Optional Practical Training (OPT) – Post-Completion OPT

Eligibility for Post-Completion OPT

You can apply for post-completion OPT if you meet all the following requirements.

• Currently in active F-1 status.
• Enrolled full-time for at least 2 semesters before the start of OPT.
• Physically in the U.S. during the time of your application.
• Have not done 12 or more months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• In your last semester of study.

Note that unlike CPT, you do not need a job offer at the time of applying for post-completion OPT.

Types of Work Allowed on Post-Completion OPT

Your work on post-completion OPT must meet the following requirements.

Your work must be related to your major field of studies

Any employment on post-completion OPT must be directly related to your declared major.

Your work must be an acceptable type of employment

Types of acceptable employment on post-completion OPT include:

• Paid Employment (i.e. employed on the employer’s regular payroll)
• Unpaid employment: Students may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern so long as this position does not violate labor laws. You must maintain your own records with appropriate confirmation from the employer to document that the employment is in your field of study and that you meet the required hours. Note that this type of work is not eligible for STEM Extension.
• Multiple employers: You can work for multiple employers in your field of study.
• 1099 contract employment: This is where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than in an employer/employee relationship. Student should keep detailed records of such employment. Note that this type of employment has very different tax obligations depending on whether you are a resident or non-resident for taxes. Since 1099 employment is generally considered self-employment (which is not allowed on STEM OPT), this type of employment should be avoided during STEM Extension.
• Self-employed/business owner: A student on OPT can start their own business and work for it full-time. Self-employment also includes creating works of art or designing web applications with the expectation of later sales. Note that this type of employment is not eligible for STEM Extension.
• Employment through a staffing agency: Student must keep records to prove that employment assignments are in their field of study and are for at least 20 hours per week. Note that this type of employment is not eligible for STEM Extension.

You must work at least 20 hours per week over a month

While on post-completion OPT, you must be working at least 20 hours per week over a month. This work can be either paid or unpaid.

Responsibilities during Post-Completion OPT

Post-Completion OPT is considered an extension of your F-1 status after graduation. This means that during OPT you will:

• Have an active record in SEVIS under Pomona College;
• Need to stay in touch with the ISSS Office to fulfill your responsibilities;
• Obtain travel signature to re-enter the U.S.; and,
• Need both an unexpired passport and F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S. and resume employment after travel.

In addition, your work under post-completion OPT authorization must meet the following conditions for you to maintain your status.

Do not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment

You are allowed 90 days of unemployment while on post-completion OPT. These days accumulate whether you’re in the U.S. or not. Going over 90 days of unemployment may result in your record being terminated by the government, which would negatively affect future travel back to the U.S.

Important: If you decide to return to your home country and not use your post-completion OPT, inform the ISSS Office right away. Unless the ISSS Office completes your SEVIS record, the system will assume that you are still pursuing OPT, and you will continue to accumulate unemployment days.

Report all employment and address changes within 10 days of the change

While on post-completion OPT, you must report any changes to your job or address within 10 days of the change. You can report these yourself via the SEVP portal. Changes that you need to report include:

• Job title
• Employer name address
• Employer identification number (EIN)
• Work site address (if different than employer’s address)
• Supervisor’s name
• Supervisor’s contact information (name and phone number)
• Start and end dates

If you plan to complete your OPT earlier than your approved time period (due to returning home or beginning graduate studies), notify the ISSS Office directly so the appropriate changes can be made to your SEVIS record.

Critical Timelines

• Earliest Date to Apply: 90 days before the Program End Date on your I-20
• Latest Possible OPT Application Deadline: 60 days after your Program End Date
  • USCIS must receive your application by this date. Since it may take several days for them to receive your application, it’s recommended to submit your application a few days earlier than this deadline.
• Earliest Possible OPT Start Date: no earlier than the day after your Program End Date
• Latest Possible OPT Start Date: no later than 60 days after your Program End Date

Application Process

OPT applications are processed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The ISSS Office will provide guidance and assistance for this process, but you are ultimately responsible for submitting the application and keeping track of its progress. Note that you must be physically in the U.S. when submitting your application.

How to Apply

1. No earlier than 90 days before your Program End Date, fill out an online I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) application. Save the application as a draft and do not submit before you meet with the ISSS Office and obtain a new I-20. Submitting the application without a new I-20 with OPT recommendation will be rejected by USCIS.
2. Schedule an online appointment with a Designated School Official (DSO) in the ISSS Office to screen-share your online application. The DSO will review for completion. After reviewing your application, the DSO will recommend OPT for you in SEVIS and email you a new I-20 with the OPT recommendation notated.
3. Print and sign the new I-20.
4. Upload a scan of the signed I-20 with OPT recommendation to your I-765 application.
5. Submit the application and pay the filing fee.

Tracking Your Application Status

When USCIS receives your electronic application, you will receive an email notification with a receipt. You will also receive your official receipt as a physical copy in the mail. Both will have your individual receipt number, which you can use to track the status of your application online on the USCIS Case Status website.

Request for Evidence (RFE)

You may receive a request for evidence (RFE) if there is a correction or clarification that needs to be made with your application. RFEs can either be issued on your USCIS portal or physically in the mail.

If you receive an RFE, read it carefully and follow its exact instructions. Be sure to respond with all the information requested and within the designated timeframe to avoid further delays with your application.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

After your application is approved, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card in the mail. This card will show the official dates you can work. You must wait until you receive this card to begin working. If you notice any errors on your card (e.g. name, dates, etc.), contact the ISSS Office for guidance.

Important: While waiting for your EAD card, do not throw out any mail without examining it first. The EAD is mailed in a plain priority mail envelope. This envelope will not have a USCIS return address or other signs that indicate it as a government document.

​If you do not receive your card in the mail within 90 - 120 days after applying, contact the ISSS Office for further assistance.

SEVP Portal

On your OPT start date, you will receive an email from SEVP to create an account on the SEVP Portal. In this portal, you can add and self-report changes to the following:

• Residential address
• Phone number
• Employment start/end dates
• Changes to supervisor
• Additional employment (e.g. adding a second employer)

If you do not receive your SEVP portal invitation on the first day of your OPT, email the ISSS Office so we can reset your portal account. Note that the portal invitation will be sent to the email in your SEVIS record.

Traveling while on OPT

Traveling internationally while on OPT or while waiting for your application to be processed comes with some risk. It is important to keep the following in mind if you intend to travel.

Application pending, but before graduation

Before your program completion date, you are still a student with coursework to complete. Your pending OPT application will not have an impact on your return while you are an enrolled student. However, in addition to the normal documents you carry while traveling, you should remember the following while you are traveling:

• Carry your OPT application receipt notice.
• Carry an I-20 with valid travel signature showing your pending OPT authorization.
• Keep an eye out on your MyUSCIS Portal/email in case you are issued a Request for Evidence or other updates that need your prompt attention. If your mail is being sent to the ISSS Office, we’ll let you know if you receive anything from USCIS during your travels.

Application pending and you have already graduated

Traveling during this time is risky and is not recommended. Although the ICE website says you can re-enter the country if you have a pending OPT request, the CBP officer at the U.S. port of entry has the authority to deny admission because of your OPT request. Please remember that OPT is a benefit of your F-1 status and does not inherently grant you the right to return to the U.S. Over the years, advisors across the U.S. have seen students denied entry during this period.

Other risks include the following:

• If your OPT is denied while outside of the U.S., your F-1 status will end, and you will not be able to re-enter in F-1 status.
• If your F-1 visa is expired or will expire while outside of the U.S., it will be difficult to renew it while OPT is still pending.
• If you are issued a Request for Evidence or other updates that need your prompt attention, it may be difficult to respond while abroad. If your mail is being sent to the ISSS Office, we’ll let you know if you receive anything from USCIS during your travels.
• If your EAD card is issued when you’re abroad, you’ll be expected to re-enter the country with it in hand. If your mail is being sent to the ISSS Office, we can coordinate mailing that EAD card to you if this happens. The ISSS Office is unable to take responsibility for mail that is lost in transit.

Note that an attempt to enter the U.S. in any status other than F-1 during this period will end your F-1 status and invalidate your Post-Completion OPT application.

After receiving your OPT EAD card

To minimize the risk of being denied admission to the U.S., you will need to present the following documents at the Port of Entry.

• Unexpired passport and F-1 visa
• Form I-20 with OPT authorization and an unexpired travel signature (note that travel signatures are only valid for 6 months while on OPT)
• EAD card
• Proof of employment (if you are currently employed) or proof of active job search (e.g. job interviews)

Note that an attempt to enter the U.S. in any status other than F-1 will end your F-1 status and your Post-Completion OPT.

Remember that the ISSS Office can make no guarantees regarding your ability to re-enter the U.S. The decision is up to the CBP Officer at your port of entry.

STEM OPT Extension

If you completed your degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics), you may be eligible for an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT Extension). Note that you must apply for STEM OPT before your Post-Completion OPT ends.

See STEM OPT Extension for more information.

After Post-Completion OPT

After your OPT ends, you can remain in the U.S. up to 60 days. While you are in your grace period, you are not allowed to work. See below for options after Post-Completion OPT:

Leave the U.S.

You can leave the U.S. at any time during your 60-day grace period. Once you leave the U.S., you cannot re-enter the country on your Pomona I-20.

Apply for a new visa category/change of status

If you want to explore a new visa category, we recommend working with an immigration attorney. The ISSS Office is only able to provide advice regarding the F and J visas. For limited information about switching to H-1B immediately after OPT, see Cap-Gap Extension.

Transfer to a new school

If you have been accepted to a new academic program for study, we can transfer your F-1 record to your new school. To request a transfer of your record, send the ISSS Office the following information as early as possible. Your transfer must be initiated with Pomona College and completed by the new institution within your grace period and before traveling outside the U.S.:

• Acceptance letter from the new school
• Your new program’s start date (if not included in acceptance letter)
• New school’s SEVIS code
• The date you’d like the ISSS Office to transfer out your record

If your new program begins within 5 months of your program end date, you can remain in the U.S. until your new program’s start date. You will need to receive an I-20 from your new school to return to the U.S. if you plan to travel abroad after your record has been transferred.

If your new program begins more than 5 months after your program end date, the ISSS Office will be unable to transfer your record. Instead, you will need to leave the country by the end of your 60-day grace period, then re-enter on a new initial I-20 from your new school. Consult your new school for more information about their procedures and timelines for requesting an initial I-20.