Post-completion OPT

An F-1 student may be authorized to participate in post-completion OPT(general OPT) upon completion of studies. 

The post-completion OPT must be directly related to the student’s course of study.In general the Post-completion OPT period is of 12 months span for all the eligible candidates when applied for the first time. But in addition to this period another 17 months extension period is given to students enrolled only in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields. This 17 months extension period is termed as STEM extension or OPT extension. For acquiring STEM extension you need to apply again, 180 days before the completion of 12 months period.