Lana Oconnell
International students on an F-1 visa can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain work experience in their field of study. OPT is available to students who have been full-time students for at least one academic year and are seeking employment in the United States. The application process involves two parts: first, students must apply to their Designated School Official (DSO) for an OPT recommendation on their I-20 form, and then they must submit an OPT application packet, including a signed copy of their OPT I-20, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The OPT application can be submitted up to 90 days before and up to 60 days after the expected program completion date. Students with degrees in certain STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their OPT authorization. It is important to note that the OPT application process can be complex and may take several months, so students should carefully review the requirements and plan their application accordingly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for OPT? | F-1 international students who have been full-time students for at least two consecutive semesters and plan to seek employment in the United States in their fields of study. |
| When can an international student apply for OPT? | Up to 90 days before and up to 60 days after your expected program completion date. |
| What is the OPT application process? | First, apply to BIO for an OPT recommendation on your I-20. Then, submit an OPT application packet, including a signed copy of your OPT I-20, to USCIS. |
| How long does it take to process an OPT application? | It takes USCIS 90-150 days to process an OPT application. |
| Can I work while on OPT? | Yes, students can work full-time or part-time (at least 20 hours per week) while on OPT. |
| Can I work before receiving my OPT? | Students cannot begin working before the start date on the EAD. |
| How long does OPT last? | OPT ends exactly 364 days after it begins. |
| Can I get an extension on my OPT? | Students with degrees in STEM fields can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. |
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What You'll Learn
Pre-completion OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study. Students may engage in Pre-Completion OPT while actively enrolled in an academic program.
To be eligible for Pre-Completion OPT, students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Students do not need to have had F-1 status for the entire academic year; they can satisfy the requirement even if they had another nonimmigrant status during that time.
Students who are approved for Pre-Completion OPT may work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and may work full-time when school is not in session. Students are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT at each degree level. This means that any time for which a student receives Pre-OPT authorization will be subtracted from the time available for Post-Completion OPT.
To request Pre-OPT work authorization, students must first request an I-20 with a recommendation for Pre-OPT from OGS. They must then submit an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review and adjudication. USCIS encourages students to file their OPT application online. Once USCIS has completed its final review of the OPT application packet, it will issue a formal adjudication decision of approval or denial. Students can expect at least 90 days of processing time, recognizing that processing times can vary from student to student and year to year.
If a student's Pre-OPT is approved for their final term, their program end date and Pre-OPT end date cannot be shortened in SEVIS. Because periods of OPT cannot overlap, having Pre-OPT approved through the final term could make the student ineligible for Post-Completion OPT if their program end date changes unexpectedly.
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Post-completion OPT
The application process for post-completion OPT involves several steps and multiple players. Firstly, a Designated School Official (DSO) at the student's academic institution must recommend OPT by endorsing their Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The DSO will also make the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Once the DSO has recommended OPT, it is the student's responsibility to apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students can choose to submit their OPT application online or by mailing a paper-based application packet to USCIS, but they should not do both. USCIS encourages students to file their OPT application online, as it minimizes the risk of rejection by vetting common reasons for rejection and provides direct access to USCIS notices.
After submitting the application, students can expect to receive a notice of receipt from USCIS. If the application was filed online, the confirmation of filing and receipt information will be immediately available. For paper-based applications, a receipt notice will typically be mailed within 3 to 4 weeks. The processing time for OPT applications is approximately 3 months but can vary and fluctuate from student to student.
Once USCIS has completed its final review, they will issue a formal adjudication decision of approval or denial. If approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and students must not begin working before the start date on the EAD. It is important to note that any OPT requests entered into SEVIS must comply with federal regulations, and students must maintain their F-1 status by not working on a terminated EAD.
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STEM OPT extension
International students with an F-1 visa can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to receive temporary employment that is directly related to their major area of study. Students can apply for pre-completion OPT after completing one full academic year or post-completion OPT after completing their studies.
If you have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be an F-1 student who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
- Be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify.
- Have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.
- Submit Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, endorsed by your Designated School Official (DSO) within the last 60 days.
- Provide a copy of your STEM degree.
- Maintain your F-1 status and ensure your 12-month OPT information is up-to-date.
- Pay the $200 STEM Post-Completion Training fee.
- Complete Form I-983 with your employer.
If you file your STEM OPT extension application on time and your OPT period expires while your application is pending, your employment authorization will be automatically extended for up to 180 days. However, if you transfer to another school or begin a new educational level, your OPT employment authorization will be terminated.
It is important to note that the STEM OPT extension program has specific requirements for both students and employers. Students must work at least 20 hours per week for each employer, and employers must provide compensation commensurate with that provided to similarly situated U.S. workers. Additionally, volunteer positions are not permitted under the STEM OPT extension program.
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OPT application process
The OPT application process can be lengthy, with USCIS processing times of up to 5 months. It is important to note that an F-1 Optional Practical Training request that remains in "Requested" status for more than 180 days will be automatically cancelled by SEVIS.
To begin the OPT application process, students must first request that their Designated School Official (DSO) at their academic institution recommends OPT in SEVIS. The DSO will endorse the student's Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and make the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Once the DSO has recommended OPT, students can proceed to file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS. This form must be accompanied by the required fee and supporting documentation as outlined in the form instructions. Students should be mindful of the Form I-765 filing deadlines and ensure that their DSO enters the OPT information accurately in SEVIS.
After submitting Form I-765, students can expect to receive a receipt notice from USCIS. If the application was filed online, the confirmation and receipt information will be available immediately. For paper-based applications, the receipt notice will typically arrive within 3-4 weeks. Students can use the provided receipt number to track the status of their application.
While the OPT application is pending, students must report any changes in their legal name, address, or employment status to their DSO. Additionally, students must not begin working before the start date on their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If a student decides not to send their OPT application to USCIS after requesting an OPT I-20, they must notify an advisor to avoid issues with their SEVIS record and health insurance billing.
It is important to note that OPT extensions are available for students with STEM degrees, and automatic extensions of up to 180 days may be granted while the extension application is pending. However, transferring to another school or beginning a new educational level will result in the termination of OPT employment authorization.
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OPT employment reporting
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, which is a type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. While on pre-completion OPT, there are no reporting requirements. However, while on post-completion OPT, students are required to report certain information. This includes changes to their legal name, physical address, mailing address, and employment status (including ending a job or changing jobs).
Students can enter employment information using the
Students on post-completion OPT, including the STEM Extension, can report certain personal address and employment changes using their SEVP Portal accounts. Any information that cannot be reported via the SEVP Portal must be reported to a DSO within 10 days. DSOs have 21 days from the date the student reports a change to update SEVIS.
Additionally, students must maintain a valid US address in the SEVP Portal throughout their OPT period, and both their physical and mailing addresses must be in the US. While on OPT, students are limited to a total of 90 days of unemployment.
For students on the OPT STEM Extension, there are additional reporting obligations. The first report is due six months after the start date of the STEM EAD, and subsequent reports must be submitted within 10 days of the due date. Students on the STEM Extension can have no more than 150 days without employment, including any days of unemployment accrued during regular OPT.
It is important to note that working in the US without authorization has serious consequences, including removal from the country and reentry bars. Therefore, students must ensure they carefully follow all reporting requirements and maintain their student status while on OPT.
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Frequently asked questions
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, a type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students.
International students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before their expected program completion date and up to 60 days after.
First, you must apply to your Designated School Official (DSO) for an OPT recommendation on your I-20. Then, submit an OPT application packet, including a signed copy of your OPT I-20, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The OPT application fee is $410.
You will know your official OPT start date when you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from USCIS.
