Post-Completion OPT

Post-completion OPT is optional work authorization F-1 international students have earned, and may apply for, one term before completing a degree at the UO. OPT extends your F-1 status for 12 months for purposes of practical training in the U.S. related to your major.  The OPT application process requires advance planning with the ISSS office and is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

• Pre-Completion OPT is available to doctoral students in their dissertation period, with job offers in advance of completing their degree. Please contact an international student advisor to discuss whether this is a valid option based on your academic plan. Curricular Practical Training may be a better option for most doctoral students. 

Filing Dates

The earliest date you can file your OPT application with USCIS is 90 days before the last day of your final term. The latest filing date is 60 days after the last day of your final term. However, the processing time to receive your work authorization can take several weeks so plan ahead! Currently the USCIS processing time for OPT approvals is 10-14 weeks.

You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT. You should prepare to apply for OPT as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) as early as possible.

If you have a job offer or pending job offer with a start date right after you graduate, you should plan ahead and start preparing the OPT application the term before your final term, so you can file on the earliest date available. 

Filing Fees

Online OPT filing fee is $470. Premium processing fee is $1685.

5 Steps to Apply for OPT

1. Attend an OPT workshop (see below)
2. Submit the "OPT I-20 Request e-form. Go to the iConnect student portal and click on the F1 Practical Training menu on the left and find the OPT I-20 request e-form. For undergraduate students, you must have applied for degree before submitting this eform.
3. Schedule an OPT document review with an ISSS advisor
4. File I-765 online application after document review
5. Do not start working until you receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card

OPT Workshop Schedule