Optional Practical Training
General Information
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization which allows F-1 students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience. You may be entitled to up to 12 months of optional practical training per educational level. If a student begins a new academic program at a higher level, the student is eligible for another 12 months of OPT. There is a filing fee of $410 to receive authorization for OPT.
Please note that Optional Practical Training requires authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which typically takes 3-6 months to obtain. We recommend that you apply no less than 90 days prior to graduation.
Post-completion OPT
Early Application (recommended): Mid- September (actual date will be no sooner than 90 days before your program end date)
Last day to submit application: Mid- February (actual date will be 60 days after your program end date)
May Graduates
Early Application (recommended): First week of February (actual date will be no sooner than 90 days before your program end date)
Last day to submit application: First week of July (actual date will be 60 days after your program end date)
Eligibility and Information
You can learn more by reviewing the USCIS official OPT Policy Guidance Document.
If you are eligible for OPT and want to apply, use the button below to start the process. Doing so will begin our OPT Application Training which will prepare you for, and guide you through, the application steps. Please note: you will need to meet with your DSO and receive a new I-20 before you can submit your OPT online application via the USCIS website. Before that meeting, you will need to complete this online training.
Ready to start your OPT application training?
If you prefer to learn more before starting an application, please make an appointment with your DSO.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization which allows F-1 students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience. You may be entitled to up to 12 months of optional practical training per educational level. If a student begins a new academic program at a higher level, the student is eligible for another 12 months of OPT. There is a filing fee of $410 to receive authorization for OPT.
Please note that Optional Practical Training requires authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which typically takes 3-6 months to obtain. We recommend that you apply no less than 90 days prior to graduation.
Post-completion OPT
- OPT done after completion of the course of study
- Apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before or no later than 60 days after the program end date.
- Finish OPT within 14 months after the completion of your academic program.
Early Application (recommended): Mid- September (actual date will be no sooner than 90 days before your program end date)
Last day to submit application: Mid- February (actual date will be 60 days after your program end date)
May Graduates
Early Application (recommended): First week of February (actual date will be no sooner than 90 days before your program end date)
Last day to submit application: First week of July (actual date will be 60 days after your program end date)
Eligibility and Information
- Must:
- Be a full-time student for one academic school year before the OPT is to begin.
- Obtain employment directly related to the student's major area of study (see SEVP guidance and examples).
- Can engage in OPT for up to a total of 12 months from your requested start date.
- A job offer is not required to be eligible for or to apply for OPT but the student is expected to work or be actively seeking employment after the OPT approval card (EAD) is issued. Students may only accrue 90 days of unemployment during post-completion OPT.
- Employment does NOT have to be paid employment to be considered “employed” for OPT. Even if the work is unpaid, one must work a minimum of 20 hours/week and obtain proof of employment such as a letter from the employer. Please be aware of US labor laws that require pay for certain types of work.
- Do not begin work until you have received the employment authorization card in the mail. Any employment outside the dates authorized on the Form I-20 is illegal work, and places you outside of legal status in the United States. Your legal status as an F-1 student is terminated if you work without authorization.
- Please note that you must stop on-campus employment after your program completion date unless you have received your EAD card with a valid start date and the on campus employment is directly related to your course of study.
You can learn more by reviewing the USCIS official OPT Policy Guidance Document.
If you are eligible for OPT and want to apply, use the button below to start the process. Doing so will begin our OPT Application Training which will prepare you for, and guide you through, the application steps. Please note: you will need to meet with your DSO and receive a new I-20 before you can submit your OPT online application via the USCIS website. Before that meeting, you will need to complete this online training.
Ready to start your OPT application training?
If you prefer to learn more before starting an application, please make an appointment with your DSO.