Step-by-Step OPT Guide for International Students

In this Guide

For international students in the United States, Optional Practical Training (OPT) offers a valuable opportunity to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. OPT allows eligible F-1 visa students to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after completing their academic program, with the possibility of a STEM OPT extension for qualifying majors. Applying for OPT is crucial in launching your career and making the most of your education in the United States.

01 Overview of OPT
02 Key Differences Between CPT and OPT
03 Eligibility for OPT
04 Applying for OPT by Steps
05 After Submitting the OPT Application
06 Solutions for OPT Cases Exceeding Normal Processing Times
07 Employment While on OPT
08 FAQs

01 Overview of OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major study area. F-1 students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT before (pre-completion) or after (post-completion) completing their academic studies. Any pre-completion OPT is deducted from the available post-completion OPT period. Students with STEM degrees may qualify for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT.

To be eligible for OPT, students must:

have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year,
have valid F-1 status,
and intend to work in a role directly related to their major.

The application process involves requesting a recommendation from the Designated School Official (DSO), who endorses the Form I-20 and makes a notation in SEVIS. Students then file Form I-765 with USCIS, along with submitting the required fee and supporting documentation. Employment can begin only after USCIS approves the application and the student receives the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Aspect

CPT

OPT

Timing

During academic program

Before or after completion of the degree

Duration

Depends on the program

12 months per education level

Authorization

Authorized by DSO; Job offer required

Recommended by DSO; Authorized by USCIS

Eligibility

Normally after one year of academic year you can be integrated into CPT.
(Day 1 CPT could let you start working on the first day of your program)

Employment

- You are entitled to apply for multiple part-time CPTs or 1 part-time and 1 full-time CPT.
- Can be part-time or full-time

- Any employer related to field of study
- Company must be E-Verified

STEM Extension

Not eligible

Additional 24 months for qualifying STEM degrees

🌟 Full-Time Enrollment

F-1 students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary.

🌟 Field of Study Requirements

The OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major study area. Students cannot qualify for OPT in a field which differs from what they have studied.

🌟 English Language Study Exclusion

Students in English language training programs are not eligible for OPT. OPT is only available to students pursuing academic and professional degrees.

🌟 OPT Requirements

In addition to these OPT requirements, students must maintain valid F-1 status at the time of application and must not have used more than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Part-time pre-completion OPT and part-time CPT do not count towards this 12-month limit.

Sign Up for USPS Informed Delivery

This service will notify you before mailing your OPT EAD before it is delivered. If you used a friend or family member’s address on your I-765 application, discuss setting up USPS Informed Delivery with them.

Create a USCIS Online Account

Purpose: Even if you filed your application by mail, creating a USCIS Online Account allows you to monitor updates.

Benefits: You can view case status and history, send secure messages, view notices, upload additional evidence, and respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs).

Receive and Verify Form I-797 Receipt Notice

Keep a copy of the I-797 receipt permanently in your personal files.

Verify that your name and mailing address are correctly printed on the receipt notice. If there is an error, email [email protected] for advice.

If you paper-filed your application, log in to your USCIS Online Account and select ‘Add a paper-filed case’ to add your I-797 receipt notice to your online account.

Check Case Status Online

Use the USCIS website to check your case status by entering your receipt number.

It may take USCIS up to 6 weeks to mail the receipt notice after receiving your application. If you do not receive your notice within 30 days, take the following steps:

Confirm evidence of application filing (e.g., courier tracking, cashed check).
Verify receipt notice delivery by checking with roommates, neighbors, or the apartment complex manager.
Call the USCIS Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283 to inquire about your receipt number and verify the correct mailing address on file.

Submit a request online to report that you did not receive the notice by mail.

Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFE) Promptly

If you receive an RFE, immediately contact an International Center advisor and provide a copy of the RFE.

Responding to RFEs on time is crucial, as your application will not progress until USCIS receives the necessary documentation.

Handling Application Rejection or Denial

If Rejected, Contact an International Center advisor. If the OPT recommendation has expired, they may need to cancel and reissue your OPT I-20.

If Denied: USCIS will mail a notice of denial. Contact an International Center advisor immediately to assess your options and next steps.

If your OPT application is taking longer than expected and falls outside the normal processing times, you can take several steps to request assistance from USCIS. Here's how you can proceed:

1. Check Case Status Online

What to Do: Regularly check the status of your case online to stay updated on any changes or actions required.
How to Check: Go to the USCIS Case Status Online page and enter your receipt number.

2. Update Your Mailing Address

Importance: Ensure USCIS has your current mailing address to avoid missing correspondence.
How to Update: Use the USCIS Change of Address page to update your address if necessary.

3. Request a Premium Processing

How to Request:
- Explain the reason for your expedited request and provide your receipt number. You may need to submit documentary evidence supporting your expedited request.

4. Correct Typographical Errors

Why?: If there are any typographical errors in your application or notices, correct them promptly to avoid delays.
How to Correct: Visit the Request Typographic Error Corrections page on the USCIS website.

5. Additional Resources

You can use the following USCIS self tools to find your needs requirements.

During your OPT period, you must work in a job related to your field of study. Your employment must be for at least 20 hours per week, considered full-time by the U.S. government. The work can be paid or unpaid as long as it does not violate labor laws.

Several types of employment are permissible on both pre-completion and standard post-completion OPT:

Regular paid employment
Multiple short-term employers or gigs
Work for hire as an independent contractor
Self-employed business owner
Employment through an agency
Unpaid internships or volunteer work

It's crucial to maintain records of your employment, such as offer letters, contracts, and pay stubs, in case you need to provide evidence of your OPT activities.Remember that you have a limited number of unemployment days during post-completion OPT. You may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment within your authorized OPT period. Exceeding this limit may jeopardize your legal status in the United States.

International students are advised to apply for OPT as early as possible. For example, if your program ends in May, you should start your application process by the end of February, which is 90 days before your program concludes.

F-1 students need to collaborate with their school's international students office to submit the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization to USCIS. While the EAD is valid, the student will maintain their F-1 status and have a 60-day grace period following its expiration.

The processing of OPT authorization by USCIS can take approximately 3-5 months. Therefore, applying well before the date you intend to start working is crucial. Applications can be submitted as early as 90 days before your study program is completed and must be filed no later than 60 days after completion of your studies.

If you have a STEM degree, you'll receive one year of initial OPT and two years of OPT extension.

Yes.

Yes, you can, as long as your employer sponsors you.

Usually within 1 year.

Biological Sciences: Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, etc.
Physical Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, etc.
Mathematics and Statistics: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, etc.
Engineering: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, etc.
Computer and Information Sciences: Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, etc.
Environmental Science: Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, etc.
Agricultural Sciences: Agronomy, Horticulture, Animal Sciences, Soil Sciences, etc.
Health Sciences: Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Public Health (if it includes significant quantitative analysis), etc.
Psychology: Only certain programs like Cognitive Psychology or Psychometrics.
Management Science and Quantitative Methods: Operations Research, Management Science, Business Analytics, etc.