US · After study
OPT and the STEM extension
Plan from CPT through OPT into the 24-month STEM extension. Documents, traps, and travel rules in order.
- Estimated time
- ~45 min
- Region
- United States
- Total guides
- 9 guides
In this track
- 01
CPT vs OPT for F-1 students: 2026 comparison
CPT vs OPT for F-1 students: key differences in eligibility, timing, duration, employer restrictions, and how 12 months of full-time CPT affects OPT eligibility.
Read guide
- 02
OPT document checklist 2026
A Form I-765 OPT checklist for F-1 students, including DSO recommendation, eligibility category, I-20 timing, photos, I-94, filing fee, EAD, and denial traps.
Read guide
- 03
OPT application mistakes 2026
A 2026 OPT application guide covering I-765 timing, DSO recommendation, eligibility category, photos, address, fee, EAD dates, and denial recovery.
Read guide
- 04
OPT travel rules: when can you re-enter?
How F-1 students travel during OPT, STEM OPT, pending I-765, cap-gap, and job changes, including EAD, I-20, visa, passport, and employment proof.
Read guide
- 05
OPT 90-day unemployment cap: 2026 F-1 guide
OPT 90-day unemployment cap guide: how unemployment days are counted, what qualifies as employment, strategies for staying under the cap, and STEM OPT total.
Read guide
- 06
STEM OPT 24-month extension checklist: 2026 documents and timing
A document checklist for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, including I-983, E-Verify, I-765, degree CIP code, employer evidence, and timing rules.
Read guide
- 07
STEM OPT 24-month extension checklist: 2026 documents and timing
A document checklist for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, including I-983, E-Verify, I-765, degree CIP code, employer evidence, and timing rules.
Read guide
- 08
STEM OPT job change reporting rules: 2026 guide
How STEM OPT students report job changes, new employers, material I-983 changes, unemployment days, and validation reports.
Read guide
- 09
F-1 cap-gap explained
How the F-1 cap-gap extension works for students with timely filed H-1B change-of-status petitions, including OPT, status, I-20 proof, and denial risk.
Read guide
Official sources
Verify rules and forms on first-party government sites as you work through this track.
Start with the legal hub
- US student visas hub
F-1, CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT procedural guides in one place.
- F-1 document checklist 2026
What to assemble for I-20, DS-160, and the consular interview.
- OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
Post-completion work authorisation after you graduate.