OPT Processing Time
USCIS currently reports that 80% of OPT applications (Form I-765, category (c)(3)) are approved within 3.5 months.
That is not a guarantee, and it is not an average, we do not have one to give you. About 1 in 5 applications take longer, and there is no way to know in advance which group yours will be in.
Find out when you can work
For an application filed July 26, 2026, 80% of people have heard back by
early November 2026
That is a real date, not a countdown.
Your action date: January 10, 2027
Silence before this date is normal. It already accounts for typical Request for Evidence and biometrics time. On this date your case is officially outside normal processing, and you can contact USCIS.
It has been getting faster
The solid coral line is the time by which 80% of applications are approved. The dashed teal line is the case-inquiry date, the point after which you can contact USCIS about your case. Hover or tap a point to see its month and value.
Show data as a table
| USCIS update | 80% approved within | Case inquiry date |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | 4.5 months | 5 months |
| Feb 2026 | 4.5 months | 5 months |
| Mar 2026 | 4.5 months | 5 months |
| Apr 2026 | 4.5 months | 5 months |
| May 2026 | 3.5 months | 4.5 months |
| Jun 2026 | 3.5 months | 5 months |
| Jul 2026 | 3.5 months | 5.5 months |
Common questions
How long does OPT take to process?
USCIS currently reports that 80% of post-completion OPT applications (Form I-765, category (c)(3)) are approved within about 3.5 months. That is a percentile, not a guarantee, so roughly 1 in 5 take longer. Most students file in the 90-day window before their program end date so the work permit arrives close to when they plan to start.
Why is my OPT taking so long?
A case can run past the typical range when USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, when it needs to verify your SEVIS record, or during the busy stretch after spring graduation. A paper filing also spends extra days in the mail and in intake before USCIS logs it.
Can I make OPT process faster?
Premium processing is not offered for the initial post-completion OPT category. You can file online to save mailing time, send a complete application to avoid a Request for Evidence, and in narrow situations ask USCIS to expedite for a reason it accepts, such as severe financial loss.
When should I file so my work permit arrives on time?
You can file up to 90 days before your program end date and up to 60 days after it. Filing early in that window gives USCIS the current processing time to decide before the day you want to start work.
Keep going
See your own OPT application window
Enter your program end date and get the exact dates you can file and start work.
Source: USCIS Processing Times
Osito is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Processing times come from USCIS and change over time. For your own case, check your case status with USCIS or ask your DSO.