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Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 students to work in their field of study. To be eligible, you must:

• Have been in lawful F-1 status for at least one full academic year
• Be enrolled in a degree program at an SEVP-certified school
• Have not used OPT at the same education level previously
• Apply before your authorized stay expires

OPT provides 12 months of work authorization, with an additional 24-month extension available for STEM graduates (36 months total).

Critical timeline for post-completion OPT:

• Earliest application: 90 days before program end date
• Latest application: 60 days after program end date
• DSO recommendation deadline: Must file with USCIS within 30 days of DSO recommendation on I-20

Recommendation: Apply as early as possible (around 90 days before graduation) to avoid gaps in work authorization. Processing can take 90-150 days without premium processing.

STEM OPT is a 24-month extension available to students with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics fields.

Key requirements:

• E-Verify employer: Your employer MUST be enrolled in E-Verify
• Minimum hours: At least 20 hours per week paid employment
• Form I-983: Training plan signed by employer
• Application window: Up to 90 days before current OPT expires
• Reporting: Every 6 months to your DSO (at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months)

Auto-extension: If you apply on time, you get automatic 180-day work authorization extension while the STEM application is pending.

Unemployment limits:

• Regular OPT: Maximum 90 days of unemployment
• STEM OPT: Additional 60 days (150 days total)

Important: Unemployment days start counting from your OPT start date (on your EAD card), not from when you receive the card. Exceeding the limit will terminate your SEVIS record and F-1 status.

Unpaid internships, volunteer work (at least 20 hrs/week), and consulting may count as employment if properly documented and directly related to your field of study.

Travel is risky during pending OPT:

• Before graduation: Generally safe with valid F-1 visa and I-20
• After graduation, OPT pending: NOT recommended – re-entry may be denied
• OPT approved, no job: Risky – may have difficulty re-entering
• OPT approved, with job: Safer – bring EAD, job offer letter, and travel-endorsed I-20

Always consult your DSO before traveling during any stage of the OPT process.

Required documents for Form I-765:

• Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization (online or paper)
• I-20 with OPT recommendation: From your DSO with travel signature
• Passport: Copy of bio page (valid for at least 6 months recommended)
• I-94: Arrival/Departure Record (from CBP website)
• Previous EADs: Copies if you had any before
• Passport photos: Two identical USCIS-style photos
• Filing fee: $470 (online) or $520 (paper) as of 2025

Keep copies of everything and use tracking when mailing to USCIS.

Premium Processing (Form I-907):

• Fee: $1,685 (in addition to regular I-765 fee)
• Guarantee: USCIS action within 30 business days
• Action means: Approval, denial, RFE (Request for Evidence), or NOID
• EAD production: After approval, card arrives in ~2 weeks

Consider premium processing if:

• You have a job offer with a specific start date
• You’re approaching unemployment limits
• Standard processing would create a significant gap in work authorization

OPT usage rules:

• Same education level: Only ONE post-completion OPT per degree level
• Higher degree: New OPT eligibility at each higher degree level
• STEM OPT: Can use STEM extension TWICE in your lifetime (with qualifying degrees)

Example: You can use OPT after Bachelor’s, then again after Master’s, and again after PhD – but not twice at Master’s level. You could potentially get two STEM extensions if you complete two separate STEM degrees.