We are pleased that you have decided to extend your stay in the US and apply for post-completion OPT. While you are on OPT, you remain in F-1 student immigration status and ISS staff will continue provide you with immigration and advising support. The $100 SEVIS maintenance fee will offset the expenses of mandatory SEVIS compliance and record management after your graduation. The SEVIS maintenance fee is not required for applications for pre-completion OPT (OPT that occurs during the program of study). This fee is separate from the $410 application fee paid directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Follow this link to pay the $100 Post-completion OPT SEVIS Maintenance Fee.

• OPT I-20 Request Form (required), located in the ISS Forms Library. Email to iss@sc.edu 

This can take up to 5 business days.

• Your Academic Advisor Form & OPT Statement of Responsibility should not be submitted to USCIS. These are internal ISSS forms.

• Online Filing: You will file your OPT application (form I-765) online. Detailed instructions can be found on this section of our website, or watch this helpful video. It is possible to mail your application, but it is not recommended. If an online application exists, then an online application is the preferred method for submission.

Documents neede for online filing: You can scan or take photos of these documents. PDFs and JPGs are acceptable formats. 

• Copy of new OPT I-20 (an ISSS Advisor will create the new I-20 and email to you after reviewing the forms mentioned above)
  *You should print 2 copies of the I-20 sent to you via email. Sign and date both. Keep one copy for yourself. Scan the other copy to USCIS.
• Copy of Passport Photo Page
• Copy of F-1 visa
• I-94 (can be obtained here by selecting “Get Most Recent I-94.”)
• Check or money order (or credit card) made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For the filing fee amount, see the USCIS Form I-765 website and scroll to “Filing Fee” under “Form Details.” At this time, F-1 students do not have to pay the biometrics fee because they file in the (C)(3)(B), (C)(3)(C), or (C)(3)(A) category.
  *ISS recommends that you do not utilize the Form G-1450, as we have seen students’ applications be denied due to issues with credit card numbers not being accepted.
• 2 New Passport Photos
  *Taken within the last 30 days
  *For examples of acceptable passport photos, see the DOS website.
  *You can get appropriate passport photos taken at a drugstore such as CVS or at a mailing store such as Fed-Ex. If you wish to take the photos yourself, review the Department of State’s tool for taking digital photos.

• Filing your application online: See this section of our website for online filing instructions. You will be filing form I-765 (application for employment authorization). This is the correct for form post-completion OPT. Applying online is the recommendtion option, and it is very convenient.  Processing times tend to be similar for both online and mailed-in applications. We do not recommend mailing your application.
• If you would like mailing instructions, contact ISSS.
• If applying for OPT after graduation, you will apply for post-completion OPT. 

• It typically takes 90 days for your OPT application to process.
• Regularly check the status of your OPT application on the USCIS website.
• You might wonder if it's possible to expedite your application. You can see the official expedite criteria on the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services website. There is a very high standard for proving that a case requires expedited handling and students do not typically qualify.
• Even if you mailed your OPT application, ISS recommends setting up an online account with USCIS once you get your receipt number. Doing this will provide you with tracking and communication benefits.

• After approval, you should receive your employment authorization card (EAD card) within 1 - 4 weeks to the address you listed on your I-765.
• If you already have employment, you can be legally hired after receiving your EAD card in the mail. 
• A few days before the start date listed on your EAD card, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing the SEVP portal. You will need to log in and report your employment information. Read more about the SEVP portal on our website here.
• If you are still searching for employment, you have up to 90 days to find a job!
• For more details on job requirements while on OPT, see here.
• It is very rare for a UofSC student's OPT application to be denied as long as the application guidelines were followed appropriately. If your application is denied, contact ISS immediately so we can be of support to you. 

The University of South Carolina provides access to Interstride for all international students. Interstride empowers and assists international students in their career exploration and job search experience. Some of Interstride’s features include:

• A job and internship search engine
• Visa and immigration support (H1B)
• Webinars and workshops
• Networking with classmates and alumni
• Resources on career topics

To create an account and utilize this platform, please click here.

Need help with your resume or prepping for interviews? Please visit the Career Center’s website as a resource!

Unfortunately, you'll have to make that decision on your own. Be sure to consider the job market and when you'd like to start work. You can choose any start date 60 days after the end date of your I-20. If you're unsure, choose something in the middle. 

No! You can only work during those days (paid or unpaid). Employers must report all staff to the government. Be careful of shady employers. 

While on post-completion OPT, you are allowed 90 days of unemployment. You receive an additional 60 days on the STEM extension.

After the start date on your EAD card. Time between graduation and your OPT start date do not count. 

OPT applications are rarely denied, only delayed. Make sure all your personal information is accurate, and you've followed all of the instructions carefully.  See this tip sheet from DHS. 

Yes, but it can be risky while the application is pending. After you have your EAD card it’s no problem. See the travel section of our website for more guidelines. 

You have failed to maintain status. Your record is no longer active and you should make plans to leave the country. 

The additional fee is very expensive (over $1,000) and increased in the spring of 2024. You should always check the USCIS website for the most udpated fee. Click here for the fee schedule. Premium processing time is 30 days (or less).

It is possible to update it while pending, however, this can cause delivery problems or delay the EAD card. It is better to keep the address on file and make sure you have some sort of access to the old mailing address. 

See this section on our website, or watch this helpful video.

No! You should mark self-employed only if you have a business license and can prove true self-employment to USCIS. This includes reporting it on your taxes to the IRS. 

Yes. All work should be reported while on OPT. 

Yes. You receive 12 moths of authorization for each higher degree level. You can also use the STEM extension for each higher degree level. 

No. If you already used OPT for one master's degree, you cannot use it again. You only get to use OPT again when you obtain a higher degree.