Applying for Post-Completion OPT

OPT Quick Links

OPT Video ISSAlink - Request OPT I-20

Students applying for Post-Completion OPT often have three initial questions:

• Do I need a job offer to apply for OPT? No. Students can (and should) apply even if they do not have an offer.
• Where do I apply? Students will request an I-20 with OPT Recommendation from ISSA and file the I-765 OPT application with USCIS
• When can I apply? Students cannot file their I-765 OPT application with USCIS more than 90 days before the program end date on their I-20, but we recommend students request their I-20 110 days before the program end date and apply as early as they are eligible.

Eligibility Requirements for Post-Completion OPT

To be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT employment authorization at the current academic level, the student must:

• be in valid F-1 status at time of the application
• have been enrolled full-time in the U.S. for at least one consecutive academic year
• not have completed OPT at this same academic level
• have less than 12 months of full-time CPT authorization at this academic level
• be present in the U.S. when filing

If an F-1 student leaves the U.S. after their program end date without submitting the application to USCIS, their F-1 record is completed and they are no longer eligible to apply for OPT.

USCIS Filing Timelines for Post-Completion OPT

Regardless of whether the student files by mail or online, they must ensure USCIS receives the completed application:

• No earlier than 90 days prior to the program completion date on their form I-20
• No later than the end of the 60-day grace period following the program completion date on their form I-20.
• No later than 30 days after the student is endorsed for OPT by the ISSA advisor.

While Premium Processing is available for Post-completion OPT, note that USCIS does not actually guarantee the expedited processing will be on your timeline. 

Information about the Post-Completion OPT Application process can be found here.

Employment during Post-Completion OPT authorization period

All employment during the authorization period must be directly related to (1) the student's major area of study listed on their Form I-20, (2) reported to ISSA or SEVP Portal, and (3) be at least 20 hours a week. Available employment types can include:

• regular paid employment,
• payment by multiple short-term employers,
• independent contractor positions,
• self-employment,
• employment through an employment agency, or
• volunteer or unpaid internships, where no labor laws are violated.

It is the student's responsibility to maintain documentation of all reported employment and report all changes of employment within 10 days of the change. SEVP recommends that the student maintain evidence for each job documenting the position held, proof of the duration of that position, the job title, contact information for the student’s supervisor or manager, and a description of the work.

More information about responsibilities while on Post-Completion OPT can be found here.

Other OPT Topics

Health Insurance on OPT

Student's Notre Dame health insurance generally ends within 60 days of the program completion date (or mid-August after a May graduation). While students are not required to obtain health insurance while on OPT, we strongly recommend reviewing the options available on our health insurance page to ensure they have the necessary resources for managing medical care and emergencies.

H-1B Cap-Gap Extension

If the student was picked in the H-1B lottery and received a receipt notice for the cap-subject H-1B petition prior to the end of their OPT, their F-1 status and OPT authorization will automatically be extended to either September 30 or date of H-1B denial, whichever is earlier. They can submit the "Updated I-20 Request" Form in ISSAlink.nd.edu to receive the updated document.

Taxes on OPT

Students are obligated to continue filing taxes while on OPT. Eligible students who can still file as Non-residents for Tax Purposes can also utilize the ISSA sponsored Sprintax codes.

Canceling OPT

F-1 students who have applied for Optional Practical Training may cancel the application only under specific circumstances. USCIS will consider the cancellation of a pending application for OPT only if the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has not yet been issued or, if the EAD has been issued, the EAD start date has not yet been reached.

The cancellation of any request for OPT that has already been mailed to USCIS requires the student to write a letter to USCIS requesting the cancellation. A copy of the cancellation letter will need to be submitted to ISSA before we can provide official supporting documents for your case.

OPT cancellation remains at the discretion of USCIS and is not guaranteed. Students who consider requesting cancellation of an OPT application are required to consult with an immigration advisor in ISSA before filling out the application through ISSAlink. Before you submit your application via ISSAlink, you will be required to upload a copy of your cancellation letter and any other supporting documentation, if applicable.