Lesson · United States
OPT / post-study work
What is OPT vs a job offer?
OPT is work authorization after (or near) program end—not a job offer. Employers care about honest start dates and an EAD. Filing windows live in Graduation countdown.
Need it when
- Final year or employers ask when you can start
- You are confusing OPT with CPT or H-1B
- You need a filing window—not a second forms dump
No work day before your EAD and authorized start date—filing alone is not enough.
Write your program end date or target OPT window—then open Graduation countdown.
Mark at least three concepts (0/5)—especially OPT vs offer, filing window, and EAD before day one.
Must know · OPT
Five concepts—not a USCIS forms dump
Tap each when you understand it. Filing windows live in Graduation countdown.
Do the how-to elsewhere
Primary handoffs
Practice · order of work
- 1Mark the five OPT conceptsOffer vs auth, filing window, EAD, unemployment/STEM, CPT link.Review concepts
- 2Open Graduation countdownAdd your program end date and book a DSO OPT overview.Graduation countdown
- 3Practice honest start datesEmployer scripts that match EAD reality—not wishful dates.Jobs playbook
Common mistakes
Starting work before the EAD
Filing is not authorization. Wait for the card and start date.
Missing the USCIS filing window
Meet your DSO early—ceremony dates do not extend the window.
Using this page as a forms checklist
Graduation countdown and Jobs own timing and scripts.
Ignoring full-time CPT history
Twelve months of full-time CPT can remove OPT eligibility.
Do next
Graduation countdown
OPT windows, start-date honesty, and EAD before day one. For internship rules during school, open the CPT lesson.
Also useful
Official source check
Verify changing information before you act
These links are checked server-side from an allowlisted set of government and official study authorities. Availability is not confirmation of eligibility.