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Working in the U.S.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
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Module 4: What do I do when my OPT is ending?
Module 4: What do I do when my OPT is ending?
The objectives of Module 4 are to help you determine if you are eligible for a Cap-Gap or STEM extension and take the appropriate steps to maintain your legal status through the end of your OPT. This module should be completed at least three months before your OPT end date.
Contact OISP
Phone: 614.797.4700
Email: oisp@franklin.edu
Address:
Franklin University
Office of International Students and Programs
201 S. Grant Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215
USA
Prospective Franklin students: click here to schedule an appointment with a member of the international admissions team.
Current Franklin students: click here to schedule an appointment with an international advising coordinator.
For in-person appointments, free parking is available in lot adjacent to the Paul J. Otte Center for Student Services. Notify the Welcome Center staff when you have arrived.
When scheduling a phone appointment, provide a U.S. phone number, and we will call you at the scheduled time. If you do not have a U.S. phone number, please schedule a virtual appointment.
When scheduling a virtual appointment, provide an email address you check regularly, and we will send you a link to a Microsoft Teams meeting. View Microsoft Teams instructions.
Step 1: Cap-Gap & STEM
First, read the information below about Cap-Gap and STEM extensions. Then, take the quiz at the link below to see if you are eligible for either extension. The results of your quiz will be emailed to a member of the OISP staff who will review your answers.
April 1: The first day H-1B petitions will be accepted by USCIS for employment to start at the beginning of the new federal fiscal year, October 1. Petitions may not be submitted more than 6 months before employment start date. Certain exempted petitions may be submitted at other times.
Early April: Generally within days of the April 1 start date, USCIS announces that it has received the maximum number of H-1B petitions. USCIS will not accept H-1B petitions after the announced date unless exempt from the cap. Once the maximum has been reached, USCIS will conduct a lottery to select the petitions to process.
OPT End Date: If your original OPT end date is on or after the April 1 filing date and your H-1B petition is properly filed before USCIS announces the cap has been met, your OPT work authorization and F-1 immigration status will be extended until September 30, pending results of the lottery and the status of your petition. If your petition is not selected for the lottery or your petition is denied, your OPT and F-1 status end. Note: If you are in your 60-day grace period on April 1, your employment authorization will not be extended, but your F-1 status will be.
September 30: If a change to H-1B immigration status (rather than consular processing) has been approved, this will be the last date in F-1 immigration status. A cap-gap I-20 will list this date as the end of the OPT work authorization.
October 1: The beginning of the federal fiscal year is the first day beneficiaries of a successful H-1B petition are employed in the H-1B immigration status.
While you automatically receive the cap-gap benefit after your H-1B petition is filed, you may need an updated I-20, such as to renew your driver's license. OISP may require documentation of the status of your H-1B petition to create the capgap I-20. Remember, during this time you are still in F-1 status and must comply with regulations to maintain your status. If your H-1B petition is unsuccessful, you are still eligible for the 60-day grace period from the date you are notified.
USCIS cap-gap information: Learn More >
USCIS news releases (filter by Visas: H-1B): Learn More >
STEM Extension
The 12-month OPT work authorization may be extended for an additional 24 months for graduates of certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs. To be approved for the STEM extension, the employment must meet specific requirements, including having a training plan.
Speak with your employer early about continuing your employment on the STEM extension. Your employer must be enrolled in the federal E-Verify program and commit to providing you a training program that directs relates to your STEM degree. You and your employer will be required to complete a training plan form to submit when applying for the STEM extension. Review important information at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub.
- Completed I-765 form
- Completed G-1145 form
- Completed I-983 form
- Copy of I-94 record or most recent I-797
- 2 passport photos with name and I-94 number on back of each
- Copy of picture page of passport
- Copy of most recent visa
- Copies of all I-20s for your current degree
- Check or money order for $410 paid to the order of USCIS
- Copy of your current and any previous EAD cards
- Copy of most recent and STEM-degree diploma(s)
- Copy of your employment offer letter
- I-20 requesting STEM extension, signed by OISP and by you (not a copy)
- Complete the I-983 form with your employer and obtain their E-Verify number.
- Gather all STEM extension application materials.
- Submit copy of I-983 to OISP to request a new I-20 requesting STEM extension.
- Submit all application materials, including original, signed I-983 and I-20 forms to the appropriate mailing address at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses.
USCIS may deny any OPT applications submitted more than 120 days before your OPT end date, more than 30 days after STEM extension I-20 was created, and/or at any point after your OPT end date.
You may continue to work for 180 days after your OPT end date if your STEM extension was properly filed within a timely manner. The standard OPT 90-day limit on unemployment will be extended an additional 30 days when your STEM extension is approved. You must report all name, address, employment, or training plan changes to OISP within 10 days of any changes. While on STEM OPT extension, you will be required to validate this information every 6 months and submit a self-evaluation of your training plan every year to OISP. Review the STEM Hub on the official Study in the States site for detailed information.
Step 2: OPT Ending Resources
Next, review the resources below about the end of your OPT. Then, if you have any additional questions contact the OISP offices to learn more about preparing for the end of your OPT.
Your active F-1 status ends and your 60-day grace period begins on your OPT end date. As the end of your OPT work authorization approaches, therefore, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities to maintain or end your legal status in the US and to make the most of your work experience.
At the end of your OPT work authorization period, you are allowed to remain in the US for 60 days, called your grace period. Before your grace period expires, you may take one of the following actions:
- Transfer to another academic program or school. You must be admitted to the new program or school and receive a new I-20 before your grace period ends.
- Apply to USCIS to change your immigration status. Applications are subject to USCIS approval and must be received by USCIS before your grace period ends. Change of status applications can take several months to approve/deny. If denied, you will be required to depart the country immediately.
- Depart the country. If you will be departing the country before your OPT end date, you should notify OISP of your departure date to update your SEVIS record. This is particularly important if you plan to re-enter the US in the future.
Remember that you OPT employment was an opportunity to develop practical experience and skills in your field of study – be sure to make the end of your OPT period an opportunity to continue growing professionally. If you have not already, discuss options to remain employed or maintain a relationship with your employer and colleagues. Give your employer sufficient notice that you will be leaving the organization; usually two or more weeks is expected but can vary from employer to employer. Update your resume, leveraging your US experience as appropriate.
When planning to depart the country, there are multiple items to consider, much like when you moved to the US originally. Verify that your departure will be before the end of your grace period and report your departure to OISP. Consider details such as: driver’s license expiration date (usually the same as your OPT end date), paying any outstanding bills, making arrangements to receive security deposits, updating your mailing address, and closing bank accounts. Keep important documents, such as Social Security and EAD cards, in case you return.
- Work authorizations: Learn More >
- Applying to a new Franklin University program: Learn More >
- Transferring to a new school: Learn More >
- Updating address and requesting transcripts: Learn More >
- Connecting with Franklin University alumni: Learn More >
As you prepare for the end of your current OPT period, it may be helpful to discuss your plans with your peers and get feedback from OISP. Post your answers to some or all of the the questions below, and consider responding to your peers’ answers, as well.
- What date will your current OPT end?
- What are your options post-OPT?
- What are your plans for the end of your current OPT period?
- If you are eligible for the Cap-Gap extension, what are your next steps?
- If you are eligible for the STEM extension, what is the earliest date you can apply?
- What purpose(s) do(es) the 60-day grace period serve for you and for the US government?
- How did your OPT experience impact your career?
- What do you wish you had known before you began your OPT?
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