OPT & STEM OPT in 2026: F-1 Work Authorization Explained

Optional Practical Training (OPT) lets F-1 students work in the U.S. in a job directly related to their major, either during or after their studies. Graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math fields may add a 24-month STEM OPT extension. This 2026 guide covers pre- vs post-completion OPT, eligibility, the Form I-765 application and timing, unemployment limits, the cap-gap bridge to H-1B, and travel. Rules come from USCIS and SEVP; always confirm details with your school's international student office (DSO).

What Is OPT? Pre- vs Post-Completion

OPT is temporary employment authorization tied to your F-1 status and your field of study. There are two types, and together they cannot exceed 12 months per higher degree level:

• Pre-completion OPT — worked before you finish your program (part-time while school is in session, full-time during breaks). Time used is deducted from your 12 months.
• Post-completion OPT — worked after graduation, typically full-time. Most students use this to gain experience and, often, a bridge to H-1B.

OPT builds on your F-1 status. If you are still choosing a school or program, start with our F-1 student visa guide.

The 24-Month STEM OPT Extension

Graduates with a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Program List can apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, for up to 36 months total. Key requirements:

• A qualifying STEM degree from an accredited, SEVP-certified school;
• An employer enrolled in E-Verify;
• A formal training plan on Form I-983 agreed with your employer; and
• Timely filing before your current OPT expires.

Our STEM OPT extension guide details the I-983, reporting duties, and employer obligations.

Eligibility

• You must have been a full-time F-1 student for at least one academic year;
• The work must be directly related to your major;
• You must be in valid F-1 status when you apply; and
• Your DSO must recommend OPT in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I-20.

How to Apply: Form I-765 and Timing

You request OPT by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS after your DSO enters the recommendation in SEVIS. The timing rules are strict:

• File up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after it;
• File within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS; and
• You may not begin work until you receive your EAD card and reach your approved start date.

Some applicants who file after mid-December 2025 may be scheduled for in-person biometrics. Because processing can take months, track current timelines in our EAD processing time guide and file as early as the rules allow.

Unemployment Limits

OPT is meant to be practical training, so USCIS caps how long you can be unemployed:

• 90 days of unemployment during standard post-completion OPT;
• An extra 60 days during the STEM extension — 150 days total across your OPT.

Exceeding the cap violates your F-1 status. Report employers, addresses, and status changes promptly through your school's SEVIS portal to keep your unemployment count accurate.

Cap-Gap: The Bridge to H-1B

If your employer files an H-1B petition and change-of-status request while you are on OPT and you are selected in the lottery, the cap-gap rule can automatically extend your F-1 status and work authorization until the H-1B start date (usually October 1). This prevents a gap between OPT ending and H-1B beginning. Learn the mechanics in our F-1 OPT to H-1B guide and the broader H-1B visa guide. Note that unemployment days keep counting during cap-gap.

Traveling on OPT

Travel during OPT carries risk. To re-enter, you generally need a valid F-1 visa, an unexpired EAD, a job or job offer, and an I-20 endorsed for travel by your DSO. Traveling while your I-765 is pending — especially before you have the EAD in hand — can jeopardize the application, so consult your DSO before booking.

Reporting Duties: Keeping OPT Valid

OPT comes with strict reporting. You must tell your DSO your employer's name and address, any change of job, and any change of home address, usually within 10 days, so SEVIS stays current. STEM OPT adds more: you and your employer submit periodic self-evaluations and must report material changes to the Form I-983 training plan. Missing these reports can end your authorization even while you are working.

OPT vs. CPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is different from OPT. CPT is authorized by your DSO for work that is an integral part of your curriculum and is used before you graduate, while OPT is authorized by USCIS through the EAD. Importantly, 12 months or more of full-time CPT eliminates your OPT eligibility at that degree level, so plan the two carefully with your international student office.

Choosing an Employer and Job

Any OPT job must relate to your field of study, and you should keep evidence of that connection. Post-completion OPT allows several arrangements — including multiple employers, part-time work, or in some cases self-employment — as long as the work is bona fide and related to your degree. STEM OPT is stricter: the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, provide a formal training plan, and pay wages comparable to similarly situated U.S. workers. Unpaid roles must still meet the training and hour requirements.

Health, Taxes, and Social Security

Once your OPT is approved and you begin working, you can obtain or use a Social Security number, and you generally owe federal and state income taxes on your earnings. Many F-1 students are exempt from Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes for a limited period — confirm your status with your employer's payroll office. Keep your pay records and I-20s together; you will need them for future filings, travel, and any change of status.

Common OPT Pitfalls

• Filing late. Missing the 30-day-after-recommendation or 60-day-after-graduation deadline can forfeit OPT.
• Working before the EAD start date. Employment before approval is unauthorized work.
• Exceeding unemployment days. The 90/150-day caps are tracked through SEVIS.
• Forgetting to report. Job and address updates keep your record valid.

After OPT: Planning Ahead

OPT is temporary, so plan your next step early. Many students pursue H-1B sponsorship, and STEM OPT's extra time gives up to three H-1B lottery chances. Others move to another status, enroll in a new program, or pursue an employer-sponsored green card. Map your timeline well before your EAD expires, and keep our H-1B visa guide and OPT-to-H-1B guide handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply for OPT?

For post-completion OPT, you can file Form I-765 up to 90 days before your program end date and up to 60 days after it. You must also file within 30 days of your DSO entering the OPT recommendation in SEVIS. Applying early matters because USCIS processing can take several months.

How many months of OPT can I get?

Standard post-completion OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization. If your degree is on the STEM designated list and your employer uses E-Verify, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, for a total of 36 months. Any pre-completion OPT used while studying is deducted from the 12 months.

How many days of unemployment am I allowed on OPT?

During standard post-completion OPT you may accrue up to 90 days of unemployment. The STEM extension adds 60 more days, for a total of 150 days across your entire OPT period. Exceeding these limits violates your F-1 status, so report employment promptly through your school's SEVIS portal.

Last reviewed: July 2026 · Reviewed by USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team.