F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) – FAQs

Essential Information for International Students

What is my Status While on OPT?

You remain in F-1 status with Penn ISSS as your immigration sponsor. All reporting and updates should be submitted via iPenn. 

When Should I Apply For OPT?

Pre-Completion OPT

  • Apply up to 90 days before being enrolled full-time for one academic year or 90 days before the requested employment start date if the academic year requirement was already met. 

Post-Completion OPT

  • Apply up to 90 days before the program completion date. 
  • USCIS must receive the application no later than 60 days after the program completion date. 
  • The application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issuance date.
  • For more specific date information, see the OPT Calculator.

Note: Leaving the US during the grace period without applying for OPT ends your grace period and OPT eligibility.

Processing Time: Generally takes three months. Check the USCIS website for current processing times. 

What OPT Dates Should I Select?

Pre-Completion OPT

  • Start Date: Earliest possible work date. 
  • End Date: Latest possible work date. 
  • Unless a student is on full-time thesis or dissertation status, full-time OPT is only possible during official university breaks.

Post-Completion OPT

  • Start Date: Must be within 60 days of the program completion date. 

PhD Students

  • Discuss OPT dates with an ISSS advisor. You may start post-completion OPT once in dissertation status or after defending and submitting your dissertation. 

What are my Employment Requirements during OPT?

Employment

Do I need a job offer to apply for the initial post-completion OPT?

  • No, you do not need to have a job offer to apply for pre or post-completion OPT.
  • However, your STEM OPT will require an eligible employer.

Unemployment

How long may I be unemployed while on OPT?

  • Pre-completion OPT: no employment required
  • Post-completion OPT: A maximum of 90 days of unemployment is permitted during the approved start and end dates on the EAD.
  • STEM OPT: Up to 150 days is permitted during the 24 month extension.  This includes unemployment time used during the initial post-completion OPT period.

F-1 status is dependent on not exceeding the unemployment time.

What are the steps to apply for OPT?

You do not need a job offer to apply for the first 12 months of OPT

OPT Employment Authorization is a two-step application

  • Submit OPT I-20 request in iPenn to receive I-20 with OPT recommendation from ISSS
  • After receiving I-20, you will apply online with USCIS for OPT.

Must I be in the US to submit my OPT application to USCIS?

F-1 regulations mandates you be in the US in F-1 active status at time of submission.

Can I Travel While on OPT?

Pre-Completion OPT

Required for reentry: Valid passport, F-1 visa stamp, OPT I-20 endorsed within the last twelve months. 

Post-Completion OPT

Required for reentry: Valid passport, F-1 visa stamp, OPT I-20 endorsed within the last six months, valid EAD, and evidence of employment. 

Pending OPT Application

International travel is not recommended as it may jeopardize reentry and the application process. Please contact your ISSS Advisor to discuss further travel questions.

How do I determine the Job is relevant to my Field of Study?

Work must be directly related to your field of study. You must be able to justify that you are directly relate what you learned in your major field of study to the job duties of your position.

Utilize resources like job listings, academic departments, Penn Career Services, and the “What Can I Do With This Major?” website. 

I-20s for OPT Application

Include only I-20s with CPT or OPT authorization. 

If missing I-20s from Penn, contact your ISSS advisor. 

If missing I-20s from previous schools, contact the school or include a note explaining the missing documents.

Major Differences on I-20

Penn majors listed on I-20s are matched to Department of Education CIP codes, which may differ from your official major. 

Changing OPT Start Date

Once submitted to USCIS, you cannot change the start date. Consult your ISSS advisor if you need to change it before submission. 

Required Documents for OPT Application

Visit UPenn ISSS OPT USCIS for a list of required documents. 

When do I apply for STEM OPT?

You must be on post-completion OPT to apply for the STEM OPT extension. 

Apply up to 90 days before the current OPT end date. The application must be received by USCIS before the current OPT period ends.