How to Apply for OPT in 2026 — Complete Step by Step Guide

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary work authorization that allows F-1 international students to gain practical experience directly related to their field of study. You can use OPT either before completing your degree (pre-completion) or, more commonly, for up to 12 months after graduation (post-completion). Students in STEM fields may extend this for an extra 24 months — see our STEM OPT extension guide.

Who is eligible for OPT?

You qualify for post-completion OPT if you:

• Have maintained valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year
• Are enrolled at a SEVP-certified U.S. school
• Have not previously used 12 months of full-time OPT at the same education level
• Plan to work in a job directly related to your major

When to apply (timing matters)

You can file Form I-765 with USCIS up to 90 days before your program end date and up to 60 days after. USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of your DSO issuing the OPT-recommended I-20. Filing late is the #1 reason OPT applications get denied, so mark your calendar early.

Documents you need

• Completed Form I-765 (latest USCIS edition)
• Form G-1145 (optional — for email/text notifications)
• Filing fee ($470 for paper, $410 online as of 2026 — confirm on USCIS.gov)
• Two passport-style photos (2x2 inches, taken within 30 days)
• Copy of your OPT-recommended I-20 (signed by you and your DSO, within 30 days)
• Copy of your passport biographic page
• Copy of your most recent F-1 visa stamp
• Copy of your most recent I-94 arrival/departure record
• Copies of all previous EADs (if any)
• Copies of all previous I-20s

How to fill Form I-765

Form I-765 is short — 7 pages — but several fields trip students up every year. The most important is the eligibility category: for standard post-completion OPT it's (c)(3)(B). Read our I-765 field-by-field instructions and our eligibility category guide before submitting.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Wrong eligibility code (using (c)(3)(A) instead of (c)(3)(B))
• Mailing address where you won't be in 3–5 months (your EAD goes there)
• Photos that don't meet USCIS specs
• Missing the DSO signature on your I-20
• Filing more than 30 days after your I-20 was issued
• Forgetting to sign Form I-765 in the right place

Processing times

Current OPT processing takes 3 to 5 months on average. Track yours on the USCIS case status page. For a deeper look, see our OPT processing time guide.

What happens after approval

USCIS mails you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with your start and end dates. You cannot legally work even one day before the start date printed on the card. Once it arrives:

1. Verify your name, dates, and category are correct
2. Apply for or update your SSN if needed
3. Report your employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting work
4. Track your unemployment days — 90 days max for standard OPT