OPT Deadlines and Information Session dates

It is NOT advisable to wait until the deadline to apply for OPT.  You are advised to apply for OPT at least 90 days prior to your requested OPT start date.  US Immigration processing time to approve OPT can be from 45-90 days after submitting your application to the Immigration Service Center.

You may apply for OPT with US CIS up to 90 days before your program completion date and no later than 60 days after your program completion date (during the F-1 grace period), provided the application filed with US CIS is received within 30 days of the date the staff member enters the OPT recommendation into SEVIS (date the new I-20 OPT recommendation is issued) and received by US CIS before the end of the 60 day grace period (60 days from the completion of studies expiration date of the OPT I-20 [item #5 on I-20]).

Note: OPT deadlines listed on this page apply to F-1 students who have an LSU I-20 to study on the main campus. Deadlines for F-1 students in the School of Veterinary Medicine will be based on the Veterinary School’s academic calendar (not the main campus calendar). F-1 ECFVG (Veterinary School program) students are advised to consult with the IS employment advisor 4-6 months before completing their program regarding their specific OPT deadlines.   

Spring 2013 OPT Information Sessions:

February 19, 2013               Tuesday         1:30-3:30pm 103 Design Bldg.

March 6, 2013                      Wednesday   10:30am-12:30pm   103 Design Bldg.

April 25, 2013                       Thursday       1:30-3:30pm 103 Design Bldg.

OPT applicants registered for “Degree Only” in Spring 2013 (program completion date January 24, 2013)

Earliest date that you can apply to IS (90 days prior to completion date): October 26, 2012

Deadline to apply for IS OPT recommendation: Monday, March 11, 2013

Deadline for US CIS to receive complete OPT application: Monday, March 25, 2013

OPT applicants registered in credit hours in Spring 2013 and graduating in May 2013 (program completion date May 17, 2013)

Earliest date that you can apply to IS (90 days prior to completion date): February 16, 2013

Deadline to apply for IS OPT recommendation: Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Deadline for US CIS to receive complete OPT application: Tuesday, July 16, 2013

OPT applicants registered for “Degree Only” in Summer 2013 (program completion date June 13, 2013)

Earliest date that you can apply to IS (90 days prior to completion date): March 15, 2013

Deadline to apply for IS OPT recommendation: Monday, July 29, 2013

Deadline for US CIS to receive complete OPT application: Monday, August 12, 2013

OPT applicants registered in credit hours in Summer 2013 and graduating in August 2013 (program completion date August 9, 2013)

Earliest date that you can apply to IS (90 days prior to completion date): May 11, 2013

Deadline to apply for IS OPT recommendation: Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Deadline for US CIS to receive complete OPT application: Tuesday, October 8, 2013

OPT applicants registered for “Degree Only” in Fall 2013 (program completion date September 5, 2013)

Earliest date that you can apply to IS (90 days prior to completion date): June 7, 2013

Deadline to apply for IS OPT recommendation: Monday, October 21, 2013

Deadline for US CIS to receive complete OPT application: Monday, November 4, 2013

OPT applicants registered in credit hours in Fall 2013 and graduating in December 2013 (program completion date December 20, 2013)

Earliest date that you can apply to IS (90 days prior to completion date): September 21, 2013

Deadline to apply for IS OPT recommendation: Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Deadline for US CIS to receive complete OPT application: Tuesday, February 18, 2014