Requesting an OPT Start Date

Post-completion OPT can begin anytime within the 60-day grace period after the I-20 program end date. You are required to select the requested dates of OPT.  Determining which dates are best for you depends on your individual situation and strategy.

Keep in mind the requested dates you select are not guaranteed to be the actual dates approved at the end of the application process, since this depends on the USCIS adjudication timeline. Applications approved by USCIS prior to the requested start date will be granted the requested start date. Applications approved by USCIS after the requested start date has already passed will receive the date of approval as the actual OPT start date. For example, if you request your OPT to start January 1 and it is approved on January 20, you will be granted January 20 as the actual OPT start date.

Please note if there is a gap between your I-20 program end date and actual/approved OPT start date, you have no work authorization during this gap.

Consider the following when choosing a start date to request:

• If you already have a job offer and your job starts during the 60-day grace period, request the job start date as your OPT start date.
• If you already have a job offer and the offer start date is after the 60-day grace period, request the latest OPT start date possible (60th day of grace period).
• If you do not have a job offer yet, you must still request an OPT start date within the 60-day grace period. There are pros and cons to requesting an earlier vs later start date.
  
  • If you request an earlier OPT start date:
    • PRO – During job negotiations, your employer may be impressed that you can start your new job as soon as an offer is made.
    • CON – If you do not find a job quickly, you may risk being unemployed for 90 days and would need to leave the U.S.
  • If you request a later date:
    • PRO – You have more time to look for a job and a lesser risk of being unemployed for 90 days in which you would be required to leave the U.S.
    • CON – A job offer could be rescinded if your employment start date is uncertain or too far in the future.