OPT for Weitzman Students

Graduating students may apply for OPT beginning 90 days before their program end date. To start the process, visit the ISSS OPT webpage and watch the mandatory video tutorial.

After students submit the OPT Request eform in iPenn, it is routed to the Weitzman Registrar's Office for approval. Forms will be approved in 1-2 business days for students in good academic standing. Forms are then routed to ISSS for approval, which takes 5-7 business days (although longer processing times may occur during peak seasons).

It is very rare that pre-completion OPT is requested by Weitzman masters or doctoral students, but occasionally there are times when ISSS recommends using pre-completion OPT instead of CPT for current students. In these situations, students follow the same guidelines that are outlined for CPT approval by Weitzman (e.g., minimum GPA as set by the department, limits on the number of terms during the academic program that CPT can be undertaken, etc).

How early can I apply for OPT?
Students can apply for post-completion OPT beginning up to 90 days prior to their program end date. Based on the Penn calendar, this date usually falls in late February for May graduates.

Do I need to have a job offer in order to apply for OPT?
No. Unlike with CPT (Curricular Practical Training), a job offer is not needed before you submit your OPT application.

I got a job offer to do work for Penn after graduation. Do I need OPT?
Yes. After the degree program ends and a student has graduated, OPT is needed for any work opportunity. This is different from the CPT policy that allows students to work for Penn without CPT authorization while they are a student.

My degree program is STEM-designated. Can I apply for the STEM extension when I graduate?
No. The initial OPT application is submitted for authorization for up to one year. Students who submit an application with dates exceeding one year will have their eform returned to them by the Weitzman Registrar's Office. Application for the STEM extension occurs later.

I received a job offer and my employer wants me to start shortly after graduation. Is there a way to expedite my OPT approval?
The Weitzman Registrar's Office usually approves OPT requests in 1-2 business days. The form is then routed to ISSS for approval, where the standard processing time is 5-7 business days, although this can be longer during peak seasons. Students who need their EAD card quickly can utilize the "Premium Processing" provided by USCIS to expedite processing on the government side. As of March 2025, the fee for premium processing was $1685 in addition to other application fees.

I would like to apply for pre-completion OPT. Is this permissible?
It is very rare for Weitzman masters degree students to use pre-completion OPT. At Weitzman, pre-completion OPT follows the same departmental rules for eligibility, time limits, and processes as CPT. Use of pre-completion OPT is subtracted from the 12-months allowed for post-completion OPT. For example, if a student uses pre-completion OPT by working full-time for two months during a summer, they will be eligible for 10 months of OPT after graduation. If they work part-time for two months during a summer, they will be eligible for 11 months of OPT after graduation.

Does taking a leave of absence impact my eligibility for OPT?
Possibly. Students must have two consecutive semesters of full-time study immediately prior to graduation in order to be eligible for OPT. Exception: if the final semester qualifies for Reduced Course Load (RCL) because fewer than 3 CUs are needed to complete the degree, then the RCL semester will count as a full-time semester for purposes of OPT eligibility. IMPORTANT: Students should plan leaves of absence very carefully. If there is only one semester left for degree completion upon return from leave, a student will not be eligible for OPT. Needing more courses to earn a certificate alongside a degree is not a valid reason for extending the expected graduation date and will not result in additional semesters that can be used for OPT eligibility.

Where can I get more information about OPT?
The ISSS website provides detailed information about OPT, including important information about fees, policy guidance, and the link to the mandatory tutorial video.