Applying for OPT as an F-1 Student: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

• OPT gives eligible F-1 students up to 12 months of practical training related to their major. Students who move to a higher education level may qualify for another 12 months, while eligible STEM graduates may apply for a 24-month extension.
• USCIS must receive your Form I-765 between 90 days before and 60 days after your program end date, and within 30 days of your DSO entering the OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
• Form I-765 currently costs $470 to file online or $520 by mail. Optional premium processing for eligible OPT applications costs an additional $1,780.
• You do not need a job offer to apply for initial post-completion OPT. You may begin working only after USCIS approves your application, you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and the start date on the card has arrived.

Graduation may still be a few months away, but OPT deadlines can arrive quickly. The process starts with your Designated School Official (DSO), who recommends OPT in SEVIS. You then file Form I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the required filing window.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 students to gain work experience directly related to their major. Post-completion OPT generally provides up to 12 months of authorization, with additional OPT available at a higher education level and a possible 24-month extension for eligible STEM graduates.

ISO was founded by international students in 1958. Since then, we've served more than 1 million international students across more than 6,700 schools nationwide. Our U.S.-based team includes former international students and OPT participants.

Applying for OPT: The Step-by-Step Process

Your school recommends OPT in SEVIS (the government system that holds your student record), and you file Form I-765 with USCIS.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Filing Window

Confirm that you meet the OPT eligibility requirements and have completed the required academic year of qualifying study. You do not need a job offer to apply for post-completion OPT, but any employment you take during OPT must be directly related to your major.

Then check the filing window based on the program end date shown on your Form I-20. USCIS can receive a post-completion OPT application no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after that date.

Step 2: Request an OPT Recommendation From Your DSO

Contact your DSO or international student office and follow your school's process for requesting OPT. Your school may require its own forms, an advising appointment, or other steps before the DSO can make the recommendation.

Your DSO will enter the OPT recommendation in SEVIS and confirm the dates you are requesting.

Step 3: Get Your Updated Form I-20

After entering the recommendation in SEVIS, your DSO will issue a new Form I-20 showing the OPT recommendation. Review the information carefully and sign the form.

You must file Form I-765 within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS. USCIS may deny the application if it arrives after that deadline.

Step 4: Gather Your Application Documents

Follow the current Form I-765 instructions and your school's checklist when preparing your application. Depending on your filing method and immigration history, you may need your OPT Form I-20, Form I-94, passport identification page, photo, and information about any previous CPT or OPT authorization.

Check the requirements again immediately before filing so you are using the current form, fee, and document instructions.

Step 5: File Form I-765 With USCIS Online or by Mail

You can file Form I-765 online through a USCIS account or submit a paper application using the current USCIS filing instructions.

For post-completion OPT, the eligibility category is (c)(3)(B). If filing by mail, use the USCIS address that applies to your filing category and delivery method.

Step 6: Save Your Receipt Notice and Track Your Case

After USCIS accepts your application, you will receive a receipt number. Keep your receipt notice with your records and use the number to check your application through USCIS Case Status Online.

Continue monitoring your case in case USCIS sends a notice or requests additional evidence.

Step 7: Receive Your EAD and Wait for Your Start Date

If USCIS approves your application, it will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with your authorized OPT dates.

You cannot begin OPT employment before the start date listed on your EAD. Make sure your authorization is valid before beginning any work.

When to Apply for OPT

For post-completion OPT, USCIS can receive your Form I-765 up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after it, according to the current Form I-765 instructions. Use the program end date on your Form I-20, which may be different from your graduation ceremony date.

A second deadline applies at the same time. You must file Form I-765 within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS. USCIS states that it will deny an OPT request filed after that deadline.

A final rule published in 2026 would change some of these timing rules, but a federal court postponed its effective date on September 14, 2026. For now, the existing filing rules remain in effect while the case continues. NYU's Office of Global Services provides updates on the rule and litigation.

Your post-completion OPT authorization begins on the requested start date or the date USCIS approves the application, whichever is later. USCIS also states that post-completion OPT generally must be completed within 14 months of your program end date. A delayed approval can therefore affect the amount of OPT time available.

Because both filing deadlines are strict, contact your DSO early enough to complete your school's OPT process and submit Form I-765 within the required window.

OPT Application Fees and Documents

The current Form I-765 filing fee is $470 online or $520 by mail. Optional premium processing for eligible OPT applications costs an additional $1,780 as of March 1, 2026.

Premium processing does not guarantee approval. USCIS must take an adjudicative action within 30 business days after all requirements are met. That action could include an approval, denial, request for evidence, or another qualifying case action.

Cost	Amount
Form I-765, online filing	$470
Form I-765, paper filing	$520
Premium processing (optional)	$1,780
Your school's own fee, if any	Varies

The documents you need depend on your filing method and immigration history. Follow the current Form I-765 instructions and your DSO's checklist before submitting your application.

Document or information	Where to get it
OPT Form I-20 with your DSO's recommendation	Your DSO
Most recent I-94	CBP's I-94 website
Passport or other qualifying government-issued identity document	Your records or issuing government
Passport-style photo	Prepared according to USCIS filing instructions
Previous EAD, if you have one	Your records
Evidence of previous CPT or OPT, if applicable	Earlier I-20s, EADs, and your records
SEVIS number and other application information	Your Form I-20

USCIS may require additional evidence depending on your circumstances, so check the current instructions immediately before filing.

OPT Application Timeline and Processing Time

OPT processing times vary, so check the current USCIS processing times tool for Form I-765 rather than relying on a fixed estimate. You can also use your receipt number to follow your case through USCIS Case Status Online.

After USCIS accepts your application, you may receive:

• A receipt notice confirming that USCIS received your Form I-765.
• A request for evidence (RFE), if needed, asking you to provide additional information or documents.
• A decision notice once USCIS adjudicates your application.
• Your EAD card if the application is approved.

Premium processing is available for eligible OPT applications if you want USCIS to take an adjudicative action within the premium-processing timeframe.

You cannot begin OPT employment before your employment authorization is valid. USCIS requires F-1 students to have approved OPT authorization and an EAD showing the authorized start date before they begin working.

Are You Eligible for OPT?

There are two types of OPT. Pre-completion OPT is part-time work while school is in session, and the time you use comes out of your 12 months, according to Study in the States. Post-completion OPT is full-time work after your program ends, and it's what most students mean by OPT.

OPT is a work permission you use while staying in F-1 status. If your degree is on the STEM list, a STEM OPT extension guide can help you plan for 24 more months later.

To meet the requirements to apply for F-1 OPT, you need to:

• Be in valid F-1 status when you apply.
• Meet the one-full-academic-year requirement at an SEVP-certified school.
• Have OPT time available at your current education level.
• Receive an OPT recommendation from your DSO before filing Form I-765.

Twelve months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the same degree level ends your OPT eligibility. Part-time CPT leaves it intact, so learn how CPT differs from OPT before you accept a long internship. Each higher degree level brings a fresh 12 months, while a second degree at the same level shares them. You can also apply before you have a job offer.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Deny OPT Applications

OPT filing rules are strict, and some mistakes can result in a rejection or denial, in addition to delaying your case. Check your application carefully before submitting it.

Common problems include:

• Missing the 30-day filing deadline: USCIS must receive your Form I-765 within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
• Filing outside the post-completion OPT window: Your application must also fall within the required period around your program end date.
• Filing before your DSO recommends OPT: Your DSO must enter the recommendation in SEVIS before you submit Form I-765.
• Submitting incorrect or incomplete evidence: Follow the current Form I-765 instructions and make sure the required OPT Form I-20 and supporting documents are included.
• Paying the wrong filing fee: USCIS can reject an application submitted with an incorrect fee, so check the current fee immediately before filing.
• Starting work before you are authorized: You must have approved OPT authorization and wait until the start date on your EAD before beginning employment.

If you discover a mistake after filing, contact your DSO before taking further action. Depending on the problem and your remaining filing window, your options may differ. Do not assume that you can simply withdraw and refile, since the original OPT deadlines still apply.

What Happens After You Apply

After submitting Form I-765, keep track of your case and make sure USCIS can reach you. If you move while your application is pending, update your address with USCIS. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service does not update your USCIS record.

Once your post-completion OPT begins, you also have reporting responsibilities. Students can use the SEVP Portal to report changes to their home address or employer information. SEVP requires these changes to be reported within 10 days.

Your OPT employment must remain directly related to your major. You should also keep an accurate record of periods when you are not employed. Students on initial post-completion OPT may accrue up to 90 days of unemployment during the authorized OPT period.

Check your health coverage before your school plan ends. Student plan termination dates vary by school and policy, and employer-sponsored insurance may not begin on your first day of work. Federal rules generally prohibit an employer group health plan from imposing a waiting period of more than 90 days once you are otherwise eligible for coverage. Reviewing how to select insurance on OPT before your current coverage ends can help you plan for any gap.

As your initial OPT end date approaches, check whether you qualify for a STEM extension or need to consider other options for staying in the U.S. after OPT expires.

Start Your OPT Application Early and Stay Covered

Starting the OPT process early gives you more time to complete your school's requirements and file Form I-765 within the required window. Check with your DSO several months before your program end date so you know when your school recommends beginning the process.

Your health coverage may change after graduation as well. ISO offers OPT health insurance plans for eligible F-1 students on post-completion OPT and STEM OPT. These plans can also provide coverage before employer-sponsored insurance begins, depending on your situation and eligibility.

Before your program ends, confirm your OPT timeline with your DSO and check when your current health insurance coverage ends.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I Need a Job Offer to Apply for OPT?

No. You do not need a job offer to apply for initial post-completion OPT. You can continue looking for qualifying employment while your application is pending. Once your OPT begins, any employment you take must be directly related to your major.

What Is the 90-Day Rule for OPT?

For initial post-completion OPT, the 90-day rule usually refers to the maximum amount of unemployment allowed during your authorized OPT period. If you later receive a 24-month STEM OPT extension, you may have up to 150 days of unemployment in total across both periods.

Is There a $100,000 Fee for OPT?

No. There is no $100,000 OPT fee. That figure comes from a separate H-1B policy concerning certain H-1B petitions. Although a September 2026 proclamation extended that policy, the $100,000 payment requirement remains blocked by a federal court while litigation continues. OPT applicants pay the applicable Form I-765 fee and any optional premium-processing fee.

Can I Travel Outside the U.S. While My OPT Application Is Pending?

Yes, but travel while OPT is pending requires planning. ICE advises students to consult their DSO before traveling and notes that reentry is ultimately decided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. If USCIS approves your OPT while you are abroad, you may be expected to have your EAD when you return.

Make sure you have the required travel documents and discuss your specific situation with your DSO before leaving the U.S.

What Happens If My OPT Application Is Denied?

Read the denial notice carefully because it explains why USCIS denied the application and what options may be available. Some Form I-765 denials may be eligible for a motion to reopen or reconsider using Form I-290B, but there is generally no appeal of an I-765 denial.

Deadlines for challenging a decision are strict. Contact your DSO promptly, especially if you may still be within the original OPT filing window.

Can I Apply for OPT From Outside the U.S.?

Generally, no. You should be physically present in the U.S. when you submit Form I-765 for post-completion OPT. Check with your DSO before traveling or filing if your situation is unusual.

This article was written by ISO Customer Care. It is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Confirm your eligibility, filing dates, and application requirements with your DSO and current USCIS guidance.