Off-campus Employment

Optional Practical Training (OPT) for International Students

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment authorization that provides an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in an academic program to a practical work experience.

IMPORTANT: OPT is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.) Working without proper OPT authorization is a violation of your F-1 status and can result in the termination of your I-20 without the option for reinstatement.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is authorization for employment after a student has completed a degree program. Students can participate in OPT for up to 12 months, depending on the start and end dates of authorization. All OPT employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study listed on the I-20.

Students can apply for OPT 90 days before through 60 days after the end of their program end date. It’s a good idea to apply as early as possible to allow for application processing times. Students do not need to have a job offer to apply.

Post-Graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT)

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization for F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study after graduation. All OPT must be directly related to your major.

Important: You must receive USCIS authorization before starting work. Working without OPT can violate your F-1 status and may result in your I-20 being terminated.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

  • Are a degree-seeking F-1 student
  • Have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (fall + spring)
  • Maintain valid F-1 status and are physically in the U.S.
  • Plan to work in a role directly related to your major
  • Have not exceeded 12 months of OPT at your current degree level
  • Have not used 365+ days of full-time CPT at the same degree level

No job offer is required to apply.

Application Timeline - when to apply

USCIS can receive your OPT application:

  • Earliest: 90 days before your program end date (listed on your I-20)
  • Latest: 60 days after your program end date (grace period)
  • Must file within 30 days of your OPT I-20 issuance

IMPORTANT: You must receive your new I-20 with OPT recommendation from the CGE before you file your application with USCIS.

You must file Form I-765 while in the United States.

If you have filed your application with USCIS during this period, you can remain in the U.S. after your 60-day grace period has ended with a pending application.

Application Steps

  • Attend an OPT workshop
  • Schedule a meeting with the international student advisor to discuss OPT
  • Review USCIS Tips for Filing Online
  • Create a USCIS Online Account
  • Draft Form I-765 but do not submit before your CGE appointment
  • Gather supporting documents:
  • Passport-style photo
  • I-94 record (PDF)
  • Passport data page
  • Schedule a meeting with the international student advisor and bring draft I-765 and documents
  • Receive your new OPT I-20 and sign it
  • Submit I-765 to USCIS within 30 days of I-20 issuance
  • Monitor application status via USCIS portal and notify CGE of any Requests for Evidence (RFE)

When you apply online, USCIS will upload a receipt notice (I-797C) with your OPT application case status number to your USCIS online portal. This will appear within 48 hours of submitting your application online. You can track your applications status at: www.uscis.gov

OPT Employment

  • You can start working only after receiving your EAD card and on or after the start date printed on it. Email confirmation or USCIS receipt notices will not suffice as evidence of work authorization. You may only work within the dates printed on the card.
  • Work must be directly related to your major.
  • Must be at least 20 hours per week (paid or unpaid).
  • You may accrue no more than 90 days of unemployment during your OPT period.
  • Employment must be reported to SNC CGE to maintain status or updated on your USCIS portal.

Tip: Keep evidence of employment hours to show compliance.

Unemployment

During post-completion OPT, you may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment.

Reporting Employment: You must begin working and report your employment by updating your USCIS Portal Account or submitting an OPT update to the Center for Global Engagement International Student Advisor (DSO.). Reporting stops the unemployment clock in SEVIS.

Time spent outside the United States, if not employed by a U.S. employer, is counted toward the 90-day period of unemployment.

It is your responsibility to track your unemployment days, and to make plans to depart the U.S. prior to reaching the maximum amount of unemployment time.

SEVIS records will automatically terminate for students who have no employment reported within 90 days of the start date of their OPT.

OPT Reporting Requirements

You must report within 10 days:

  • Change of physical address
  • Employment status changes (new employer or ending employment)
  • Employer name and address
  • Departure of the USA to end the F-1 status

Failure to report or maintain employment may result in termination of your SEVIS record.

Additional Notes

  • OPT is valid for up to 12 months post-graduation
  • Qualifying work includes:
  • paid/unpaid jobs
  • internships
  • volunteer work (20+ hours/week)
  • Travel outside the U.S. while OPT is pending is not recommended
  • USCIS rules may change; you are responsible for following current regulations
  • For legal advice, consult an immigration attorney

The information provided above is for informational purposes only. USCIS may change its policies and regulations at any time, and you are responsible to interpret their guidelines.

The OPT application is the responsibility of the student as the applicant.

Please consult with an immigration attorney if you need legal advice.