F-1 OPT

How to apply for OPT

A plain summary of the official OPT application process for F-1 students: who can apply, when to file Form I-765, what it costs, what to include and what happens after approval.

At a glance

  • Two steps: your DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS and endorses your Form I-20, then you file Form I-765 with USCIS. USCIS
  • When: for post-completion OPT, USCIS says file up to 90 days before and no later than 60 days after your program end date, and within 30 days of the DSO recommendation. USCIS I-765
  • Fee: $470 online or $520 on paper for Form I-765, under the USCIS fee schedule edition 09/09/26. USCIS G-1055
  • Category: (c)(3)(B) for post-completion OPT, (c)(3)(A) for pre-completion OPT. I-765 instructions
  • Start work: only after USCIS approves the application, you receive the EAD and its start date arrives. Study in the States

Summarized from official sources, checked September 28, 2026. Official pages change; follow the linked source if it differs from this summary.

Rule change on hold. A DHS final rule published July 17, 2026 would shorten the post-completion OPT filing deadline and the latest requested start date from 60 to 30 days after the program end date. Federal Register

USCIS says a federal court postponed the rule's effective date on September 14, 2026, and that USCIS "will proceed under the previous regulatory provisions" until the order is lifted. USCIS also says DHS disagrees with the order and will implement the rule if the order is lifted. USCIS I-765

The online regulation text (eCFR) already shows the 30-day wording without a note about the court order. eCFR The Study in the States Quick Facts page on the rule does not mention the order. Study in the States Check the USCIS Form I-765 page and ask your DSO before you file.

What OPT is

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. USCIS

  • Pre-completion OPT happens before you finish your studies. While school is in session it is limited to 20 hours or less per week; it may be full time when school is not in session. USCIS
  • Post-completion OPT happens after you finish. It must be part time (at least 20 hours per week) or full time. USCIS
  • 12 months per education level. USCIS may authorize twelve months of OPT for each higher level of study, and any pre-completion OPT is deducted from the post-completion OPT still available. Study in the States USCIS In a USCIS example, one year of part-time (20 hours per week) pre-completion OPT leaves 6 months of full-time post-completion OPT at the same education level. USCIS
  • 14-month limit. All post-completion OPT must be completed within 14 months after the program end date. Study in the States

Who can apply

  • You may apply for pre-completion OPT after being lawfully enrolled full time for one full academic year at an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory or seminary. You do not need to have held F-1 status for that whole year. USCIS
  • Students in English language training programs are not eligible for practical training. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)
  • Twelve months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) makes you ineligible for OPT; part-time CPT does not. ICE
  • OPT authorization ends automatically if you transfer to another school or begin study at another education level. USCIS

When to apply for OPT

OPT typeFiling window USCIS lists
Post-completion, (c)(3)(B)Up to 90 days before, but no later than 60 days after, your program end date, and within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the recommendation in SEVIS
Pre-completion, (c)(3)(A)Up to 90 days before being enrolled for one full academic year; employment may not start before that year is complete

Source: the USCIS Form I-765 page, last updated September 15, 2026. USCIS I-765 See the note above about the postponed rule that would change the 60-day figure to 30.

  • The 30-day deadline after the DSO recommendation appears on the USCIS OPT and Form I-765 pages, in the Form I-765 instructions, on Study in the States and in the regulation, and the 2026 rule does not change it. USCIS USCIS I-765 Study in the States 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11) Federal Register The Form I-765 instructions say USCIS will deny the OPT request if you miss it. I-765 instructions
  • DSO guidance says an application filed before the DSO recommendation, or after the 30-day period, will be denied, and the student will have to reapply and pay the fee again. SEVIS Help Hub

How to apply for OPT, step by step

  1. Ask your DSO to recommend OPT. The DSO endorses your Form I-20 and enters the recommendation, including full-time or part-time and the requested dates, in SEVIS. USCIS 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)
  2. Sign your Form I-20. Study in the States says you must sign it before filing Form I-765. Study in the States
  3. Complete Form I-765. Enter your eligibility category in Part 2, Item 27, and your SEVIS number in Item 26. For post-completion OPT, use Part 6 to list all SEVIS numbers you have used and any earlier CPT or OPT, with the academic level of each. You must have a U.S. address, and unsigned applications are rejected. I-765 instructions
  4. File online or on paper. USCIS lists (c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(B) among the categories you can file online through a USCIS account; paper filing is also possible. USCIS online filing USCIS I-765 A paper Form I-765 filed by itself in these categories goes to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox: USCIS, Attn: I-765 C03, P.O. Box 805373, Chicago, IL 60680-5374 (FedEx, UPS and DHL deliveries use 131 South Dearborn, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5517). The address page lists different addresses when you file Form I-907 for premium processing. USCIS addresses
  5. Pay the fee. See the fee section below. USCIS G-1055
  6. Watch for your receipt notice. USCIS issues a Form I-797 receipt notice with a receipt number, and your SEVIS OPT status changes to "Pending". SEVIS Help Hub

USCIS continues to accept the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765 and says it is not accepting the 09/15/26 edition. It may reject a paper form with missing pages or pages from a different edition. USCIS I-765

OPT application fee

ItemOnlinePaper
Form I-765 (initial EAD)$470$520
Premium processing, Form I-907 (optional)$1,780$1,780

Source: USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055, edition 09/09/26. USCIS G-1055 The $470 and $520 amounts are its general line for an initial, replacement or renewal EAD "unless noted below." The schedule does not list a separate fee, reduced fee or exemption for the OPT categories.

  • USCIS rejects filings with an incorrect fee. USCIS G-1055
  • For paper filings, USCIS no longer accepts personal or business checks, money orders or cashier's checks unless you qualify for an exemption. You can pay by card with Form G-1450 or by U.S. bank account with Form G-1650. USCIS filing fees USCIS G-1055
  • The premium processing fee is in addition to the filing fee, and no fee waiver is available for it. USCIS G-1055 USCIS premium processing

Documents and photos

The Form I-765 instructions, the USCIS evidence checklist and Study in the States list:

  • A copy of your Form I-94 (or a printout of the electronic I-94), passport or other travel document. USCIS checklist
  • A copy of your last EAD, front and back; if you never had one, a government-issued identity document. I-765 instructions
  • Two identical, recent color passport-style photos, 2 by 2 inches, full face and frontal, on a white to off-white background, unmounted and unretouched, with your name and A-Number (if any) lightly printed on the back. USCIS warns that mounted or retouched photos delay processing. I-765 instructions USCIS
  • Your Form I-20 endorsed for OPT by your DSO. The USCIS checklist for (c)(3)(B) says a copy of the I-20 signed by the DSO within 30 days before filing. Study in the States USCIS checklist
  • Certified English translations of any foreign-language documents. Send photocopies unless originals are requested. I-765 instructions

The instructions list the filing fee first, then the signed application, then the supporting documents. USCIS may also require an interview or biometrics. I-765 instructions

Start date and when you can work

  • You may begin OPT only after USCIS approves Form I-765, you receive the EAD and the EAD start date arrives. Study in the States
  • Authorization begins on the start date you requested or the date USCIS approves the application, whichever is later, and runs only for your remaining eligibility. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)
  • Study in the States lists 60 days after the program end date as the latest possible post-completion OPT start date; the postponed 2026 rule would change this to 30 days. Study in the States Federal Register
  • USCIS notifies you of its decision in writing. A denial cannot be appealed. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)

Processing time and case status

  • USCIS publishes processing times through its Check Case Processing Times tool. USCIS
  • Premium processing is available for (c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(B), with or after the I-765. USCIS must take action within 30 business days or refund the premium fee; the clock stops and resets if USCIS requests more evidence. USCIS premium processing
  • Check your case with the 13-character receipt number (three letters and 10 numbers) on USCIS Case Status Online. USCIS
  • If USCIS needs more information, it mails a Request for Evidence to your U.S. address, and you must respond by the deadline. Study in the States The Form I-765 instructions say non-citizens must notify USCIS of a new address within 10 days of moving. I-765 instructions
  • USCIS says the EAD card should be produced within 2 weeks of approval, and to allow 30 days from approval before asking about the card. USCIS I-765
  • Study in the States says leaving the United States while the application is pending is not recommended, because USCIS may send a Request for Evidence and mails only to your U.S. address. Study in the States

After approval

  • SEVP Portal. The portal sends an account email once your OPT is approved, your OPT start date has arrived and your email address is in SEVIS. It is free, and lets you update your address, phone and employer information. Study in the States SEVP Portal
  • Reporting. Report employer information once hired, and name or address changes within 10 days, to your DSO or through the SEVP Portal. Study in the States
  • Unemployment limit. Unemployment during post-completion OPT may not exceed 90 days in total. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10) Count your days with the calculator.
  • Social Security number. F and M students who receive any kind of compensation must apply for one. Study in the States
  • Travel. Once OPT is approved, you are expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Study in the States See travel on OPT.

Common questions

When should I apply for OPT?

For post-completion OPT, the USCIS Form I-765 page says to file up to 90 days before, but no later than 60 days after, your program end date, and within 30 days of the date your DSO enters the recommendation in SEVIS. A July 2026 rule that would change 60 to 30 days has been postponed by a court, and USCIS says it is following the previous provisions.

How much is the OPT application fee?

Under the USCIS fee schedule edition 09/09/26, Form I-765 costs $470 filed online or $520 on paper. Optional premium processing costs $1,780 more.

Can I file my OPT application online?

Yes. USCIS lists the (c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(B) OPT categories among the Form I-765 categories that can be filed online through a USCIS account. Paper filing to the Chicago Lockbox is also possible.

What happens if I file more than 30 days after my DSO recommendation?

The Form I-765 instructions say USCIS will deny the OPT request. DSO guidance says the student will have to reapply and pay the fee again.

Can I start working before I receive my EAD?

No. Study in the States says OPT may begin only after USCIS approves Form I-765, you receive the EAD and the EAD start date arrives.

How long does the OPT application take?

USCIS publishes current processing times in its Check Case Processing Times tool. With premium processing, USCIS must take action within 30 business days or refund the premium fee.

Can I travel while my OPT application is pending?

Study in the States says it is not recommended, because USCIS may send a Request for Evidence and mails only to your U.S. address. Ask your DSO about your situation.

Keep your records in EADly

EADly can hold your OPT EAD dates, your Form I-765 receipt number and your employment history in one private timeline, open the official USCIS Case Status service, and count unemployment days from the dates you save. EADly Free saves one employment record per program or petition period, so a count covering more than one job needs EADly Plus.

Get EADly on the App Store

Official sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official pages. Dates are the "last updated" or "last reviewed" dates the pages showed when checked on September 28, 2026.

  1. USCIS: Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 StudentsLast reviewed/updated 11/25/2024
  2. USCIS: Form I-765, Application for Employment AuthorizationLast reviewed/updated 09/15/2026
  3. USCIS: Instructions for Form I-765Edition 08/21/25
  4. USCIS: Direct filing addresses for Form I-765Last reviewed/updated 03/03/2026
  5. USCIS: Checklist of required initial evidence for Form I-765Last reviewed/updated 05/15/2025
  6. USCIS: Forms available to file onlineLast reviewed/updated 07/24/2026
  7. USCIS: G-1055 fee scheduleEdition 09/09/26
  8. USCIS: Filing feesLast reviewed/updated 02/12/2026
  9. USCIS: How do I request premium processing?Last reviewed/updated 03/23/2026
  10. USCIS: Checking your case status onlineLast reviewed/updated 08/25/2020
  11. Study in the States: Applying for Practical TrainingLast updated August 24, 2026
  12. Study in the States: SEVIS Help Hub, F-1 OPT (DSO guidance)Last updated May 19, 2025
  13. Study in the States: SEVP Portal overviewLast updated May 25, 2023
  14. Study in the States: Create an SEVP Portal accountLast updated May 25, 2023
  15. Study in the States: Traveling as an F or M studentLast updated August 17, 2026
  16. ICE SEVP: Practical trainingUpdated 12/10/2024
  17. Study in the States: Final Rule Quick FactsLast updated September 10, 2026
  18. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)-(12) on eCFRUp to date as of 2026-09-24
  19. Federal Register: 91 FR 44976, Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission (July 17, 2026)Published 07/17/2026

This page summarizes official information. It is not legal, immigration or tax advice. Confirm your situation with your DSO or a qualified immigration attorney. Last updated September 28, 2026.

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