For ordinary post-completion OPT, USCIS must receive Form I-765 no earlier than 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after it. You must also file within 30 days after your designated school official (DSO) enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS. These limits start from different events, so check both.
the two filing deadlines
| Category | Filing window | DSO recommendation limit |
|---|---|---|
| Post-completion OPT | 90 days before through 60 days after program end | File within 30 days of the SEVIS recommendation |
| STEM OPT extension | Up to 90 days before the current OPT EAD expires; file before expiry | File within 60 days of the SEVIS recommendation |
The USCIS OPT page and current I-765 instructions give the ordinary post-completion limits. Count from the program end date on your I-20, confirmed with your DSO, rather than assuming your graduation ceremony is the relevant date.
For example, if your program ends on October 1, 2026, the deadline based on program completion is November 30. If your DSO enters the recommendation on October 10, the separate 30-day recommendation deadline is November 9. Filing by November 30 alone would not meet the earlier recommendation deadline. Confirm the exact dates and school record with your DSO.
why the September rule is not current guidance
DHS published a fixed-admission final rule on July 17, 2026, with a scheduled September 15 effective date. On September 14, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts postponed the effective date and preliminarily enjoined implementation. USCIS says it will proceed under the previous regulations while the order remains in force.
The rule's shortened post-completion deadline, 30-day requested start-date cap, fixed-admission framework, and related transition cutoffs are not current requirements. The rule could take effect after further court action. Check the current USCIS notice before relying on an older article or preview form.
which Form I-765 edition is accepted
As of September 30, 2026, USCIS continues to accept the 08/21/25 Form I-765 edition and is not accepting the 09/15/26 edition. Download the form and instructions from the official form page before filing. For a paper packet, all pages must come from the same accepted edition and show their page numbers and edition date.
An unaccepted edition can lead to rejection. Resubmitting a rejected packet does not extend either filing deadline. Leave time to check the form, evidence, fee, payment method, and delivery plan before the deadlines pass.
requested start dates and STEM OPT
The SEVIS Help Hub says the requested post-completion OPT start date cannot be more than 60 days after the program end date. Work may begin only when your approved authorization and EAD permit it. You must still file on time, even with a valid requested date.
For the 24-month STEM extension, USCIS lists a different window: file up to 90 days before your current OPT authorization expires and within 60 days of the DSO recommendation. File before the current authorization expires. You must also meet the employer, degree, and training-plan requirements.
if a deadline may already have passed
Check which limit you may have missed. A DSO recommendation older than 30 days is different from being more than 60 days past program completion. Ask your DSO whether a new recommendation is available while the program-end window remains open. Do not assume that a fresh I-20, a grace period, or a pending job offer reopens a closed window.
If you are already past the program-end deadline or received a denial, have your DSO and a qualified immigration attorney review the dates, SEVIS record, USCIS notice, and status consequences. Our guide to filing after an OPT deadline explains what to check before attempting another filing.
what to check before filing
- Confirm the program end date on your I-20. Calculate the earliest filing date, 90 days before, and the deadline, 60 days after.
- Confirm the date your DSO entered the OPT recommendation and calculate its separate 30-day filing limit.
- Use the Form I-765 edition currently accepted by USCIS and check the required evidence and fee.
- Confirm the requested start date with your DSO and allow for USCIS receipt of any mailed packet.