International Students and Scholars Office

If you travel outside of the U.S. after your F-1 visa is expired during your post-completion or STEM OPT period, you will need to renew your visa before returning. Please note, you are still on F-1 student status while on OPT/STEM OPT, even though you have graduated. Refer to the Renewing Your U.S. Visa page for detailed information about the documents you need to prepare.

We recommend bringing the following documents when appearing for your visa renewal appointment:

• Valid Passport (not due to expire for at least 6 months)
• Most recent I-20 showing OPT approved dates and updated employer information, with valid travel signature from within the last 6 months
• Copies of all your previous I-20s
• EAD card
• Job offer letter
• Financial Documents: either paystubs from your OPT employment or bank statements to prove that you can financially support yourself for the duration of your OPT period.

We recommend checking the website of your local US Embassy or Consulate to see if they have the additional required documentation for visa renewal.

Please note, F-1 visa applicants must demonstrate nonimmigrant intent, even while on OPT. Be prepared to answer questions about your plans to return home following the completion of your practical training.

Make sure:

• USCIS receives your OPT Application within your 5-month eligibility window;
  • no earlier than 90 days before the end of your program completion date.
  • no later than 60 days after the end of your program completion date.
• you do not submit duplicate OPT applications using two different filling options.
• USCIS receives your OPT Application no later than 30 days after we issue your OPT I-20. Please contact the ISSO if you need to reset the 30-day window

If filing online, make sure:

• you do not submit an online application prior to obtaining your new form I-20 with the OPT recommendation. 

If filing by mail, make sure:

• you fill out the correct edition of Form I-765 - carefully review the edition date instructions on the USCIS website
• to sign your Form I-765 on page 5
• the check/money order is payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
• the application fee payment amount is correct: currently $410
• you do not use more than one payment method
• you make a copy of the entire application packet and keep it for your records (recommended).

• Your requested start date must fall in your 60 days after you complete your program and your requested OPT end date should be 365 days from your requested OPT start date. For example, a student who requests their OPT to start on 07/01/2022 will have 06/30/2023 as their requested end date.
• It can take 90+ days to receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). USCIS may adjust your approved OPT period if they adjudicate your application after your requested start date.

• The sooner you apply, the more flexibility you have with a start date that best fits your case. The ISSO recommends that you apply for OPT as soon as you become eligible. 
• You cannot change the start date once you submit the application - choose wisely!
• You cannot work until you receive the EAD and reach the start date listed on the EAD.
• Something to consider: Do you plan to work as soon as your graduate, or do you plan to take some time off? How long do you anticipate it will take for you to secure a position? If you have already secured employment, what is your expected start date? 
• Remember that you can only have a TOTAL of 90 days of unemployment while on post-completion OPT. The unemployment clock starts from the start date on the EAD. Please report all OPT employment updates to the SEVP portal within 10 days of any change to stop the unemployment clock.

The Form-1765 states you must file Form I-765 while in the United States.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has their own set of instructions on completing the I-765 form for Employment Authorization for F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training. You can find the I-765 supplemental instructions on the ISSO website.

• You will receive notices from USCIS by mail. If you file online, you may receive your receipt notice, approval notice, rejections, and Request for Evidence notices (RFEs) from your USCIS online portal. You should check your mail and your portal regularly so you do not miss any communication from USCIS. 
• The EAD card will be mailed to you. Please keep your name on your mailbox to ensure delivery. 
• The receipt notice is evidence of your pending application to USCIS. You are permitted to remain in the U.S. while your OPT application is pending. 
• After your program end date, you may not work on or off-campus until your OPT has been approved and you have received your EAD card. 
• If you receive a Request for Evidence notice (RFE), please contact the ISSO for assistance. 

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. Please see the unemployment counter from the Study in the States website.

You may submit your STEM OPT application up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires, and within 60 days of the date your designated school official (DSO) issues the STEM OPT I-20. Please apply for the STEM OPT I-20 in your ISSO portal.

Please see the Travel and OPT sections of our website.

The current government guidance does not prohibit students on OPT from working remotely. However, your ability to work from abroad will also be based on the discretion of both your employer as well as local employment regulations and requirements. You will need to communicate directly with your employer to determine whether or not working on OPT is an option. If you do plan to travel back to the U.S., please make sure that you have all the required travel documents. 

Please notify the ISSO of your planned departure in the ISSO portal by submitting an OPT Discontinuation Request. It is important that you retain all I-20s, your EAD card, social security number, and all immigration documents indefinitely.