Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) as an International Student

Question

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

What are the rules concerning OPT?

Answer

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

  1. What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
    • As defined by USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services), Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s field of study (major for undergraduate students/program for graduate students)
      Types of OPT:
      ✓ pre-completion
      ✓ post-completion
      ✓ STEM extension
  2. Who is eligible?
    To be eligible to apply for OPT:
    • Students should have been full time enrolled for at least 1 academic year (spring and fall terms or fall and spring terms, depending on when they started their USD program) before submitting their OPT application to USCIS.
    • Students have maintained valid F-1 status at the time of the application.
    • Students have not used more than 12 months of full-time CPT during their current degree level (part-time doesn't affect OPT eligibility).
    • Students have not used OPT at the same degree level previously.
  3. What is my status while on post-completion OPT? What visa do I have?
    • If your OPT application is approved, you will still have an F1 status. Your visa will still be F1.
  4. May I apply for post-completion OPT again if I have completed a second program?
    • If the second program is at the same degree level, no.
    • If the second program is at a higher degree level, yes.
  5. May I save any unused post-completion OPT months and use them later?
    • No. Any unused OPT months may not be saved nor used at a later date.
  6. Do I need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work in the U.S.?
    • If you already have a Social Security Number (SSN), add it; if you do not have one, you may request one if/after USCIS will approve your OPT application.

Application Process

Students must be physically present in U.S. at the time of their OPT application.
While the process is between the student and USCIS, it starts with the Gallagher International Center (GIC) OPT form request.
Once the request form is filled out, signed by the student and academic/faculty advisor, and reviewed by our office, if approved, an I-20 with the OPT recommendation on it will be issued to the student.
The student will need to submit their OPT application to USCIS for adjudication within 30 days of having their OPT I-20 issued or before the end date of their 60-day grace period, whichever is earlier.
  1. When should I apply for OPT?
    • You may apply up to 90 days before your program completion date and no later than 60 days after that date. Your application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the OPT I-20 recommendation issued by the DSO or before the end date of your 60-day grace period, whichever is earlier.
  2. What start date should I add to the OPT Request form?
    • Your start date must be a date within the 60-day grace period after your program completion date on your I-20 form. The decision should be made by taking into consideration any employment offer start dates and hiring times in your field of study.
  3. Can I change my start dates?
    • If you did not submit your OPT application to USCIS, you may ask your DSO to cancel the previous OPT recommendation and then submit a new request with the new dates.
    • If you already submitted your application to USCIS, you cannot change the start dates of your OPT recommendation.
  4. May I cancel my OPT application once I have applied?
    • Depending on the status of your OPT application, this may be possible or not. Contact your DSO as soon as possible if you have decided to cancel your application.
  5. Do I need to have a job or job offer to apply for OPT?
    • No, a job offer is not required to apply for OPT.
  6. How do I apply for OPT?
    Students are encouraged to apply online. Steps to apply online after you have received the OPT I-20 from your DSO:
    1. Create an online account with USCIS: USCIS Account Creation Website .
    2. Enter the verification code.
    3. Click on myUSCIS, file a form online.
    4. Click on Application for Employment Authorization (I-765).
    5. Fill out form I-765.
    6. Upload your photo (self-taken photos are not allowed, check the USCIS photo requirements!)
    7. Upload the rest of the required documents (see below); do NOT forget to add a copy of your OPT I-20!
    8. Check your application and fix any alerts.
    9. Pay the fee (check the USCIS website for the most up to date fees: USCIS Website for fees .
    10. Read and sign the application statement.
    11. Submit your application.
  7. How do I complete the form I-765?
  8. What documents are needed for my OPT application?
    • Completed I-765 form
    • Scanned signed copy of your OPT I-20 is required
    • If you had CPT or OPT approved in the past, scanned signed copies of those I-20s are required;scanned signed copies of all your previous I-20s (highly recommended)
    • Scanned copy of your EAD card if you had one approved before (front and back)
    • Scanned copy of your passport (identification page, visa page)
    • Scanned copy of your most recent I-94
    • Scanned passport photo style (check the USCIS photo requirements!)
  9. What is a Request for Evidence (RFE)?
    • Sometimes USCIS might request additional information for your application and/or send abiometrics appointment notification. If you receive an RFE and have questions, contact our office.Respond as soon as possible by following the USCIS instructions and deadlines listed in the RFEpacket.

After you have submitted your OPT application to USCIS, you will receive the following notifications in your USCIS online account and by mail: notification that you have submitted your application, a receipt notification for paying the fee, and a decision notice. If your OPT application is approved, your EAD card will be mailed to you. An EAD card is printed out and mailed around 2 weeks after an application is approved. Keep them all in a safe place.

While on Optional Practical Training (OPT)

  1. Do I need to have a job during the post-completion OPT period?

    • Yes. Students must be full time employed while on post-completion OPT.

  2. What qualifies as employment?

    • Employment needs to be directly related to the student’s field of study (your major, NOT your minor, or graduate program).

    • Employment can be paid or unpaid.

    • Employment needs to be at least 20 hours per week.

    • Work for hire (commonly referred to as 1099 employment)

    • Self-employment

    • Multiple employers are allowed: the combined worked hours per week should be at least 20.

    • Employment through an agency

    • Volunteering (not to violate US Labor laws)

      Note: Employment can be in person, remote, or hybrid. Changing employers is allowed, if the new employment is directly related to your field of study.

  3. Can I continue working on campus after my program completion and before receiving the EAD card?

    • No. Working during this time and/or outside the authorized dates on your EAD card will jeopardize

      your legal status.

  4. What should I do when I receive the EAD card in the mail?

    • Please email a scanned copy of your EAD card (front and back, pdf format, name it by adding your whole name) to our office: isso@usd.edu .

    • You may start employment only once you have received the EAD card and the approved OPT start date on the card reaches you. 

    • Carefully read all the information listed on the EAD card: if there are any typos, students are required to apply for an EAD replacement card.

    • If a typo is due to the student’s incorrect filling, the student is required to cover the fee again.

  5. Are there any reporting requirements while on OPT?

    • Yes, per federal regulations, students on OPT are required to report changes in contact information and to report employment. 

    • Students will receive an email from SEVP ( do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov ) on their first day of their approved OPT written on the EAD card or shortly after.

    • The link is valid for 15 days only.

    • Check your Spam folder if such an email has not been received. Email isso@usd.edu if after checking your Spam folder, you still have not received the email.

      Note: We strongly encourage students to set up their SEVP portal account and report information there on their own. If there are technical difficulties, email your USD Designated School Official (DSO) who will be able to help with reporting.

    • Any changes in a student’s contact information (name, address, phone number, etc.) along with employment updates (start date, end date, change of supervisor, work hours, location, etc.) need to be reported within 10 days of those changes happening.

    • If you will end your OPT early, please email us at isso@usd.edu .

    • Keep all your employment records (copies of job-specific cover letters and resume, any letter or email that contains information about interviews, testing, information sessions, timesheets, paystubs, logs of volunteer hours, etc.) and immigration papers (I-20s, USCIS receipts/notices, EAD cards, etc.) in a safe place.

    • A new I-20 will be issued to you once employment is reported in the system and/or when you change employers.

    • If you added the employment information on your own in your SEVP portal account, email isso@usd.edu to have a new I-20 issued to you.

    • I-20s may be emailed.

    • While this is not required, it is best practice to request a new I-20.

  6. What is the number of unemployment days allowed while on post-completion OPT?

    • The unemployment days allowed while on post-completion OPT is 90 (these are calendar days and are cumulative).

  7. What happens if I exceed the 90-day unemployment limit?

    • There is no grace period once a student reaches their 90th day of unemployment; students need to depart U.S. the next day.

  8. May I take classes during OPT?

    • No. Starting classes or a new program (transferring to a new school or changing levels at USD) will end your OPT authorization. Only incidental to status (recreational/avocational) classes might be allowed (check with your DSO!).

  9. How long can I stay in the U.S. after my post-completion OPT end date? 

    • There is a 60-day grace period at the end of your OPT. The following options are available to you during that time:

      • ✓ You may be accepted to a new program in US (ask GIC office for guidance in this case).

      • ✓ Be approved for a change of status (email GIC a copy of the change of status approval notice).

      • ✓ Depart U.S.

  10. Can I extend my 12-month OPT period? 

    • If your degree qualifies as a STEM degree, you may be eligible to apply for a STEM extension. Check the USCIS list below to see if your degree falls under the STEM degrees. The CIP code on the first page of your I-20 must match the CIP code on the list: https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/stem-list.pdf

Travel Requirements

  1. Can I travel outside US while my OPT application is pending?
    • It is highly discouraged to travel abroad while your OPT application is pending. We recommend that you wait to travel outside U.S. until USCIS adjudicates your case and if you have a job offer.
  2. What documents do I need to re-enter the United States during post-completion OPT?
    1. Valid I-20 (travel signature within the last 6 months)
    2. Valid passport (valid at least 6 months in advance at all times)
    3. Valid F1 visa
    4. Valid EAD card
    5. Job offer letter/proof of employment
    6. Financial documents (highly recommend)
  3. Do I need to renew my F1 visa if it has expired and if I plan to travel outside U.S.?
    • Yes, if you travel abroad, you will need to renew your F1 visa before re-entering U.S.
  4. What is the process to renew my F1 visa while on OPT?
    • Please check with the U.S. embassy/consulate in your country regarding visa renewal application requirements.
  5. Is a travel signature needed if I want to travel while on post-completion OPT?
    • Yes. A DSO travel signature is required, and it is valid only for 6 months
 

 

 

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Related Articles (2)

Completing the Form I‐983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT International Students)
USCIS regulations for Training Plan for STEM OPT International Students
Reference Article relating to Resources for International Students
International Students can find information from the Gallagher International Center.

Related Services / Offerings (2)

International Student Services
This service article contains links to several services for International Students. To maintain visa compliance, international students are required to fill out several forms at different stages in their studies.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
The Option Practical Training (OPT) is an employment authorization category that affords F-1 visa holders who meet certain qualifications to temporary employment opportunities.