Early Completion of OPT

During the period of OPT authorization, it is assumed that a student will be working or actively seeking employment. If you decide to quit your job, or if you do not find a job, keep the unemployment rules in mind:

Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment.
Students who are granted a 17-month extension are given an additional 30 days of unemployment for a total of 120 days over their entire post-completion OPT period.
After your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expires, you are allowed a 60-day grace period to depart the U.S, change your status, or begin a new F-1 program (you are not allowed to work during this time).

(See also the reporting requirements related to your loss of employment.)

Early Completion and Leaving the U.S.
If you decided to leave the U.S. prior to the expiration of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you are required to report your date of departure from the U.S. using our address and employer reporting web site at http://ssu.berkeley.edu/

New Program of Study
If you are completing your OPT early due to admission to a new program of study, see the information on Beginning a New Program.

Change of Status
If your OPT ends before the EAD expiration date due to a change of status, it is important that you send an email to Berkeley International Office to notify us. Your record in our database will need updating to match the SEVIS records.


	Early Completion of OPT	A-Z Index
Home Students Prospective Students New Students Current Students Exchange Students Practical Training Students Summer Students Returning Students Professors & Researchers Prospective J-1 H-1B TN O-1 Permanent Residents B-1/B-2 Visa Waiver Family UCB Departments Students J-1 Researchers & Faculty H-1B Staff TN Staff O-1 Staff B-1/B-2 Visitors Visa Waiver Visitors Permanent Residents Living at Berkeley Transportation Housing Money Health & Safety Legal Resources Cultural Adjustment Travel & Visas Programs & Workshops Calendar Resource Links About Berkeley International Office Staff Contact US	During the period of OPT authorization, it is assumed that a student will be working or actively seeking employment. If you decide to quit your job, or if you do not find a job, keep the unemployment rules in mind: Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment. Students who are granted a 17-month extension are given an additional 30 days of unemployment for a total of 120 days over their entire post-completion OPT period. After your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expires, you are allowed a 60-day grace period to depart the U.S, change your status, or begin a new F-1 program (you are not allowed to work during this time). (See also the reporting requirements related to your loss of employment.) Early Completion and Leaving the U.S. If you decided to leave the U.S. prior to the expiration of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you are required to report your date of departure from the U.S. using our address and employer reporting web site at http://ssu.berkeley.edu/ New Program of Study If you are completing your OPT early due to admission to a new program of study, see the information on Beginning a New Program. Change of Status If your OPT ends before the EAD expiration date due to a change of status, it is important that you send an email to Berkeley International Office to notify us. Your record in our database will need updating to match the SEVIS records.