Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the main way international students on an F-1 visa gain paid, real-world experience in their field of study in the United States. For years it has been the bridge between graduation and a longer-term work visa such as the H-1B. In 2026, that bridge still exists — but the rules around it have tightened, and one major change is now final rather than proposed. This guide explains what OPT and STEM OPT are, what changed in 2026, and what these changes mean for international students, especially those from India.
| Key Takeaways – OPT gives F-1 graduates up to 12 months of work in their field; STEM graduates can add 24 months, for up to 36 months in total. – On 17 July 2026, DHS finalised a rule ending “duration of status” for F-1 students, effective 15 September 2026 — students are now admitted for a fixed period of up to four years. – The post-completion grace period is cut from 60 days to 30 days, shortening the runway to start OPT, change status, or leave. – Students who need longer than their admitted period must file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS. – The final rule did not abolish OPT; separate proposals to restrict OPT remain under review. – Indian students — the largest group of international students in the US — are the most affected. |
Table of Contents
What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
OPT lets F-1 students work in a role directly related to their major for up to 12 months. It can be taken before finishing the course (pre-completion OPT) or, far more commonly, after graduating (post-completion OPT). You apply to USCIS on Form I-765 for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) after your Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT in your SEVIS record. OPT is authorisation to work — it is not a separate visa; you remain in F-1 status throughout.
STEM OPT: 24 Extra Months
Graduates with a qualifying degree on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List can extend post-completion OPT by a further 24 months, for a total of up to 36 months of work authorisation. The extension requires an employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and to have a signed Form I-983 training plan. For the full eligibility rules, employer duties and application steps, see our dedicated guide to the STEM OPT extension.
| Feature | Standard OPT | STEM OPT Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Up to 12 months | Additional 24 months |
| Total authorisation | 12 months | Up to 36 months combined |
| Eligible degrees | Any F-1 qualifying degree | Degree on the DHS STEM list |
| Employer E-Verify | Not required | Required |
| Form I-983 | Not required | Required |
| Max unemployment | 90 days | 150 days combined (90 + 60) |
2026 Rule Changes to OPT
In 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed several changes affecting international students. On 17 July 2026, DHS published a final rule — effective 15 September 2026 — that ends “duration of status” (D/S) for F-1 students. The key points:
- Fixed admission period. F-1 students are admitted for the length of their program, up to a maximum of four years, instead of the open-ended “duration of status” that let them stay as long as they remained enrolled.
- Extensions of Stay. Students who cannot complete their program within the admitted period — for example many PhDs, or those who change level — must file a separate Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS to keep valid status and remain eligible for OPT and STEM OPT.
- Shorter grace period. The grace period after your program or OPT ends is cut from 60 days to 30 days.
Important: this final rule does not abolish OPT. OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension remain available. Separate proposals to restrict or scale back OPT itself have been floated but are not law and remain under review.
How the 30-Day Grace Period Changes Your Timing
Under the old 60-day grace period, graduates had a comfortable window to start OPT, file a change of status, or arrange departure. With only 30 days, that window is halved. In practice:
- Apply for post-completion OPT early — you can file up to 90 days before your program end date.
- If you plan to move to an H-1B or another status, start the paperwork well before your EAD or grace period ends.
- Track your program end date and admitted period; if you need more time to finish studying, file an Extension of Stay in good time rather than relying on D/S.
Unemployment Limits Still Apply
Time spent unemployed during OPT is capped. You may accrue up to 90 days of unemployment during the initial 12-month OPT period. The STEM OPT extension adds 60 more days, for a maximum of 150 days across the full OPT period. Exceeding the limit can end your status, so keep a running count.
Why OPT Matters More Than Ever: The H-1B Squeeze
For most international students, OPT is the financial engine that makes a US degree worthwhile — it is how graduates earn and repay loans before, or instead of, securing an H-1B. That pathway has become harder: the H-1B is capped and awarded by lottery, and in September 2025 the government introduced a $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions, which has made some employers cautious about hiring candidates who will later need sponsorship. With the H-1B route narrower and the F-1 stay now time-boxed, OPT and STEM OPT carry even more weight in a student’s plans. See our latest US H-1B visa updates for the current fee and lottery rules.
The Impact on International Students
The tighter climate is already visible in the numbers. International student arrivals fell sharply in 2025 — US National Travel and Tourism Office data showed roughly a 19% drop in August 2025 versus August 2024, with a 24% fall from Asia, including a 45% drop from India, the largest source country. New enrolments and F-1 visa issuances also declined in 2025. Because Indian students rely heavily on OPT to bridge from study to work, the combination of a fixed four-year stay, a shorter grace period and a costlier H-1B has pushed many to reconsider. Read more on why international students are leaving the US.
OPT Participation Over Time
F-1 graduates participating in OPT (latest SEVP data available):
| Fiscal Year | Participated in OPT | Did NOT Participate | Total Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 67K | 49K | 116K |
| 2008 | 71K | 50K | 121K |
| 2010 | 73K | 62K | 135K |
| 2012 | 85K | 68K | 153K |
| 2014 | 101K | 78K | 179K |
| 2016 | 141K | 91K | 232K |
| 2018 | 137K | 106K | 243K |
| 2020 | 124K | 113K | 237K |
| 2022 | 115K | 90K | 205K |
Read: Indian Students Studying Abroad – The Latest Statistics
Optional Practical Training Trend
Where Students Are Looking Instead
Countries such as Canada, Germany, the UK and Australia are actively recruiting the students the US is deterring, offering clearer post-study work rights and, in some cases, lower costs. This is a redirection of demand rather than a fall in it — the appetite for international study remains strong.
Conclusion
OPT remains one of the most valuable features of the US F-1 visa, and in 2026 it is still very much available — but it now sits inside a stricter framework. A fixed four-year admission, a 30-day grace period, and a tougher H-1B market mean planning matters more than ever. Understand your program end date, file OPT and any Extension of Stay early, and map your post-graduation route well before the clock runs down.
Also See
- STEM OPT Extension 2026: Eligibility, Rules & How to Apply
- F-1 Visa 2026: Eligibility, Rules, Work & How to Apply
Sources: DHS final rule (July 2026); DHS Study in the States; IIE Open Doors 2025; US State Department; US National Travel and Tourism Office.