OPT & Unemployment
Students with a 12-month Post-Completion OPT authorization cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days. This is aggregate, meaning that if you have 40 days of unemployment, you would only be allowed to be unemployed for a remaining 50 days before you risk violating your immigration status.
STEM OPT Extension students authorized for an additional 24 months of OPT may not be unemployed for more than 150 days during the total 36 month OPT period.
How can I avoid exceeding the unemployment rule?
While on OPT, engage in activities, in your field of study for at least 20 hours per week.
USCIS has a broad definition of what constitutes as employment which includes the following:
- Standard employment
- Paid or unpaid* internships
- Working for multiple employers
- Short-term multiple employers
- Work for hire (service on a contractual basis)
- Self-employed business owner
- Employment through an agency or consulting firm
- Volunteering*
Notify Immigration of any changes to your employment, address, or phone within 10 days by updating this within the SEVP Portal. Contact ISSP if you have difficulties updating this information.
Keep documentation of all your employment (e.g., job offer letter, volunteer confirmation letter, supervisor letter, etc.) as proof that you have not exceeded the unemployment rule.
*While students on OPT may engage in volunteer work and unpaid internships while on OPT, they must still be in compliance with the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor laws. Please see our page on “Volunteering and Unpaid Internships” for more information.
What happens if I exceed the days of unemployment?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will terminate immigration records for students who have exceeded the allowable unemployment days. If your immigration record is terminated, you must leave the US immediately; there is no grace period.
If you exceed the allowable days of unemployment, you will no longer be in valid F-1 status. Exceeding the allowable days of unemployment can also:
- Affect your ability to remain in the US
- Make you ineligible for future immigration benefits (such as a change of status to H-1B)
- Lead to the denial of a future visa application
The best advice is to engage in activities outlined above and keep good documentation of your employment. If you are on OPT and will soon exceed the allowable days of unemployment, and you have no plans to work, volunteer, or intern in your field, then you should consider:
- Applying to continue your education by a change of education level or transfer to another SEVP-certified school
- Departing the US
- Initiating a change of status
Leaving the US and ending your OPT
If you have decided to leave the US and not continue your OPT, you can request ISSP to complete your immigration record through iStart.
- Log into iStart using your WM Userid and Password. Click on F-1 Practical Training in the menu on the left-hand side. Then, click on Optional Practical Training STEM Employment Update and complete the form.