Please review this information if you received a Post-OPT I-20 because you were planning to graduate in the fall 2025 semester.

If you realize that you won’t finish your degree by the program end date listed on your Post-OPT I-20, contact the ISSC immediately for guidance. Your immigration status and Post-OPT authorization could be affected if you do not complete your program as expected. It’s important to speak with an immigration advisor as soon as you know you won’t finish this semester.  If you do not contact us until after the program end date listed on your Post-OPT I-20, your options are limited.

You will receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card about 1 to 3 weeks after USCIS approves your Post-OPT application. Once you have your EAD card, submit a copy to the MyISSC eForm Portal. Please check that your name and the dates on the card are correct, and report any mistakes to the ISSC immediately at [email protected].

Important employment reminders:
 

• Do not work, including volunteer work or unpaid internships, until you have your EAD card in hand and the “valid from” date on the card has started.
• You must work at least 20 hours per week.
• Only take jobs that are directly related to your field of study at ASU.

As an F-1 student on Post-OPT, you must follow the 10-day reporting rule. You’ll receive an email to create an SEVP Portal account on your EAD card’s start date (valid from date). This email may take up to 72 hours to arrive. Set up your account right away, even if you don’t have a job yet.

Use the SEVP Portal to update:

• Your physical or mailing address
• Your legal name
• New job or job loss
• Employer information (like new location or company name)

Make sure to report changes within 10 days. For more details, review the SEVP Portal Student User Guide.

While on Post-OPT, you are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment. This begins once the “valid from” date on your EAD card starts. Any time you’re not employed during your authorized Post-OPT period counts toward these 90 days. If you exceed 90 days of unemployment, your SEVIS record may be terminated, and you will be considered out of status. If this happens, you must leave the U.S. immediately. Staying in the U.S. after 90 days of unemployment will be considered unlawful presence, which can negatively impact future U.S. immigration applications.

Keep all your original I-20s and immigration documents indefinitely. The ISSC does not store original I-20s. You may need to provide proof of employment if you apply for future benefits like H-1B or permanent residency. It’s important to keep documents such as offer letters, payroll records, employer information, start and end dates, and hours worked per week.