OPT FOR “COURSE COMPLETE” STUDENTS

“Students in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree program who have completed all course requirements for the degree (excluding thesis or equivalent) are eligible to apply for OPT.” [CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(A)(3)]

Evaluating the options:  Pre-completion OPT v. Post-completion_OPT
Master’s or Doctoral Students with only Thesis, Final Project or Dissertation Remaining:

A “course complete” (only thesis, final project or dissertation remaining) student may either apply for pre-completion OPT or post-completion OPT while completing the thesis or equivalent/dissertation.  A Master’s student’s final project is equivalent to a thesis or dissertation.

Pre-Completion OPT for course complete students

• May work full time.
• Is not subject to the unemployment provisions, and may receive a program extension.
• May not apply for the STEM extension from a period of pre-completion OPT.
• Will not be eligible for the cap-gap extension of OPT.

Post-Completion OPT for course complete students

• May work full time.
• Must be registered for thesis, final project, or dissertation and certified as a full-time student by the Graduate School for each semester or term until they graduate. Will be eligible for the cap-gap extension if approved for H-1B.
• May apply for the STEM extension if they have graduated and are otherwise eligible.
• Will be subject to the unemployment provisions.
• Will be unable to receive an extension of their program end date if they do not graduate by the end date of their Post-Completion OPT.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If a course complete student on post-completion OPT does NOT finish his or her degree during the 12 months of Post-completion OPT, he or she is NOT eligible for a program extension.  This means the student would need to prepare to change status, change education level and/or transfer to a new U.S. school, or depart the country prior to the end of the 60-day OPT grace period.

If you have questions about your situation email us at intl.work@binghamton.edu