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OPT Tracker & H-1B Finder

OPT (Optional Practical Training) is 12 months of work authorization for F-1 international students after completing their academic program in the United States, as authorized under 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(10)(ii).

According to USCIS, OPT allows F-1 students to work in positions directly related to their major field of study. Students apply using Form I-765 to USCIS. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by an additional 24 months under the 2016 STEM OPT Final Rule (Federal Register, Vol. 81, No. 48), for a total of 36 months of work authorization.

According to USCIS regulations (8 CFR § 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)), F-1 students on post-completion OPT are allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment.

The 90-day limit applies to your initial OPT period. Per 8 CFR § 214.16(f), STEM OPT holders receive a separate 60-day allowance. Unused days from initial OPT do not carry forward to the STEM period. TrackMyOPT's unemployment clock tracks these days automatically.

The 90-day rule, established in 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E), limits F-1 students on OPT to a maximum of 90 cumulative days without employment.

During your 12-month OPT period, you cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days total. According to USCIS, each day without qualifying employment counts toward this limit. Employment must be at least 20 hours per week and directly related to your major. Self-employment, unpaid internships, and volunteer work can count if they meet these requirements.

No, you cannot work while your initial OPT application is pending, unless you have another valid work authorization. However, STEM OPT extension applicants may continue working for up to 180 days while their extension is pending, per 8 CFR § 274a.12(b)(6)(iv).

According to USCIS, initial OPT applicants must wait until they receive their EAD card before beginning employment. The automatic 180-day extension for STEM OPT applicants only applies if you filed the extension before your current OPT expired and you are working for the same E-Verify employer listed on your Form I-983.

STEM OPT is a 24-month extension, authorized under the 2016 STEM OPT Final Rule (81 FR 13039), that allows F-1 students with STEM degrees to work in the US for up to 36 months total.

According to USCIS, STEM OPT extends your work authorization beyond the initial 12-month OPT. To qualify, your degree must be on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (updated May 2022 with 400+ CIP codes), and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. You must complete Form I-983 (Training Plan) with your employer and file Form I-765 before your initial OPT expires.

Apply for STEM OPT by completing Form I-983 with your employer and filing Form I-765 with USCIS up to 90 days before your current OPT expires, per 8 CFR § 214.16.

According to USCIS guidance, the steps are: 1) Verify your degree is STEM-designated using the CIP code on your I-20, 2) Confirm your employer is E-Verify enrolled, 3) Complete Form I-983 Training Plan with your employer, 4) Request a new I-20 from your DSO with STEM OPT recommendation, 5) File Form I-765 with USCIS using category (c)(3)(C).

According to 8 CFR § 214.16(f), STEM OPT provides a separate 60-day unemployment allowance on top of the 90-day initial OPT limit.

Per USCIS regulations, this 60-day allowance is specific to the STEM extension period. Unused days from your initial 90-day OPT allowance do not carry forward or combine with these days. The total maximum unemployment across the entire OPT + STEM OPT period is 150 days (90 + 60), not 150 consecutive days.

Track your USCIS case using your 13-character receipt number (e.g., IOE1234567890) on USCIS.gov/casestatus or TrackMyOPT for automatic tracking with email notifications.

According to USCIS, your receipt number is on the I-797C Notice of Action you received after filing. Enter this number on the USCIS Case Status Online page or use TrackMyOPT for automatic tracking with email notifications. Common receipt prefixes include IOE (online filing), MSC (National Benefits Center), LIN (Nebraska), SRC (Texas), and EAC (Vermont).

As of March 2026, USCIS OPT (Form I-765) processing times range from 3 to 5 months, according to USCIS processing time data. Online-filed cases (IOE receipt numbers) typically process faster than paper-filed cases.

USCIS publishes processing times on their website at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. Processing times vary by service center and filing method. Premium processing is not available for OPT applications. TrackMyOPT monitors your case status automatically and sends email alerts when your status changes.

According to U.S. Department of Labor LCA filings, over 25,000 US companies sponsor H-1B visas, including tech giants (Google, Microsoft, Amazon), consulting firms (Deloitte, Accenture), and financial institutions (JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs).

TrackMyOPT's H-1B Sponsor Database includes 25,000+ verified sponsors from Department of Labor LCA filings. According to USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub data, top sponsors by volume include Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Deloitte. You can search by industry, location, approval rate, and petition count to find companies actively hiring and sponsoring.

Cap-gap, defined in 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(5)(vi), automatically extends F-1 status and OPT work authorization until October 1 if you have a pending or approved H-1B petition subject to the annual cap.

According to USCIS, cap-gap bridges the gap between your OPT expiration and October 1 (when H-1B status begins). It applies only to H-1B petitions subject to the annual cap, not cap-exempt employers (universities, research institutions). Your employer must file the H-1B petition while you have valid F-1 status. If your H-1B is approved, cap-gap extends your EAD until September 30.

Yes, according to the IRS (Publication 519), all F-1 students in the United States must file taxes. With income, file Form 1040-NR (non-resident) or 1040 (resident). With no income, file Form 8843.

Per IRS Publication 519, all F-1 students must file taxes, even with zero US income. Non-residents (most F-1 students in their first 5 calendar years) file Form 1040-NR for income and Form 8843 (Statement for Exempt Individuals) in all cases. The Substantial Presence Test (IRC § 7701(b)) determines residency status. F-1 students are typically exempt from FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) for the first 5 calendar years under IRC § 3121(b)(19).

Yes, F-1 students on approved OPT can travel outside the US and re-enter, but you must carry specific documents. According to USCIS and CBP guidance, you need a valid passport, valid F-1 visa stamp, valid EAD card, current I-20 with travel signature (within 6 months), and a job offer letter or employment verification.

Travel during OPT is permitted but carries risk. If your OPT application is pending (not yet approved), re-entry is not guaranteed and travel is strongly discouraged by most DSOs. Per USCIS policy, days spent abroad while unemployed still count toward your 90-day unemployment limit. Ensure your I-20 travel signature is current (signed by DSO within the last 6 months).