Program End Date
Post-Completion OPT Application Window
- Earliest date to apply for OPT
- Program end date09/20/2021
- Latest date USCIS will accept OPT application11/19/2021
Based on your program end date…
The earliest date to apply for OPT is
The latest date USCIS must receive your OPT application is
N/B: Your OPT application must also be received by USCIS within 30 days from the date your OPT I-20 is issued by your DSO. So it is best to send your OPT application in as soon as you receive your OPT I-20.
With USCIS processing times for the OPT taking up to 120 days, it is highly recommended that you APPLY AS SOON AS YOUR OPT WINDOW OPENS.
Choosing Your OPT Start Date
- Program completion date
- Earliest OPT start date
- Last OPT start date
Based on your program end date…
The earliest OPT start date is
The latest OPT start date is
You may choose a start date that falls on or between through
N/B: If you don’t have a job offer and you’re concerned about accruing OPT unemployment days, you may choose a start date that falls on a weekday between through
Calculating Remaining OPT Employment Days
Have you previously been approved for Pre-Completion OPT during your current level of study?
Please enter your “Valid From” and “Card Expires” dates appearing on your EAD card
| Valid From | Card Expires | Employment Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
0 day(s) | ||||
0 day(s) | ||||
0 day(s) |
Important Dates
| Program end date on Form I-20 | |
| OPT application window opens | |
| Earliest OPT start date | |
| Latest OPT start date | 09/18/2021 |
| *Latest OPT end Date | 09/18/2021 |
*Assuming you have not used any pre-completion OPT during your current education level, you will have 365 days of Post-Completion OPT employment.
If you choose an OPT start date of , your OPT end date will be
Grab your FREE OPT Checklist to ensure your OPT application is complete FREE F-1 OPT Application Checklist - Sojourning Scholar
OPT Calculator: Determine Your OPT Start And End Dates for Your OPT Application
Our OPT calculator tool is designed to help US international students in an F-1 status apply for Post-Completion OPT (Optional Practical Training).
The Post-Completion OPT is an employment authorization from the US government that allows F-1 students to work in the United States after the completion of their studies. The other types of OPT are Pre-Completion OPT and STEM OPT.
The OPT calculator seamlessly generates your OPT application window as well as your available OPT start date based on the the program end date you supply.
You will need to know your OPT start and end dates before you begin your Post-Completion OPT application. As your Designated School Official (DSO) will need these dates to generate your Form I-20 endorsed for Post-Completion OPT.
Features of the OPT calculator
How to use the OPT calculator
Here's a guide describing the information you will need to input into the OPT calculator.
Program end date: In this field, enter the program end date as it appears on your current Form I-20. You can enter the dates in the MM/DD/YYYY format, or you can simply choose a date from the drop-down calendar. After entering your program end date click on the calculate button.
In most cases, your program end date will be the same date as your official graduation date, defined by your university's registrar. However, certain graduate level students might have a program end date that differs from the university's official graduation date.
Have you previously been approved for Pre-Completion OPT during your current level of study?: Answer YES if you have received OPT authorization at your current degree level. Answer NO if you have not received any OPT authorization at your current degree level.
If you answered NO, in the input field besides "For an OPT start date of" choose an available OPT start date then click on the continue button.
If you answered YES above, provide the dates for "Valid From" and "Card Expires" that are shown on the EAD card(s) you received for your previous OPT authorization(s). Then select the "Employment Type" for each OPT authorization, which could be Full-time OPT or Part-time OPT. Click on the confirm button when complete.
In the input field besides "For an OPT start date of" choose an available OPT start date then click on the continue button.
A summary of the most important dates to keep in mind will be generated. Make a note of these dates, ensuring your Post-Completion OPT is received by USCIS within 30 days from the date your DSO issues your OPT Form I-20.
Remember that you don't need a job offer to apply for Post-Completion OPT. So applying as early as possible is highly recommended.
Best of luck on your OPT journey!
DISCLAIMER: Content found anywhere on this website is presented as general information only and is NOT legal advice. We are not a law firm, and so the information presented in this blog and anywhere else on this website should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need personalized legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.