Pre-Completion OPT (Before program end date listed on I-20)
- Not very common
- Usually used for summer internships that do not fit into program's CPT option, start ups, and independently found jobs
- Part-time while classes are in session (20 hours or fewer per week, cannot be averaged)
- Full-time or part-time during breaks or vacation quarters
- Master’s/Doctoral Students ONLY: Full-time or part-time after courses finished, while working on thesis
- Very common
- Used for jobs after completion of your program or graduation
- Granted on a full-time basis only (over 20 hours a week)
- All previous periods of OPT at the same level are deducted from the 12-month total. Part-time OPT is counted at a half-rate. Example: Four months part-time OPT is subtracted from the total as two months.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for OPT you must:
- Be registered full-time in a degree program for at least one academic year (three quarters) in valid F-1 status
- Have not used 12 months of OPT for a previous degree at the same level (e.g. you are doing an MBA and have already used your Master's level OPT after a previous MA/MS degree)
- Have not used OPT at a higher-degree level (e.g. you previously finished a PhD and now you are pursuing an MD, MBA, LLM, MS/MA etc)
- Be present in the U.S. in valid F-1 status at the time of application.
Important Notes:
- If you are outside of the U.S. after your program end date and have not applied for OPT, you will lose OPT eligibility.
- Twelve months or more of full time CPT makes you ineligible for OPT. Part time CPT has no impact on OPT eligibility.
- On-campus employment does not count against the 12-month OPT eligibility.
If you have a special case or have completed a higher-level degree in the past, contact your OIA adviser for eligibility information.
Employment Requirements & Types of Employment
While on OPT, you are required to be employed and working at least 20 hours/week in a job (or multiple jobs) directly related to your field of study/major. Your OPT 'clock' starts ticking on the start date printed on your EAD. Anytime before your EAD start date is not considered unemployment. Information about these employment requirements follow:
Employment Requirements (Post-Completion OPT)
- Unemployment: During your initial post-completion OPT period, you can have up to 90 days of unemployment. The 'clock' begins on the start date listed on your EAD. USCIS keeps track of your unemployment days based on the OPT Update Forms you submit to OIA (information below). If you accrue more than 90 days of unemployment or fail to provide OPT updates, USCIS will terminate your record. Visit our employment FAQ to learn what is considered employment, how unemployment works, and what to do if you accrue 90 days of unemployment.
STEM: The STEM OPT extension allows 150 days of unemployment for the entire time spent on OPT (regular OPT (90 days) and STEM (adittional 60 days) combined).
- Reporting: You must report all employers to OIA within 10 days of any new job. If you fail to meet your reporting requirement, USCIS will automatically terminate your record.
- Multiple jobs: OPT is not employer specific. As long as they otherwise meet all employment criteria, you can work for multiple employers simultaneously
Showing that OPT is directly related to a degree program
- After your OPT has been approved and you start working, you are required to report what your position is and how it is related to your degree program through the OIA OPT Update Form.
- You must be able to concisely describe how your work is related to your studies in 2-3 sentences.
- OIA advisers are unable to determine your degree relevancy or confirm that your job is directly related; determining the relevancy is up to you.
- OIA cannot provide feedback on your degree relevancy statement or edit for clarity/corrections. We will report it to USCIS exactly how you've written it. Make sure to proofread before submitting your updates.
- If it is not clear from the job description that the work is related to the student's degree, SEVP highly recommends that you obtain a signed letter from your supervisor or manager or the employer's hiring official stating how your degree is related to the work performed and keep it for your records. OIA does not need a copy of this statement.
- The Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) recommends that you maintain evidence - for each job - of the position held, proof of the duration of that position, the job title, contact information for the your supervisor or manager, and a description of the work. This documentation should be kept for your own records and may be requested during future immigration applications (e.g. H-1B). OIA does not need a copy of this documentation.
Types of Paid Employment Allowed on OPT:
As long as each position is directly related to your studies, commensurate with your level of education, and all jobs combine for at least 20 hours/week, essentially all kinds of employment situations and employers are allowed while on OPT, including:
- Multiple employers: You may work for more than one employer, but all jobs must be directly related to your field
- Short-term multiple employers (performing artists): You’re allowed to have multiple short term jobs or gigs (e.g. music performances). Keep a list of all gigs, the employer, and duration of each.
- Work for hire: Commonly referred to as 1099 or Independent Contractor Employment; keep evidence of the duration of contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.
- Self-employed/business owner: For immigration purposes, you can start a business or be self-employed while on OPT. You should be able to prove that you have the proper business licenses and that it is related to your degree program.
- Consulting/Temp Agency: Employment through an agency or consulting firm is also allowed, as long as it meets all requirements.
- Other types of employment: As long as the position/job is directly related to your studies (and, of course, is legal), the type of employer or job you have does not really matter. It can be a big or small company, start-up, internship, temporary work, full-time, post-doc, hourly, unpaid, salaried, unconventional hours, non-profit, for-profit, self-employment, NGO or any other employer situation.
- Additional questions about types of OPT employment? See our OPT Employment FAQs for more information.
Unpaid Employment:
- You may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern while on OPT, where this practice does not violate labor laws.
- Assuming it meets all other criteria, unpaid internships and volunteer positions can qualify as OPT employment for reporting purposes. As any other position, you must report this job through the OPT Update Form (linked below).
Questions? See our OPT Application FAQs for more information.
OPT Application Process
OPT Application Timeline
Pre-Completion OPT (before your program ends):
- You can apply up to 90 days before your requested work start date
- The end date must be on or before your I-20 end date
- You can apply for pre-completion OPT before you finish your first year of study. However, the work cannot start until after you complete 3 quarters of full-time enrollment.
Post-Completion OPT (after your program ends):
- You can apply for OPT from 90 days before your end date, until 60 days after your end date.
- USCIS must receipt (not receive) your application no later than 60 days after your I-20 end date. Allow at least 10-14 days for USCIS to assign a receipt number.
- Your OPT start date can be between the day after your end date and 60 days after your end date.
- If you are outside of the U.S. or leave the U.S. after your program end date and you have not applied for OPT, you will lose your OPT eligibility.
Need help figuring out your dates? Calculate your own Post-Completion OPT timeline by using our OPT Date calculator. The calculator is an Excel spreadsheet. You may need to click 'enable editing' to use the calculator.
Application Process
Before You Apply
Required: Before you begin the application process, you must:
- Attend a virtual OPT Workshop session (highly recommended).
Starting your OPT application without attending or viewing the information on this web page could lead to application errors and delays in processing your request, as well as have a negative impact on your application to USCIS.
Applying for OPT is a two-step process. First, you must get a recommendation from OIA (a new I-20 showing requested OPT). Second, you must send your application to USCIS. Both steps are explained in detail below:
STEP 1: OIA Recommendation
IMPORTANT: If you will file your application online, you must obtain your OPT recommendation (“OPT I-20”) from the OIA before submitting the application through your USCIS Online Account. Failure to obtain your OPT Recommendation before submitting your application online will result in the denial of your OPT benefit. If you receive notice of the denial before your 60 day grace period expires, you may reapply for OPT but will need to resubmit all application materials again, including a new OPT Recommendation from OIA and the filing fee. The 2nd application will also be subject to the same standard processing times.
A: Make sure your 'SEVIS US' Address is updated and correct in My.UChicago. See the SEVIS Address Update instructions for more information.
B: Submit your request to OIA at least two weeks before you would like your new I-20. Due to large application volume, we cannot accommodate expedited processing requests, so please plan ahead. You do not need to see an adviser before submitting your request, unless you have specific questions. If you would like to meet with an adviser, you can either schedule an appointment in advance or attend your adviser's virtual Quick Question Advising hours (no appointment needed). You can find that information here.
To submit your OPT Recommendation request to OIA, complete the Online F-1 OPT Recommendation Request
- You will use your CNet Credentials to access the form.
- You must include OPT start and end dates on this form.
- When choosing an OPT start date, make sure you consider your proposed job start date, class schedule (for pre-completion OPT), your plans for future study at the same degree level, and potential H-1B plans.
- For post-completion OPT, your OPT start date has to be between the day after your end date and 60 days after your end date.
- Upload a signed Verification of Completion Form as a PDF (see below for more details)
a. Verification of Completion Form
(For Post-Completion OPT Applications Only)
- Confirmation signed by your faculty advisor/Dean of Students or Academic Adviser (please check with your Dean of Students office to confirm who should be signing the Verification of Completion forms for your program, before submitting your request to OIA) - verifying that you will complete either all course requirements with the exception of the thesis OR all degree requirements by the expected graduation date.
- If your ending quarter is earlier than your current end date, your F-1 record will be shortened to reflect the change. Shortening your record will add additional processing time, so please plan ahead.
- Shortening your record to an earlier end date is final and cannot be reversed without a complete extension application.
- This document is required for post-completion OPT applications only.
- b. Submission: Your form will be considered "submitted" once you see green text at the top of the page. See image below for example of a fully submitted form.
Submitting Forms to OIA and Getting the New I-20
Once you complete the F-1 OPT Recommendation Request, OIA will review your documents and create a new I-20 that shows your OPT request.
- Review at OIA takes approximately two weeks. Due to high volume, we cannot accommodate expedite requests, so please plan ahead.
- You will receive an email confirmation when your new I-20 is ready. Email providers vary in how the sort mail; make sure to check your junk mail folder, as well.
- You will receive your new I-20, SEVIS screen shots in an email outlining next steps:
- I-20: Sign and date your I-20 at the bottom of page 1. Save all previous I-20s for your records. You may be asked for them during future applications.
- SEVIS Screen Shot: This shows any previous CPT time used at UChicago. You will receive the CPT screenshot, if you have used CPT in the past.
Once you receive these documents, then you can move on to Step 2.
STEP 2: USCIS Application Procedures
Students now have the option to file by mail or file online.
If filing online, please follow these OPT Online Filing instructions.
If filing by mail, please compile the following documents to send USCIS as instructed below. If filing online, you will upload these same documents or input information from these documents as prompted during the online application process.
