If you apply for OPT during the 60-day grace period after degree completion, you must submit your OPT application no less than 40 days after your program completion in order for USCIS to receive your application by the filing deadline.
#OPT TIMELINE FULL#
You may apply no earlier than 90 days before your expected degree completion date, provided that the period of employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year, and no later than 60 days after the degree completion date. Post-completion OPT must be at least 20 hours of activity per week.
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institution you are authorized to attend. Provided you are completing a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Degree Program at the U.S. Students in exchange programs do not qualify for any type of off-campus paid employment before or after their studies (with the exception of Internship with an International Organization Employment for exchange students) since they do not meet the eligibility requirements for these Immigration benefits. You may submit an application for optional practical training up to 90 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year, provided that the period of employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year as indicated by your Advisor at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). The employment must be appropriate for someone having your level of education. The employment must be directly related to your major field of study.Ĥ.
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You must be currently in the United States and in valid F-1 status at the time you submit your application and continue to maintain valid F-1 status.ģ. You must have been enrolled as a full-time student with valid, lawful status for one full academic year directly preceding the training.Ģ. In order for you to be eligible to apply for OPT, all of the following criteria have to be met:ġ. Please refer to Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension for further information.
#OPT TIMELINE UPDATE#
Students with double majors and dual degrees should review their I-20 and request that ISSS update their I-20 to reflect their STEM major (ISSS will update only if warranted) if they intend to apply for a STEM extension.
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Only students with STEM majors listed on their I-20 at the time of their Initial OPT application can apply for a 24 month STEM extension. Please note that certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree holders may be eligible for an additional 24 months of OPT in addition to the regular 12 months of OPT. An eligible student who has been granted 12 months of optional practical training becomes eligible for another 12 months of optional practical training after changing to a higher educational level. Optional practical training may be done before you complete your studies, and/or after you complete your studies, but may not exceed a total of 12 months. OPT will be granted for the major and degree level listed on the I-20 form at the time of application.