Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to work in the United States in a job directly related to their field of study — for up to 12 months, with a 24-month STEM extension available for qualifying degrees. OPT is one of the most important work authorization pathways for international students in 2026.
This guide covers standard OPT, pre-completion vs post-completion, STEM OPT extension requirements, CAP-GAP, filing fees, processing times, and the common path from OPT to H-1B or Green Card.
The published final rule also contains an OPT/STEM OPT transition date of March 18, 2027, calculated as 244 days after the rule’s July 17 publication. Because implementation of the rule is currently postponed, do not treat that provision as an operative filing deadline today. OPT and STEM OPT continue to operate under the existing rules described below. See our F-1/J-1 Duration of Status rule guide for the postponed I-94, extension-of-stay and OPT transition details.
Last reviewed: August 27, 2026. Filing fees, premium-processing availability and CAP-GAP rules below were checked against current USCIS guidance.
- OPT Overview: 12 Months + 24-Month STEM Extension
- Pre-Completion vs Post-Completion OPT
- OPT Eligibility Requirements
- F-1 OPT Fees 2026
- OPT Processing Times and Premium Processing in 2026
- STEM OPT Extension — Full Requirements
- The 180-Day Automatic Extension (Critical for STEM OPT)
- Unemployment Limits During OPT
- CAP-GAP: Bridging OPT to H-1B
- OPT to Green Card Pathways
- Frequently Asked Questions
OPT Overview: 12 Months + 24-Month STEM Extension
| Type | Duration | Who Qualifies | Authorization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard OPT | 12 months | All F-1 students (any major) | EAD card from USCIS |
| STEM OPT Extension | 24 additional months (36 total) | F-1 students with qualifying STEM degree + E-Verify employer | EAD renewal + I-983 Training Plan |
Pre-Completion vs Post-Completion OPT
| Type | When | Hours Allowed | Impact on 12-Month Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Completion OPT | Before graduation, while still enrolled | Up to 20 hrs/week during school; full-time during breaks | Each month of pre-completion OPT deducted from 12-month total |
| Post-Completion OPT | After your program end date | Full-time (40+ hrs/week) | Remaining months after any pre-completion OPT used |
Most students use post-completion OPT only, preserving the full 12 months for full-time employment after graduation.
OPT Eligibility Requirements
- Valid F-1 status
- Enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. school for at least one full academic year
- The job must be directly related to your major area of study
- You have not previously used 12 months of OPT at the same degree level (separate OPT available for each higher degree)
F-1 OPT Fees 2026
| Filing | Current USCIS fee |
|---|---|
| Form I-765 online filing | $470 |
| Form I-765 paper filing | $520 |
| Optional Form I-907 premium processing | $1,780 in addition to the I-765 fee |
Always verify the current USCIS Fee Schedule before filing. Do not assume a general Form I-912 fee waiver applies to an F-1 OPT filing; fee-waiver eligibility is category-specific.
OPT Processing Times and Premium Processing in 2026
Standard Form I-765 processing times change over time and by workload. Check the current USCIS processing-time tool instead of relying on a fixed 3–5 month estimate.
| Processing option | What USCIS currently says |
|---|---|
| Standard Form I-765 | Processing time varies; check the USCIS case-processing-time tool. |
| Premium Processing with Form I-907 | Available for eligible F-1 OPT/STEM OPT Form I-765 categories. Current I-907 fee: $1,780. USCIS Form I-907 Instructions list a 30-day premium-processing timeframe after all prerequisites are met. Do not describe this as 30 business days. |
Post-completion OPT filing window: Form I-765 may generally be filed up to 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after it. The DSO must first enter the OPT recommendation in SEVIS, and USCIS must receive Form I-765 within 30 days of that recommendation.
STEM OPT filing window: Form I-765 may generally be filed up to 90 days before the current OPT EAD expires, and USCIS must receive it within 60 days of the DSO’s STEM OPT recommendation.
Premium processing does not change OPT eligibility rules, the requested employment dates, or the need for a valid DSO recommendation.
STEM OPT Extension — Full Requirements
To qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, ALL of the following must be true:
Student Requirements
- Currently on valid post-completion OPT (not pre-completion)
- Earned a qualifying U.S. STEM degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD) — check the STEM Designated Degree Program List at ice.gov
- The OPT job must be directly related to your STEM degree
- No more than 150 days of unemployment during the combined OPT and STEM OPT period
Employer Requirements
- Employer must be enrolled in and use E-Verify — not just signed up, but actively using it
- Must have a valid Employee Identification Number (EIN)
- Must sign Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
- Must provide structured training that develops the student’s skills in their STEM field
Form I-983 Training Plan
The I-983 must be signed by both you and your employer’s authorized training supervisor. It describes:
- Your job title, duties, and how they relate to your STEM degree
- Your compensation and how it compares to similarly situated U.S. workers (anti-displacement requirement)
- Learning objectives and how the employer will evaluate your progress
- Required reporting: self-evaluation every 6 months; update the I-983 if job changes
The 180-Day Automatic Extension (Critical for STEM OPT)
If you file your STEM OPT extension application before your current OPT EAD expires, you receive an automatic 180-day extension of your work authorization while USCIS processes your new application. This prevents a work authorization gap. If you file late (even one day after your EAD expires), the automatic extension does NOT apply.
Unemployment Limits During OPT
| Period | Max Unemployment Days |
|---|---|
| Standard OPT (12 months) | 90 days total |
| STEM OPT extension (24 months) | 60 additional days |
| Combined OPT + STEM OPT | 150 days total |
Unemployment means any period when you are not employed in a job directly related to your field. Self-employment and volunteer work may or may not count — check with your DSO. Exceeding the limit is a status violation.
CAP-GAP: Bridging OPT to H-1B
CAP-GAP can automatically extend qualifying F-1 status and, when applicable, employment authorization for certain students with a timely filed cap-subject H-1B petition requesting change of status.
Under the current H-1B modernization rule, the automatic cap-gap period can extend through April 1 of the fiscal year for which H-1B status is requested, rather than ending on September 30 as under the older rule.
Selection in the H-1B registration process by itself is not the same as qualifying for CAP-GAP. The employer must timely file the qualifying H-1B petition requesting change of status, and the extension can end earlier if the petition is rejected, denied, revoked, withdrawn, or the change-of-status request is otherwise not maintained.
See our H-1B Visa Complete Guide for the broader H-1B process.
OPT to Green Card Pathways
| Path | How | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| OPT → H-1B → EB-2/EB-3 Green Card | Employer files H-1B, then sponsors PERM/I-140 | H-1B: 1+ years. PERM + I-140 + I-485: 2-10+ years depending on country |
| OPT → H-1B → EB-1A self-petition | Build extraordinary ability record during OPT/H-1B, self-petition EB-1A | No PERM, faster for most nationalities |
| OPT → Marriage to U.S. citizen | Immediate relative I-130 + concurrent I-485 | Fastest path, ~12-18 months |
| OPT → O-1 (if qualified) | Cap-exempt, no lottery, can work for multiple employers via agent | O-1 approval 3-6 months, then continue building GC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is premium processing available for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT?
Yes. USCIS allows eligible F-1 Form I-765 OPT categories to request Premium Processing using Form I-907. The current I-907 fee is $1,780 in addition to the Form I-765 filing fee, and USCIS Form I-907 Instructions list a 30-day premium-processing timeframe after all prerequisites are met. Do not describe this as 30 business days.
How long does CAP-GAP last under the current rule?
For a qualifying cap-subject H-1B petition requesting change of status, the current regulation can extend the cap-gap period through April 1 of the fiscal year for which H-1B status is requested. It may end earlier depending on what happens to the H-1B petition or change-of-status request.
When can I file for post-completion OPT?
USCIS generally permits filing up to 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after it. The DSO must first enter the recommendation in SEVIS, and Form I-765 must be filed within 30 days of that recommendation.
When can I file for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
USCIS generally permits filing up to 90 days before the current OPT EAD expires. The STEM OPT recommendation must be entered by the DSO first, and Form I-765 must be received within 60 days of that recommendation.
Related: H-1B Visa Complete Guide · O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa · DS-160 Form Guide
