Can I apply for OPT after a year of graduation?

May apply up to 90 days before you complete your degree, but no later than 60 days after you complete your degree.

How late can you apply for OPT?

Authorization for OPT is granted by USCIS and processing takes an average of 3-5 months. Therefore, it is important that you apply for the authorization well in advance of the date you wish to start working. You may apply up to 90 days before completion of studies and no later than 60 days after.

How many days after graduation can OPT start?

Application processing time takes 90 days so you need to think about when you'd like to start working as well as when you realistically think you can find a job. You cannot apply more than 90 days before your graduation date or more than 60 days after your graduation date.

Is there a grace period for OPT after graduation?

The Grace Period: After completing your OPT, you are eligible for a 60-day grace period. During this time, you may travel within the U.S., transfer your SEVIS record to a new school, request a change of level if you are starting a new program at the UW, or apply to change status to another visa category.

Can I apply for OPT on a previous degree?

You must have received both degrees from currently accredited and SEVP-certified institutions, and cannot have already received a STEM OPT extension based on this prior degree. The practical training opportunity also must be directly related to the previously obtained STEM degree.

Can You Apply for Opt After Associate Degree from Community College as International Student-F1 Visa

What happens if I apply for OPT but don't graduate?

What happens if I apply for OPT but don't complete my degree as planned by the I-20 end date? If your OPT application is not yet processed by USCIS, you may withdraw it. If your OPT application has been approved by USCIS, you may work part- time only on approved EAD while finishing academic work.

Are you applying for stem OPT based on a previous degree?

Eligibility Based on a Previously Obtained STEM Degree

Your previous degree must have been conferred less than 10 years ago at the time of STEM OPT application. Your previous degree is assigned a STEM eligible code found on the STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of STEM OPT application.

What is the 14 month rule for OPT?

14-month OPT Period

To allow F-1 students to complete the full 12-month period of OPT, (the 14-month requirement will begin from the date of approval of the Form I-765 for applications for post-completion OPT, instead of from the student's program end date.

How long can I stay unemployed on OPT?

Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment. The 90 days start counting from your approved OPT/EAD start date (not the recommended start date nor the program end date on your I-20) and are cumulative.

How much does OPT cost?

Who pays the OPT and STEM OPT filing fee? You pay the $410 OPT or STEM OPT application when you file the OPT or STEM OPT application with USCIS.

What is the 90 day rule for OPT?

Students with a 12-month Post-Completion OPT authorization cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days. This is aggregate, meaning that if you have 40 days of unemployment, you would only be allowed to be unemployed for a remaining 50 days before you risk violating your immigration status.

What if my OPT is not approved by my start date?

If USCIS is not able to approve your OPT application by your requested start date, they will adjust your employment dates based on when it can be approved (within a limit of 14 months after your completion date).

Does OPT need sponsorship?

While on OPT and STEM OPT, a student does not need sponsorship from the employer nor is any cost required by the employer.

Can OPT be denied?

Both OPT and STEM OPT have requirements that if not met can result in a denial. For purposes of this article, the requirements will be put into one of the following categories: 1) timing, 2) clerical, and compliance. For the initial post-completion OPT, an F-1 student must file an I-765 with USCIS.

What if OPT is delayed?

Applications Pending Longer than 90 Days from Received Date

You may contact the USCIS National Customer Service number 1-800-375-5283 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern) to request an expedite of your pending OPT request if you have a valid expedite reason.

What happens if OPT is denied after grace period?

Grace Period for OPT Applicants

If denied during this window, the post-study 60-day grace period can be used to reapply. If your OPT application gets declined post-grace period, you won't receive an additional 60 days and must promptly exit the U.S.

Can I do 2 jobs on OPT?

You may work for multiple employers (including short-term gigs, self-employment, contract work, or work for hire). In order for your OPT employment to be considered active, you must be working 20 hours per week or more between all OPT jobs combined.

Can I work 20 hours on OPT?

Students on Post-completion OPT must work at least 20 hours per week or full time. Multiple employers: Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to the student's degree program. Students on Pre-completion OPT cannot exceed the allowed per week cumulative hours.

Can I work 40 hours on OPT?

Future Students

There is no maximum number of hours that can be worked while on STEM OPT, but because there is a minimum, it may be difficult to work for more than 2 employers. For example, if you work for two qualifying STEM OPT employers, at a minimum, you would need to be working 40 hours per week.

Can you apply for green card on OPT?

If you want to apply for a green card while you are in F-1 OPT visa status, you will need to apply early. Depending on your home country, there might be a lengthy wait. While the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act in July 2019, the Senate has not acted on this bill.

What is the 5 month rule for OPT?

The five month rule refers to the termination of a student's record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) based on the student being away from classes or not in status for five months.

What happens after 3 year OPT?

Introduction: Work Authorization Post-OPT

During that short time, you must either leave the U.S. or obtain an alternative form of work authorization. There are several visa and green card options available to international workers looking to stay in the U.S. after their OPT expires.

How many times can I apply for OPT?

You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor's level and another 12 months of OPT at the master's level). Your DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for this employment.

Do STEM students get 3 years OPT?

Furthermore, the government will only grant STEM OPT to those who are in “Post-Completion” OPT. In other words, the program is for graduates, not current students. Combining Post-Completion OPT with the STEM extension allows you to stay in the US for three years after graduation on your F-1 student visa.

Can STEM OPT be rejected?

What are common, avoidable reasons for STEM OPT Extension rejections or denials? Reason 1: USCIS received Form I-765 STEM OPT Extension application after OPT EAD end date. If USCIS receives the student's STEM OPT Extension application after their OPT EAD end, their STEM OPT Extension application will be denied.