(U.S.) Optional Practical Training remains open in March 2026, and F-1 students can still work in the United States after graduation under the same core rules. The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing the program, but no current rule has ended Optional Practical Training or the STEM extension.

That matters for thousands of international graduates planning their first job, their next visa step, or both. It also matters for employers that rely on trained graduates in tech, engineering, and research roles. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the program is still one of the most important bridges from student status to longer-term U.S. work authorization.

What the post-graduation work path looks like now

Optional Practical Training gives F-1 students hands-on work experience that must relate directly to their major. Standard post-completion OPT lasts 12 months. The STEM extension adds 24 more months, for 36 months total, for graduates in approved science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

Students do not need a job offer to file the initial OPT application. That gives graduates room to search, interview, and start after school ends. For many, the clock matters because this period often leads to H-1B sponsorship, especially in sectors that hire international talent quickly.

In 2024, regular OPT brought 194,554 new approvals. STEM OPT brought 95,384 new approvals, a 54% increase. Active participation reached 165,524 students. Those numbers show that the program is still widely used and still central to the U.S. higher education pipeline.

How eligibility works for standard OPT and STEM extension

Standard OPT is available after a student completes one full academic year in valid F-1 status. The work must be tied to the student’s field of study. A student can receive standard OPT once at each degree level, such as once for a bachelor’s degree, once for a master’s degree, and once for a doctorate.

STEM extension rules are stricter. The degree must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List through the correct CIP code. The employer must use E-Verify, the job must be paid, and the student must work at least 20 hours a week. Students also need Form I-983, the training plan that explains how the job connects to the degree.

The unemployment limits are also different. Standard OPT allows 90 days of unemployment. The STEM extension adds 60 more days, for 150 days cumulative. Students who leave the United States after graduation without filing lose eligibility for that cycle.

The current filing process and timing

The process still starts with the school. A Designated School Official issues an OPT-recommended Form I-20, and the student then files Form I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The filing fee is $410. The current EAD wait time is about 3 to 5 months.

Students can file up to 90 days before the program end date and up to 60 days after it, as long as USCIS receives the filing within the allowed window. The start date must fall within 60 days after completion. Many schools also charge their own OPT processing fee, often between $85 and $200.

For official guidance, students should check the USCIS Optional Practical Training page and the Form I-765 page. Schools also direct students to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program guidance for reporting rules and status updates.

What the Department of Homeland Security review means

The Department of Homeland Security has not shut the program down. Instead, a January 9, 2026 internal letter confirmed a review of OPT and STEM OPT. That review focuses on worker displacement, fraud, national security, and stronger SEVP oversight. A Spring 2026 Unified Agenda entry lists possible rulemaking under RIN 1653-AA97.

That does not change student work permission today. It does show where DHS is looking. Any formal change would still need a proposed rule, Federal Register publication, public comment, and final agency action. Court challenges could also slow or block any new rule.

Universities have said the system remains stable for 2026 graduates. Processing, filing, and work authorization continue under the current framework. Employers may face more audits, especially for STEM cases, because DHS is paying closer attention to training plans and job placement.

What employers and students need to watch

Employers hiring STEM OPT students must stay within the rules. They need E-Verify enrollment, proper wages, and a clear Form I-983 training plan. They also have to report changes through the SEVP Portal when work details shift. If a job is not tied to the student’s major, the placement can fail.

Students should keep copies of the I-20, I-765 receipt, EAD card, and employer paperwork. They should also check travel plans before leaving the United States, because travel during a pending application creates risk. Students using the STEM extension should also confirm that their employer matches the E-Verify and training-plan rules before the first day of work.

The practical stakes are high. OPT helps students pay loans, build U.S. work history, and move toward H-1B, O-1, or EB-2 paths. It also gives employers access to graduates who already know the field and the workplace.

What happens next for 2026 graduates

For now, the message is simple: Optional Practical Training continues, and the STEM extension continues. Students who qualify should file early, stay in status, and follow school instructions closely. The Department of Homeland Security review creates uncertainty for the future, but it does not cancel current work authorization.

That is why the best approach is steady and careful. File on time. Keep records. Check employer eligibility. Watch DHS and school notices. The program is still working, and for many graduates, it remains the clearest route from classroom to career.