About This Project

Core Goals

• Provide instantly computed earliest / latest filing dates for Post-Completion OPT.
• Show STEM Extension earliest / latest window once initial OPT end is known.
• Surface a heuristic recommendation (NOT_OPEN, ASAP, MID_OPTIMAL, URGENT, EXPIRED).
• Offer a concise PDF export for advising preparation records.
• Maintain transparency: rules documented in calculation rules doc.

Feature Summary

• Pure date logic (no heavy date libraries) for portability.
• Visual timeline bar with recommended marker & progress percentage.
• STEM window & automatic 180‑day extension notice when applicable.
• Accessibility-first structure: semantic headings, focus styles (ongoing improvements).
• SEO metadata for discoverability (title, description, Open Graph, canonical).
• Export to PDF capturing textual summary + timeline snapshot.

Methodology & Simplifications

Calculations implement commonly published USCIS / DHS window parameters (90 days before program end to 60 days after for OPT; 90 days before initial OPT EAD end through the end date for STEM). Recommendation labeling uses proportional window progress and remaining days thresholds to encourage timely filing while avoiding false precision. STEM expected end date is a projected +24 months added to the initial OPT EAD end (actual card validity depends on USCIS approval date). No legal guarantees; always validate with official sources.

Disclaimer

This tool is for educational reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Use it to assist preliminary planning, not as an authoritative determination. Policies can change; consult your Designated School Official (DSO) and official USCIS resources for individualized guidance. No warranties expressed or implied.

Roadmap (Planned Enhancements)

• Email reminders for milestones (earliest, mid, urgent, STEM window open / closing).
• User preference persistence (local storage / optional account).
• Multi-language interface (starting with Chinese localization).
• H-1B Cap-Gap awareness & additional status transition calculators.
• AI FAQ assistant referencing public official sources.
• Enhanced accessibility audits & automated unit tests.

Open Source / Contribution

Future iterations may open a public repository for community feedback, translations, and additional calculators. Suggestions: refine recommendation heuristics, add server validation endpoints, implement notification scheduling, and integrate structured test suites.