Post-OPT is a work benefit opportunity to gain off-campus work experience and is requested to be used after the completion of a degree program.
F-1 students are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT per degree level. Those 12 months can be used while earning your degree (Pre-OPT), after earning your degree (Post-OPT), or a combination of both (Pre- and Post-OPT).
ISSC highly recommends that you attend an OPT Information Session prior to beginning the application process.
USCIS can receive applications up to 90 days before your program completion date. To allow for the 7-business day ISSC processing time, 2 to 5 day academic advisor approval process and the 90-day USCIS processing time, ISSC will accept applications up to 97 days prior to your program completion date.
Post-OPT recommended I-20s will be issued no earlier than the 90th day prior to your program completion date.
Be advised USCIS processing times generally increase with applications submitted later in the semester. Is it not uncommon for applications to take an average of 90 days. Therefore, we recommend you apply early in the application season!
Please note: Students cannot receive an OPT authorization end date more than 12 months from the end of their 60-day grace period. This means for students that apply later, their OPT may be authorized for a period of less than 12 months. Applying early in the application window increases your chances of obtaining your authorization by your requested start date and receiving OPT for the entire 12-month period.
To allow for the 7 business day ISSC processing time, 2 to 5 day academic advisor approval process and the 90-day USCIS processing time, ASU ISSC recommends applying for Post-OPT no more than 97 days prior to your completion date. This will maximize your opportunity to receive your EAD card on time.
Post-OPT recommended I-20s will be ready no earlier than the 90th day prior to your completion date.
You get to choose the date you would like OPT authorization to begin, within the 60-day period following your program's end date. Use our OPT calculator to help determine your EAD card dates.
Most jobs start on Mondays. Try to select a Monday start day.
Here are some things to consider:
The time you may need to find a job. If you have a job offer, simply select the day your employment begins. If you don’t, you may want to maximize the time you'll have for job-hunting by choosing the latest possible date. The downside, however, is that you cannot begin employment until the start date on your EAD.
Processing times. The ISSC can take up to 7 business days to process the OPT request once we receive a completed application (including the academic advisor approval). USCIS has an average processing time of 90 days; however, please visit USCIS’s Processing Times website for their most up-to-date processing times.
You can not change your requested start date. Currently, USCIS does not have a process in place to request a change in your OPT start date while the application is pending.
ISSC processes requests on a first come first serve basis and is unable to expedite requests. If you are interested in expedited processing from USCIS, please visit their Premium Processing webpage for details.
There is a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment. The 90 days starts counting from your approved OPT/EAD start date (this is the date listed on your EAD card) and is cumulative.
International travel plans. Once you have completed your program, you will be expected to have your EAD card in hand to re-enter the United States. For more information visit our travel page.
Use the OPT calculator to help determine your EAD card dates.
The OPT Case Management Payment covers the cost of SEVIS reporting compliance and record management for students on post-completion OPT. While you are on OPT, ISSC will continue to maintain your SEVIS record and provide immigration and advising support. Support includes biographical changes, address updates, dependent document requests, employer and employment information and updates, travel signatures and I-20 form replacement.
Submit your application materials to the ISSC through the ISSC eForm Portal (not to be confused with the SEVP Portal) NO MORE THAN 97 days prior to your program completion date. ISSC will release your I-20 on or after the 90th day prior to your completion date.
Please have the following materials ready PRIOR to submitting the eForm:
Copy of $100 OPT Case Management Payment receipt email notification (NOT a screenshot of your “cart”).
Please allow the ISSC up to 10 days to process your Post-OPT request.
The ISSC cannot process your Post-OPT request until AFTER your academic advisor has approved your completion date. Any delay in your academic advisor’s approval is NOT part of the ISSC’s 10-day processing time; please plan ahead.
You must review the information within your I-20 for accuracy, then sign and date in blue ink.
After receiving your Post-OPT I-20 from the ISSC, you will need to submit your documents to USCIS no more than 90 days before your program end date, before your 60 day grace period ends and within 30 days of the date the ISSC signed your I-20 (date issued). Applications received more than 90 days before your program end date, after your 60 day grace period or after the 30-day signature limit will be denied by USCIS.
There are two methods for submitting your Post-OPT application to USCIS: online or paper. The ISSC highly recommends that you use the online method.
You must file the following documents with your application:
Carefully follow all instructions provided to you when submitting your application materials to USCIS, and keep copies of all completed applications for your personal records. If you have a job offer letter from a company, you may include it with your application, but it is NOT required (add the letter at the end of your packet for USCIS).
For a comprehensive step by step review of your Post-OPT application packet and instructions enroll in the Self-Guided Post-OPT Packet Review Canvas course.
If you are interested in Premium Processing for your application, please visit the USCIS Premium Processing webpage for details.
Discounted optional shipping through eShipGlobal
USCIS processes and approves your application, NOT ASU. Therefore, you should contact USCIS regarding application issues and/or delays. USCIS cannot change requested start/end dates nor can they change your completion dates. Once submitted, the only way to edit anything in your application will be to request USCIS to withdraw your case. Withdrawing your application is not always guaranteed. You MUST speak with an ISSC advisor prior to requesting application withdrawal from USCIS.
If you submit Form G-1145, you will receive notification of application arrival (i.e., Receipt Notice) via text and/or email within 72 hours, and you will also receive a paper Notice of Action (i.e., receipt notice) from USCIS within four weeks of filing. If you filed online, you will receive your receipt notice and receipt number instantly through myUSCIS upon submission of your application. You will receive your EAD Card approximately two weeks after USCIS approves your application.
Changing your address while your Post OPT application is pending with USCIS may cause issues with your EAD card being mailed to you correctly. Even if you follow the procedures to update your address with USCIS, there is no guarantee that information will be processed by USCIS before the approval of your OPT application and your EAD card may still be mailed to your former address. Therefore it is recommended to avoid changing your address once your application is pending, if at all possible. If you know you will be moving while your application is pending, we recommend you put the mailing address of a reliable friend or family member on your application.
If you must change your address while your application is pending, you must do all of the following:
Note: You must update your address within 10 days of moving
If for any reason you receive a Rejection, Denial, or a Request for Evidence (RFE) Notice from USCIS, or if you receive your application materials back from the postal/shipping service, DO NOT resend the materials. Inform ISSC by completing the OPT/STEM USCIS Notice Upload eForm for further advisement.
The SEVP Portal is an important tool that lets F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) meet their legal reporting requirements. Please visit the Create an Account page for specific instructions.
The SEVP Portal allows international students the ability to report address, telephone and employer information to SEVP without relying upon their designated school official (DSO) to update their information.
SEVP will email prospective SEVP Portal users important account creation information. However, the only emails the government will send students related to the portal are to create their SEVP Portal account or to reset their password.
If you are having trouble receiving emails from the SEVP Portal, please check your My ASU profile tab to ensure your ASU email is not set up to forward.
For more information, please visit the SEVP Portal Student User Guide web page.
Each withdrawal situation is different. Therefore, to determine the right advisement you should join Drop In Immigration Advising immediately so we can provide you further immigration advisement. The situation becomes critical as you approach the completion date listed on your I-20. Withdrawing is not always guaranteed. The USCIS filing fee is non-refundable.
You must visit or contact the ISSC immediately so we can provide you further immigration advisement. The situation becomes critical as you approach the completion date listed on your I-20. Therefore, as soon as you suspect you will not complete your program of study you must contact the ISSC. This situation may have serious immigration consequences.
You are eligible for 12 months of OPT (Pre and Post) at each higher degree level. For example, if you have been granted OPT at the bachelor’s level previously, you will not have OPT available again at the bachelor’s level. Also, if you are pursuing dual majors at the same degree level (minors do not count), you will need to decide which major to use when applying for Post-OPT.
Yes, so long as the new employment is directly related to your field of study and you work a minimum of 20 hours per week. No special permission is required to change employers. Remember, you must update your employer information via the SEVP Portal within 10 days of the change.
Yes, you will do this via the SEVP Portal (not in My ASU). Once your OPT is approved and the start date is current, you will receive an email from do-not-replay.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov with directions on how to set up your SEVP Portal account. Check your SPAM and JUNK email folders if you do not receive this email once your Post-OPT is approved and the start date is current.
For more information on the SEVP Portal, please read through https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevp-portal-help
You will be mailed an invitation to create an SEVP portal account on the start date (valid from date) printed on your EAD card. It can take up to 72 hours from your start date to receive the email. If you did not receive an email from do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov with the subject line: Optional Practical Training Approval, please check the Spam folder in your ASU email account.
If you still cannot find the email, please do the following:
After your eForm has been processed by the International Students and Scholars Center (ISSC), which may take up to 5 business days, SEVP will send an email containing the subject line: Optional Practical Training Approval - the next step. You are required to use your ASU email address as listed on My ASU to create your SEVP Portal account.
If your password is entered incorrectly 3 consecutive times or if you have not logged into your SEVP Portal account for 45 days or more, the account will be locked automatically. You should receive an email from SEVP containing the subject line: Your account has been locked for too many SEVIS ID validation failures. Please follow the instructions on that email.
If you did not receive this email, try to reset your password by the following steps:
Click on “Reset password,” then enter your ASU Public Email address (as listed on your My ASU Profile) and your SEVIS ID (It starts with N00 and is listed on your Form I-20) and click on “Update Password.”
Next, check your ASU email to see if you have received a temporary password and a link from the SEVP Portal. If not, check your Spam folder.
After following the link, enter the temporary password as the “current password,” and set a new password.
If resetting your password does not work, submit the SEVP Portal Issues eForm found in the MyISSC eForm Portal under F-1 Practical Training.
There is no problem with breaking months in a Pre-OPT situation (separate filing fees apply); however, breaking Post-OPT time into different months is not recommended because the ISSC cannot guarantee that you will be granted use of the remaining months later.
As long as your application was received by USCIS, you are allowed to stay in the US until your application is adjudicated. You do not need to leave the US simply because your OPT was not approved within 90 days. Please visit USCIS Case Status Online and enter your receipt number (YSC########) to monitor your application progress. Check USCIS processing times to see how long they are taking on I-765 applications for Potomac, and if they are outside of their normal processing time, submit a Case Inquiry. Nevertheless, you cannot work, intern, or volunteer, and you should not travel until your application is adjudicated. If your OPT application has been approved you need to wait until your EAD card arrives (1-3 weeks after approval). You are NOT considered unemployed when your application is still pending.
No. You cannot start working until your application is approved, the start date is current, and you have your EAD card in-hand. This includes intern or volunteer work.
As long as your application was received by USCIS, you are allowed to stay in the US until your application is adjudicated. You do not need to leave the US simply because your OPT was not approved within your 60-day grace period. Nevertheless, you cannot work, intern, or volunteer until your application is adjudicated.
If you accumulate 90 days or more of unemployment during Post-OPT, you are in violation of status and will be accumulating unlawful presence in the U.S. Please be prepared to depart or make other arrangements to keep your record free from unlawful presence accumulation. If you have a job offer that will start after your 90 days of unemployment, we do not suggest taking it since you will be accumulating unlawful presence. A student may be denied future immigration benefits that rely on the student’s valid F-1 status if DHS determines that the student exceeded the limitations on unemployment.
If you have NOT mailed your application to USCIS, you can request a change of your OPT start date. Please visit the ISSC with your application for further instructions. However, if you HAVE mailed your application to USCIS, it is very difficult to change dates, which requires withdrawing your application, and may result in losing your Post-OPT benefit. Withdrawing the OPT application can be difficult and the fee is non-refundable. It can take up to 30 days for USCIS to respond to the withdraw request, and your application may be approved by then. Once OPT has been approved, no changes can be made.
You will remain in F-1 status while your application is adjudicated, during your Post-OPT and your 60-day grace period after OPT.
If you are authorized for Post-OPT, there are no employer or location restrictions; however, please choose a job that will have you work in the U.S., not in another country. The job duties, not the job title or employer, must be related to your course of study.
To replace a lost EAD card, you must file a new I-765 application with USCIS for a replacement. This cannot be done if you are outside the U.S. as these applications must be filed within the U.S.
When you file your replacement application with USCIS, we recommend including a letter explaining that you lost your card and need a replacement. We also recommend submitting an updated I-20 that shows your OPT as Approved (rather than Requested). You can obtain an updated I-20 by submitting the Replacement and Travel I-20 Request through the MyISSC eForm Portal.
If you did not receive your EAD card that USCIS mailed, you can also submit an inquiry on the non-delivery of a card.
This simply means that you must carry other documents to show proof of your eligibility to re-enter the U.S. such as your I-20, passport and valid F-1 visa stamp. The EAD alone is not enough to re-enter the U.S.
No. Do not enter the U.S. on any visa other than F-1 or you will lose your F-1 status and your Post-OPT will be invalidated.
The primary purpose of Post-OPT/STEM is working. Taking classes can be done as an incidental part of your stay. Students are allowed to enroll in non-degree seeking classes. A full-time or degree-seeking program of study while on OPT/STEM is not allowed.
If you decide to go back to school full-time, you will need to request a for SEVIS transfer out from the ISSC to transfer your SEVIS Record and I-20 to the new school.
If you will start a new degree program at ASU, you need to request a new degree I-20 from the ISSC before the new degree program start date or before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT/STEM expiration date, whichever is earlier.
If you decide to transfer your record to another institution or pursue a new degree program, your Post-OPT/STEM will be invalidated once you receive the new degree I-20.
No, there are no extensions of Post-OPT unless you are STEM eligible. After your OPT ends you have a 60-day grace period to either change your visa status, transfer to another school, pursue a new degree program at ASU, or return home. You are not authorized to work during the grace period (unless you have a pending STEM OPT extension application).
Yes. However, if you decide to pursue a new degree program, your Post-OPT/STEM will be invalidated once you receive the new degree I-20. If you will start a new degree program at ASU, you need to request a new degree I-20 from the ISSC before the new degree program start date or before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT expiration date, whichever is earlier.
If you will start a new degree program at another institution, you have to request for SEVIS transfer out from the ISSC. This must be done before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT expiration date.
You have a 60-day grace period after your Post-OPT/STEM ends to either change your visa status, transfer to another school, pursue a new degree program at ASU, or return home. You are not authorized to work during this time (unless you have a pending STEM OPT extension application).
Changing your address while your Post OPT application is pending with USCIS may cause issues with your EAD card being mailed to you correctly. Even if you follow the procedures to update your address with USCIS, there is no guarantee that information will be processed by USCIS before the approval of your OPT application and your EAD card may still be mailed to your former address. Therefore it is recommended to avoid changing your address once your application is pending, if at all possible. If you know you will be moving while your application is pending, we recommend you put the mailing address of a reliable friend or family member on your application.
If you must change your address while your application is pending, you must do all of the following:
Note: You must update your address within 10 days of moving
Please refer to the Replace an EAD section of the USCIS webpage. Make sure to read the instructions carefully as the instructions for replacement depend on the type of error and whether the error was made by USCIS or due to a mistake in the student’s application information.
If your password is entered incorrectly 3 consecutive times or if you have not logged into your SEVP Portal account for 45 days or more, the account will be locked automatically. You should receive an email from SEVP containing the subject line: Your account has been locked for too many SEVIS ID validation failures. Please follow the instructions on that email.
If you did not receive this email, try to reset your password by the following steps:
Click on “Reset password,” then enter your ASU Public Email address (as listed on your My ASU Profile) and your SEVIS ID (It starts with N00 and can is listed on your Form I-20) and click on “Update Password.”
Next, check your ASU email to see if you have received a temporary password and a link from the SEVP Portal. If not, check your Spam folder.
After following the link, enter the temporary password as the “current password,” and set a new password.
If resetting your password does not work, submit the Reporting SEVP Portal Issues eForm found in the MyISSC eForm Portal under F-1 Practical Training.
You will be mailed an invitation to create an SEVP portal account on the start date (valid from date) printed on your EAD card. It can take up to 72 hours from your start date to receive the email. You will be unable to create an SEVP Portal account until you receive this email.
If you receive an error while trying to create an SEVP Portal account, please do the following:
No. You must submit the POST-OPT/STEM application to the appropriate lockbox designated by USCIS. Please check USCIS’s I-765 lockbox addresses https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 by scrolling down to Where to file. To avoid this issue, the ISSC highly recommends all students utilize myUSCIS to file their application online.
Yes, they will, however, you will NOT provide USCIS with copies of their I-20s for your Post-OPT/STEM application. Only provide USCIS with your I-20.
Yes. If you applied online, simply log into myUSCIS to check the status of your application. If you submitted a paper application, you must wait to receive a text/email or USCIS I-797A Notice of Action (i.e., receipt notice with receipt number), visit USCIS Case Status Online and enter your receipt number (YSC########). You can also call USCIS. Their phone number is 1-800-375-5283. Be sure to have your receipt number ready before you call. You can also set up an account with them. (When their phone prompts, your receipt number letters YSC = 972).
The ISSC takes up to 7 days to process Post-OPT/STEM requests. Our processing times can vary due to caseload; therefore, cases cannot be expedited and will only be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. USCIS has an average processing time of 90 days; however, please visit USCIS’s Processing Times website for their most up-to-date processing times. If you are interested in expedited processing from USCIS, please visit their Premium Processing webpage for details.
Attending the F-1 Student Webinar Series workshops on employment authorizations will assist you in understanding the eligibility requirements and application process of obtaining employment authorizations while on an F-1 student visa.
If you are unable to attend at the scheduled time, don’t worry. These workshops will be posted to the ISSC YouTube channel.
Your college may also have a career and professional development service.
Applies to Post-OPT and STEM OPT Extension only
The OPT Case Management Payment covers the cost of SEVIS reporting compliance and record management for students participating in Optional Practical Training. ISSC will continue to maintain your SEVIS record and provide immigration and advising support. Support includes biographical changes, address updates, dependent document requests, employer and employment information and updates, travel signatures and I-20 form
Refunds will be considered under the following conditions:
To request a refund please email issc.employment@asu.edu.
Self-Guided Pre-OPT Packet Review
Self-Guided Post-OPT Packet Review
Self-Guided STEM Extension Packet Review
MyUSCIS: Students can now submit their applications online through myUSCIS eliminating the possibility of lost or delayed mail and allowing immediate access to all USCIS notices. Visit our main employment web page for the latest USCIS updates.
Form I-765 (Pre-OPT | Post-OPT | STEM OPT Extension)
Form I-983 (STEM OPT Extension only)