Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT – A 12-month work authorization that begins after the degree has been completed is an opportunity for F-1 student visa holders to obtain training and related experience in their field of study.
If an OPT application is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this work authorization allows students to accept employment that is related to their field of study.
24 month extension:
Students who have earned a degree in a STEM field might also be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of this work authorization if they have a paid, full-time position offered directly by an E-Verify employer that is related to their field of study. When applying for this work authorization, students request an updated I-20 with a specific recommendation for this benefit of F-1 status. Once they have obtained the updated I-20, the student submits a detailed application for OPT to USCIS. Students may begin working on OPT only after they have received an Approval Notice from USCIS, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS, and have reached the start date on that EAD.
Learn all you need to know about OPT and its rules and requirements in this workshop presetation.
Introduction to Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is an opportunity for F-1 student visa holders to obtain training and related experience in their field of study. Students often apply for ‘post-completion OPT’, which is a 12-month work authorization that begins after the degree has been completed. If an OPT application is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this work authorization allows students to accept employment that is related to their field of study. Students who have earned a degree in a STEM field might also be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of this work authorization if they have a paid, full-time position offered directly by an E-Verify employer that is related to their field of study. When applying for this work authorization, students request an updated I-20 with a specific recommendation for this benefit of F-1 status. Once they have obtained the updated I-20, the student submits a detailed application for OPT to USCIS. Students may begin working on OPT only after they have received an Approval Notice from USCIS, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS, and have reached the start date on that EAD.
Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Who is eligible?
In general, F-1 students are eligible to apply for OPT if they are enrolled in a degree program and have not previously used 12-months of OPT at the same degree level. For additional information about OPT eligibility, please review the university’s OPT workshop presentation.
-
Submit a Petition to Graduate to our Registrar’s Office. You must apply for graduation before submitting your OPT application.
-
Be in valid F-1 status in your final trimester when you apply for OPT. You don’t need to be on F-1 status the entirety of your degree program, but you must be on valid F-1 status in your final trimester when you apply for OPT.
-
You must have been enrolled for at least three consecutive trimesters, taking a full course load of at least 9 credits each trimester. Students must be enrolled in an Academic Year of full course load prior to applying for OPT. At ITU, a full Academic Year is three consecutive trimesters of full course load.
-
Have taken less than 12 months of Full-Time CPT on the current degree level. Taking 12 months or more of Full Time CPT will disqualify you from applying for OPT on that same degree level.
-
Have not been granted OPT already at the current degree level.
When do I apply?
Students applying for post-completion OPT should send their application to USCIS as early as 90-days before the end of their last trimester of study. However, applications can also be submitted as late as 60-days after the end of the last trimester of study as long as the student ensures that the application reaches USCIS by that date. Students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible within this period of time.
(Note: An application for OPT will not be accepted by USCIS if it is sent more than 30-days after an updated I-20 was issued with a recommendation for OPT.)
How do I apply?
Click the OPT Checklist above to review a detailed list of documents to collect for this application. Please remember, a request must be made for an updated I-20 with a recommendation for OPT. To obtain this I-20, please complete the OPT Request Form and the ISO will issue an I-20 with an OPT recommendation if the student is eligible.
Where do I send the application?
Click the OPT Checklist above to confirm the specific address to send this application to. Please note, the address will be different depending on whether the application is sent by USPS mail or through an express service.
Applying for a STEM Extension
Who is eligible?
In general, F-1 students are eligible to apply for a STEM Extension if they are currently approved for OPT and the end date of their OPT period has not yet passed if their degree was in a STEM field, and they have or will have a paid, full-time position offered directly by an E-Verify employer that is related to their field of study.
When do I apply?
Students applying for post-completion OPT can send their application to USCIS as early as 90-days before the end of their current OPT authorization, but the application must be received by USCIS before the end of that period. Students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible within this period of time.
(Note: An application for OPT will not be accepted by USCIS if it is sent more than 60-days after an updated I-20 was issued with a recommendation for STEM Extension.)
How do I apply?
Refer to the STEM OPT Checklist to review a detailed list of documents to collect for this application. Please remember, a request must be made for an updated I-20 with a recommendation for STEM Extension. To obtain this I-20, please complete the STEM Extension Request Form and we will issue an I-20 with a STEM Extension recommendation if you are eligible. A Form I-983 training plan will also need to be completed by the student and the employer and uploaded when you request a STEM I-20.
Where do I send the application?
Refer to the Checklist to find a link to the USCIS website where you can find the mailing address for your application. Please note, the address will be different depending on whether the application is sent by USPS mail or through an express service.
The Approval Process for OPT/STEM Extension
Delivery Confirmation
Available within a few days once an application is delivered to USCIS by USPS mail with Return Receipt or by an Express Service.
Receipt Notice
A one-page document issued by USCIS that arrives by mail a few weeks later. This document acknowledges receipt of the application by USCIS and that a case number has been assigned to that application. To check the status of this application and set-up an e-mail alert to track its progress, visit the USCIS website.
Request For Evidence (RFE)
This is a document that could arrive a few months later if the USCIS officer wishes to collect more documents and information before making a decision on the application for OPT or STEM Extension. An RFE is not an indication of whether the application will be approved or denied. It is only an indication that USCIS is requesting more information to make that decision. If an RFE is received, please send a scanned copy of it to the ISO promptly so an advisor can confirm if any of the documents requested would be issued by the university.
Approval Notice or Denial Notice
Arrives a few months after the Receipt Notice when a USCIS officer makes a decision on the application. If an RFE has been issued, the decision will likely be delayed by an additional one or two months.
Reporting OPT Employment and Related Obligations
Initial OPT Employer Reporting
Once an F-1 student has been approved for OPT, received an EAD card from USCIS, and has been offered employment in the related field of study, the next step is for the student to report this employment to the university within 10 days. To report initial OPT employment, please complete the OPT Employment Reporting and Verification Form. An updated I-20 will be issued within 7-10 business days after the form is completed and submitted.
Change of OPT Employer Reporting
If an F-1 student is changing from one OPT employer to another, both positions must be related to the student’s field of study. In this case, the next step is for the student to report this employment to the university within 10 days. To report a change of OPT Employer, please complete the OPT Employment Reporting and Verification Form. An updated I-20 will be issued within 7-10 business days after the form is completed and submitted.
Six Month Verification of OPT Employment
If an F-1 student has been working for an OPT employer without any changes, the student would still verify this employment with the university every six months. To verify ongoing OPT employment, please complete the OPT Employment Reporting and Verification Form. An updated I-20 confirming this ongoing employment will be issued within 7-10 business days after the form is completed and submitted.
Annual and Final Evaluations for Students on a 24-Month STEM Extension
An F-1 student with an approved 24-month STEM Extension is required to submit an evaluation after 12-months of employment with a STEM Extension employer and again at the end of the STEM Extension employment. These evaluation forms are found on pages 6 and 7 of the Form I-983 training plan. To submit these evaluations, please complete the OPT Employment Reporting and Verification Form. The ISO will send an acknowledgement of receipt after each evaluation is received.
Allowed Periods of Unemployment
An F-1 student is allowed up to 90 days total of unemployment during the initial 12-months of OPT. If approved for a STEM Extension, the student will receive an extra 30-days allowance for unemployment under a 17-month approval or an extra 60-days allowance for unemployment under a 24-month approval. This additional period of unemployment is allowed in addition to any unused portion of the original 90-days. Students who have a period of unemployment during OPT or STEM Extension that are nearing such limits should contact the ISO for advising.
Related Links
USCIS website about Optional Practical Training (OPT)
USCIS website about OPT Extensions for students in STEM fields
USCIS Form I-765 (application form for OPT and STEM Extension applicants)
Instructions for USCIS Form I-765
USCIS Form I-983 (training plan for STEM Extension applicants)
Instructions for USCIS Form I-983
USCIS Online Case Status (to check the status of an application once a Receipt Notice has been received)
* Students are encouraged to create an account on the USCIS Online Case Status site once a Receipt Notice is received from USCIS so that they can receive an e-mail when there is any update on their application.
Internship FAQ
Click here to access our FAQ and find answers for general questions, application process, eligibility, and more.
Need Help?
If you need help navigating the OPT requirements, please contact the contact the International Student Office through ITU’s ticketing system.