Introduction to OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a popular benefit of being an F-1 international student. The ability to work within your field of study for at least a year (and another two if in a STEM field), provides valuable work experience. To receive this benefit, you must apply through your international services office for a new OPT I-20 and then apply through the USCIS website (US Citizenship and Immigration Services).

Deciding when to apply for OPT with USCIS can be one of the most difficult aspects of the application process. Homebase offers a free tool that can be used to calculate when to apply and help determine your OPT start date. By simply entering your I-20 Program End Date, Homebase can assist in generating an estimated timeline. Your international services office’s timeline for processing OPT I-20’s will vary. The timeline Homebase provides is calculated based on the federal government’s regulations covering OPT applications.

To learn more about OPT, you can watch this overview video:

OPT Timeline: When exactly, is the earliest an F-1 student can apply for OPT? What about the latest? There are many rules governing this, but with our tool, you can easily calculate based on the I-20 Program End Date. You should get this date from their international services office or your I-20 before using the calculator!

OPT Start Date: The exact date an F-1 student can use as the beginning of their OPT period is often not clear, based on when the “60-day grace period” ends. Homebase’s calculator will help provide the date range during which they can request the start date for their OPT when applying to USCIS.