Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD work permit), which permits F-1 students to work off campus in their major field under very specific conditions.

Requirements for OPT

  1. You must have completed two semesters in F-1 status at an American college or university and have earned a degree (graduated) or an approved certificate.
     
  2. Your work must be directly related to your major field. However, you do not have to have a job already in order to apply for optional practical training. You must work full time, (21 or more hours per week) or do volunteer job (21 or more hours per week) in your field. You must explain how the employment relates to your major. You will enter this information into SEVIS. See Reporting OPT (pdf opens in a new window).
     
  3. You are allowed a maximum of 12 months of full-time practical training. If you work pre-completion part time, this counts as half of full time and will be deducted accordingly. If you complete another degree at a higher level, you will be eligible for a second (or even third) OPT.  You may never have a second OPT at the same level.
     
  4. STEM extension. For information on the 24 month STEM extension, please make an appointment to meet with a DSO.
     
  5. You should apply for OPT no more than 90 days before completion of the program or not more than 60 days after graduation. Application must be received by US CIS within 30 days of issuance of I-20 and before the end of the 60-day grace period.
     
  6. US CIS will no longer guarantee a date by which your application will be adjudicated. As of January 2023, it is taking one (1) to two (2) months. If you apply during your grace period, you may lose one month or more of available OPT.
     
  7. If you have applied for OPT within the time limits stated above, the 60-day grace period does not apply. You may remain legally in the U.S. until your application has been either approved or denied. If denied, you must depart the U.S. immediately—there is no additional grace period.
     
  8. You may work while you are a student or after completion of program. The end date for post-completion OPT must be within 14 months of your date of degree completion. This means you can push the start date into the future by as much as 55 days or approximately two months.  You must inform Sue Ponremy of the start date that you want. The dates you choose will be entered into SEVIS and will appear on your OPT I-20.
     
  9. You must have your EAD in hand and the start date must be on that date or in the past in order to work. In other words, if you receive your EAD prior to the start date, you may not begin work until the start date. 
     
  10. You remain an F-1 student while you are doing Optional Practical Training. If you leave the country and re-enter, you must have the SEVIS travel page signed by the DSO. A travel signature for OPT is valid for six months; not one year. You will need both the I-20 and a valid F-1 visa to re-enter. You must also have the EAD and a job letter to re-enter.
     
  11. After the start date of your OPT, you will receive an email from SEVP with instructions as to how to set up your own SEVIS portal. You must enter your employment information and change your address and phone number and email address using this portal. You cannot print a new I -20 or change any other information on your I-20. Please see additional info sheet concerning reporting OPT, changing employers and quitting a job.
     
  12. You must also enter your employer’s company name, address and your job title and a description of your job, as it relates to your major. SEVP is now tracking student’s employment to make sure that they are working at a job within your area of study (see #2).  You will enter this information through your SEVIS portal. See #11.
     
  13. Status is maintained through employment. You are allowed no more than a total of 90 days of unemployment during OPT in order to maintain status. SEVIS will track 90 days of unemployment and will terminate the record if a student does not report for work for more than 90 days. You must inform Sue Ponremy if you depart the U.S. and will not return so she can complete your program.
     
  14. After the completion of your OPT, you have 60 days to remain legally in the U.S. After that time, you must leave the country. If you wish to transfer to another school or apply for a Change of Status to some other immigration status, you must do so within the 60-day grace period.
     
  15. “Cap gap” H-1B Status and the Cap Gap Extension
     
  16. If you have been in this country as an F-1 student for less than five years, you are not required to pay Social Security or Medicare taxes. You are required to pay all income taxes. For more information, consult IRS publication 519.
     
  17. Be sure to check your DU email that Sue Ponremy will use while you’re on OPT.

Recent Updates

  • You may now submit your application and payment online. The DSO at DU will assist you in compiling your application but will not assist or advise on the online submission. For more information, visit Submit OPT Online.
     
  • You can still file your OPT application on paper. The filing address has changed to the Chicago Lockbox below.
     
  • You can study while on OPT only part time for “incidental reasons (for fun).” You cannot study full time nor can you study for a degree or certificate.
     
  • The DSO must approve your job description that should demonstrate that you are working In your major field. Usually, a description of your duties is sufficient. DSOs are also required to print out and keep all OPT reports. See Reporting OPT (pdf opens in a new window)

    For mailed applications, the filing address is:

                  USCIS
                  PO Box 805373
                  Chicago IL 60680

  • A completed I-765.
  • New SEVIS I-20 with page 2 showing OPT endorsement by DSO and chosen dates for OPT
  • Photocopies from most recent, unexpired passport:  F-1 visa, photo and expiration date of passport, which should be at least 6 months in the future.
  • I-94 (from website)
  • Two recent passport size photos. No older than six months
  • Check, money order or credit card made payable to the Department of Homeland Security for $520.00 or pay online submission of $470.00.

Download the OPT Checklist (pdf opens in a new window)

If your application is approved, you will receive an I-688 (Employment Authorization Document—EAD) which resembles a driver’s license. On it will appear the dates of employment authorization.

Send or bring a photocopy of this card to Sue Ponremy. USCIS requires that a copy be in your file at Dominican University.