International Students

If you meet the following requirements, you are eligible for OPT:

1. You have been a full-time F-1 student in good standing for at least 1 full academic year.
2. You are currently maintaining F-1 status.
3. Your proposed work is directly related to your major area of study. If you are starting a business, the majority of the work you perform must be directly related to your major area of study.

An F-1 student may be authorized up to a total of 12 months of full-time practical training at each educational level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate).

If the student chooses to engage in pre-completion OPT, they may not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session, but may work full-time during their annual vacation and other times when the school is not in session.

If a student engages in pre-completion OPT, the student’s eligible period of post-completion OPT will be reduced when they graduates.

Students who graduate with a qualified Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) degree, and are currently in an approved post-completion OPT period based on a designated STEM degree may apply for a 24-month STEM extension of their post-completion OPT. STEM designated degree list

Applications for OPT can be submitted up to 90 days prior to the completion of your program but must be received by USCIS no later than 60 days after the completion of your program.

It takes approximately 90 days for USCIS to process OPT applications. In general, it is recommended that you apply for OPT as close as possible to 90 days prior to the completion of your program.

Because your 12 months of OPT must be completed within 14 months of the completion of your academic program, applying early is the best way to prevent you from losing any of your 12 months of OPT eligibility.

OPT employment authorization is granted by the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS). To apply for OPT you must:

Step 1

Request a recommendation for OPT from the Office of International Programs with your DSO at the International Programs office to obtain this recommendation on your I-20.

Complete the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request Form and submit to Kasey Shay

Step 2

• Visit https://myaccount.uscis.gov/ 
• Create a USCIS online account
  • After creating your account check your email for a code from MyAccount@uscis.dhs.gov that you will use to log in.
  • Log back in and create your password.
  • Choose your verify method: email is recommended.
  • Select to log into your "My USCIS"
  • For account type, select "I am an applicant, petitioner, or requester"
• Select "File a Form Online"
  • Select "I-765, Application for Employment Authorization"
  • Select "Start Form"
• Select your eligibility category
  • C3A for pre-completion OPT (OPT used during your academic program)
  • C3B for post-completion OPT (OPT used after graduation)
  • C3C for STEM OPT extension (used only for students on an active period of post-completion OPT and meeting all other STEM OPT extension requirements)
• Select you reason for applying as "Initial permission to accept employment"
  • Note: Your draft will auto save as you work your way through the application but you must complete and submit it within 30 days of the date you received your Form I-20 with OPT recommendation.
• Complete the About you section. Some helpful reminders for this section:
  • Make sure that your name matches your I-20 and passport name
  • Make sure that your mailing address is an address where you will be able to receive your EAD card at a later date
  • Make sure that your date of birth uses the format Month/Day/Year
  • Make sure that your travel information that you enter matches your I-94 Travel history, your I-94 can be accessed here
• Complete Evidence Section. Some helpful hints for this section:
  • Make sure that all documents are saved and uploaded as PDF, JPEG, PNG only
  • Under 2X2 photo section, make sure to upload a passport style photo
  • Under Form I-94 section make sure that you upload your most recent I-94. You can get your most recent I-94 form
  • Under Employment Authorization Document or Government ID section, you should upload your passport and any previously issued EAD cards if applicable
  • Under Employment Authorized CPT or OPT section, upload any Form I-20s that show previously issued CPT or OPT, and upload any previously issued EAD cards if you have been approved for OPT previously
  • Under I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status section, upload your Form I-20 that has your OPT recommendation endorsed by your DSO on page two. Upload all three pages of your Form I-20
  • IMPORTANT: This is not just your most recent Form I-20, this Form I-20 must have the OPT recommendation on it from your DSO at the International Programs office. You would have needed to apply to the International Programs office in order to receive this Form I-20. If you are unsure, do not proceed until talking to the International Programs office.
  • For STEM OPT applicants there will be additional documents requested such as proof of your STEM College degree and Institution accreditation
• Complete Review and Submit section
  • Check that all of your information is correct before submitting. You can download the draft snapshot and send it to the International Programs office to review with you before you submit your application. Once you submit your application you cannot make corrections. 
• After you submit your application and agree to the applicant statement you will be redirected to pay.gov to make your payment. You must finalize the payment in order for the application to be considered complete. Until payment is received by USCIS your application will not be considered. You may pay by bank transfer (ACH) or via a debit/credit card issued by a US bank. The US billing address provided must match the details on your bank/credit card account.
• After you submit you will receive a confirmation, select "go to my cases" to see your receipt notice. Remember to check in your account periodically for Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and the final decision letter.
• Let the International Programs office know once you have completed your application. 

Address Change If your mailing address changes while you are waiting for your OPT application to be approved, it is extremely important that you update your address with USCIS. You can update your address online 

Connect with your Career Center Advisor for assistance with finding jobs help with your resume and exploring career opportunities. 

Traveling before receiving your EAD card

If personal circumstances require you to travel outside of the U.S. while your application is pending, it is important that you travel with the appropriate documents.

If you have not completed your degree by the time you plan on returning to the U.S. travel with the following documents:

• Your passport (valid 6 months into the future from the date you plan to enter the U.S.)
• A valid Form I-20 with a travel signature no more than 6 months old
• A valid F-1 Visa stamp - If you have completed your degree by the time you plan to return to the U.S. travel with the following documents:
  • Your passport valid 6 months into the future from the date you plan to enter the U.S.
  • A Form I-797C (notice of receipt of OPT application from USCIS)

It is extremely important that you do not begin employment until you have physically received your EAD card from USCIS. Failure to do so is a violation of your F-1 status.

Once your OPT has been approved, federal regulations require you to report the following information to the Visa Specialist:

• A copy of your EAD card
• Name of your employer
• Start date of employment
• Mailing address of your employer
• Your current address

If any of this information changes, you are required to notify International Programs by completing the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Reporting Form within 10 days. Failure to do so is a violation of terms of your F-1 Visa. 

F-1 visa regulations allow students to apply for OPT without having an employer. For students who remain in the United States on post-completion OPT, their legal status depends on being employed.

OPT employment may be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, and includes self-employment.

Students on post-completion OPT may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment within the approved dates of OPT as listed on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

All OPT employment, including post-completion OPT employment, is required to be related to the student’s degree program. The following list describes acceptable forms of employment: 

• Paid employment: Students may work part time (at least 20 hours per week when on post-completion OPT) or full time.
• Multiple employers: Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to each individual student’s degree program.
• Short-term multiple employers (performing artists): Students, such as musicians and other performing artists, may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). The student should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates, and the duration.
• Work for hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. If requested by the Department of Homeland Security, students should be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.
• Self-employed business owner: Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. The student should be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to his or her degree program.
• Employment through an agency or consulting firm: Students on post-completion OPT must be able to provide evidence showing that they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.
• Unpaid employment Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this practice does not violate any labor laws. The work should be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT. A student should be able to provide evidence, acquired from the student’s employer, to verify that he or she worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.

How to Apply

Considerations:

Your employer may suggest or require that you change to G-1 status, a non immigrant status reserved for employees of international organizations. If you change your status, your eligibility for benefits based on your F-1 status may be affected. You should consult the International Programs Office for more information.