OPT and STEM OPT date planner
Enter the date your program ends. We lay out the dates that matter for F-1 Optional Practical Training: when you can apply, when your work permit ends, your 60-day grace period, the STEM OPT filing window, and how many unemployment days you have left.
A calendar, not a decision. Your school’s designated school official (DSO) recommends OPT in SEVIS and USCIS decides your actual dates. Rules and your own situation can differ, and a missed deadline can cost you your work authorization. Confirm every date with your DSO. This is general information, not legal advice.
The rules behind these dates
- When you can apply. USCIS can receive your OPT application no earlier than 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after it. It also has to arrive within 30 days after your DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS.
- Start date. It can be up to 60 days after your program end date. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization.
- Grace period. After your work permit ends you can stay in F-1 status for 60 days, but you cannot work.
- Unemployment. You can accrue no more than 90 days of unemployment during the first 12 months of OPT, and no more than 150 days in total if you also have a STEM extension.
- STEM OPT. You can file up to 90 days before your OPT work permit ends, and before it ends. USCIS must receive your application within 60 days after your DSO recommends it. The extension is 24 months in a row.
- If you filed STEM OPT in time you may keep working for up to 180 days after your OPT ends, or until USCIS decides, whichever comes first.
- H-1B cap-gap. If an H-1B petition is filed for you, your status and work authorization can be extended. This tool does not calculate it, so ask your DSO.
Speed it up?
You can pay for premium processing of your OPT application. USCIS then has 30 business days to act. See what premium processing is, count your days with the OPT premium processing day tracker, and compare options with Is premium processing worth it?.
Privacy: Everything is worked out in your browser. The dates you enter are not sent to us or stored.
Need help organizing your documents?
One Path Finder can help you gather and organize documents where permitted by law. We are not a law firm and can’t tell you what applies to your case. Contact us to start a conversation. For legal advice, ask us for a referral to our partner law firm.