Optional Practical Training

All OPT must be directly related to the student’s major area of study. Students may participate in OPT in two different ways:

• Pre-completion OPT:  F-1 students may apply to participate in pre-completion OPT after they have been enrolled in school for one full academic year. Students authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT must work part-time while school is in session. They may work full-time when school is not in session.          
• Post-completion OPT:  F-1 students may apply to participate in post-completion OPT after completing their studies. Students authorized for post-completion OPT may work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time.

Please Note: Practical training may be authorized to an F-1 student who has 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. The “one full academic year” requirement may be satisfied while in another nonimmigrant category, not just while in F-1 status.  Students may participate in OPT both before and after completing their studies. However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

Generally, if you are an F-1 student who wants to apply for OPT, you must:

• Request that your designated school official (DSO) at your academic institution recommend the OPT. Your DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing your Form I-20 and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and the supporting documentation as described in the form instructions.

You may begin your OPT only after USCIS approves your Form I-765 and you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Pre-Completion OPT - you may apply up to 90 days before you complete a full academic year, as long as you do not start OPT employment until you complete one full academic year.

Initial Post-Completion OPT - you may apply up to 90 days before you complete your degree, but no later than 60 days after you complete your degree.

Students who have earned degrees in certain science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization if they:

• Are an F-1 student who received a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List (PDF),
• Are employed by an employer enrolled in E-Verify, and
• Received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.
• View more information about applying for STEM OPT