Calculate your I-765 filing deadlines, EAD delivery estimate, STEM extension dates, and H-1B lottery windows — based on official USCIS OPT planning rules.
Post-completion OPTSTEM 24-month extensionCPT impact calculatorH-1B lottery windows
Step 1 — Your Program
Enter your program end date from your I-20. This drives every deadline in your timeline.
Leave blank to use the earliest possible OPT start date.
Common OPT Questions
When should I apply for OPT?+
File Form I-765 no earlier than 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after. Given current USCIS processing times of 90–150 days, file as early as the 90-day window allows to ensure your EAD arrives in time.
Does CPT reduce my OPT eligibility?+
Full-time CPT (defined as 20+ hours per week) reduces your OPT day-for-day. If you used 280 days of full-time CPT, you only have 85 days of OPT remaining. If you used 365+ days of full-time CPT, you are completely ineligible for OPT at that academic level. Part-time CPT (under 20 hrs/wk) does NOT reduce OPT.
What is STEM OPT extension?+
Students with DHS-designated STEM degrees can apply for a 24-month extension of their OPT, giving a total of 36 months of F-1 work authorization. You must file a new I-765, your employer must be E-Verify registered, and you must maintain a formal training plan (Form I-983). Apply at least 90 days before your standard OPT expires.
What is the 90-day unemployment rule?+
F-1 students on standard OPT may be unemployed for a cumulative maximum of 90 days total during the entire OPT period. On STEM OPT, the limit increases to 150 days. Exceeding these limits puts you out of F-1 status. Days count from your OPT start date even if you haven't found a job yet.
Can I travel internationally while on OPT?+
Yes, but you need all of the following to reenter: a valid passport, a valid F-1 visa stamp (note: the visa stamp may have expired even though your OPT status is valid), your unexpired EAD card, and evidence of employment (offer letter or pay stubs). Travel during the initial 90-day job search period is risky and generally discouraged.
What is cap-gap protection?+
If your H-1B petition is selected in the lottery and filed before your OPT expires, cap-gap automatically extends your F-1 status and work authorization until October 1 (the H-1B start date), even if your OPT would otherwise expire between April and September.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational planning purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change. Always verify all dates and requirements with your Designated School Official (DSO) and/or a licensed immigration attorney. Source: USCIS Post-Completion OPT Planning Tool, February 2025.