Post-Completion OPT Resources

Note: All eligible F-1 students must receive an OPT Recommendation I-20 from ISSO BEFORE submitting an online OPT application to USCIS.

Overview - What is OPT?

  • Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period of work authorization that takes place after a student's I-20 Program End Date.
  • OPT is an opportunity for F-1 students to take what they learned in the classroom and apply their knowledge to a U.S. work setting. As such, all work must be directly related to a student's level and major field of study.
  • Post-Completion OPT is authorized for up to 12 months, depending on date of approval and if a student has used any prior Pre-Completion OPT.

Before Submitting OPT Application

Determine Your I-20 Program End Date

When you apply for OPT, your I-20 program end date may be shortened to a new program completion date. The new I-20 end date is particularly important when applying for OPT, as it determines the timeline to apply for OPT. 

  • Undergraduate students:
    • End Date: Last day of the semester in which the final required courses for the degree were taken
  • Graduate students students in coursework only programs:
    • End date: Last day of the semester in which the final required courses for the degree were taken
  • Graduate students with creative component, thesis, or dissertation:
    • There are multiple options for selecting a program end date:
      • Last day of the final semester of required enrollment (term in which you give your final oral exam)
        • This is most common, as many graduate students will have an assistantship appointment through their entire final semester
      • Exact date of your final oral exam
        • Typically only used by students with a desired job start date that is in the middle of their final semester.
        • Note: Assistantship position will also be shortened to date of final oral exam (may impact tuition scholarship and stipend)
      • Last day of any semester following the completion of all academic coursework requirements (research credits excluded)
        • Least common. Typically only used by students with full-time job offer that have lost assistantship funding.
        • Note: Assistantship position must end by I-20 Program End Date. Continuous enrollment may still be required until program is completed. Without assistantship, student may need to self-fund tuition cost.

Program Completion Date and Its Impact on On-Campus Employment and OPT Requested Start Date

  • I-20 Program End Date: Your actual I-20 Program End Date will be shortened when processing your OPT request, if needed.
  • On-campus Employment: All on-campus employment must end on or before your I-20 Program End Date.
    • This includes graduate assistantships or student hourly work.must end no later than your program completion date. 
    • Your I-9 work authorization will be shortened and on-campus job supervisor will be notified of your updated employment eligibility.
  • OPT Requested Start Date: Your I-20 Program End Date impacts your options for a requested OPT start date.
    • At earliest, your OPT requested start date can be 1 day after your I-20 Program End Date.
    • At latest, your OPT requested start date can be 30* days after your I-20 Program End Date.
      • *Students who were continuously present in the United States since 09/14/2026 may still be able to request an OPT start date within 60 days after their I-20 Program End Date. Due to uncertainties in USCIS processing, requesting a start date within 30 days may be recommended.

Eligibility and Timeline for Applying

  • Eligibility: Generally, F-1 students are eligible for OPT after they have been continuously enrolled at Iowa State University for one academic year (two semesters).
    • OPT is only supported for degree-seeking programs (bachelor's, master's, doctorate) and certain Veterinary Medicine programs (DVM, PAVE).
  • Timeline: USCIS will deny applications submitted outside of the appropriate timeframe.
    • Students can submit their OPT application to USCIS no more than 90 days before their I-20 Program End Date.
    • Students can submit their OPT application to USCIS no more than 30* days after their I-20 Program End Date
      • *Students who were continuously present in the United States since 09/14/2026 may still be able to submit their application within 60 days after their I-20 Program End Date. Due to uncertainties in USCIS processing, applying within 30 days after their I-20 Program End Date may be recommended.
    • Students must submit their OPT application within 30 days of when their OPT Recommendation I-20 was issued.
      • If you are unable to apply within 30 days, contact ISSO immediately to have your request cancelled and a new OPT Recommendation I-20 issued.
  • Exclusions: The following students are not eligible to apply for OPT.
    • Students who have utilized 365 days of more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at their current education level.
    • Students who have previously been authorized for OPT at their current education level or at a higher education level.
    • Students who returned to the U.S. with a new SEVIS ID number and have not completed one academic year.

OPT Application Process

Attend OPT Workshop in Cystart

The OPT Workshop is required for all applicants.

  • Navigate to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Checklist, located in the F-1 Student Services menu in Cystart
  • Review the four OPT Workshop modules. These can be completed at anytime.
  • ISSO also hosts a few in-person OPT Workshop sessions throughout the semester, giving students the opportunity to ask questions about the process. You must complete the online OPT Workshop even if you also attend an in-person session.

Submit OPT Recommendation I-20 Request

  • Return to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Checklist in Cystart. 
  • Submit Optional Practical Training Recommendation I-20 e-form.
    • The form will route to your academic or faculty advisor to confirm your eligibility for Optional Practical Training.
    • Once feedback is received, the form will route to an ISSO advisor for processing.
  • Receive email from ISSO to pick up OPT Recommendation I-20. The printed OPT Recommendation I-20 is required before submitting your final application.
    • Note: For applications submitted to USCIS, ISSO will only print physical copies of the I-20, to avoid issues with digital signatures. If you are in the Ames area, you must collect your OPT Recommendation I-20 from the ISSO. If you are outside of the Ames area, we will mail the document to you at no cost (USPS untracked mail) or you can pay for a FedEx mailing service.
  • After collecting I-20, review Program End Date and OPT Requested Start and End Date or any errors or inaccuracies.

Review Application Materials

  • Gather OPT application documents. A copy of the OPT Application Checklist will be included with your OPT Recommendation I-20
  • Reference Guide to Online OPT Application as a resource for completing OPT application
    • After content of application completed, but before submitting payment, download "Draft" copy of application for review.
  • Return to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Checklist in Cystart. 
  • Submit OPT Application Review e-form (recommended)
    • An ISSO advisor will review your application for completeness within two business days. 
    • Note: ISSO does not assist with your application in any formal capacity. If you would like assistance with filing, it is advised to contact an immigration attorney.
  • Submit OPT application online in myUSCIS

 

After Application Submission

While Application is Pending

  • Receipt Notice: An unofficial receipt notice should be available for download from your myUSCIS account immediately. An official receipt notice will be sent to your mailing address a few weeks after submission.
  • Biometric Notice: Most applicants receive a notice to attend a biometric notice at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC).
    • The appointment should be scheduled at the ASC located closest to the applicant's physical living address reported on their Form I-765.
    • Appointment location or date may be able to be rescheduled in your myUSCIS account.
    • Applicants who have provided a photo at an ASC within the past 3 years may be exempt from the biometric requirement.
  • Processing Times: Application times vary greatly.
  • Change of Living Address:
    • Students with pending OPT applications can report changes to their living address by using the “OPT/Academic Training - U.S. Living Address Reporting” e-form, located in the Student Services menu in Cystart.
  • Change of Mailing Address:
    • If you need to update the mailing address on your OPT application, you must submit a change of address request with USCIS.
    • OPT applicants are welcome to use the ISSO address as a mailing address
      • In Care Of: ISSO
      • 2229 Lincoln Way
      • Ste. 4530
      • Ames, IA 50014
    • Note: ISSO will not send an emailed copy of your EAD. If you opt to use ISSO as your mailing address, you must either collect your EAD card in-person or submit a Document Mailing request to have the card mailed to your current address (at your cost).
  • Application Withdrawal: Contact ISSO immediately if you wish to withdraw your application. 
    • The OPT application withdrawal request must be made before USCIS processes your application. 
    • Students will not receive a refund of the application fee.

After Approval

  • Employment Authorization Document: EAD card should be received within 1-2 weeks of approval date.
    • If approved before requested start date, then requested start date should be granted.
    • If approved after requested start date, USCIS will adjust EAD start date to actual date of approval.
  • SEVP Portal: You should receive automated email on actual OPT start date to register account.
    • Account must be registered within 10 days of receiving link.
    • Employment or living address changes can be reported via Portal account within 10 days of change occurring.
    • Contact ISSO if you do not receive Portal creation link or if you have errors when reporting employment or living address changes.
  • Starting Employment: Employment can only begin after EAD card received.
    • Use EAD to complete Form I-9 (employment eligibility verification) with employer
    • Report employment in SEVP Portal within 10 days of start date.
  • Updated I-20: Any updated I-20 is recommended after OPT employment is reported.
    • Submit OPT Reporting e-form in Cystart for reason of New I-20 Request.

During OPT

ISSO and University Resources

  • ISSO Advising: Students on OPT remain in an F-1 immigration status and still have updated I-20s issued by ISSO.
    • Students on OPT can still contact or schedule an appointment with their assigned ISSO advisor.
  • ISU NetID: Students on OPT still maintain access to their ISU NetID and email. 
    • Your ISU email remains the account associated with your F-1 immigration record and SEVP Portal.
    • Your NetID will deactivate shortly after your OPT authorization or F-1 status ends. Students should back up any data associated with their accounts prior to ending their OPT or F-1 immigration status.

Eligible Employment on Post-Completion OPT

  • All employment must be directly related to the major(s) listed on your I-20.
  • Employment during OPT is flexible. This may include:   
    • Paid or unpaid work
      • Unpaid positions at Iowa State require approval from the Office of Risk Management
    • Working for multiple employers
    • Working remotely
      • Speak with your ISSO advisor if working remotely from outside U.S.
    • Short-term or contract work
    • Employment through staffing or placement agency
    • Self-employment or self-employed business owner
      • Self-employment or starting a business is a complicated process in the U.S. Students interested in these options are advised to contact an immigration and business/tax attorney.

Unemployment on OPT

  • Students are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during their entire Post-Completion OPT authorization.
  • Unemployment days will begin counting from the start date listed on EAD card.
  • If hired by a company and given authorized leave (e.g., vacation, PTO, or unpaid leave) - this time does not need to be counted as unemployment.
  • Exceeding 90 days is a violation of your F-1 immigration status. Before reaching the 90th day of unemployment, you must:
    • Start a qualifying employment position and report employment in SEVP Portal
    • Transfer to another U.S. school, if eligible
    • Have a new I-20 issued for a higher education level at ISU, if eligible
    • Depart the U.S., ending your F-1 immigration status
    • Otherwise apply to change immigration status within the U.S. (advised to consult immigration attorney regarding change of status options)

Study During OPT

  • Study during OPT that is recreational or avocational is generally allowed (e.g., language or fitness class taken for fun).
  • Beginning a new program of study (i.e., degree program or other education credential) may terminate an OPT authorization. Contact ISSO to discuss whether your future enrollment plans will impact your OPT authorization.

Travel During OPT

Planning for STEM OPT

  • Students with a STEM designated CIP code and with qualifying employment may apply for a 24-month extension of OPT (STEM OPT). Students can apply for STEM OPT up to 90 days before their EAD card end date but no later than the end date of their EAD card. 
  • Read in more detail on Optional Practical Training STEM Extension. 

After OPT

  • For students who have maintained status throughout OPT and have reached their OPT end date, you will have a 30-day grace period in which you can: 
    • Transfer to another U.S. school, if eligible
    • Have a new I-20 issued for a higher education level at ISU, if eligible
    • Depart the U.S., ending your F-1 immigration status
    • Otherwise apply to change immigration status within the U.S. (advised to consult immigration attorney regarding change of status options)

 

 

This information is general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Students with questions about their individual immigration status should consult an immigration attorney. 

Optional Practical Training