Office of International Affairs

Post-Completion OPT

Attention

Students applying for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM Extension OPT may file Form I-765 online or via regular post. You should not mail your documents to USCIS if you choose to file online. If you choose to mail in your OPT application to USCIS, use the filing address for the USCIS Chicago Lockbox Facility. If you choose to file online, here are some things to consider:

  • Students must still obtain an OPT-endorsed I-20 or STEM OPT-endorsed I-20 from the Office of International Affairs before filing Form I-765
  • Students must be within the United States when filing their OPT application online
  • USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time before making a decision on your application
  • USCIS must still receive your OPT application within 30 days of the OPT-endorsed I-20 issuance date
  • You must upload a passport-style photograph (2 inches by 2 inches) of you must be uploaded in JPG, JPEG or PNG file formats
  • Other files such as I-20 copies, passport and/or previous EAD must be uploaded in JPG, JPEG, PDF, TIF, or TIFF file formats (max size: 6 MB per file)
  • Foreign language documents must have an English translation
  • All uploaded files must have titles in English and no special characters (#, ?, etc.)
  • Do not enter "N/A" for non-applicable fields on the online application
  • The application will be submitted once the non-refundable $470 payment has been made. If you would like a student immigration coordinator to review your OPT application during a virtual appointment, please do not submit payment until we have reviewed your application

Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorized to begin after a student's successful completion of studies and program end date.

General guidelines

  • A student must be in lawful F-1 student status at the time of application
  • A student must have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year/or will have met this requirement by the time the post-completion OPT is requested to commence
  • A student must not have engaged in more than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during the current degree level
  • A student must not have been previously authorized for 12 months of OPT at the current degree level
  • A student does not need to have a pending job offer letter to apply for post-completion OPT
  • Employment may not begin until the OPT application has been approved by USCIS and the student has received their Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
  • The recommended employment start date must be after the student's official program end date (usually commencement) and no later than the end of their 60-day grace period
  • Employment must be within the student's field of study
  • Students must work a minimum of 20 hours (part-time) or more (full-time) per week on OPT to maintain F-1 status
  • Students may have no more than 90 days of unemployment during the 12-month period for which OPT is authorized
  • Students may hold multiple jobs on OPT, simultaneously if desired, as long as all employment held is within the student's field of study
  • OPT employment may be paid or unpaid
  • Note that, on average, it takes USCIS between 2-3 months to approve an OPT application and mail a student the EAD card

Post-completion OPT timing considerations

  • Students may apply up to 90 days before their anticipated program end date and up to 60 days after their program end date. For most students, the program end date is defined as Ohio State's official commencement date. However, there are exceptions:
    • End of Semester Option (Graduate Students Only): for immigration purposes, students participating in the university-recognized "end-of-semester graduation" will have an official program end date reflecting the end-of-semester deadline established by the Graduate School
    • Graduate students who have completed all coursework and anticipate completing their degree in one academic year may apply for post-completion OPT prior to their commencement date; these students may use as an end date the commencement date for any term after their post-candidacy
    • Graduate students may elect to use their thesis or dissertation defense date as the program end date. To do so, students must submit a letter on departmental letterhead written by the academic advisor or department chair confirming the defense date. This option is beneficial for students who have a job offer to begin prior to commencement.
  • The post-completion OPT application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the immigration coordinator's signature on the properly endorsed Form I-20
  • Travel warning: students may not leave the United States after the program completion date has passed (after commencement) and re-enter to apply for post-completion OPT, even if the student is within their 60-day grace period

Maintaining status and reporting

It is your responsibility to follow reporting guidelines while on OPT.

Students interested in post-completion OPT should:

  1. Attend an OPT Workshop
  2. Complete the Application Form – Post-Completion OPT ( c ) ( 3 ) ( B )
  3. Submit the completed application form and wait 3-5 business days for processing
  4. Obtain an updated Form I-20 endorsed for post-completion OPT
  5. Hand-sign the updated Form I-20 before making the scan to be included in your application packet (do not sign the I-20 electronically even if submitting the I-765 electronically)
  6. File the completed application online or mail the completed application packet to USCIS within 30 days of the Form I-20 issuance date; failure to do so will result in denial of the application

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