Types of OPT
Eligibility
Undergraduate and Non-Thesis Graduate students will need to make sure they have met all of their requirements for graduation to ensure they can have post-completion OPT in their intended semester. Graduation is not an automatic process. Please go to this page to learn more about the graduation process: Graduation Process - Office of International Programs and Services. You may apply for OPT if you meet the following additional requirements:
| Requirements |
|---|
| 1. You are maintaining your F-1 status at the time you apply |
| 2. Full-time Degree-seeking student in a valid non-immigrant status for at least one academic year |
| 3. You hold a valid I-20 that reflects your current major field and degree level |
| 4. You have been at George Mason and at your current degree level (Bachelor’s, Master’s PhD) for one semester |
| 5. You hold a passport that is valid for at least the next 6-months |
| 6. You are physically present in the U.S. and have not departed the U.S. since completing your program of study |
| 7. You have not used one year or more of OPT or full-time CPT at your current degree level. |
| 8. You are in your final semester of your academic program for undergrad and non-thesis students, or you are in your final semester of coursework for thesis students. |
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please meet with an OIPS advisor before you start the OPT application process.
Reporting Requirements
While you are on Post-Completion OPT, you must:
- Report your new employment information as soon as you start working
- Report employment changes within 10 days of changing (new employment, additional employment, unemployment, edits to employment, or acquisitions/mergers);
- Report changes to residential address within 10 days of moving
- Report final departure from the U.S.;
- Report changes of status to a new visa type
Please note: Reporting is required while on Post-Completion OPT
How do I report?
- Report your employment and address updates using the OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update Form available on the F-1 and J-1 forms page of the OIPS website.
How do I show that my work is related to my major?
- When you report to OIPS, you must include your position duties AND what you learned in your major area course work AND how your duties and what you learned are connected. You may also reference previous coursework and projects as supplemental information.
Here are examples of good position descriptions:
- I am working at a hospital playing the harp in patient rooms. I also conduct hands-on harp beginner workshops for long-term patients. On average, I work at the hospital 35 hours a week. My duties directly utilize the skills and knowledge I acquired from my coursework and degree in music therapy.
- I work full time as an Electrical Engineer at ABC Corp., a government contractor. In my job, I analyze client requirements for electrical systems and provide them with cost estimates of such systems. My work requires understanding of electrical circuit theory, which I studied in-depth at the University of ABC.
- I work full time as a Loan Officer at a mortgage company, Happy Homes, where I meet with clients and evaluate, authorize and recommend approval of loan applications. On a daily basis, I use the knowledge I gained in my credit analysis, sales and marketing classes that I took as part of my major program of study.
- I am employed as a Computer and Information Research Scientist at ABC Research Institute. I work as part of a team of scientists and engineers that designs experiments to test the operation of various software systems. My work builds on research in complex algorithms and machine learning, which I studied as part of my dissertation.
How many hours should I work while on OPT?
- Students on Post-Completion OPT must work at least 20 hours per week total. Working for multiple employers to reach 20 hours total is permitted with this type of OPT. There is no maximum limit for the number of hours you can work each week on post-completion OPT
Application Timeline
Students can apply for Post-Completion OPT with USCIS as early as 90 days before their program end date and as late as 60 days after their program end date. Students can complete the OPT workshop and request the OPT I-20 100 days before the program end date. Please see the deadline tabs for current and upcoming program end dates.
| Step | Earliest Application Day | Processing Times | Special Notes |
| OPT Workshop | 100 days before program end date | Self-paced | Completion of this workshop is mandatory before proceeding. |
| OPT I-20 Request | 100 days before program end date | Varies | Collaborate with your academic advisor to complete this step. |
| OPT I-20 Issuance | N/A | 7-10 business days | Issued after the OPT I-20 request is processed. |
| USCIS Application | 90 days before program end date | Varies; typically, 90-150 days | Submit Form I-765 to USCIS; processing times can vary. |
| Receive EAD Card | N/A | 2 - 4 weeks | Employment can commence upon receipt and the start date indicated on the EAD. |
Please Remember!
- OPT Workshop: Completion is mandatory and must be done before requesting the OPT I-20.
- OPT I-20 Request: Requires academic advisor signature and acknowledgement.
- USCIS Application: Must be filed within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issuance and no later than 60 days after your program end date. Timely submission is crucial to avoid processing delays.
- Processing Times: USCIS processing can take approximately 90 to 150 days. It’s recommended to apply as early as possible to accommodate these timelines. Note: USCIS will adjust the start date on your EAD if your application is processed after the requested start date.
- Employment Authorization: You may begin employment only after receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and upon reaching the start date specified on the card.
- Please note that if you apply for OPT with USCIS near your program end date or in your 60-day grace period, and you do not use premium processing, you may lose some of your OPT period as your OPT needs to start in the grace period.
Deadlines
| Program Completion (PC) date | Earliest date USCIS will accept OPT applications (90 days before PC date) | Latest date USCIS will accept OPT applications (60 days after PC date - or earlier if end of 60 days falls on a weekend) | Earliest date you can request to start work (PC date + one day) | Latest date you can request to start work (PC date + 60 days) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 Graduates | 05/13/2026 | 2/12/2026 | 07/10/2026 | 05/14/2026 | 07/12/2026 |
| Fall 2026 Graduates | 12/16/2026 | 09/17/2026 | 02/12/2027 | 12/17/2026 | 02/14/2027 |
| Summer 2026 Graduates | 12 wk: 08/08/2026 A: 6/26/2026 B: 07/25/2026 C: 08/05/2026 D: 07/25/2026 | 12wk: 5/10/2026 A: 03/28/2026 B: 04/26/2026 C: 05/07/2026 D: 04/26/2026 | 12wk: 10/07/2026 A: 08/25/2026 B: 9/23/2026 C: 10/02/2026 D: 9/23/2026 | 12wk 08/09/2026 A: 06/27/2026 B: 07/26/2026 C: 08/06/2026 D: 07/26/2026 | 12wk 10/07/2026 A: 08/25/2026 B: 9/23/2026 C: 10/04/2026 D: 9/23/2026 |
*F-1 students are required to complete the online OPT workshop + quiz BEFORE they can pick up an OPT packet in OIPS.
Process
The OPT application process with USCIS can take up to four months. OIPS recommends that you start the OPT application process early to make sure you do not miss any important deadlines. The image below depicts the key OPT application steps and processing times. Please take a moment to review the steps and processing times/comments.
*You will need to request and complete the OPT workshop before you can request the OPT I-20*
Fees
The current fee is $470. This fee is always subject to change. Please see this page from the DHS website to confirm the current fee before you submit your application to USCIS.: Department of Homeland Security
Thesis/Dissertation Students
Thesis/Dissertation students, unlike other students, do not have to wait until they finish their degree to go on Post-completion OPT. Refer to the chart below to learn your options for starting Post-Completion OPT.
*Please note that every Thesis student’s situation is unique so it’s best to speak to an international advisor about Post-completion OPT*
The Thesis Student Timeline for Post-Completion OPT
| Stage 1 | Thesis student completes instructional coursework requirements (Pre full-time 998 coursework) | Thesis Students become eligible for Post-Completion OPT after their last day of coursework. The earliest program end date thesis students can choose is their last day of coursework. |
| Stage 2 | Student Completes 998, defends proposal, takes 999, works on dissertation, and readies for dissertation defense | Students can apply for Post-Completion OPT during this stage and can choose any start date. Note: Student’s program end date will be adjusted based on selected start date. |
| Stage 3 | Student defends dissertation | Thesis students’ program end date is based around their defense date and must be no later than the last day of the semester in which they defend. Students must have work to do on their thesis up until that date in order to use it as their program end date. |
| Stage 4 | Student completes work on Dissertation | Thesis students’ latest possible end date is the last day they work on their thesis in the semester in which they defend. This is usually the last day of exams listed in the university calendar. |
Important Reminders
- Degree requirement completion dates are determined by the student and their primary academic advisor.
- Processing times are lengthy, and thesis students still must plan ahead even though they can pick their own dates. Depending on processing times, USCIS may adjust chosen dates.
- On-campus work authorization still ends on the I-20 program end date even if university contracts have later dates.
- Thesis students who choose to go on Post-Completion OPT before they finish their degree have until the last day of their OPT period to complete all degree requirements.
- Thesis students can take 998 and 999 while they are on OPT, but they cannot take coursework toward another degree.
- Thesis students are also eligible for Pre-Completion OPT during stage 1 and 2. The Pre-Completion OPT would need to be part-time and half of the amount used will be subtracted from the length of the Post-Completion OPT period later on. Pre-Completion OPT could extend until the program end date.