Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit that allows you temporary employment after completion of your academic program. The employment must be directly related to your major field of study.

Do not begin the application process for OPT without first attending an OPT workshop and meeting with your immigration advisor.

Eligibility

While it is possible to participate in pre-completion OPT, we recommend against it. We recommend that you save your eligibility of employment to post-completion OPT.

You are eligible to apply for post-completion OPT if you meet all requirements:

  • You have maintained F-1 status for at least one academic year (2 consecutive semesters, Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall) prior to the start of OPT period
  • You are in the final term of your degree program
  • You have used less than 12 months of cumulative full-time CPT during your current degree
    Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility nor reduce the length of time of your OPT
  • You have not used any portion of pre-completion OPT (as it will count towards the total post-completion OPT that is approved by USCIS)

Length of an OPT Work Authorization

Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).

Students who graduate in a designated STEM field can apply for an additional 24-month extension of OPT, after completing 12 months of OPT (total of 3 years).

Students are not able to apply for OPT authorization on their own, they must first meet with the ISSO.

At the completion of each degree level, you are eligible for a period of OPT, which means you can apply for OPT after your Bachelor's degree, your Master's degree, and your PhD degree. You cannot be granted a period of OPT more than one at the same degree level—for example, completing two Master's degrees will only qualify as one period of OPT, even if they are earned at different times.

Some Educational Certificates are recognized by USCUS as qualifying for a period of OPT. Academic English (AE) students are not eligible for OPT.

Students cannot begin work until:

  • ISSO issues you a new I-20 with an OPT endorsement
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your OPT application
  • USCIS mails you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you have the EAD in your possession, and the start date is posted on the EAD card

How to Apply

The OPT application process consists of several steps. Each step is discussed in detail at an OPT Workshop. Attendance at an OPT Workshop is mandatory for all OPT applicants.

OPT Workshops

ISSO will hold OPT Workshops throughout the year (see CIESA calendar every semester).

It is essential to attend a workshop, as very important information will be given in regard to documents needed and timeliness. Attending a required workshop will help you understand the multi-step application process and the rules you need to follow while on OPT. We recommend attending a workshop during the last year of your program, so you'll have plenty of time to apply.

OPT Application Process

  1. Attend an OPT Workshop
  2. Apply for graduation (check with your department for application process and deadlines)
  3. Schedule an appointment with an ISSO advisor to issue you the OPT I-20
  4. E-file with an ISSO advisor’s guidance & collect new I-20
  5. Wait for USCIS to approve your application
  6. Receive Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in the mail upon USCIS approval
  7. Begin working and report employment to ISSO after receiving the EAD

When to Apply

USCIS must receive your OPT application within 90 days before and 60 days after your I-20 program end date. When you begin the process by applying for a new I-20 with ISSO, your I-20 program end date will be shortened to the very last day of classes you are enrolled in.

USCIS will deny your application if you e-file more than 90 days before or more than 60 days after your new I-20 program end date. It is important that you do not wait until the last minute to start your application.

After graduation, if you have not already e-filed for OPT with USCIS, do not exit the U.S. Doing so will deactivate your F-1 status and make you ineligible for OPT. If you have upcoming travel plans, you should apply for OPT at least two months before the end of your last semester.

Students who have a job offer or who wish to begin working soon after graduation, they should submit their application to USCIS as early as possible. Even then, due to USCIS processing times, approval for the desired start date is not guaranteed. Remember that the process normally takes 3-4 months for the approval and for you to receive the EAD card.

Students who think they may have difficulties finding a job (and therefore need additional time for their job search) can either delay applying until closer to the end of the filing window or can apply early and request a later start date.

Important Note: We always recommend that students apply as early as possible, and not wait until the last minute to avoid unforeseen delays or problems.

Choosing a Start Date

When you meet with an ISSO advisor, you will be asked to choose a date you wish to start your OPT. Please consider:

  • Your requested OPT start date may be as early as the day after your I-20 program end date (the very last day of finals) and as late as 60 days after your I-20 program end date
    Even if there is no chance that your application will be approved by the requested date, we still must list a date within that time frame on the I-20
  • Requesting a certain start date does not guarantee that you will be able to begin working on that date
    USCIS must approve your application and you must receive your EAD before you can begin working, even if the requested start date has passed
  • If you want to start working soon after classes end, apply as early as possible and request a start date after your I-20 program end date

Important Note: Although you may be approved for up to 12 months of OPT, when USCIS issues your EAD the latest end date will be 14 months after your I-20 program end date. This means that the later you apply, the greater the chance that you will not receive the full 12 months—for example, if you graduate on May 18 and submit your application on June 1 it will take 3-5 months for USCIS to approve it. If they approve it on October 1, your EAD will only be valid from October 1 through July 17 (14 months after your I-20 program end date of May 18).

E-Filing with USCIS

ISSO will help students with e-filing their applications instead of mailing them to USCIS. This eliminates many potential mailing and filing fee payment problems, and also provides the student with an instant receipt notice as proof of submission.

In order to e-file, students will need:

  • A USCIS account
    OPT e-file Form I-765 with category (c)(3)(b)
  • Filing Fee ($470 USD)
    This fee amount can change at any time, please check with ISSO and/or USCIS’ website to confirm
  • A U.S. credit or debit card connected to a U.S. billing address or a U.S. checking/savings account number & routing number
  • A digital passport‐style photo (2 inches by 2 inches)
    If you don't have one, you can create one
  • A copy of a new I‐20 with OPT recommendation (provided by ISSO Advisor at e-filing appointment)
  • A copy of your passport biographical page
  • A copy of your Visa
  • A copy of your I‐94
  • A Copy(ies) of any previous EAD(s), if applicable
  • A Copy(ies) of all CPT I-20s if you have done any CPT previously

Please remember to meet with an ISSO advisor to apply for OPT. You cannot file by yourself without the OPT I-20, if you try to do so, your application will be denied.

Maintaining Status & Reporting

Just as your immigration status depended on being enrolled in classes while you were a student, your immigration status depends on being employed in your field of study while on OPT. While on OPT you must:

  • Work or volunteer at least 20 hours per week
    • You may work or volunteer anywhere in the U.S. as long as the opportunity is directly related to your major
    • You may work or volunteer in multiple positions
    • There is no maximum to the number of hours you may work
  • Report your employment to verify that you are maintaining status
    • When you are approved for OPT, you will get an email from ICE/DHS about the SEVP Portal. You can create your profile in the SEVP Portal but you should only report your employment and any changes to Suffolk's ISSO through our reporting form. Even though it is possible to report your OPT directly through the SEVP Portal, Suffolk's ISSO will not receive the information submitted there—report your OPT employment to the ISSO
    • You must report every time you start or end a job or volunteer experience by completing the form and emailing the ISSO if you end the job
  • Report any changes in your address, contact information, or immigration status
    • If your address, phone number, email address, or immigration status changes, let us know either through our website or via email
    • All changes to address, contact information, or immigration status must be reported within 10 calendar days

Actions not permitted during OPT include:

  • You are not permitted to enroll in courses leading to a degree program or certificate, including:
    • Starting a new degree program
    • Taking leveling classes to pursue another degree
    • Completing a certificate program
    Any classes you take must be part-time, non-degree seeking, and incidental to your employment—for example, taking a cooking or yoga class as a hobby are acceptable as they aren't building upon your education or career

Note: If you are working, but do not report your employment, DHS will assume you are unemployed, and your SEVIS record may be automatically terminated.

Unemployment

During your first year of OPT, you are allowed only 90 days of unemployment. Unemployment includes any days between the "Valid From" date on your EAD and when you start your first job, any time in between jobs, and any time between the end date of your last job at the end date of your OPT. Vacation time while you are employed does not count toward unemployment.

Your work authorization will automatically end on the 91st day of unemployment, even though your card still appears to be valid. You must do one of the following BEFORE the 90th day in order to maintain status:

  • Begin another academic program that starts within 5 months (I‐20 must be issued by 90th day)
  • Submit a change of status application with USCIS
  • Leave the U.S.

Note: While 90 days may seem like quite a bit of time, many students underestimate how quickly their deadline comes. You should be actively looking for a job once you apply for OPT. If you cannot find paid employment, seek out volunteer opportunities in order to maintain your immigration status while you look. Remember that you can do part time, internships, or volunteer work, therefore you should not go all the way to the 90th day without finding a job.

Travel Issues

Students on OPT remain in F-1 status, and should continue to use their passport, F-1 visa, I-20, and EAD when traveling.

When entering the U.S., your I-20 must include a travel signature that was provided within the last 6 months by an ISSO Advisor.

Keep your I-797C receipt notice (if your OPT is pending) or EAD (if your OPT is approved) whenever traveling.

Some Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers may ask for further proof of employment, so you may also need to have a copy of your job offer letter as well.

CBP has explicitly stated that students may travel internationally while their OPT applications are pending. However, CBP agents may subject you to additional questioning. If you travel while your OPT application is pending/before you receive your EAD:

  • Always bring your passport, visa, I‐20, and receipt notice (Form I‐797C)
  • Respond to questions confidently, but do not argue
  • If you just filed your application and don’t have the receipt notice, you can only re‐enter before your program end date. CBP may deny you entry after your program end date if you don’t have the receipt notice

If you don’t have a valid visa, do not travel while your application is pending, unless eligible for Automatic Visa Revalidation—contact ISSO for more information. The Department of State will not renew your visa while your OPT is pending as they will need to see the approved EAD card in order to renew your visa.

Do not exit the U.S. after finishing your finals if you have not already applied for OPT and have received your receipt notice. Doing so will deactivate your F-1 status and make you ineligible for OPT.

All students who have upcoming travel plans should apply for OPT at least two months before the last day of finals.

OPT Issues with USCIS

You may encounter some issues with your application while it is pending or after it is approved by USCIS.

Call USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. You may be asked to provide details that were listed on your application, including your full name, date of birth, address, etc., and you may be asked for the date your application was mailed, the date it was received, and/or the tracking information. If asked, your application was mailed to a Lockbox Facility where it should have been processed and forwarded to the Potomac Service Center.

USCIS typically takes 3-5 months to adjudicate I-765 (OPT) applications. If you think it has been too long, check the case status using your receipt number (the "YSC..." number from your I-797C receipt notice). If the application is still pending, you can:

Check to see if it is outside normal processing times

  • Check processing times and enter "I-765" and "Potomac Service Center" into the form
  • Scroll down and look at the "Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]" line
  • Compare it to your receipt date, which can be found on the online case status page or the "Received Date" from your I-797C receipt notice

If your application was received before the "Receipt date for a case inquiry," you may proceed with contacting USCIS for an update.

If your application was received after the "Receipt date for a case inquiry" date, then it is still inside the normal processing time. If this is the case, you must continue to wait. If you were to contact USCIS you will not receive any additional information and you will cause unnecessary work that will slow down processing for everyone (yourself included).

If your case is outside normal processing time you can submit a case status inquiry

Go to the "Case outside normal processing time" form to submit a request. Please note it may take 2-3 weeks or more to receive a response from USCIS.

To submit a request you will need to indicate:

  • Form Number: I-765
  • Form Sub Type: I-765 - Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student. [(c)(3)]
  • Receipt Number: The "YSC..." number from your I-797C receipt notice
  • Date Filed: The "Receipt Date" from your I-797C receipt notice
  • Name: Match what you put on your application (usually the same as your passport)
  • Date of Birth: Make sure you put month/day/year
  • A-Number: Leave blank
  • Mailing Address: Match what you put on your application
  • Last Action Taken on Case: "I received my receipt notice and have not received any other notices since" or "I received a Request for Evidence and replied to it on [date]."
  • Would you like a confirmation sent? Enter your email address.
  • This form is complete by the: Applicant or Petitioner
  • Click "Submit"

It's important to contact USCIS as soon as possible if you notice this issue. They will mail your card to the "mailing address" that you put on your I-765 application.

If you changed your address during that time and filed Form AR-11, they may not process the change in time to update your mailing address in their system before sending out your card.

Even if you have set up a forwarding address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), they will not forward your card.

To submit the request notifying USCIS that you have not received your card, visit The Non-Delivery of Notice page. Please note it may take 2-3 weeks or more to receive a response from USCIS.

To submit a request you must indicate:

  • Form Number: I-765
  • Form Sub Type: I-765 - Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student. [(c)(3)]
  • Receipt Number: The "YSC..." number from your I-797C receipt notice
  • Date Filed: The "Receipt Date" from your I-797C receipt notice
  • Name: Match what you put on your application (usually the same as your passport)
  • Date of Birth: Make sure you put month/day/year
  • A-Number: Leave blank unless you received the approval notice in the mail. If so, input your A#, which is a 9-digit number that you can find on your I-797C receipt notice
  • Mailing Address: Match what you put on your application
  • Card Type: Employment Authorization Card
  • Provide Last Action on Your Case: Briefly describe the issue. Provide exact dates when possible. If you contacted USPS (see below), describe your encounter
  • Would you like a confirmation sent? Enter your email address
  • This form is complete by the: Applicant or Petitioner
  • Click "Submit"

If your online case status states that your card was delivered to you but you did not receive it, you should also contact your local USPS office to inquire in addition to submitting your form request. Occasionally the cards are accidentally delivered to the wrong mailbox and they may be able to find it.

Ending Your OPT

If you are maintaining status and have not exceeded the 90-day unemployment limit, you have a 60-day grace period after your OPT ends to receive an I‐20 to begin a new academic program, change to another immigration status, or leave the U.S.

If you exceed the 90-day unemployment limit, you do not have a grace period. You are required to leave the U.S. immediately.

If you decide you want to end your OPT early, please email us directly and we will complete your SEVIS record.

Beginning a new academic program automatically cancels any remaining OPT. Your new program must start within 5 months of when your OPT ends. Work with your international advisor (at ISSO and/or your new school) to find a program start/transfer date that is convenient for you.