Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to gain valuable practical experience directly related to their field of study, either during their studies or after completion of their degree. While navigating the Optional Practical Training application process can feel complex at first, understanding the requirements and preparing in advance can help you approach each step with confidence and reduce the risk of delays or resubmissions.
This guide explains what OPT is, the important timelines to keep in mind, required documents, common mistakes to avoid when submitting your OPT application, F-1 visa news, and more. First, let us look at the type of student visa required to be eligible for OPT.
What is an F-1 Visa?
The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to pursue academic education in the US. To qualify for an F-1 visa, you will first need to be accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified college or university.
During the first academic year of your studies, you may be eligible for limited on-campus employment under specific conditions. After completing one full academic year, you may be eligible to pursue practical training opportunities such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and an Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for foreign students.
For the latest F-1 visa news and for assistance with your F-1 visa application. Contact a Shorelight advisor.
What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
Optional Practical Training, which is the OPT full form, allows eligible F-1 students the opportunity to pursue up to 12 months of work experience directly relating to their fields of study. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), practical training can be in the form of an internship, work-study program, or even a job related to your field of study.
OPT may be completed either:
Before completing a degree program (pre-completion OPT), or
After completing a degree program (post-completion OPT)
If you plan on pursuing practical training while studying in the US, make sure to speak to your advisor to find out what type of practical training you qualify for and when you should apply for your F-1 OPT visa.
2026 OPT Timeline for International Students
Understanding the OPT timeline is essential for a successful application and to avoid any delays or even rejection of your practical training request. Below are some key dates to keep in mind to ensure you submit your application at the right time.
One year after enrolling in full-time study: Students must complete one academic year at an SEVP-certified institution before becoming eligible to begin OPT.
Up to 90 days before completing the first academic year: Students may submit an OPT application up to 90 days before completing the academic year, but employment cannot begin until the requirement is met.
Within 30 days of DSO recommendation: Once your Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT in SEVIS and issues your OPT I-20, you must submit Form I-765 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days. Applications submitted after this window are denied.
Up to 90 days before program end date: Students may apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before completing their degree.
Up to 60 days after program end date: Applications for OPT must be submitted no later than 60 days after the program end date listed on the Form I-20.
For the most up-to-date guidance, students should consult their DSO or visit USCIS.gov.
STEM OPT Extension Eligibility Checklist for F-1 Students
If you are an international student enrolled in an eligible Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM)-designated program, you may also qualify for a one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, allowing for additional professional experience in the US.
In order to qualify for the STEM-OPT extension, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
You have been approved for OPT and are currently in a valid period of post-completion OPT.
You earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and certified by the SEVP at the time you submit your STEM OPT extension application.
You have a job offer from an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program.
You submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before your current employment authorization expires and within 60 days of the date your DSO enters the STEM OPT recommendation into your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record.
The application process for the STEM-OPT extension is slightly different from the pre-completion or post-completion OPT process. Be sure to check in with your student advisor or DSO for specifics on the application process for the STEM practical training extension.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Post-Completion OPT (Form I-765)
Applying for post-completion Optional Practical Training is a structured process, and understanding each step can help you submit a complete and timely application. To request authorization to work in the US, you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the USCIS.
The section below outlines each step in the post-completion OPT application process, from preparing your documents to submitting your Form I-765 application and tracking its progress.
1. Request Your OPT I-20
The OPT application process begins with requesting an OPT recommendation from your DSO. Once eligibility is confirmed, your DSO will update your SEVIS record and issue a new Form I-20 recommending OPT.
After your DSO recommends OPT, you have 30 days to submit Form I-765 to USCIS.
2. Gather Required Documents
After obtaining your updated Form I-20, you will need to gather documents before applying for your Form 1-765. These documents include:
Copy of Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record (front and back), and a printout of your electronic Form I-94
Passport or other travel document
A copy of your last Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if applicable
Two identical passport-style photographs
Form G-28 (if you are represented by an attorney or accredited representative)
Government-issued photo identification (if no prior EAD was issued)
Copy of pages one and two of the new I-20 confirming your OPT recommendation
Copy of all previous I-20s issued to you (from your current institution and any prior institution)
3. File Form I-765 Online
After preparing all the required documents, you can file your Form I-765 online. These are the general steps you need to follow to file your online application:
First, you will need to create an account with the USCIS.
Once you have signed up, log in to your USCIS account and click the ‘File a form online’ icon.
Select the ‘I-765, Application for Employment Authorization’ option and click ‘Start form’ to begin the application process.
You will need to fill out the form, select the appropriate eligibility category (i.e., pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, STEM-extension), and include your personal information.
Upload the requested documents, such as photographs, Form I-94, previous EAD or government-issued ID (for example: a passport), previous CPT or OPT Form I-20 document, and the most recent Form I-20 with your current OPT request.
Review your application carefully and electronically sign your application.
For additional information regarding the Form I-765, please visit USCIS.gov.
4. Pay Fees and Submit
Once you have reviewed your application, you can pay the Form I-765 fee using a credit card or via a US bank account. For the latest information on the filing fee, visit USCIS.gov.
Once you have paid the filing fee, you can submit the application.
5. After Submission
After submitting your application, you can track its status in your USCIS account under the ‘My Cases’ section.
According to the USCIS, if your application is approved, your EAD card should be processed within approximately two weeks and mailed to your address via the US Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail.
Now that we have reviewed the OPT application process, let us look at what you can and cannot do while your application is pending.
What You Can and Cannot Do While OPT Is Pending
While your OPT application is under review, it is important to follow all regulations and guidance from your DSO. The general rules are as follows.
What you can do while OPT is pending:
Search for jobs and attend interviews
Accept job offers with a start date on or after the approved OPT start date
Remain in the US
Travel internationally, although this is generally discouraged while OPT is pending
What you cannot do while your OPT is pending:
Begin employment before receiving your EAD and approved start date
Travel without the required documents, including your I-797 receipt notice and signed I-20
Change employers during a pending STEM OPT extension
Having looked at what you can and cannot do while your OPT is still processing, let us find out what you can do once your F-1 OPT visa is approved.
What to Do Once OPT is Approved
Now that your OPT is approved and you have received your EAD, you are ready to pursue your practical training. But there are a few things you need to do and keep in mind to ensure you do not violate any of the OPT rules.
SEVP Portal and Reporting Requirements
While participating in OPT, F-1 students are required to report certain updates to ensure their SEVIS record remains accurate. These updates include changes to your physical or mailing address, legal name, employer information, or plans to transfer schools or travel internationally. Students may report these changes either through the SEVP Portal or by contacting their DSO.
You can access your SEVP portal by clicking the link sent from do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov. This email contains instructions to create your SEVP Portal account, which is usually sent on or close to your OPT start date.
The SEVP Portal allows F-1 students on post-completion OPT, as well as M-1 students in practical training, to report address, telephone, and employment information directly to SEVP without relying on their DSO for routine updates.
Any updates that cannot be reported through the portal must be shared with your DSO within 10 days. DSOs then have 21 days to update SEVIS accordingly.
Employment Must Be Directly Related to Your Major
When looking for practical training, it is important to find work that is directly related to your major area of study. For example, if you have pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, you may pursue a job as a financial analyst, operations manager, or a loan advisor, as it is directly related to your field of study, whereas pursuing a role as a music teacher would not directly relate to your study.
Students may be required to provide a written explanation describing how their role aligns with their academic program, which becomes part of the SEVIS record.
The written evidence might look something like this:
Bachelor’s degree in Business: I work full-time as a Loan Officer at a mortgage company, Happy Homes, where I meet with clients and evaluate, authorize, and recommend approval of loan applications. On a daily basis, I use the knowledge I gained in my credit analysis and sales and marketing classes that I took as part of my major program of study.
Travel Basics on OPT: Documents to Carry and Timing Precautions
If your post-completion OPT has been approved (EAD card has been issued by USCIS) and you have a job or a job offer, you may leave and re-enter the US to begin or resume employment.
To have the best chance of re-entering the US without problems, you should be sure you have the following documents with you:
Passport (valid for six months after you plan to re-enter the US)
Valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport (this requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens)
I-20 (with a valid travel signature no older than six months)
EAD card
Evidence that you already have a job in the US or that you have a job offer
If you need to apply for a new F-1 visa, you should also have your EAD card and evidence that you already have a job in the US or that you have a job offer in addition to the usual documents required for a visa application.
Having looked at different aspects of the OPT, including what you can and cannot do, reporting requirements, and things to keep in mind while travelling, let us look at some of the most common OPT mistakes international students make so that you can avoid them.
Most Common OPT and STEM OPT Mistakes to Avoid
While applying for your OPT as an F-1 student, there are common mistakes that can slow down or affect the overall process.
Filing outside the timetable: Applying for OPT too early (more than 90 days before graduation) or too late (after the 60-day grace period) will result in automatic rejection.
Missing the STEM extension deadline: The STEM OPT application must be received by USCIS before the 12-month OPT expires.
Job unrelated to academic major: Employment must directly relate to the degree program; a job in a different field is a big violation.
Employer E-Verify issues: Working for an employer not enrolled in E-Verify or using an incorrect E-Verify number on the I-765 is a common cause for denial.
Incomplete/inaccurate Form I-983: Submitting a STEM OPT plan (I-983) that is incomplete, unsigned, or lacks detailed and legitimate training descriptions.
Unemployment limit violation: Exceeding 90 days of unemployment on post-completion OPT (150 days for STEM) will terminate status.
Missing reporting requirements: Failing to report changes in address, employer, or submitting mandatory six-month check-ins during STEM OPT.
I-20 Validity: Applying with an I-20 that is more than 30 days old.
Incorrect filing fee: Sending incorrect payment or having credit cards rejected, which results in rejection of the application.
Keeping these common issues in mind and working closely with your DSO can help you avoid any delays and prevent rejection of your requests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) F-1 to OPT in 2026
Do I Need a Job Offer to Apply for OPT?
No, a pending job offer is not required to apply for pre-completion or post-completion OPT. However, students applying for a STEM-OPT extension will require a job offer from an employer listed in the E-Verify system.
Can I Change Employers on OPT or STEM OPT? What Do I Report?
Yes, you can change employers on both post-completion OPT and STEM OPT as long as the new position directly relates to your field of study. You must report changes (employer name/address, employment end/start dates) to your DSO within 10 days. For STEM OPT, a new Form I-983 is required for the new employer.
What Happens if I Miss the 30-Day DSO Filing Window?
Missing the 30-day window to file your I-765 (Optional Practical Training application) after your DSO recommends it in SEVIS will lead to the denial of your F-1 OPT visa application. USCIS regulations are strict regarding this timeline, and applications received after this period are generally not approved.
How Early Should I Apply in 2026 if Processing Times Are Unpredictable?
While processing times can take two to five months (or longer), students should prepare in advance to apply for post-completion OPT as early as possible. You should aim to apply as soon as your 90-day application window opens. For example, a spring 2026 graduate should plan to apply by mid-February 2026.
Study at Top US Universities with Shorelight’s Help
With Shorelight, international students can access a variety of support services and resources throughout their academic and professional journeys. From selecting a university and degree program to preparing for interviews and navigating OPT, Shorelight advisors are here to help.
Whenever you are ready to take the next step toward practical training in the US, you do not have to figure it out alone. With the right support, you can approach OPT and your future career with confidence.
Contact a Shorelight advisor to receive guidance on your OPT application and career planning>
