This guide explains the general process. It isn’t legal advice, and rules do change. Before you file anything, talk to your school’s designated school official (DSO) and check USCIS directly. They know your record and your dates.
For many F-1 students, the path from graduation to a longer-term work visa looks like this: OPT, then possibly the STEM extension, then an H-1B petition filed by an employer. Each step has its own window, and missing one can cost you months.
The big picture
| Stage | How long | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Post-completion OPT | Up to 12 months | You apply, DSO recommends |
| STEM OPT extension | 24 more months | You apply, employer must use E-Verify |
| H-1B registration | Once a year, usually March | Employer registers you |
| H-1B start | Usually October 1 | After petition approval |
Step 1: Your last semester
Start talking to your international student office early, ideally at the start of your final term. Ask them for their OPT workshop dates and their processing time for recommendations. Some offices take a week or two.
You’ll pick an OPT start date within 60 days after your program end date. Think about when you realistically expect to start a job, since your 12 months begin on that date whether or not you’re working.
Step 2: Get your DSO recommendation
Your DSO updates your record in SEVIS and issues a new I-20 with the OPT recommendation. You have 30 days from that recommendation to file with USCIS, so don’t request it until you’re ready.
Step 3: File Form I-765
You file Form I-765 with USCIS, usually online. The filing window runs from 90 days before your program end date to 60 days after. Filing earlier gives you more buffer if USCIS takes a while.
- Copy of your new I-20 with the OPT recommendation
- Passport and visa pages
- I-94 record
- Passport-style photos (if filing by mail)
- Previous EAD cards, if any
- Filing fee
Double-check: Typos in your name or date of birth are among the most common reasons for delays. Match everything exactly to your passport.
Step 4: Wait for your EAD card
Processing times vary. You can check current estimates on the USCIS website. You cannot start working until the card is approved and the start date printed on it arrives.
Step 5: Working on OPT
Your job must relate directly to your field of study. You need to report your employer details to your school, usually through the SEVP portal, within 10 days of starting. Report changes of address or employer within 10 days too.
The unemployment limit
Post-completion OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment in total. STEM OPT adds 60 more, for 150 across both. Days count from your EAD start date if you haven’t found a job. Track them carefully in a simple spreadsheet.
Step 6: The STEM OPT extension
If your degree is on the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program list, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. The requirements are stricter than regular OPT.
- Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
- You and your employer complete a training plan on Form I-983
- You must file before your current OPT expires, up to 90 days early
- Paid, full-time work (at least 20 hours per week) in a role related to your STEM degree
If you file on time, you can generally keep working for up to 180 days while the extension is pending.
Step 7: H-1B registration
The H-1B cap is limited each year, so USCIS runs a selection process. Employers submit a short electronic registration, usually in March. If you’re selected, your employer files the full petition. If approved, H-1B status usually starts October 1.
If you’re on OPT or STEM OPT and your employer files an H-1B petition for you on time, cap-gap rules can extend your status and work permission while the petition is pending. The exact dates have changed in recent years, so confirm with your DSO and your employer’s attorney.
Common mistakes
- Requesting the DSO recommendation too early and missing the 30-day filing window
- Choosing an OPT start date months before you realistically expect a job
- Starting work before the EAD start date
- Forgetting to report your employer within 10 days
- Assuming a job in any field counts for OPT
- Letting OPT expire before filing for STEM
Traveling during OPT
Travel is possible, but re-entry usually requires your EAD, a valid F-1 visa, an I-20 with a recent travel signature and proof of a job or offer. Travel while your OPT application is pending carries more risk. Always ask your DSO before booking.
Questions to ask your DSO
- What is my exact program end date in SEVIS?
- How long does your office take to issue an OPT recommendation?
- Is my degree on the STEM designated list?
- How should I report my employer and address?
- What documents do I need to travel on OPT?
A sample timeline for a May graduate
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| January | Attend OPT workshop, confirm program end date |
| Late February–March | Request DSO recommendation |
| Within 30 days of recommendation | File I-765 with USCIS |
| May | Program ends |
| June–July | EAD arrives; start work on EAD start date |
| Following March | Employer registers you for H-1B, if applicable |
| Before OPT ends | File STEM OPT extension, if eligible |
Your dates will depend on your program end date and your school’s process. Use this as a way to think about the order, not as exact deadlines.
Choosing your OPT start date
You can pick any start date within 60 days after your program end date. If you already have a job offer starting in July, choosing a July start date makes sense. If you’re still searching, a later date gives you more time before unemployment days start counting. Once your EAD is approved, the start date can’t be changed.
What counts as “related to your field”
Your job must be directly related to your major. You should be able to explain how it connects, in a sentence or two, if anyone asks. Keep a short note describing the connection for each job. For STEM OPT, the training plan on Form I-983 makes this explicit.
Types of work allowed on post-completion OPT
- Paid full-time or part-time jobs (at least 20 hours per week counts as employed)
- Multiple short-term jobs related to your field
- Self-employment related to your field, with proper business setup
- Work through an agency or contract, if related to your field
- Unpaid work in some cases, like volunteering in your field, if it doesn’t violate labor laws
The rules for STEM OPT are stricter. Self-employment and unpaid work generally don’t qualify.
If your OPT is denied
Denials are uncommon but happen, often because of filing errors or missed deadlines. Contact your DSO immediately. Depending on timing, you may be able to refile, or you may need to leave the US or change status. Don’t wait.
Keeping records
- Copies of every I-20 you’ve received
- Your EAD card (front and back)
- Offer letters and employment verification letters
- Records of every job with dates and supervisor contacts
- Screenshots of your SEVP portal reports
You’ll need these later for STEM OPT, H-1B or a green card process. Keep them organized from the start.
Where to check official information
Study in the States, run by the Department of Homeland Security, has plain-language guides and the SEVP portal. USCIS publishes current forms, fees and processing times. Your DSO remains the best person to answer questions about your specific record.
Talking to employers about sponsorship
Many employers are used to hiring international graduates, but some aren’t. Be ready to explain your situation in plain terms: “I’m authorized to work on OPT for 12 months, with a possible 24-month STEM extension. Longer term I’d need H-1B sponsorship.” Knowing your dates helps recruiters plan. Larger companies with many international hires often have an immigration team or outside attorney who handles the details.
Ask about sponsorship once there’s real interest, often after a first interview, unless the application asks directly. Answer application questions honestly.
Other paths people explore
H-1B isn’t the only route. Depending on your background, people also look at O-1 visas for extraordinary ability, TN status for Canadian and Mexican citizens, E-3 for Australians, H-1B1 for Chileans and Singaporeans, or employment-based green cards. Each has its own requirements and usually needs an immigration attorney. Knowing these exist helps you ask better questions early.
