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After OPT Approval

Limits on Periods of Unemployment

Between the start and end date of your post-completion OPT authorization (the dates on your EAD), you cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days. If you received a 17-month STEM extension, you are allowed an additional 30 days of unemployment for a total of 120 days. There is no grace period after 90/120 days of unemployment. To avoid violating status, Immigration recommends that prior to reaching the unemployment limit, you should prepare to transfer to another school, change education level, depart the U.S., or change to a different immigration status.

Each day (including weekends) that you do not have qualifying employment counts as a day of unemployment. Exception: periods of up to 10 days between jobs are not included in the calculation of unemployment. This 10 day exception also applies to the first 10 days from the start of the EAD.

For students currently approved for OPT, the limits on unemployment apply only after April 8, 2008, the effective date of the new rule. Time unemployed prior to April 8, 2008, will not be counted.

Reporting Requirements to ISS

Address changes and legal name changes must be reported to your ISS adviser by email within 10 days.

Keep documentation of your OPT employment history for your own records. You may need it for future benefits applications. Employment information must also be reported to your ISS adviser. Email your adviser with the following information:

  • Name of employer
  • Start date of employment
  • Mailing address of employer
  • Change of employer, with end and start dates of employment
  • Decision to exit the U.S. and complete F-1 status prior to OPT expiration date

If you are currently approved for a STEM extension, these updates must be reported within 10 days of the change.

Employment Allowed While on OPT

You may accept any job that is related to your field of study and commensurate with your level of education. You should be employed at least 20 hours per week. During the 12-month OPT period, this may include:

  • Multiple employers: you may work for more than one employer, but all employment must relate to your degree program.
  • Short-term multiple employers (performing artists): musicians and other performing artists may work for mutiple short-term employers (gigs). Keep a list of all positions, dates, and duration.
  • Work for hire: contract employment
  • Self-employment: you may start a business and be self-employed. You must have a business license and document your active engagement in business related to your degree.
  • Employment through an agency or consulting firm: Keep documentation of working an average of 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.
  • Volunteer service: you may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern, as long as this does not violate any labor laws. This volunteer service counts as employment for purposes of maintaining F-1 status.

STEM extension-approved students: you must work at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to your STEM degree. Volunteer experience does not count as employment for the purpose of maintaining F-1 status during the STEM extension. Employment may include:

  • Multiple employers: you may work for more than one employer, but all employment must relate to your degree program and each employer must be enrolled in E-Verify.
  • Work for hire: contract employment. The company for whom you are providing services must be registered with E-Verify.
  • Self-employment: you may start a business and be self-employed. You must register your business with E-Verify and work full time. You must have a business license and document your active engagement in business related to your degree.
  • Employment through an agency or consulting firm: you may be employed by an employment agency or consulting firm. The employment agency or consulting firm must be registered with E-Verify, but the third parties contracting with the agency of firm (for which you are providing services) need not be registered with E-Verify.

Money Matters

You will need a Social Security number in order to receive payment from your employer.

In general, as an F-1 student you will be exempt from Social Security (FICA) taxes for your first five years in the U.S., as long as you continue to declare nonresident status for tax purposes. Unless you qualify under a tax treaty between the U.S. and your home government, your earnings as an F-1 student will be subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes, and employers are required to withhold those taxes from your paychecks. For more information on taxes, consult the Internal Revenue Service.

Health Insurance

Medical insurance is an extremely important consideration while you are on OPT. If you are not insured through your employer, you should purchase an individual plan. For more information about plan options, visit our health insurance page.

Travel and OPT

If your pre-completion OPT application is pending or approved, you may travel and reenter the U.S.

If your post-completion OPT application is pending, you may travel and re-enter the U.S.

After graduation, if your post-completion OPT has been approved and your EAD issued, you may not re-enter the U.S. unless you have evidence of employment. You should carry the following documents with you:

  • I-20 signed for travel by an international student adviser within the last 6 months
  • EAD card
  • Valid passport
  • Unexpired F-1 visa (unless returning from a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean)
  • Evidence of employment in your field of study (letter of employment, written job offer)

Once the approved period of OPT has begun, time spent outside the U.S. will count as unemployment against the 90/120-day limits.

Travel while employed either during a period of leave authorized by an employer or as part of your employment will not count as unemployment.

Study While on OPT

While approved for OPT you may take recreational courses, but if you begin a new degree program, your OPT is automatically terminated.  Exchange students are not eligible to take courses at the UW while on post-completion OPT.