OPT Types and Eligibility

Pre-Completion OPT (c)(3)(A)

For work during a program of study and before graduation.

Summary

Work must be directly related to field of study (major)
Must choose start and end dates before graduation.
Part-time and full-time segments may be included on one application, but the segments must be within a continuous authorization period and must not overlap.
Not dependent on job offers
Unemployment days allowed
No reporting requirements
Employment may not start until the approved start date is reached or until the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is received, whichever is later.
May apply up to 90 days before the start of eligibility (i.e., the end of one full academic year)
ISS must issue an I-20 with OPT recommendation
Must file application within 30 days of issuance date of I-20 with OPT recommendation

Total Time Allowed

Up to 12 months at full-time.
This 12-month allotment is shared with post-completion OPT. Pre-completion reduces time available for post-completion later. Part-time authorization deducts 50% from full-time authorization, such that 12 months of part-time authorization is equal to 6 months of full-time authorization.
Part-time authorization only during regular semesters; full-time authorization possible during official school breaks or in the case of graduate students, when all coursework is completed except for thesis or equivalent.

General Eligibility

Must be in active F-1 status
Must have been enrolled continuously in a degree program for at least one full academic year
Must not have exhausted 12-month OPT at the same level of study
Must not have used OPT at a higher education level
Not available if after an aggregate of 12 months of full-time CPT authorization has been granted

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the start date of eligibility. The date of eligibility starts after the completion of one academic year as an F-1 student. You must have been continuously enrolled full-time during this time. For example, if you started your degree program in fall semester, your eligibility for Pre-Completion OPT would start after the end of spring semester. A student may also apply at any time after the start of eligibility. Just keep in mind that the requested start and end date must be before graduation.

Post-Completion OPT (c)(3)(B)

For work immediately after graduation; or in the case of graduate students, can be after all coursework except for the thesis or equivalent. This is the most commonly-used OPT.

Summary

Work must be directly related to field of study (major)
Must confirm graduation date and choose a start date within 60 days of graduation.
For graduate students who have completed all coursework except thesis or equivalent, must confirm end date of all coursework and choose a start date within 60 days of that end date.
Not dependent on job offers
Maximum of 90 unemployment days
Must report changes in name, address, email/phone, and employment
Must complete 12 months of OPT within 14 months of graduation
Employment may not start until the approved start date is reached or until the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is received, whichever is later.
May apply up to 90 days before the confirmed graduation date
ISS must issue an I-20 with OPT recommendation
Must file application within 30 days of issuance date of I-20 with OPT recommendation

Total Time Allowed

Up to 12 months at full-time (after deducting any time used for pre-completion OPT).
Full-time authorization only. A full 12 months of OPT must be completed within 14 months of graduation.

General Eligibility

Must be in active F-1 status
Must have been enrolled continuously in a degree program for at least one full academic year
Must not have exhausted 12-month OPT previously at the same level of study
Must not have used OPT at a higher level of study
Not available if after an aggregate of 12 months of full-time CPT authorization has been granted

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the completion date of their program (i.e., graduation date), as long as they have fulfilled the one year enrollment as F-1 that is required to be eligible. The latest that a student can apply is 60 days after the completion date. However, filing near the end of the 60-day window is not recommended. In total, this provides a 5-month window in which the student may apply.

STEM OPT Extension (c)(3)(C)

For work in a qualified STEM field immediately after post-completion OPT

Summary

Work must be directly related to field of study (major)
Prior STEM degrees may be used, if qualified
For each employer, must complete and submit form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
Employers must be participating in E-Verify (see Understanding E-Verify)
Must report changes in name, address, email/phone, and employment
Additional 60 days of unemployment combined with remainder of 90 days from regular post-completion OPT
Must confirm continued participation every 6 months
Must submit an annual evaluation for each employer or final evaluation if employment ends before the reporting deadline
If the application is timely filed with USCIS (i.e., receipted), employment authorization is automatically extended up to 180 days from the end of post-completion OPT.
May apply up to 90 days before the confirmed graduation date
ISS must issue an I-20 with OPT recommendation
Must file application within 60 days of issuance date of I-20 with OPT recommendation

Total Time Allowed

24 months at full-time
Full-time authorization only

General Eligibility

Must be in a period of post-completion OPT at the time of application
Extension may only be used twice for separate degrees in qualifying STEM fields
Must not have exhausted STEM Extension at the same level
Must have been awarded a degree in a field that currently has an eligible CIP Code for STEM Extension
If using a prior STEM degree, it must have been awarded at a currently accredited, SEVP-approved school at the bachelor's degree or higher within 10 years of the STEM OPT application.
Must be employed or have offer of employment at time of application
Employment must be full-time (over 20 hours/week)
Any employer during STEM Extension must be participating in E-Verify (see Understanding E-Verify)

When to Apply

The earliest that a student may apply is 90 days before the end date of their current Post-Completion OPT, or any time within that 90-day window. Applying after the end date of Post-Completion OPT is too late.

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