Optional Practical Training (F-1 Students only)

Precompletion OPT Post-completion OPT Application Process Termination of OPT Student Responsibilities while on OPT 17-Month Extension for STEM Majors Life after OPT Forms

Optional practical training (OPT) for F-1 students is for temporary employment aimed at providing you with practical training directly related to your major. OPT can be for full or part-time employment anywhere in the United States and can be used before or after completion of your course of study. As with curricular practical training, F-1 students are not eligible for OPT until they have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year.

• F-1 students in the Intensive English Language program are not eligible for optional practical training.
• F-1 students are entitled to an aggregate of 12 months of OPT per educational level. As a student progresses from one degree level to another, he/she is entitled to another 12 months of OPT.

Using OPT before completing your academic program

You may apply for OPT prior to completing your course of study. Situations where you may wish to do this include:

• Summer employment (full or part-time)
• Off campus employment related to your studies for up to 20 hours a week while school is in session
• Applications for OPT may be submitted up to 90 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year.

Time used in pre-completion practical training is counted towards the total 12 months of aggregate Optional Practical training available to you. Part-time pre-completion practical training is counted as ½ time in calculating how much OPT eligibility you have left. For example, if you have 2 months of authorized part-time pre-completion OPT, that would count the same as one month of full-time OPT used, leaving you with 11 months of remaining OPT to be used either prior to completion of your course of study or for post-completion practical training.

Using OPT after you complete your program

If you are interested in applying for OPT for employment that is to occur after you have completed your course of study, you must submit your application for OPT to the USCIS before you have completed your course of study.

It is very important that you keep ISSS informed of any address changes during your time on OPT.

Application Process

The application process is fairly simple:

1. Make an appointment at the ISSS in 207 Pryz, and bring:
   • A completed OPT Request Form completed by yourself and your academic adviser or the chair of your department. This form certifies that the employment is related to your field of study, and provides information on your current academic status and expected date of completion.
   • Completed Forms I-538 and I-765. In section 16 on form I-765, enter the code (c) (3) (i) to indicate the basis of your eligibility for employment authorization, and enter the I-94 card number in section 3 of form I-538.
   • Originals of all of your current and previous I-20s issued to you while in F-1 status and your valid passport with I-94 card.
2. ISSS will review the request for OPT and enter their recommendation for OPT into SEVIS. A new I-20 will be generated for you to use in submitting your OPT application to Immigration.
3. Assemble your OPT application to include the following documents:
   • Filing fee (check made payable to the Department of Homeland Security)
   • Form I-765
   • Original Form I-20 with the OPT recommendation
   • Copies of your passport, I-94 card and copies of all of your previous I-20s.
   • Two passport-style photographs
4. Send the application to Immigration by certified mail with Return Receipt Requested so that you will have proof that the Service Center received the application. DO NOT send original I-94s or I-20s. Send photocopies. Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia should send the application to:

5. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

   US Citizenship and Immigration Services

   Vermont Service Center

   75 Lower Welden St.

   Saint Albans, VT 05479

6. Keep copies of everything sent to the Service Center.

CIS will send you a Receipt Notice to acknowledge their receipt of your application. The notice will contain your unique case number and an estimate for how long the application will take to be processed by CIS. Please bring a copy of this receipt notice to ISSS. If your application has been pending for 3 months or longer, call or email the ISSS office to discuss the application. Once your application has been approved and you receive your EAD (Employment authorization document) card, please bring a copy to ISSS.

Termination of OPT

It is important to carefully consider the timing of your application for practical training. You can withdraw an OPT application anytime before CIS has approved the application. Canceling OPT after it has been approved is a more difficult process. Authorization to engage in Optional Practical training is automatically cancelled when you move to another educational level or transfer to another school.