Calculate your timeline to Apply for OPT
Your Guide to OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a great opportunity when studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa. It allows you to gain practical experience in a job directly related to your field of study for up to 12 months after graduation — and if you’re in a STEM field, you may be eligible for an additional 24-month extension. That means you could gain valuable U.S. work experience, a chance to apply your classroom skills in the real world, and get an edge when building your career.
The process has two key steps to apply:
Request an OPT I-20 from your school’s international office.
Submit your OPT application to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
Selecting an OPT Start Date – Using the Homebase OPT Date Calculator
Sounds simple, but here’s the tricky part: choosing your OPT start date and knowing exactly when to apply. Apply too early or too late, and you could risk delays or lose work time.
That’s why Homebase created a free OPT Date Calculator. Just enter your I-20 Program End Date, and it will give you an estimated application timeline and recommended start date. While your school’s processing time for issuing an OPT I-20 may vary, the calculator gives you a starting point so you can plan ahead with confidence.
If you’re preparing for OPT, don’t guess the dates — calculate them.
Contact Us
How can we help?
Have a question or feedback? Fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
"The Homebase team has been incredibly responsive and supportive. Working with them has been a very positive experience."
Charlotte Roulet
Associate Director, GSU