Can F-1 Students Apply for OPT or STEM OPT During a Shutdown?

F-1 students in the United States can continue to apply for OPT and STEM OPT even during a federal government shutdown. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will keep processing those cases and issuing EAD cards. That continuity matters for thousands of students whose training and first jobs hinge on a valid work permit.

The reason is structural: USCIS is primarily funded by filing fees, not by annual congressional appropriations, so core operations—like adjudicating Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization applications for employment authorization—carry on when other parts of the federal government pause. While students should expect normal intake and ongoing case reviews for OPT and STEM OPT, longer shutdowns can still slow processing times. There is one notable wrinkle for STEM OPT hiring: the E-Verify system is suspended during a shutdown, which complicates employer verification for new hires at companies that must use E-Verify for STEM OPT.

How USCIS operations affect OPT/STEM OPT during a shutdown

• USCIS continues to accept and process Form I-765 filings and will issue EAD cards upon approval.
• USCIS’s fee-funded model shields OPT/STEM OPT adjudications from many shutdown closures that affect agencies dependent on annual appropriations.
• Longer shutdowns can still cause ripple effects (contracts, staffing logistics, support functions) that may slow adjudication times even if core offices remain open.

Key takeaway: Filing and adjudication continue, but expect possible processing delays if the shutdown is prolonged.

Filing steps and protections that remain in place

Students who meet eligibility can still complete the usual sequence:

1. Obtain a DSO recommendation in SEVIS.
2. File Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS, including supporting documents and the required fee.
3. Receive USCIS receipt notices and await adjudication; USCIS will print and mail the EAD if approved.

• For those on STEM OPT who file a timely extension, the law provides an automatic 180-day extension of employment authorization if the first OPT or prior STEM OPT expires while the extension case is pending. That protection continues during a shutdown.
• USCIS maintains a public guidance page: USCIS: Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students.

What does not change (and what does)

• Does not change:
  • Eligibility rules for OPT and STEM OPT.
  • USCIS’s ability to accept filings and issue EADs.
  • The automatic 180-day extension for timely-filed STEM OPT extensions.
• Can change:
  • E-Verify is suspended during a shutdown, so employers cannot create new E-Verify cases.
  • Some supporting agencies (like certain DOL functions) and logistical supports can be slowed, which may indirectly lengthen processing times.
  • Consular operations are generally fee-funded and often continue, but they can experience delays if a shutdown drags on.

E-Verify suspension — practical implications for STEM OPT

• STEM OPT requires employers to be enrolled in E-Verify. During a shutdown, E-Verify is suspended and employers cannot create new E-Verify cases.
• Employers must still complete Form I-9 for new hires, but cannot run the E-Verify check while the system is down.
• Practical options for employers and students:
  • Onboard using the standard I-9 and submit the E-Verify case once service resumes.
  • Delay the employee’s start date until E-Verify is operational again.
• Both approaches are legal during the suspension, but students should confirm the employer’s plan in writing to avoid surprises.

Warning: E-Verify suspension can delay actual start dates for STEM OPT hires even if the student has an EAD or an automatic 180-day extension.

Common student questions and answers

• Can I still mail or submit Form I-765 during a shutdown?
  • Yes. USCIS continues accepting and processing filings.
• Will an EAD still arrive if my case is approved?
  • Yes. EAD cards are printed and mailed during a shutdown, though delivery timelines may stretch if the shutdown is prolonged.
• Are in-person services required for OPT/STEM OPT?
  • Mostly no—most OPT/STEM OPT decisions are paper-based without interviews.
• Should I delay filing until the government fully reopens?
  • No. Waiting risks missing strict OPT filing windows and can jeopardize eligibility. File within the normal window and build extra time into your schedule.

Practical checklist for students during a shutdown

• Coordinate early with your DSO to secure the SEVIS recommendation.
• File Form I-765 completely and correctly with the required fee.
• Keep copies of all receipts and notices in one organized folder.
• Talk with your employer about E-Verify limitations and get their onboarding plan in writing.
• If on STEM OPT and you file on time, rely on the automatic 180-day extension while the extension is pending.
• Build extra time into plans in case processing slows.

Role of DSOs and campus officials

• DSOs remain the first point of contact for SEVIS updates and eligibility checks.
• DSOs can still issue recommendations for OPT and STEM OPT during a shutdown.
• If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), respond by the deadline; USCIS will review responses as usual.
• Students should coordinate early with DSOs to ensure correct dates and accurate SEVIS records.

Employer responsibilities and communication

• Employers must remain E-Verify enrolled for STEM OPT hires, but cannot create new cases while E-Verify is suspended.
• HR options during suspension:
  • Complete Form I-9 on or before the first day of work; submit E-Verify when available.
  • Adjust or delay start dates until E-Verify resumes.
• Students should ask HR for the plan in writing to reduce confusion once the system returns.

Case example (typical flow)

• Student completes a degree; DSO recommends post-completion OPT in SEVIS.
• Student files Form I-765. USCIS accepts the filing, issues a receipt, and continues reviewing the case.
• If approved, USCIS prints and mails the EAD.
• If transitioning to STEM OPT and the extension is timely-filed, the student gets the automatic 180-day extension while USCIS adjudicates the extension.
• If switching employers during an E-Verify suspension, the new employer cannot run E-Verify until it resumes, so HR may postpone the start date or onboard using Form I-9 alone.

Official forms and resources

• Use Form I-765 for employment authorization: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
• USCIS’s OPT guidance page: USCIS: Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students.
• DHS posts notices when E-Verify is suspended and when it resumes; employers should watch for those updates.

Final guidance — what to do now

• If eligible, proceed with your DSO’s recommendation and file Form I-765 with the fee.
• Rely on the automatic 180-day extension for timely-filed STEM OPT extensions while the case is pending.
• Confirm with employers how they will handle I-9 and E-Verify during the suspension and get that plan in writing.
• Allow extra time on calendars because a prolonged shutdown can slow processing even if USCIS remains open.

Bottom line: USCIS continues processing OPT and STEM OPT requests and issuing EADs during a shutdown. The system remains open and functional, but planning, communication, and some patience are needed—especially around E-Verify for STEM OPT hires.