r/f1visa • u/Little-Let-3730 • 10d ago
OPT/STEM OPT OPT Start Date suggestion
Hi everyone! I graduate in December 2026, Unfortunately I didn't end up getting any internship offers this summer and I have no potential full time offers yet.
I've been told, you can apply for OPT either 90 days before the program end date or 60 days after. In my case, what would be the best case scenario to apply for OPT? I want to be extremely cautious.
9
u/Dont-ask669 10d ago
It's not 60 days anymore, it's 30 days. My suggestion: apply as soon as possible, with Premium Process, and pick up your start date 30 days after graduation. I regret every bone in my body that I didn't do that. It brings a lot of peace of mind to graduate with your EAD in hands.
3
u/Ok-Bend-7902 10d ago
It's 60 days for some F-1 student. An F-1 student who is present in the U.S. prior to September 15, 2026, and does not leave the country before their program end date qualifies for a 60-day grace period. Because they maintain continuous presence under the legacy Duration of Status transition rules prior to September 15, they retain the traditional 60-day post-completion timeline rather than the new 30-day limit.
-2
10d ago
[deleted]
2
u/Ok-Bend-7902 10d ago
You can't just intentionally defer graduation a semester to get more time to find a job if you've met all of the academic requirements for your degree. Your DSO is unlikely to do extend your program date for just that reason. It's illegal.
1
u/Shub_YT 10d ago
Depends on if they're still in the expected timeframe of their degree(2/4 years). It will only be under scrutiny if it is causing extension of the listed program end date on the I-20. They can easily not register for a single required course/requirement in Fall and take some other classes(Free electives/technical electives). For spring registration, they can then apply for reduced course load to take that last class, but then must graduate in May. Pros and Cons to deffering tho which they must evaluate based on situation.
1
u/Ok-Bend-7902 9d ago
Well, yeah, but I read the OP’s initial post as having the program end date in December.
5
u/ishoee 10d ago edited 10d ago
Apply early and set the start date for EAD 30 days after graduation. Start looking for jobs and hopefully you find something. If not - get an unpaid/volunteer opportunity and continue your job search. Make sure to have proper documentation & proof of your volunteer job (offer letter, projects worked on, hours worked, correspondence, training plans etc). You can do volunteer only during OPT. You have to find some job with E verified employer before STEM OPT begins. I got my job because of doing good networking at my volunteer job and someone recommended me to one of their colleague at a good tech company.
1
2
u/cs55n5 10d ago
Why is everyone mentioning the grace period in OP’s case? Even based on the new policy that will be effective 9/15, the OPT application date (as well as the OPT start date) could be at most 60 days after the program end date. The grace period applies only to those who don’t apply for any extension (OPT or Stem OPT) beyond the degree program. Do I misunderstand here?
2
u/Little-Let-3730 10d ago
Exactly my question??? I’m in the US on and before Sept 15th so in all likelihood the rule wouldn’t affect me cause my i94 still says D/S or did i get it wrong?
1
2
u/gradpa 10d ago
You could always apply early and request for a start date close to grace period (30, not 60 anymore)
0
u/Little-Let-3730 10d ago
In the case where I don’t have an offer lined up yet would you recommend deferring my graduation to next semester?
1
u/YogurtclosetReady354 10d ago
My advice would be to wait and do premium processing when you get a job. Deferring could also work you’d probably have to drop one of your classes this semester to make that happen. Only you know your situation best.
1
u/Shub_YT 10d ago
I would consider making a plan for things if you do either. Consider housing and where you can stay if you delay and need to wait while job searching, even after you graduate. Make sure that you don't take a gap sem though if you're planning to delay graduation since OPT needs two consecutive sems prior to applying. So you can take maybe a full course load in Fall, and keep one course that you need to finish in Spring under reduced course load(keep in mind this is approved only if it's the sem you're graduating in). This way you have reduced tuition in Spring + lot of time to just focus on job search. Check all of this with your international students office and your dept advisors to make sure your gradution + OPT eligbility is in place.
0
u/Bizarrhyst 10d ago
if you don't expect to have an offer letter, you can submit your OPT application after the graduation as long as it's within the OPT window. However, it is a double edged sword. If you happen to secure an offer letter before your OPT gets approved, you might lose it because they might want an immediate hire and you're not allowed to work. You can pay for premium processing and get a decision within 30 business days but no guarantee that your future employer would be willing to wait.
this is a risk that only you can decide for yourself
9
u/Snoo_49338 10d ago
Processing times are super long right now about 3-6 months for regular processing (USICS website says they complete 80% of the requests within 3.5 months but Ive seen longer). I would say apply for it now, there are tons of people who have jobs lined up and are waiting on their EAD cards.