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Fall 2021 Graduates: Apply for Post-Completion OPT Now!

What is Post-Completion OPT? 

Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined in the F-1 regulations as “temporary employment authorization for practical training directly related to a student’s major field of study.” Standard OPT is available for a cumulative maximum of 12 months of employment authorization per higher degree level completed in the U.S.    

In short, post-completion OPT is a way for students in F-1 status to gain practical training in their major field of study after they have completed all degree requirements or after completion of all coursework (excluding thesis or dissertation credits). ISSS has a post-completion OPT webpage with questions and answers to some common questions students have.  

How Do I Apply for Post-Completion OPT?  

Before electronically filing the Form I-765 with USCIS online or filing by mail, students must first submit the Post-Completion OPT I-20 Request Form to ISSS and ISSS must make the post-completion OPT recommendation in SEVIS. This is very important. If a student first submits the USCIS online application and then requests the post-completion OPT recommendation I-20 from ISSS, the post-completion OPT application will be denied, as the regulations require the recommendation be entered into SEVIS prior to the post-completion OPT filing.      

When Can I Apply For Post-Completion OPT?  

On August 2, 2021, USCIS announced that they have extended flexibilities to certain applicants filing Form I-765 for OPT. Included in those flexibilities is the following, “For applications received through October 31, 2021, applicants can file Form I-765 up to 120 days before the program end date.” 

This means that students planning who are completing their degree requirements and who will not be enrolled after 12/15/2021 may apply for post-completion OPT 120 days before their last day of enrollment in their final semester. If your last date of enrollment in your final semester is December 15, 2021, you can apply for post-completion OPT as early as August 17, 2021. 

Please understand that this is a temporary flexibility provided by USCIS and that this flexibility is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2021. Please note: This specific flexibility is only for post-completion OPT applications.

What Is My I-20 Program End Date?  

Your F-1 status is based on continued required enrollment or on a post-completion OPT authorization. This means that in order to maintain your F-1 status with CU Boulder, you must either have outstanding coursework or apply for post-completion OPT.  

  • Students who have satisfied all requirements for the completion of their program or who have successfully defended their master's thesis or Ph.D. dissertation cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes. For example, students who have successfully defended their thesis or dissertation need not enroll in subsequent terms, therefore future enrollment would be considered enrollment for administrative purposes only.  
  • Students who have completed all the academic requirements for their degree (excluding submitting the thesis/dissertation for master's and Ph.D. students to the Graduate School) but continue to be enrolled to take classes in preparation for graduate school or for the completion of a certificate are considered enrolled for administrative purposes. 
  • As you are nearing the end of your degree program, please reach out to ISSS so that we can discuss your post-completion OPT application timeline with you.   
  • ISSS recommends that master's thesis students and Ph.D. students reach out to ISSS to discuss the timing of their post-completion OPT application prior to the semester in which they plan to defend their thesis/dissertation. 

For more information about post-completion OPT, please visit the ISSS Post-Completion OPT webpage, join an ISSS Advising session, send us an email, or attend a post-completion OPT workshop.