USA OPT and STEM OPT for Indian students: the rules and the 2026 changes

Optional Practical Training (OPT) lets F-1 students work in the USA in their field after graduating: 12 months of post-completion OPT, plus a 24-month extension for eligible STEM degrees, for up to 36 months in total. In 2026 the rules around it are shifting, because a new DHS rule ended duration of status from 15 September 2026, so check every date with your university DSO.

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Last verified October 2026 · Written for Indian applicants · AbroBot takes no university commissions

At a glance

Post-completion OPT: 12 months
STEM OPT extension: 24 months more
Maximum with STEM: Up to 36 months
Unemployment limit: 90 days (150 with STEM)
New rule date: 15 September 2026

What OPT and STEM OPT are

OPT is temporary work authorisation for F-1 students in a job directly related to their major. Post-completion OPT lasts up to 12 months. Students with a degree on the STEM designated list can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, which needs an employer enrolled in E-Verify and a formal training plan. Your STEM or non-STEM choice therefore changes your total work time from 12 months to up to 36 months.

OPT is the main bridge to the H-1B visa and a US career. Read our guide to getting a job in the USA after your MS.

The core rules in plain terms

Rule	What it means
Post-completion OPT	Up to 12 months of work in your field after finishing your degree
STEM OPT extension	An extra 24 months for eligible STEM degrees
Unemployment limit	Generally 90 days on OPT, and 150 days in total if you have the STEM extension
Role of your DSO	Your school official must recommend OPT and issue an updated I-20 before you file with USCIS
Employer requirement for STEM	The employer must use E-Verify and complete a training plan

What changed in 2026

Reporting on the final DHS rule says that from 15 September 2026, F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period of up to four years, or the length of the programme on the I-20 if shorter, instead of "duration of status". Current students can stay under the old system for a transition period. For OPT, students whose admission end date falls before their OPT period ends may need to file an extension of stay, and law-firm summaries report a shorter grace period of 30 days and a post-completion filing window of 90 days before to 30 days after completion. They also report a transition provision for students who apply by 18 March 2027.

Treat these dates as a starting point, not advice. Details are complex and still being interpreted. Your DSO and an immigration attorney are the right people to confirm your own dates. DHS also published a proposal in October 2026 that would add a large new fee for OPT. It is a proposal, not law, as of this writing.

Step-by-step: applying for OPT

Talk to your DSO well before your last term and confirm your filing window under the current rules.
Get an I-20 with an OPT recommendation from your DSO.
File Form I-765 with USCIS inside the allowed window and keep your receipt notice.
Start work only after you have your Employment Authorization Document and your start date.
Report your job through your school's system and track your unemployment days.
If you are on a STEM degree, start the STEM extension process before your first OPT ends.

How to plan your degree around OPT

If your goal is a US career, choose a STEM-designated programme, apply to universities with strong employer links and keep your visa dates in mind. Compare programme and cost options in our MS in USA cost guide, and prepare early for the visa stage with our F-1 interview guide.

Choosing a US programme with OPT in mind?

AbroBot checks the STEM designation, cost and job outcomes for each programme, then builds a plan from application to F-1 visa.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is OPT for Indian students in the USA?

Post-completion OPT is up to 12 months. Eligible STEM graduates can extend by 24 months, for up to 36 months in total.

What is the OPT unemployment limit?

Generally 90 days on regular OPT, and 150 days in total for students who have the STEM OPT extension.

What changed for F-1 students in September 2026?

A DHS final rule ended duration of status from 15 September 2026, replacing it with fixed admission periods of up to four years, with extensions available in limited cases. Check the details with your DSO.

Is there a new OPT fee?

DHS published a proposal in October 2026 to add a large new fee for OPT. It is a proposal, not final law as of this writing, so confirm the status with official sources.

Do I need a STEM degree for the 24-month extension?

Yes. The degree must be on the STEM designated list, and the employer must use E-Verify and complete a training plan.

Who should I ask about my own OPT dates?

Your university DSO and, if needed, an immigration attorney. Rules and transition dates differ between students.

Sources and how we verify

Facts on this page were checked in October 2026 against the official sources below and cross-checked with current university and immigration guidance. Fees, thresholds and deadlines change, so confirm the final figure on the official site before you pay or submit anything.