: (1) your EAD card has arrived and (2) your OPT start date has passed. Your job must be directly related to your field of study — this is a requirement, not a suggestion. USCIS can revoke OPT if employment is unrelated to your major.
Confirm your job is directly related to your degree field
Complete I-9 employment verification with your employer
Maintain OPT Status and Reporting Requirements
Report employer information in the SEVP Portal
Log into the SEVP Portal at sevp.ice.gov/opt within 10 days of starting or changing employment. Report: employer name, address, start date, and how the job relates to your degree. Failure to update the SEVP Portal can result in OPT termination.
Create your SEVP Portal account using the link emailed to you
Enter employer details within 10 days of starting work
Update the portal within 10 days of any job change
Track your unemployment days
On post-completion OPT, you cannot accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment. On STEM OPT extension, the limit is 150 days total (including initial OPT unemployment). Volunteering and unpaid internships related to your field count as employment. Exceeding the limit terminates your F1 status.
Keep a log of employment start and end dates
Seek new employment immediately if your position ends
Report address changes
Report address changes within 10 days to both your DSO and in the SEVP Portal. Also file Form AR-11 with USCIS for any address change. Failure to report address changes is a violation of your F1 status.
STEM OPT Extension (24 Months Additional)
Have your employer complete Form I-983 (Training Plan)
The I-983 is a training plan signed by you and your employer. It describes your learning objectives, how your employment relates to your STEM degree, and how the employer will supervise your training. The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify — verify at e-verify.gov. Your DSO reviews the I-983 before recommending the STEM extension.
Complete Section 1 (student information) of Form I-983
Have your employer complete Sections 2-5 (employer and training details)
Submit the completed I-983 to your DSO
Request STEM extension recommendation from your DSO
The DSO updates your SEVIS record and issues a new I-20 with the STEM extension recommendation. File the I-765 for STEM extension up to 90 days before your current OPT expires. If you file on time and your current OPT expires before USCIS decides, your work authorization is automatically extended for up to 180 days.
Receive updated I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation
Sign the new I-20
File Form I-765 for STEM extension
Select eligibility category (c)(3)(C) for STEM OPT extension. Include the I-983, new I-20, copy of your STEM degree, and E-Verify company number. Filing fee: 410 USD. File online for faster processing.
File I-765 with category (c)(3)(C) and all supporting documents
Pay 410 USD filing fee
Continue working under the automatic 180-day extension while pending
Complete required self-evaluations during STEM OPT
STEM OPT requires a 12-month self-evaluation and a final self-evaluation. Both you and your employer complete these assessments, updating the I-983 with your progress. Submit evaluations to your DSO. Missing evaluations can result in STEM OPT termination.
Complete 12-month self-evaluation with your employer
Complete final self-evaluation before STEM OPT ends
Submit both evaluations to your DSO
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply for OPT after graduation?
You can submit your OPT application (Form I-765) up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after. Filing early is strongly recommended because USCIS processing times for OPT currently range from 3-5 months. Your DSO must first recommend OPT in SEVIS before you can file. Missing the 60-day post-completion deadline permanently forfeits your OPT eligibility for that degree level.
Can I leave the US while my OPT application is pending?
Traveling outside the US while your OPT application is pending is risky and generally discouraged. If you leave without a valid F-1 visa stamp and a pending or approved EAD, re-entry may be denied. Once your EAD is approved, you can travel with your EAD card, a valid passport, an endorsed I-20, and a valid visa stamp. Consult your DSO before any international travel during the application process.
What is the 90-day unemployment limit on OPT?
Post-completion OPT holders cannot accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during their 12-month OPT period (150 days for STEM OPT extension holders). Unemployment is counted in calendar days, not business days. Volunteer work and unpaid internships in your field of study count as employment and stop the unemployment clock. If you exceed the limit, your F-1 status is automatically terminated.
How does the STEM OPT extension work?
F-1 students with degrees in STEM-designated fields can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT, for a total of 36 months of work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must submit a formal training plan (Form I-983) signed by both you and your employer. You can apply for the STEM extension up to 90 days before your current OPT expires. A second STEM extension is possible if you earn a new, higher-level STEM degree.