Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Timelines
Updated August 28, 2026
DISCLAIMER: The information provided reflects Northwestern University and OISS’s current understanding of the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation and is intended to serve as a general informational resource as implementation guidance continues to evolve.
Because additional guidance, interpretations and implementation instructions are expected from DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the Department of State (DOS), this page will be updated as new information becomes available.
The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified legal counsel.
Note: Students who are required to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application (Form I-539) should begin the process as early as possible. USCIS recommends filing EOS applications 180 days before the program end date. USCIS must receive the EOS before your current Admit Until Date (AUD). Before you submit an EOS application to USCIS, you must first work with OISS to extend your Form I-20 before the end date. An alternative for filing for an EOS with USCIS is leaving the U.S. and re-entering at a port of entry to extend your AUD. Exact procedures for both options will be clarified once government guidance is issued.
Which OPT filing pathway applies to me?
| When preparing to file OPT/STEM OPT … |
Filing pathway |
OPT Filing Deadlines |
Grace
period |
| Your most recent Form I-94 shows an AUD. |
Form I-539 and Form I-765
|
- You must request an OPT I-20 in the OISS portal and submit your application with USCIS within 30 days of receiving the OPT recommendation I-20.
- USCIS must receive your application by the end of the 30-day application window after your I-20 program end date.
|
30 days |
- Your most recent Form I-94 shows Duration of Status (D/S). (You were in the U.S. before Sept. 15, 2026 and you have remained in the U.S.)
- You will file for OPT/STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027.
|
Form I-765 |
- You must request an OPT I-20 in the OISS portal and submit your application with USCIS within 30 days of receiving the OPT recommendation I-20.
- USCIS must receive your application by the end of the 30-day application window after your I-20 program end date.
|
60 days |
- Your most recent Form I-94 shows D/S. (You were in the U.S. before Sept. 15, 2026 and you have remained in the U.S.)
- You will file OPT/STEM OPT after March 18, 2027 and until November 14, 2030.
|
Form I-539 and Form I-765 |
- You must request an OPT I-20 in the OISS portal and submit your application with USCIS within 30 days of receiving the OPT recommendation I-20.
- USCIS must receive your application by the end of the 30-day application window after your I-20 program end date.
|
60 days, but when you receive the EOS, you will receive an AUD with a 30-day grace period included
|
When Applying for OPT…
Your most recent I-94 shows an AUD
If your most recent I-94 shows an AUD and you are applying for OPT/STEM OPT, then you are required to submit both an I-539 EOS application and an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS.
| Term |
Program End Date * |
Apply for OPT 90 days before program end date (This is the earliest date USCIS will receive your application.) |
OPT Start Date Window
(You must choose an OPT start date within this range.)
|
| Summer Quarter 2026 |
08/30/2026 |
06/01/2026 |
08/31/2026- 09/29/2026 |
|
Kellogg 1Y, 2Y, MMM, MBAi and
MiM students**
Summer Quarter 2026
|
09/05/2026 |
06/07/2026 |
09/06/2026-10/05/2026 |
| Fall Quarter 2026 |
12/12/2026 |
09/13/2026 |
12/13/2026- 01/11/2027 |
Law LLM, JD, & JD/MBA
Fall Semester 2026 |
12/17/2026 |
09/18/2026 |
12/18/2026- 01/16/2027 |
| Law MSL Semester 2026 |
12/13/2026 |
09/14/2026 |
12/14/2026- 01/12/2027 |
| Winter Quarter 2027 |
03/20/2027 |
12/20/2026 |
03/21/2027- 04/19/2027 |
| Law LLM, JD, & JD/MBA Spring Semester 2027 |
05/06/2027 |
02/05/2027 |
05/07/2027- 06/05/2027 |
| Law MSL Semester 2027 |
05/09/2027 |
02/08/2027 |
05/10/2027- 06/08/2027 |
| Spring Quarter 2027 |
06/11/2027 |
03/13/2027 |
06/12/2027- 07/11/2027 |
Kellogg 1Y, 2Y, MMM, MBAi
and MiM students**
Spring Quarter 2027 |
06/12/2027 |
03/14/2027 |
06/13/2027- 07/12/2027 |
* If you have a different program end date, please check with your OISS advisor for your OPT timeline.
** EMBA students must meet with Kellogg International Student Advising to confirm eligibility for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT before beginning the application process.
Your most recent I-94 shows D/S and you will apply for OPT/STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027
If your most recent I-94 shows D/S and you will apply for OPT/STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, under the new rule transition provisions you are required to submit only an I-765 with USCIS. This transition provision applies only if you were admitted under D/S before September 15, 2026, remain in the United States, continue to maintain F-1 status, and timely file your OPT application by March 18, 2027.
|
Term
|
Program End Date *
|
Apply for OPT 90 days before program end date (This is the earliest date USCIS will receive your application.)
|
OPT Start Date Window
(You must choose an OPT start date within this range.)
|
|
Summer Quarter 2026
|
08/30/2026
|
06/01/2026
|
08/31/2026- 09/29/2026
|
|
Kellogg 1Y, 2Y, MMM, MBAi and MiM students**
Summer Quarter 2026
|
09/05/2026
|
06/07/2026
|
09/06/2026-10/05/2026
|
|
Fall Quarter 2026
|
12/12/2026
|
09/13/2026
|
12/13/2026- 01/11/2027
|
|
Law LLM, JD, & JD/MBA
Fall Semester 2026
|
12/17/2026
|
09/18/2026
|
12/18/2026- 01/16/2027
|
|
Law MSL Semester 2026
|
12/13/2026
|
09/14/2026
|
12/14/2026- 01/12/2027
|
|
Winter Quarter 2027
|
03/20/2027
|
12/20/2026
|
03/21/2027- 04/19/2027
|
|
Law LLM, JD, & JD/MBA Spring Semester 2027
|
05/06/2027
|
02/05/2027
|
05/07/2027- 06/05/2027
|
|
Law MSL Semester 2027
|
05/09/2027
|
02/08/2027
|
05/10/2027- 06/08/2027
|
|
Spring Quarter 2027
|
06/11/2027
|
03/13/2027
|
06/12/2027- 07/11/2027
|
|
Kellogg 1Y, 2Y, MMM, MBAi and MiM students**
Spring Quarter 2027
|
06/12/2027
|
03/14/2027
|
06/13/2027- 07/12/2027
|
* If you have a different program end date, please check with your OISS advisor for your OPT timeline.
** EMBA students must meet with Kellogg International Student Advising to confirm eligibility for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT before beginning the application process.
Your most recent I-94 shows D/S and you will apply for OPT/STEM OPT after March 18, 2027 and until November 14, 2030
If your I-94 reflects D/S and you are applying for Post-Completion OPT after March 18, 2027 and until November 14, 2030, then you are required to submit both an I-539 EOS and an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization application with USCIS.
|
Term
|
Program End Date *
|
Apply for OPT 90 days before program end date (This is the earliest date USCIS will receive your application.)
|
OPT Start Date Window
(You must choose an OPT start date within this range.)
|
|
Winter Quarter 2027
|
03/20/2027
|
12/20/2026
|
03/21/2027- 04/19/2027
|
|
Law LLM, JD, & JD/MBA
Spring Semester 2027
|
05/06/2027
|
02/05/2027
|
05/07/2027- 06/05/2027
|
|
Law MSL Semester 2027
|
05/09/2027
|
02/08/2027
|
05/10/2027- 06/08/2027
|
|
Spring Quarter 2027
|
06/11/2027
|
03/13/2027
|
06/12/2027- 07/11/2027
|
|
Kellogg 1Y, 2Y, MMM, MBAi and MiM students**
Spring Quarter 2027
|
06/12/2027
|
03/14/2027
|
06/13/2027- 07/12/2027
|
* If you have a different program end date, please check with your OISS advisor for your OPT timeline.
** EMBA students must meet with Kellogg International Student Advising to confirm eligibility for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT before beginning the application process.
