How Long Does OPT Last?
Quick Answer
Standard post-completion OPT lasts for 12 months. Students who graduate with an eligible STEM degree can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, bringing the total possible OPT duration to 36 months. The 12-month OPT period begins on the start date approved by USCIS on the EAD card.
Key Takeaway
OPT lasts 12 months for all F-1 graduates, with an additional 24-month extension available for STEM degree holders—plan your STEM OPT extension application well before your initial OPT expires.
Standard 12-Month OPT Duration
All F-1 students who complete a qualifying degree program are eligible for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training. The 12-month clock begins on the OPT start date listed on the student's Employment Authorization Document (EAD card), not on the date the card is received or the date the student begins working. Students may request a start date that falls within 60 days after their program end date.
If a student previously used pre-completion OPT while still enrolled in their program, that time is deducted from the 12-month post-completion allowance. For example, a student who used 4 months of part-time pre-completion OPT (counted at half the full-time rate, so 2 months) would have 10 months of post-completion OPT remaining. Full-time pre-completion OPT during academic breaks is deducted at the full rate.
It is important to note that the 12-month OPT period resets when a student completes a higher level of education. A student who used all 12 months after a bachelor's degree may apply for a fresh 12-month period after earning a master's degree from an SEVP-certified institution.
STEM OPT 24-Month Extension
Students who graduate with a degree in a field classified under the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List are eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their OPT. This extension brings the total work authorization period to 36 months. The STEM OPT extension requires the student to be employed by an employer enrolled in E-Verify and to have a formal training plan (Form I-983) signed by both the student and the employer.
The application for the STEM OPT extension must be filed with USCIS before the initial 12-month OPT period expires. Students may continue working for up to 180 days while the extension application is pending, provided they filed the application before their current EAD expired. This automatic extension prevents a gap in work authorization during USCIS processing.
The STEM OPT extension can be used up to two times if the student completes two separate qualifying STEM degrees. For example, a student who earns a STEM bachelor's degree and later earns a STEM master's degree can potentially receive two separate 24-month extensions, one tied to each degree.
You must file your STEM OPT extension application before your initial 12-month OPT expires. Late filings are not accepted.
How Pre-Completion OPT Affects Duration
Pre-completion OPT, which allows students to work while still enrolled, directly reduces the amount of post-completion OPT available. Part-time pre-completion OPT (20 hours per week or less) is calculated at half the rate—so two months of part-time work equals one month deducted from the post-completion OPT. Full-time pre-completion OPT during annual vacations or breaks is deducted at the full rate.
Students should carefully consider how much pre-completion OPT they use, particularly if they plan to rely on the full 12-month post-completion period for job searching and employment after graduation. Many students choose to use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for internships during their program to preserve their full OPT entitlement.
- 12 months of standard post-completion OPT for all F-1 graduates
- 24-month STEM OPT extension for eligible STEM degree holders
- Total possible OPT duration: 36 months with STEM extension
- Pre-completion OPT time is deducted from post-completion OPT
- OPT resets at each higher education level
Planning Around Your OPT Timeline
Understanding your OPT duration is essential for career and immigration planning. Students on standard 12-month OPT who wish to remain in the United States after their OPT expires will need to transition to another visa status, such as H-1B, or enroll in a new academic program. The H-1B cap-gap provision allows students with pending or approved H-1B petitions to extend their OPT and F-1 status until October 1 of the relevant fiscal year.
STEM OPT holders have more time but should still plan early for their next immigration step. The 36-month total period provides valuable time to participate in the H-1B lottery multiple times, as the lottery occurs annually in March. Students who do not secure an H-1B or other visa should plan for the 60-day grace period that follows OPT expiration.