Post-Completion OPT | International Services

Post-Completion OPT allows eligible F-1 students to gain practical work experience in the U.S. after completing their academic program.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides eligible F-1 students with an opportunity to gain practical work experience in the United States after completing their academic program. OPT employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study and may be authorized for up to 12 months per educational level.

Post-completion OPT may be authorized for up to 12 months per educational level for employment that is directly related to the student’s major area of study.

Post-Completion OPT: Multi-Step Process

Check Your Eligibility — Confirm you meet the requirements.
Request Your OPT Recommendation — Submit request to International Services.
Receive Your OPT-Endorsed Form I-20 — Wait for new OPT I-20.
File Form I-765 With USCIS — Submit your application to USCIS.

Depending on your travel history and your Admit Until Date, you may also be required to submit Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS.

Application Information

Form I-765: I-765 Instructions
File Online: USCIS Online Account
Eligibility Category: (c)(3)(B) — Post-Completion OPT
Filing Fee: $520 (subject to change) — USCIS Filing Fees
Standard Processing Time: 4+ months — USCIS Processing Times
Premium Processing: Available for an additional fee — Form I-907
Biometrics/Interview: USCIS may require biometrics, such as fingerprints, a photograph, and/or a signature, or require an interview.

Extension of Stay (EOS) Filing

F-1 students who need additional time in the United States beyond their Admit Until Date (AUD) to participate in post-completion OPT must file a Form I-539, Application to Extension/Change Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

A special transition provision applies to certain F-1 students applying for post-completion OPT prior to March 18, 2027.

Applications Filed Before March 18, 2027

Without Travel After September 15, 2026:

Form I-765: Employment Authorization

With Travel and Re-entry After September 15, 2026:

Form I-765: Employment Authorization
Form I-539: Extension of Stay, as applicable

OPT Applications Filed After March 18, 2027:

Form I-765: Employment Authorization
Form I-539: Extension of Stay, as applicable

EOS requirements may depend on your individual immigration circumstances. Consult with International Services before filing to determine which applications are required.

Eligibility for Post-Completion OPT

An F-1 student may be eligible for post-completion OPT if they:

Have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year with the current SEVIS ID.
Have (or are) completing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
Have not exhausted available OPT eligibility at the current educational level.
Have not been authorized for 12 months or more of full-time CPT.
Obtain a DSO recommendation in SEVIS and new Form I-20 with an OPT endorsement.
Properly file Form I-765 with USCIS within the required filing period.

Filing Timeline for Post-Completion OPT

Earliest USCIS Filing Date: 90 days before your program end date
DSO Endorsement Deadline: At least 2 weeks prior to last filing date
Requested Start Date: Must fall within the applicable grace period following program completion
USCIS Receipt Date: USCIS must receive the Form I-765 within 30 days of the DSO’s OPT recommendation in SEVIS
Latest USCIS Filing Date: Before your Admit Until Date (AUD)
USCIS Processing Time: 4+ months

Important: You must meet both the USCIS filing deadline and the 30-day deadline following your DSO’s OPT recommendation.

How to Apply for Post-Completion OPT

Before beginning the OPT application process:

Attend an OPT workshop
Review the OPT application process and requirements.
Confirm with International Services whether an Extension of Stay (EOS) application is also required in your situation.
Confirm with your academic department that you have completed all academic requirements for your degree.
Obtain the required letter of completion or other academic completion documentation.
Confirm that you have been enrolled at your current degree level for at least one full academic year.
Review any previous use of OPT.
Review any previous use of full-time CPT.
Confirm your program completion date.

After confirming your eligibility:

Determine your requested OPT start date.
Review the OPT application timeline and filing deadlines.
Submit the OPT DSO Endorsement Request through the International Services Portal.
Submit your request no earlier than 90 days before your program completion date.
Submit your request at least two weeks before your applicable USCIS filing deadline to allow sufficient time for International Services to review your request and issue your OPT-endorsed Form I-20.

Important: Do not file Form I-765 with USCIS until your DSO has entered the OPT recommendation in SEVIS and issued your OPT-endorsed Form I-20.

You must have the newly endorsed Form I-20 before submitting your OPT application to USCIS.

If you are eligible for OPT, International Services will:

Enter the OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
Issue a new Form I-20 showing the OPT recommendation.
Provide the OPT-endorsed Form I-20 to you.

Important Filing Deadline: Your OPT-endorsed Form I-20 has a 30-day filing period.

USCIS must receive your Form I-765:

Within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS; and
Within the applicable post-completion OPT filing deadline.

Applications submitted after either deadline will be denied.

After receiving your OPT-endorsed Form I-20, submit your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, directly to USCIS.

If International Services determines that an Extension of Stay (EOS) application is required in your situation, you may also need to submit Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, as instructed by International Services.

Before you submit, you will need to:

Create or log in to your USCIS Online Account.
Complete Form I-765.
Complete Form I-539, if required.
Upload all required evidence.
Pay the applicable USCIS filing fee(s).
Meet all applicable USCIS filing deadlines.
Carefully review your application before submitting it.

After You Apply

After submitting your application:

Track your case through your USCIS Online Account.
Respond promptly to any USCIS request for additional information or evidence.
Keep copies of your complete application and supporting documents.
Continue maintaining your F-1 status while your application is pending.
Report your employment and any required changes to International Services in accordance with F-1 regulations.

Do not begin employment until you have:

Received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD); and
Reached the OPT start date approved by USCIS.

Employment before both requirements are met is not authorized.

Report your employment and any required changes to International Services as required by F-1 regulations.

Maintaining F-1 Status

To maintain valid F-1 status while on OPT, you must:

Work at least 20 hours per week
Ensure employment is directly related to your major
Not exceed 90 days of unemployment throughout your OPT period
Report changes (employment, address, visa status, etc.) within 10 days
Maintain valid documentation (I-20, passport, EAD, I-94)

SEVIS will count each day without an active employer (Start Date–End Date) as a day of unemployment. A student without employer information in SEVIS is considered unemployed and may fall out of status after 90 days of unemployment.

I-765 Guide

Students applying for post-completion OPT should go to myUSCIS:

Log in to your existing USCIS account or create a new account.
Select File a Form Online
Select Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization

Eligibility Category → (c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT
Premium Processing → Optional; additional fee applies
Reason for Applying → Initial Permission
Previously Filed Form I-765 → Answer as applicable
Is Someone Assisting You? → Answer as applicable

Legal Name → Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Form I-20 and passport.
Any Other Names → List any other names that appear on official records, if applicable.
Daytime Telephone Number → Enter your telephone number.
Mobile Telephone Number → Enter your mobile number, if applicable.
Email Address → Enter your university email address.
Current U.S. Mailing Address → Enter a current and accurate U.S. mailing address where you can reliably receive mail.
Is Your Mailing Address the Same as Your Physical Address? → Select Yes or No, as applicable.
Sex→ Select as applicable.
Marital Status → Select as applicable.
Country of Birth → Enter as listed on your passport.
Province of Birth → Enter as applicable.
City, Town, Village of Birth → Enter as listed on your passport.
Date of Birth → Enter in Month/Day/Year (MM/DD/YYYY) format.
Citizenship → Enter the country of citizenship shown on your passport and immigration records.
Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Number → Download your most recent I-94 and enter the current I-94 number.
Date of Arrival → Use your most recent I-94 record.
Place of Arrival → Use your most recent I-94 record.
Status of Arrival → Use your most recent I-94 record.
Passport Number → Enter your most recent passport number.
Travel Document Number (if any) → Leave blank unless you have a travel document number.
Expiration Date of Passport → Enter the expiration date shown on your passport.
Passport Issuance Country → Enter the country that issued your passport.
Current Immigration Status → Select F-1 Student.
SEVIS Number → Enter the SEVIS ID listed at the top of your Form I-20.
A-Number → Enter your A-Number, if applicable. Otherwise, leave blank.
USCIS Online Account Number → Enter your USCIS Online Account Number, if applicable.
Do You Have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN)? → Select Yes or No.
Do You Want SSA to Issue You a Social Security Card? → If you do not have an SSN and would like to apply for one through this process, select Yes.

Students must upload the following documents when submitting the I-765, Application for Employment Authorization to USCIS for post-completion OPT.

2” x 2” Photo: Your photo must meet USCIS standards — Photo Requirements
Form I-94: Most recent Arrival Record — CBP I-94
Passport: Provide your valid passport biographical page
Employment Authorization Document: Provide any previously issued EAD cards (if any)
Form I-20: OPT-endorsed Form I-20, signed by DSO within the last 30 days
College Degree: Not required for post-completion OPT applications
Institutional Accreditation: Not required for post-completion OPT applications

Employment Requirements

Once authorized for post-completion OPT, employment must be directly related to the student’s academic major. Students must work at least 20 hours per week in qualifying employment.

Students authorized for post-completion OPT may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during the OPT authorization period.

A student without employer information reported in SEVIS may be considered unemployed.

Qualifying employment under post-completion OPT may include:

Paid Employment: Employment with one employer for at least 20 hours per week.
Employment with Multiple Employers: Combined positions must total at least 20 hours per week.
Multiple Short-Term Positions: Combined positions must total at least 20 hours per week.
Independent Contracting or Work for Hire: Contract-based employment.
Self-Employment or Business Ownership: Appropriate business and active operations maintained.
Employment Through a Staffing or Employment Agency: Employment averages at 20 hours per week.
Qualifying Unpaid Internships or Volunteer Positions: Must comply with applicable labor laws and average at least 20 hours per week.

All employment must be directly related to your academic major.

Keep documentation showing your employment, including employer information, dates of employment, hours worked, and how the position relates to your degree.