Applying for OPT

Notice that this information has not been updated for new ruling
IMPORTANT NOTICE On September 14, 2026, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to delay the implementation of the D/S final rule. The rule will not be implemented while litigation proceeds. Consequently, current F and J regulations under the “duration of status” framework are still in place and this webpage currently reflects those regulations. Please contact ISSP at globe@wm.edu with any questions. �鶹�ƽ�� the Immigration Updates webpage for more information about the elimination of D/S final rule.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) gives F-1 students the opportunity to gain work experience in their program or major field of study for up to 12 months while continuing to maintain their F-1 status with an immigration record/I-20 at �鶹�ƽ��. Review the OPT homepage to see if you're eligible to apply.

ISSP has also compiled multiple resources to help you understand what OPT is, how to apply, and what to expect after submitting your application. Please pay careful attention to steps outlined below which detail ISSP's OPT application process for F-1 students. Please also review the following resources to help you with the process:

It is not possible to apply for both pre-completion and post-completion OPT in the same application. Students must apply for each separately and cannot have periods of pre- and post-completion OPT that overlap with one another.

Buttons for pre- and post-completion opt processes
Pre-Completion OPT Application Process	Post-Completion OPT Application Process

Pre-Completion OPT Application Process

The earliest you can apply for pre-completion OPT is 90 days before completing one full academic year in F-1 status and/or 90 days before the employment start date. All employment on pre-completion OPT must end before your graduation date.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. Benefits of applying early include having time to fix errors in your application, additional processing time for your application, and being able to take other actions earlier, such as extending your driver's license or applying for an SSN.

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Review ISSP's resources on pre-completion OPT to understand what it is, if you are eligible, how to apply, and what to expect after submitting your application.

ISSP recommends avoiding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist you with your OPT application, as AI tools may provide inaccurate or incomplete information and omit information specific to W&M and VIMS. We recommend using resources provided by ISSP.

Decide when you want your OPT employment period to begin, within the following parameters:

The OPT start date must begin by the time you have been in F-1 status for 1 full academic year.
Your OPT end date must be before your graduation date/the end date listed on your I-20.

Tips for Choosing OPT Dates / Impact on Post-Completion OPT

OPT applications typically take between 2-5 months for processing before a decision is made.
Think about giving yourself time to search for a job while your application is pending.
If you already have a job offer to begin working as soon as your application is approved, discuss with your employer when they want you to start working.
Keep in mind that any OPT you use before graduation will impact on the amount of OPT you have available to use after graduation:
- Students are granted 12 months of OPT per degree level
- Using pre-completion OPT reduces the amount of OPT available after graduation
  - Full-time - reduces OPT at 100% rate
  - Part-time - reduces OPT at 50% rate
- If you apply for pre-completion OPT but do not use it, this will likely still reduce post-completion OPT
- To apply for the OPT STEM Extension, students must apply to extend a current period of post-completion OPT. Therefore, to remain eligible for the OPT STEM Extension, students should keep some post-completion OPT available for use after graduation.

Keep in mind that choosing your OPT start date is the student's individual responsibility and the best start date will differ from person to person. ISSP staff can help you think through some of these considerations, but cannot recommend a best start date for you.

An OPT appointment is required for students seeking pre-completion OPT. . Before scheduling an appointment, please complete the following:

Read through ISSP's OPT webpages
Review ISSP's OPT resources
Review the (click "File Online") so you can ask questions during the appointment

Before submitting your OPT application to USCIS, you must request your OPT I-20 from ISSP. Once you receive your OPT I-20, you must submit your OPT application to USCIS within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issue date. Your OPT application will be denied if you do not include an OPT I-20 that was processed by ISSP within the past 30 days.

To request an OPT I-20 from ISSP:

Login to with your W&M ID and password.
Select F-1 Practical Training and click on OPT I-20 Request.

While ISSP staff are available to discuss the OPT process with you, you are ultimately responsible for the application you submit to USCIS and the outcome.

You must be physically present in the U.S. when you submit your application to USCIS
You must submit your OPT application within 30 days of your OPT I-20 issue date
Review ISSP's OPT Packet, which includes an application checklist, a list of required documents, and additional tips from ISSP
Apply online by filing with USCIS (click on "File Online")

If you file your OPT application online, you will immediately receive a receipt number (starting with IOE). After 2-3 weeks of filing, USCIS will also mail you a paper Receipt Notice. You can use the receipt number to check your .

After submitting your OPT application, you should receive an Appointment Notice or Request for Further Evidence (RFE) with instructions to attend a biometrics appointment to have your photo taken. This information may also be posted in your myUSCIS portal account, and thus you are encouraged to check your account regularly for updates. You must follow these instructions before your OPT application is processed.

If you do not receive information about your scheduled biometrics appointment 2 weeks after submitting your OPT application to USCIS, please contact ISSP at globe@wm.edu for assistance.

OPT application processing typically takes several months. You can check current processing times on the website:

Form - I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization
Form Category - Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]
Field Office or Service Center - Service Center Operations (SCOPS)

Once your OPT is approved, USCIS will create and mail your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card to the mailing address you submitted in your application. You may begin working only after receiving your physical EAD card AND the start date listed on your EAD card has been reached.

Review ISSP's additional resources for students on OPT:

Post-Completion OPT Application Process

The earliest you can apply for post-completion OPT is 90 days before the program end date listed on your I-20. The latest you can apply is 60 days after your program end date, before the end of your 60-day grace period.

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Students interested in applying for post-completion OPT must attend an OPT Information Session before beginning the application process. ISSP holds multiple OPT information sessions each semester. See for dates and times of the info sessions being offered this semester.

Fall 2026 Semester OPT Info Sessions:

Friday, September 25 at 2:00pm - Virtual (Zoom link sent to international student listserv)
Tuesday, October 6 at 4:00pm - Virtual (Zoom link sent to international student listserv)

A video recording of the most recent post-completion OPT info session is also available in the Video Library.

Decide when you want your OPT employment period to begin, within the following parameters:

The OPT start date must begin after the program end date listed on your I-20 and before the end of your 60-day grace period.
Your OPT end date will be 12 months from your selected OPT start date. Please note that if your start date is February 1, 2027, then your end date will be January 31, 2028, not February 1, 2028.
OPT dates for students getting a degree conferred on January 22, 2027:
- Earliest start and end date: January 23, 2027 - January 22, 2028
- Latest start and end date: March 23, 2027 - March 22, 2028

Tips for Choosing an OPT Start Date

OPT applications typically take between 2-5 months for processing before a decision is made. Students who apply later than 1 month after the application window opens typically wait longer for their application to process (sometimes until July or August for Spring graduates), so a later start date might be better if you do not apply right away.
Think about giving yourself time to search for a job after graduation. If your OPT begins as soon as your program ends, you might accrue unemployment days while searching for a job.
If you plan to travel internationally after graduation, consider giving yourself a later start date so you do not accrue unemployment days before returning to the U.S.
If you already have a job offer to begin working after graduation, discuss with your employer when they want you to start working.

To request an OPT I-20 from ISSP:

Login to with your W&M ID and password.
Select F-1 Practical Training and click on OPT I-20 Request.

You may with an ISSP advisor after requesting your OPT I-20 if you wish to discuss questions related to your OPT. Your OPT I-20 will be processed and sent to you via email after your appointment.

Before scheduling an appointment, please complete the following:

Make sure you have attended an OPT Information Session (see step 1 below)
Read through ISSP's OPT webpages
Review ISSP's OPT resources (OPT packet and info session slides)
Review the (click "File Online") so you can ask questions during the appointment

While ISSP staff are available to discuss the OPT process with you, you are ultimately responsible for the application you submit to USCIS and the outcome.

You must be physically present in the U.S. when you submit your application to USCIS
You must submit your OPT application within 30 days of your OPT I-20 issue date
USCIS must receive your application no later than 60 days after the program end date listed on your I-20
Review ISSP's OPT Packet, which includes an application checklist, a list of required documents, and additional tips from ISSP
Apply online by filing with USCIS (click on "File Online")

OPT application processing typically takes several months. You can check current processing times on the website:

Form - I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization
Form Category - Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]
Field Office or Service Center - Service Center Operations (SCOPS)

Review ISSP's additional resources for students on OPT:

Learn More about OPT

OPT Home

Quick facts about OPT, eligibility, duration, and timeline.
Applying for OPT

Detailed information about the OPT application process and timeline.
Employment Requirements

Ensure that your job meets OPT employment requirements and learn about unemployment limits while on OPT.
Reporting

Know what you are required to report to SEVP while on OPT.
OPT STEM Extension

Eligible students can apply for a 24-month extension to their OPT employment period.
Traveling Abroad While on OPT

What to know about traveling internationally while on post-completion OPT.
H-1B Cap Gap Extension

Eligible F-1s can apply for an extension of their F-1 status/OPT until their new H-1B status begins.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Pre-Completion OPT Application Process

Topics

Step 1: Review Online Resources

Step 2: Select OPT Dates

Step 3: Meet with an ISSP Advisor

Step 4: Request OPT I-20

Step 5: Apply for OPT Online

Step 6: After Filing OPT Application

Step 7: Your OPT is Approved

Post-Completion OPT Application Process

Topics

Step 1: Attend an OPT Session

Step 2: Select OPT Dates

Step 3: Request OPT I-20

Step 4: Apply for OPT Online

Step 5: After Filing OPT Application

Step 6: Your OPT is Approved

Learn More about OPT