Post-Completion OPT

A student must confirm their eligibility for graduation with their academic department or unit before requesting the OPT I-20 from OIS. A student can request the OPT I-20 from OIS as early as 90 days before their program end date, which is printed on the Form I-20. This date must align with the student’s actual degree conferral date. Students who are graduating early (before the end date on their I-20) must inform OIS by submitting a SEVIS Final Semester Check so that their program end date can be shortened before requesting an OPT I-20 from OIS.  

Although USCIS accepts OPT applications up to 60 days after the program end date, the latest a student can request an OPT I-20 from OIS is 45 days after they complete their degree program. USCIS processing time is approximately three to four months, so we recommend the student request the OPT I-20 from OIS as soon as the OPT application period begins to avoid any delays with the OPT application decision from USCIS.

Refer to the table below to determine the appropriate OPT I-20 request window based on your I-20 program end date.* This chart is updated periodically to reflect the upcoming semesters; please check back later if your expected graduation term is not listed.

*Master’s or doctoral thesis track students can use either the university’s official semester end date or their thesis upload date as their graduation date for OPT application purposes. Students who choose to use their thesis upload date as their graduation date must adjust the I-20 program end date in the above chart to reflect their thesis upload date. This will adjust their new OPT I-20 request window. They may also need to apply for a program extension to extend their I-20 program end date before their current Form I-20 expires to ensure they have a valid I-20. 

Students who plan to use their thesis upload date as their graduation date for OPT filing must also meet with an OIS advisor during a drop-in advising session at the start of their final semester, before their current Form I-20 expires.

When completing the OPT I-20 Request, the student will be asked to enter a preferred OPT start date. 

Students can request a start date at least one day after and no more than 60 days after their program end date. OIS will use this requested date as the recommended OPT start date on the OPT I-20.

Refer to the table below to determine the earliest possible start date and the latest possible end date you may request based on your program end date. A graduate student who uses their thesis upload date for OPT filing purposes will need to adjust the requested OPT start and end dates accordingly.

Sometimes, there are delays in USCIS processing and USCIS is unable to adjudicate the Form I-765 by the recommended OPT start date. In these cases, USCIS will use the date it adjudicated the application as the new OPT start date and automatically calculate 12 months from that date as the OPT end date.

However, the OPT 14-month rule mandates that Post-Completion OPT be completed within 14 months of your program’s end date. Because the 12-month OPT period must fit within this 14 month window, any delays in processing can reduce your total working time to fewer than 12 months.

Due to unexpected delays that lead to changes in dates, students must wait for their EAD from USCIS to verify the actual start and end dates of approval.

Students can request an OPT I-20 from OIS through Trojan International. 

The request includes five short assessments to ensure students understand the application requirements and expectations while on OPT. 

Once students have passed each assessment, they must provide their academic advisor’s name and email address so the advisor can confirm their graduation date. The advisor must be an academic advisor, student support staff member or another designated academic department staff member.

Additionally, USC Viterbi School of Engineering graduate students must provide a Graduation Verification Form (GVF), available in their myViterbi portal. Students should reach out to their USC Viterbi advisor with any questions about the GVF.

OIS takes 10 business days to process the OPT I-20 Request. The 10-business-day period does not begin until the student’s academic advisor completes their portion of the OPT I-20 Request.

An OIS advisor will review the student’s academic and immigration records to determine whether the student has met all OPT eligibility requirements. If it is found that a student’s OPT application is incomplete or has errors, OIS will email the student via their USC email account with instructions on how to correct and resubmit the request form. The 10-business-day processing time will restart once OIS receives the resubmission. 

If the information provided on the OPT I-20 Request is accurate and no further clarification is needed, the OIS advisor will issue an OPT I-20 and email it to the student’s USC email account.

Please note that the SEVIS system contains a fixed number of majors that occasionally do not match the exact program name. Based on certain classification criteria, the CIP code option that most closely matches the student’s USC program has been designated by the student’s academic department for official use in SEVIS and on the I-20. U.S. consular and immigration officers are aware of this, as this happens often, especially with programs that have unique majors/major names.

Once students receive their OPT I-20 from OIS, they must print, sign and date it. USCIS does not permit students to sign the Form I-20 electronically; therefore, students must sign it by hand in black ink.

Students must quickly move on to the next step, filing the Form I-765, as the OPT I-20 is valid for only 30 days from the I-20 issue date.

• Students must file the Form I-765 within 30 days of the issue date on page 1 of their OPT I-20. 
  • If the student misses this 30-day deadline, they must submit the OPT I-20 Reprint (Missed 30 Days/Date Change) Request in Trojan International before submitting the Form I-765 to USCIS.
• Students must file the Form I-765 no more than 60 days after the program end date on page 1 of the OPT I-20. 
• USCIS will deny the Form I-765 if it is received after either deadline.
• USCIS follows Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) for submission deadlines. Your application must be submitted by 23:59 UTC on the specified deadline, regardless of your local time zone. To avoid denials for missed filing deadlines, we strongly recommend submitting your application at least one day before the due date. Please plan accordingly and confirm UTC conversions for your time zone.

• Make sure you are physically present in the United States when you file the Form I-765. Filing from outside the United States will result in a denial of your Form I-765.
• Ensure your bank account has sufficient funds to cover the non-refundable Form I-765 filing fee to avoid USCIS rejecting your application.
• Carefully review our guide to filing Form I-765 for Post-Completion OPT to avoid mistakes that could lead to a rejection, request for evidence or denial of your application. Please note that, in order to access the guide, students must log in using their USC email address when prompted.
• Create a myUSCIS account if needed.

Students will need to upload a copy of the hand-signed OPT I-20 along with other supporting documents and pay the non-refundable Form I-765 filing fee with a credit or debit card. 

Students who want a response from USCIS before the estimated processing time can apply for Premium Processing for an additional fee.

To apply for Premium Processing, students can either request it when initially filing the I-765 application or file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, at a later time. USCIS guarantees a response within 30 business days, not including weekends or holidays, of filing for students who apply for Premium Processing. Attending the required biometrics appointment may reset the processing time. Please refer to the case status section of your myUSCIS portal for additional guidance.

In December 2025, USCIS updated its policy on how photographs are collected and reused for immigration applications.

At this time, OPT and STEM OPT applicants must still submit two passport-style photos that meet U.S. Department of State passport photograph requirements, in accordance with current USCIS and OIS instructions.

USCIS may also determine that a new photo is needed and may require a biometrics services appointment at a local Application Support Center. If you receive a biometrics notice or scheduling instructions, you must follow them carefully.

Please regularly check your email, USPS mail and USCIS online account for a biometrics notice and to ensure your mailing address is up to date. If you receive any USCIS notice about photos or biometrics and have questions, submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form and then attend OIS advising for assistance.

If you have been notified that a biometrics appointment will be scheduled but have not received your biometrics appointment notice within two weeks, you should submit a USCIS Case Inquiry for Non-Delivery of Notice.

USCIS has expanded the use of social media review in certain immigration applications. As a result, officers will conduct a closer review of a student’s immigration history and compliance with U.S. laws and students’ online activity may be considered as part of USCIS’s vetting process. 

Promoting or supporting anti-American or antisemitic views will be considered serious negative factors and may lead to a denial of the application. The new policy is effective Aug. 19, 2025, and applies to both pending requests and those filed on or after that date.

If the OPT application is approved, USCIS will issue an approval notice which will be available in the student’s myUSCIS account under the documents tab.

In addition to the approval notice, USCIS will send students their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) via USPS. Students must wait until they receive the EAD in the mail to confirm their approved OPT start and end date and cannot begin to work until they possess the physical EAD card.

Students must check the EAD for accuracy. If an error is made on the EAD, students should join OIS drop-in advising to speak with an advisor. Examples of mistakes could include:

• Misspelled name
• Incorrect birthdate
• Incorrect category
• Incorrect start and/or end date

USCIS may send students an I-797C Notice of Action: Rejection, Request for Evidence (RFE), or an I-797C Notice of Action: Denial. If you receive one of these notices, you must submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form to receive further guidance. After submitting the form, an advisor will review your case and follow up with the next steps.

Rejection

If an application is rejected, the student will receive an I-797C Notice of Action: Rejection. USCIS will indicate the reason for rejection on the I-797C. A student who receives a rejection notice should:

1. Submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form.
2. Meet with an advisor during OIS drop-in advising to determine eligibility to resubmit Form I-765.
3. If eligible, request an updated OPT I-20 using the OPT I-20 Reprint Request in Trojan International.
4. File a new Form I-765, along with supporting documents, through myUSCIS no more than 30 days from the new OPT I-20 issue date and no more than 60 days from their program end date.

Request for Evidence

A student may receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) if USCIS needs more information before processing their application, such as if the payment method was not accepted. The RFE will specify which additional documents are required and the specific deadline for responding. The student will need to submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice form before responding to the RFE.

Notice of Intent to Deny

Upon review of the supporting evidence, USCIS may identify concerns and issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). This warning letter allows students to provide any new evidence addressing the concerns noted. The NOID includes a response deadline and failure to respond by that date can result in a denial of their application. The student will need to submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice Form before responding to the NOID.

Denial

If an application is denied, the student will receive an I-797C Notice of Action: Denial for the STEM OPT application, which will indicate the reason for the denial. Due to USCIS processing times, a student who is denied may not be eligible to reapply if they are no longer within 60 days of their program end date. A student who receives a denial notice should:

1. Submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice Form.
2. Immediately meet with an advisor during OIS drop-in advising to determine eligibility to resubmit Form I-765.
3. If eligible, request an updated OPT I-20 using the OPT I-20 Reprint Request in Trojan International.
4. File a new Form I-765, along with supporting documents, through myUSCIS no more than 30 days from the new OPT I-20 issue date and no more than 60 days from their program end date.

Students who miss the filing deadline should join OIS drop-in advising to discuss their plans with an advisor.

In addition to complying with U.S. laws and immigration requirements, failure to meet the following requirements for OPT employment may result in the automatic termination of the student’s SEVIS record by SEVP and/or USCIS.

Direct Relation to Major

Any employment on OPT must be directly related to the student’s major. USCIS determines whether a job is related. Therefore, the student should be able to:

• Provide an explanation to USCIS if asked how their job is related to their major at USC.
• On a day-to-day basis, they apply the knowledge they gained from their academic program to their job.

Students will use the following template as a guide if needed in the future: “I work [insert full-time or part-time] as a [insert job title] for [insert employer name]. My duties include [insert list of job duties]. At this job, I use [insert list of relevant skills/knowledge from your coursework], which directly relates to my USC [insert degree level] in [insert field of study].”

Hours of Employment

The student must work at least 20 hours per week. If the student has more than one employer, the total number of hours among all employers must be at least 20.

Types of Employment Permitted While on OPT

The following types of employment are permitted while a student is on OPT:

• Standard, full-time employer: Student works for one employer for at least 20 hours per week.
• Multiple employers: Student works for more than one employer, with a combined total of at least 20 hours per week.
• Multiple short-term employers: Musicians or other performing artists may work for multiple short-term employers (i.e., gigs). Students should maintain a list of all gigs, including the dates and durations.
• Work for hire/contract: Also commonly referred to as “1099 employment,” the term “work for hire” describes a service based on a contractual agreement rather than an employment relationship. This means that the individual is performing a service.
• Self-employment: A student may start a business and be self-employed. The student must be able to prove to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that they have the proper business licenses and are actively engaged in a business related to their degree program. OIS recommends that a self-employed student consult a lawyer.
• Employment through an employment/staffing agency or consulting firm: A student may gain employment through a third-party agency.
• Unpaid/volunteer jobs: A student may work on a volunteer basis or as an unpaid intern, where this does not violate any U.S. labor laws. Labor laws vary by state. Check with the company’s human resources department for restrictions.

Unemployment

Unemployment days will start to accrue on the approved EAD start date. If the requested start date has passed without approval, unemployment days will not start with the originally requested date. 

A student cannot exceed 90 days of unemployment during their authorized Post-Completion OPT period. A student who accrues more than 90 days of unemployment is in violation of their F-1 status and should join OIS drop-in advising to discuss their options with an advisor.

U.S. Address Update

While on OPT, students must submit the SEVIS U.S. Address and Contact Update via Trojan International within 10 days of any change in their U.S. address. Please note that updating your home address does not automatically update your OPT employment if you are working remotely from home.

Reporting Employment Update to OIS

To maintain F-1 status while on approved OPT, students are required to report any change in employment within 10 days. All updates must be submitted to OIS through the OPT Employment Update Form in Trojan International.

The student must report the following changes:

• Adding new employer(s).
• Changes to current employment, such as:
  • Job title
  • Employer name
  • Employer worksite address 
  • Start or end date
  • Relationship to the field of study
• Permanent departure from the United States and forfeiture of the remaining OPT period.

Failure to comply with mandatory reporting requirements may result in the termination of the student’s immigration status by SEVP and/or USCIS.

A graduate currently on Post-Completion OPT may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their work authorization if they have earned a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in an eligible STEM field, as designated by USCIS. A student is eligible to apply up to 90 days before the end date listed on their EAD, and must apply before that end date. For more information, visit our STEM OPT Extension page.

Students must apply to their new program, be admitted and be issued a new I-20 from the USC Graduate Admission office before the end of the grace period. Proof of funding is required to issue the new I-20. Please contact the USC Graduate Admission office with questions regarding I-20 issuance, as OIS does not oversee the issuance of these I-20s.

Students must apply to another institution, be admitted and have their USC SEVIS record transferred out to the new institution before the end of the 60-day grace period. In addition, the start date at the transfer-in school must be within five months of the last date the student is on OPT. Students also must report their employment end date for the current employer(s) through the OPT employment update before requesting a transfer. For instructions on requesting a SEVIS transfer, refer to our page on attending another institution.

Students may choose to depart the United States upon completion of their STEM OPT. They must depart by the end of their 60-day grace period.

If eligible for another nonimmigrant or immigrant status, students may apply for a change of status with USCIS. USCIS must receive the application to change the immigration status before the end of the grace period.

The city of birth information was added to your initial USC I-20 based on the information you entered and verified in your USC Admissions record. To update or correct the city of birth in your SEVIS record, please submit the City of Birth Correction Request.

Your OPT I-20 with the current/incorrect city of birth information can be submitted to USCIS along with the other OPT application materials, as it will not negatively affect your OPT application. A reprint of your OPT I-20 is not necessary, as your SEVIS record will contain the correct information.

No, it is fine if your RCL was approved but the “Authorized Reduced Course Load” is blank. Please disregard this section as it is not needed for OPT application purposes.

No, it is fine if your current session start and end dates are for a previous semester. Please disregard these dates as it will not impact your OPT application.

No, only include copies of I-20s with work authorization.

Students must submit their OPT application, including Form I-765 and supporting documents, to USCIS online via their myUSCIS account. Refer to our Post-Completion OPT page for required documents and submission instructions.

Students who have previously received work authorization (including CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, or economic hardship employment authorization) must use the “Additional Information” section of the online Form I-765 to provide details of any prior employment authorization.

This is located under:

• Section: Evidence
• Page: Post-Completion CPT or OPT
• Question: “Post-Completion CPT or OPT”

Students should list:

• All current and previous F-1 SEVIS ID numbers.
• Any previously authorized part-time or full-time CPT or OPT, including the academic level at which the authorization was granted.

Example A

I have received work authorization under two SEVIS IDs:

• N0000000000 — bachelor’s degree program: four months of full-time CPT; no OPT
• N0000000001 — PhD program: six months of full-time CPT

Example B

My current SEVIS ID (N0000000000, master’s degree program) is my only SEVIS ID. I have not received work authorization under any previous SEVIS record. Under my current SEVIS record, I completed the following CPT:

• Part-time CPT: date – date
• Full-time CPT: date – date

If you have never participated in CPT, OPT and/or have never had any other SEVIS IDs, no explanation is needed.

No, you may use any personal email address of your choosing. This could be your USC email or a non-USC email. However, USC IT will keep the USC emails of students on or pending approval for OPT/STEP OPT active.

For questions related to accessing your @usc.edu email address after graduation, refer to the USC Alumni Association’s FAQ (select “Alumni Email” tab).

Note that your SEVP Portal account creation link will be sent to your USC email address on or after your OPT EAD start date. Please monitor your USC email for this link around your EAD start date. As a reminder, the SEVP Portal is for view access only and all updates should be made via Trojan International.

Please attend drop-in advising to speak with an OIS advisor.

Please refer to our Post-Completion OPT page.

No, a travel signature is not required to apply for OPT.

No, your OPT I-20 will only show CPT, which is for the current semester. It will not be printed on the I-20 if it was completed in a prior semester.

Filing for Post-Completion OPT has no effect on students’ ability to travel internationally and return to the United States before their I-20 program end date (i.e., graduation date). Prior to the graduation date, the student is a current student for travel purposes. Students are strongly advised against traveling internationally after their I-20 program end date until they have received their EAD. Please refer to the travel section of the OIS website for guidance.

Per immigration regulations, students cannot be enrolled in certificate or degree-seeking programs (in-person or online) while on OPT. Students may take classes that are avocational or recreational and incidental to their employment. For example, a student with a computer science major could take a class in a foreign language for personal development.

If your OPT EAD contains an error due to a mistake made by USCIS, you will not be required to file a new Form I-765 or pay the application filing fee. To request a replacement EAD due to a USCIS error, follow these steps: 

1. Request a reprint of your I-20 showing your OPT is approved by submitting an I-20 Reprint Request. 
2. Make a photocopy of the incorrect EAD — you must keep a copy on file for your personal records.
3. Assemble the following documents: 
   1. The original card containing the error. 
   2. A detailed letter of explanation of the card error.
   3. Copy of the most recently issued OPT I-20.
   4. Supporting documentation on the correct information (e.g., a copy of the passport bio page). 
4. Mail your request to the center that processed your OPT application and make sure you get a tracking number. Check the USCIS website for the most up to date addresses.

Students who applied for OPT via Premium Processing and received an incorrect EAD due to a USCIS error should email psc-premium.processing@uscis.dhs.gov, explain the situation and attach a scanned copy of your EAD with the error for further guidance from USCIS.

If your OPT EAD has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to pay the application filing fee again and submit a replacement EAD application to USCIS. To file for a replacement EAD, follow these steps:

1. Request a reprint of your I-20 showing your OPT is approved by submitting an I-20 Reprint Request. 
2. Submit a new Form I-765 online to USCIS, following the Guide to Filing Form I-765 with USCIS, noting the following changes: 
   1. What is your reason for applying? Select “Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document.”
   2. Have you previously filed Form I-765? Select “Yes.”
   3. Include a copy of the most recently issued OPT I-20, a copy of the I-797 OPT Approval Notice and (if you have it) a copy of your OPT EAD.
   4. You will be required to pay the Form I-765 filing fee again.

USCIS will process your EAD replacement request within about three months.

No, students must be present in the United States at the time of the OPT application submission. Otherwise, the OPT will be denied.

Yes, students may work remotely in another state within the United States. Remote work outside of the United States is not permitted, as OPT is a work authorization for work in the United States. Students must report their remote address as their employer’s onsite address and continue to comply with all OPT reporting requirements.

You must complete your degree requirements in the upcoming semester. You must work part-time (20 or fewer hours per week) while you retake your class. Please join a drop-in advising session to speak with an OIS advisor if this has occurred.

USCIS follows Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) for submission deadlines. UTC is typically seven to eight hours ahead of Pacific Time, depending on whether Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time is in effect. To avoid missing your filing deadline, we strongly recommend submitting your Form I-765 at least one day in advance of the due date.

While your USCIS account may show an estimated decision time of nine months under the “myProgress” tab, the typical processing time for OPT applications is still approximately three to four months, provided there are no errors or issues with your application.

If USCIS does not have a recent, acceptable photo on file, they will require a Biometrics Services Appointment (BSA) at a local Application Support Center (ASC). Check your email, USPS mail and USCIS online account regularly after you file your Form I-765 for a biometrics notice and ensure your U.S. mailing address is up to date. If you receive any USCIS notice about photos or biometrics, follow the instructions provided on that notice. If you have any questions regarding the notice, submit the Request to Review USCIS Notice in Trojan International.

Refer to the section on USCIS application decisions for specific instructions.