Breadcrumb
Post-completion OPT
Application Requirements:
- UCM I-20
- OPT I-20 request form - OPT I-20 request must be submitted to International Student Services.
- ISS fee payment - At the time of submission, the ISS fee must be paid.
- USCIS Request
- I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - Once the OPT I-20 is received, OPT applications must then be submitted to USCIS through the online I-765 application.
Students may begin work only after the following two events:
-
- USCIS issuance of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD approval card)
- OPT start date listed on the EAD card has arrived
Students are not required to have the employer updated I-20 in hand to begin work on post-completion OPT.
International Student ServicesContactInternational Student Services |
Upcoming OPT Live webinars (click the link to register):
- Wednesday, September 18th 3:00pm CST
- Wednesday, October 16th 2024 3:00pm CST
- Wednesday, November 6th 2024 3:00pm CST
- Wednesday, December 11th 2024 3:00pm CST
OPT Resources:
Eligibility Criteria:
- GPA - Meets minimum GPA requirements on the most recent transcript.
- Not currently on academic probation status.
- Undergraduate/Bachelor's: 2.0+
- Graduate/Master's: 3.0+
- If a student does not currently meet minimum GPA requirements, they must wait for grades to be released at the end of the semester to apply for OPT.
- One-year full-time enrollment - Meets minimum full-time enrollment requirement of one year of enrollment within the
U.S.
- By the expected OPT start date, the student must have attended full-time for at least
a full fall and spring semester.
- A reduced course load for the final semester approved by International Student Service is acceptable.
- The student must not have left the U.S. and returned on a new initial I-20 and SEVIS
number within the year.
- Recent travel is okay, as long as the same I-20 and SEVIS ID were held for a year or more.
- In final semester of enrollment - Students must be completing all enrollment requirements in the current semester to
be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT.
- Students applying for OPT must have already submitted the application for graduation.
- Job offer not required - Students are not required to have a paid or unpaid job offer to apply for OPT. However, once approved for OPT students must begin working within their degree field within 90 days of the approved OPT start date. Work may be paid or unpaid.
- By the expected OPT start date, the student must have attended full-time for at least
a full fall and spring semester.
OPT Dates and Deadlines
Application Deadlines: 3 months before to 2 months after program completion. Up to 90 days before and 60 days after the Thursday following finals week in the final semester of enrollment.
USCIS must not receive the application before or after the application window.
Start date: Choose a date from one week after finals week to 2 months after program completion.
| OPT Dates/Semester | Fall (December completion) | Spring (May completion) | Summer (August completion) |
| Application dates | September 15th - February 13th | February 10th - July 8th | May 9th - October 7th |
| Start date options | December 15th - February 13th | May 10th - July 8th | August 9th - October 7th |
Within 30 days of OPT I-20 issuance:
USCIS must not receive the application more than 30 days after the issue date found on the OPT I-20.
If application is not submitted to USCIS within the 30-day period, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
If a 'rejection notice' is received from USCIS, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.
- This is especially important if resubmission after the rejection notice will near the 30-day period from when the OPT I-20 was issued.
Health Insurance:
For information regarding enrolling in UCM Health Insurance while on OPT please go back to the forms page and select Health Insurance.
