Post-Completion OPT Overview

OPT = Optional Practical Training

Post-completion OPT extends F1 status for up to 12 months* after a student has completed their program of study and grants work authorization in order to obtain practical experience in a field directly related to a student’s major field of study.

Students with a STEM degree may be eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM Extension upon successful completion of their first year of standard OPT [see 'STEM OPT Extension’]

While ISSS helps to determine your eligibility and recommends you for work authorization, OPT work authorization is granted through USCIS (United States Customs & Immigration Services), so it is recommended that you APPLY EARLY as USCIS processing times vary (10-14 weeks on average).

You DO NOT need to have already secured employment in order to apply for OPT. However, your status of employment at the time of applying will influence your selected OPT start date and should be carefully considered depending on your individual circumstances [see ‘OPT Start Date’]. Speak with an ISSS advisor after considering your circumstances to discuss choosing an OPT start date that works best for you. 

Common Terms:

• EAD Card = Employment Authorization Document Card
  • This is the physical card that you will receive from USCIS authorizing you to work in the United States
• Form I-765 = USCIS Application for Employment Authorization
• Form I-907 = USCIS Request for Premium Processing [see more under ‘How to Apply’]
• Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
  • Beginning on September 15, 2026, students admitted with a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) on their I-94 Arrival Record, will be required to file the Form I-539 to extend their legal stay in the United States as part of their application for OPT.
• Work Authorization Period = the specific, limited timeframe defined by the dates on the EAD card for which you are legally permitted to work in the United States.

*12-month OPT period of F1 status is dependent on maintaining F1 status through legal full-time employment. 12-month OPT period is also dependent on timely filing (submission) of I-765 application. If USCIS cannot adjudicate an application to meet a student’s chosen start date, they may delay the start date but will NOT extend the OPT end date, potentially resulting in fewer than 12-months of OPT.

**Pre-completion OPT may also be an option for students needing work authorization but who have not yet completed their program of study. This option may be discussed with an International Student Advisor.

OPT Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for OPT if you:

• Have an active SEVIS record
• Have been in F1 status for at least 1 academic year (3 consecutive terms)
• Have not used OPT (either pre- or post-completion) at the same educational level
• Have not had more than 364 days of full-time CPT during program of study or at the current educational level
• Are currently residing within the United States
• Will be completing your program of study
• Are within the OPT application eligibility window [see Application Timeline]
• Have applied for graduation in Duckweb (UNDERGRADUATES only)
  • UNDERGRADUATES ONLY if you fail to graduate on time, you are eligible to remain in your program for ONE additional term to complete any remaining credits. If you will require more than one term to complete your degree, you must withdraw your OPT application and submit a new I-765 based on your new final term. Meet with an ISSS advisor immediately if you are in this situation.

You DO NOT need to have already secured employment in order to apply for OPT. However, your status of employment at the time of applying will influence your selected OPT start date and should be carefully considered depending on your individual circumstances [see ‘OPT Start Date’]. Speak with an ISSS advisor after considering your circumstances to discuss choosing an OPT start date that works best for you. 

Application Timeline

USCIS only accepts I-765 applications during a 120-day window that opens 90-days before the program end date (i.e. final day of the final term) and closes on the final day of the 30-day grace period. Per USCIS policy, applications submitted outside of this window will be denied, resulting in either delays with obtaining OPT or, if submitted late, potentially losing eligibility for OPT altogether. 

USCIS processing times vary depending on the time of year and the volume of applications. For applications submitted with the standard processing fee ($470), applications are generally processed within 10-14 weeks. Premium processing is available (for an additional $1,780), which USCIS claims will result in adjudication within 30-days. For this reason, ISSS recommends applying AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE in order to try and avoid potential delays in receiving your EAD card. 

Please note that you cannot submit your Form I-765 without first obtaining an OPT I-20 from ISSS. This process requires an ISSS advisor to “endorse your SEVIS record” (i.e. recommending you for OPT). To receive your OPT I-20, you will need meet with an ISSS advisor first [‘How to Apply’]. I-765 applications must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of ISSS endorsing your SEVIS record.

USCIS must receive your I-765 application within 30-days of the date that ISSS recommends you for OPT. This is the date that will be provided on your OPT I-20 provided by ISSS. USCIS will deny applications that are received more than 30-days after being endorsed by ISSS.

OPT Start Date

The OPT start date must fall within the 30-day grace period following the completion of your program and your final term of enrollment [see table above]. You can choose an OPT start date as early as the day after your program end date and as late as 30-days after your program end date. 

Choosing your OPT start date will depend on your individual circumstances and should be carefully considered as you cannot change your OPT start date after submitting your I-765. 

• If you have already found employment and know what date your employer will want you to start working, you will need to time your application carefully considering the processing dates provided above and on the USCIS website. 
• If you do not yet have employment, you may consider applying early and choosing a later OPT start date to maximize the time to find a job. 

Note that you cannot begin legally working before your OPT start date and before receipt of your EAD card. While ISSS advises that you submit your application early to avoid needing to pay for premium processing, if your circumstances require you to obtain your EAD in a limited amount of time, premium processing can be paid for after submitting your application.

Students are allowed an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment while on standard OPT. The 90-day countdown begins on the OPT Start Date listed on your EAD card. 

UNDERGRADUATES ONLY if you fail to graduate on time, you are eligible to remain in your program for ONE additional term to complete any remaining credits. If you will require more than one term to complete your degree, you must withdraw your OPT application and submit a new I-765 based on your new final term. Meet with an ISSS advisor immediately if you are in this situation.

How to Apply

After verifying your eligibility for OPT [see ‘OPT Eligibility’ above], follow the steps below:

1. Submit the OPT I-20 Request eForm in iConnect. 
   • Login with your DuckID and password. On the left side of the screen, click the link for F1 Practical Training.
   • Complete the eForm by providing the following information:
     1. Student academic level (UG, GR, or Law Student)
     2. Your primary major
     3. Anticipated OPT Start Date – Do you have a job offer? (what is the start date)
     4. Expected Final Term of Study
     5. Email Address of Academic or Faculty Advisor (second approver)
        1. UG Business Majors = LCBintlforms@uoregon.edu
        2. UG Non-business majors can find their advisor’s email by going to advising.uoregon.edu
        3. GR students enter the email of your faculty advisor or graduate program advisor

When you submit this eForm, an email will be automatically sent to your advisor to confirm your final term of study. ISSS cannot process your OPT I-20 Request until we have received verification from your second approver. It is, therefore, advisable that you contact your faculty/academic advisor in advance to let them know of your plans and to avoid delays in ISSS processing your request.

2. While waiting for confirmation on your request from ISSS, begin collecting the following documentation that you will need to submit with your Form I-765:
   • Current valid passport
   • I-94 Travel Record (this can be found on the Customs and Border Patrol Website)
   • All previous I-20s if you were previously authorized for CPT and/or OPT
   • 2x2 inch color passport-style photograph. This should be a recent photograph taken within the past 30 days. Photographs can be obtained from the Ticket Services window in the EMU

In addition to the above documentation, you will need to be able to pay for the application:

• Standard application fee = $470

  • Premium Processing = $1,780 + application fee (Total: $2,250)

     

3. Create your MyUSCIS Account and begin your online Form I-765 Application
   • Step-by-Step Instructions for completing the online Form I-765 can be found here.
   • DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION – you cannot submit the application until after you have met with an ISSS advisor and received your OPT I-20. Applications submitted without the OPT I-20 will be denied.
   • USCIS will contact you via the email you provide directly. ISSS recommends using a personal email for the I-765 application.

3. Meet with an ISSS Advisor for an OPT Document Review
   • Once ISSS has received confirmation from your Faculty/Academic Advisor, we will contact you via email to schedule an OPT document review. This appointment can be made either in person or via Zoom.
   • During the OPT document review, an ISSS advisor will help you look over your I-765 application, discuss your anticipated OPT start date, and then provide you with your OPT I-20, which you will submit with your final application.
   • Please come prepared to the document review by bringing your computer so that any potential edits to your I-765 application can be made during the review. 

3. Submit your Form I-765 to USCIS
   • You must submit your application within 30-days of an ISSS advisor recommending you for OPT (and no later than 30-days after your program end date, or whichever comes first). This recommendation date will be printed on your OPT I-20. If you submit an application with an OPT I-20 that is beyond the 30-day endorsement window, USCIS will deny your application.
   • If you are unable to submit your application within this 30-day window, then you must contact ISSS immediately to withdraw the request and receive a new OPT I-20.

Payment for the I-765 is due at the time of submission and can be paid for either with a direct bank transfer (ACH Transfer) or a credit/debit card. If electing to pay for Premium Processing, you will be asked to complete the Form I-907 at the time of submission as well. 

6. Email your Receipt Notice and a PDF of the I-765 As Submitted to your ISSS Advisor
   • Once you have submitted the application, you will be able to find these documents on your MyUSCIS Home Page under the ‘Documents’ tab. Your ISSS advisor will upload these to your student record to be referenced in case there are any problems encountered with your application.

Waiting for OPT Approval

After submitting your application, ISSS recommends regularly checking your MyUSCIS Account for updates. When you login and go to your home page, you will be able to track your Case Status, Case History, and Documents.

• The Case Status tab will let you track any updates that USCIS has made to your case. If you have received a Request for Evidence (RFE) or been scheduled for a Biometrics Appointment, this show under this tab.
• The Case History tab will show you all past actions taken on your case.
• The Documents tab will allow you to access downloadable PDFs of any documents that USCIS has sent in relation to your case. This tab is where you will find your Receipt Notice as well as any RFEs or Appointment Notices that you may receive.

BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENTS: As of December 2026, USCIS has amended their photo policy and now requires applicants to go to a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for a biometrics appointment as part of their application process. The nearest ASC to the UO is in Portland. Most students have been receiving their Appointment Notice within 2-3 weeks of submitting their application. The Appointment Notice will provide the date, time, and location of the appointment. If you are unable to make the scheduled appointment, you can call the number on the appointment notice or use the link in the MyUSICS portal to reschedule the appointment date and time. 

Biometrics is now required for the processing of the I-765 application. Applicants who fail to attend the biometrics appointment are considered to have abandoned their application. Processing of the I-765 does not begin until after the biometrics appointment.

While waiting for your case to be adjudicated (i.e. while your case is pending), you are eligible to remain legally in the United States, even beyond your 30-day grace period. You are also eligible to travel internationally, though any international travel plans should be discussed with an ISSS advisor first [see ‘International Travel While on OPT’]. 

Employment Options

Federal regulations stipulate that OPT employment must be “directly related to the student’s major area of study.” However, the type of employment a student obtains during the standard OPT period is flexible. It can be paid or unpaid and can include volunteer work, an internship, or traditional employment. Students are responsible for self-reporting how their employment relates to their major area of study [see ‘Reporting Requirements’].

In addition to employment being directly related to your major area of study, OPT employment must be at least 20 hours a week. These 20 hours can be either all with one job or an aggregate of two or more positions.

Students are allowed an aggregate of 90-days of unemployment while on standard OPT. The 90-day unemployment countdown begins on the OPT Start Date listed on your EAD card. Students who exceed 90-days of unemployment must leave the country immediately, transfer to another program, or file a change of status to another visa category. No grace period is provided when exceeding this 90-day limit. 

Reporting Requirements

While on OPT, the UO remains your visa sponsor and the ISSS office will help to continue updating your SEVIS record. SEVP will email you about an optional tool called the SEVP Portal to report changes to your address and employment, but ISSS is not notified when you update your personal and employment information via the SEVP Portal. Because ISSS is still your F-1 visa sponsor while you are on OPT, please report all personal and employment information using our OPT Update Form. As such, all updates to your case status as well changes of address, contact details, and employment need to be submitted to the ISSS office within 10 days so they can be recorded.

Please use the OPT Update eForm located in iConnect to submit any updates, including:

• Receipt of an RFE or Appointment Notice
• Receipt of EAD Card
• Initial Employment
• End of Employment
• Adding additional employment
• Change of address or contact information 

Note that USCIS requires these changes to be reported within 10 days. Failure to update the ISSS office may result in a violation of your F1 status.

International Travel While on OPT

Students are eligible to travel internationally while waiting for OPT approval and while on OPT. The documentation necessary to re-enter the country during your OPT period will depend on when you are traveling. 

• If traveling BEFORE your OPT start date, at a minimum you will need to be able to provide a valid passport with valid F1 visa stamp, OPT I-20 with travel signature, and your I-765 Receipt Notice. If you’ve already received your EAD card, you should bring this as well. 
• If traveling AFTER your OPT start date, you will need to provide the documentation above, AS WELL AS your EAD Card and proof of employment. 

While travel is allowed, there are always risks when traveling internationally and any planned international travel should be discussed ahead of time with an ISSS advisor. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you avoid traveling internationally until you have received your EAD card, as USCIS may submit an RFE or schedule you for Biometrics. 

EAD Card – Replacement and Reporting Errors

Upon receipt of your EAD card, check the card for accuracy, including the spelling of your name and date and country of birth. You should also check your OPT employment authorization dates as these may not necessarily align with the dates you requested if there was a delay in processing your application. If your EAD card contains an error, you will have to Replace your EAD. Options for replacing an EAD card differ depending on whether the mistake was made by USCIS or the applicant.

After checking for accuracy, create a copy of your card for yourself and keep your physical card in a safe place. If your card becomes lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, replacing it will require submission of a new Form I-765 and payment of a new filing fee. 

STEM OPT Extension

If you graduated with a STEM-eligible degree, you may be eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT Extension. Click below to learn more.

STEM OPT 

Ending OPT

Students who have successfully completed their OPT period without surpassing the 90 days of unemployment have a 30-day grace period in which they can remain legally in the United States to travel and/or arrange their affairs to leave the United States. If you plan to permanently depart the United States, you must submit the Permanent Departure eForm via iConnect to let ISSS know. Failure to depart within the 30-day grace period may negatively impact your ability to re-enter the United States under a different visa classification in the future.

During this 30-day grace period, students may travel domestically but if you leave the United States, you will not be eligible to return in F1 status unless:

• You’ve transferred to another program of study
• Changed your educational level 
• Changed to another visa category

Please consult with an ISSS advisor to discuss your plans to remain in the United States after your OPT period.