International Student Post-Graduation

Congratulations on graduating from Fordham University! Now that your studies are done, many international students chose to stay in the U.S. to work in their major area of study.

If you continue your stay in the U.S. after graduation with your F-1 visa, there are some very important things to know and regulations you must follow in order to legally stay within the country.

Fordham Graduating Law School Students

Optional practical training

F-1 students who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree may be eligible for up to 12 months of post-completion OPT to work in a field directly related to their major. Learn more about OPT eligibility, application steps, and reporting requirements on our full OPT guide.

Learn about optional practical training

Students working together on computer

Maintaining your status on OPT

While you are on OPT, you remain in F-1 student status and must continue to meet all F-1 requirements in order to maintain your status.

Know Your Responsibilities on OPT

Man at Computer, monitor and papers spread around

STEM extension

F-1 students who have completed bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields may be eligible for an additional 24-month STEM extension of post-completion OPT (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months).

Learn about STEM extension of post-completion OPT

Students working on STEM project

Maintaining your status on STEM OPT

While on STEM OPT, you remain in F-1 student status and must continue to meet all F-1 and STEM OPT requirements, including employment, reporting, and compliance obligations.

Know Your Responsibilities on STEM OPT

stock travel information


Travel and Re-entry

Students on OPT or STEM OPT should review this page before traveling internationally. It outlines required documents, including an I-20 with a travel signature issued within the last six months, and explains how travel may be impacted if your OPT or STEM extension is pending or if your visa has expired.

 

Learn about travel and reentry on OPT/STEM OPT

Cap Gap extension

F-1 students on post-completion OPT who have a timely-filed H-1B petition may be eligible for a CAP-Gap extension, which allows them to continue working in the U.S. while their H-1B petition is pending. This extension bridges the gap between the end of OPT and the start of H-1B status (typically October 1) so that students can maintain employment authorization without interruption. Eligible students must continue to report employment and address changes to the Office for International Services to remain in compliance.

 

Learn about Cap-Gap extension

Graduate Diploma Ceremony

What happens after OPT ends?

Learn about Life After F-1


Contact information

Phone: (718) 817-3145
New students: [email protected]
Current students: [email protected]

Rose Hill campus

441 East Fordham Rd., Walsh Library, 049
Bronx, NY 10458

Lincoln Center campus

Martino Hall, 45 Columbus Ave, Suite 315,
New York, NY 10023


Office hours

Regular hours:
Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Summer hours:
Monday through Thursday from 9: a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Fridays

Appointments are available in person, by phone, or via Zoom.

Make and appointment