F-1 to OPT: A Documentation Checklist

Confirm your eligibility first

To qualify for standard post-completion OPT you generally need to have been a full-time F-1 student for at least one academic year, and the work you propose must relate directly to your field of study. You cannot have used 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which would eliminate OPT eligibility.

Your documentation checklist

Most OPT delays come from small inconsistencies — a mismatched name, an expired photo, or a missing signature. Gather and double-check these before filing:

• An updated Form I-20 with the DSO's OPT recommendation noted on it
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, completed accurately
• The correct filing fee for Form I-765
• Two passport-style photographs that meet the current specifications
• A copy of your most recent I-94 and previous EAD cards (if any)
• Copies of your passport biographic page and F-1 visa stamp

Mind the timing windows

You can apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before your program end date and up to 60 days after it. USCIS must also receive your application within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS — file late and the application can be denied.

You may not begin working until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and your approved start date arrives.

If you're a STEM graduate

Graduates with an eligible STEM degree may apply for a 24-month extension of OPT. This requires an employer enrolled in E-Verify and a formal training plan (Form I-983). Start that conversation with your employer and DSO well before your initial OPT expires.

Requirements and processing times change, so verify the current rules on the official USCIS OPT page before you file.