Students planning to apply for Post-Completion OPT should note the following:
- Students must use Post-Completion OPT directly following program completion and may not save OPT to use at a later time. The initial 12-month period of post-completion OPT must be completed within a 14-month period following program completion.
- Students may request the Post-Completion OPT start date to be any day within the 60-day grace period following the student's program completion. Confirm your program end date with your F-1 advisor.
- Upon submission of the OPT application, the student's program end date in SEVIS will be updated if necessary; the program may be shortened to reflect the expected date of program completion. The student's new Form I-20 recommending OPT will show the new program end date if any change is required. The 60-day grace period will be based on the program end date on the new I-20.
All students are advised to confirm their eligibility for graduation with their academic advisor or department before applying for Post-Completion OPT. It may not be possible to change or cancel an OPT application after it has been submitted to USCIS. Students who learn they may not complete their program as expected must contact OISS immediately as this can affect your application for OPT.
