Occupational Practical Training (OPT) Form

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.


Types of OPT

All OPT must be directly related to your major area of study. If you are an F-1 student, you may be eligible to participate in OPT in two different ways:


Pre-completion OPT: You may apply to participate in pre-completion OPT after you have 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. You do not need to have had F-1 status for the one full academic year; you can satisfy the “one full academic year” requirement even if you had another nonimmigrant status during that time.

If you are authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT, you may work part time (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session. You may work full time when school is not in session.


Post-completion OPT: You may apply to participate in post-completion OPT after completing your studies. If you are authorized for post-completion OPT, you may work part time (20 hours or less per week) or full time.

If you participated in pre-completion OPT, USCIS will deduct that amount of time from your post-completion OPT authorization period. For example, if you participated in 10 months of pre-completion OPT, you would be eligible for only up to 2 months of post-completion OPT.


STEM OPT Extension

If you have earned a degree in certain science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization if you:


Are an F-1 student who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List (PDF);

Are employed by an employer who is enrolled in and is using E-Verify; and

Received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.

If you are interested in applying for a STEM OPT extension, please see our Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page for more information.


Applying for OPT

Generally, 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, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, 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.

OPT Application Checklist

  • Form I-765; for question 27: (c)(3)(a) for Pre-Completion, (c)(3)(b) for Post-Completion. www.uscis.gov
  • Two passport-style photos. Write in pencil: name & admission number from I-94 on the back.
  • 2 photocopies of your passport, I-94 card, visa, all previous I-20s, and previous EAD card(s), if any
  • A check payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
  • Obtain a new I-20 from OISS with OPT recommendation and new completion date.
  • G-1145 https://www.uscis.gov/g-1145

Your name must match the name in your passport at the time of visa application.

Your name must match the name in your passport at the time of visa application.

Your name must match the name in your passport at the time of visa application.

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Please AGREE to each statement below. The regulations governing these reporting requirements are:

F-1 students are responsible for reporting their address, their employer’s name and address, any change in their legal name, and any period of unemployment while on OPT. Please AGREE to each statement below. The regulations governing these reporting requirements are:

8 CFR 214.2 (f) (17) requires that “A student must inform the DSO and the Service of any legal changes to his or her name or of any change of address, within 10 days of the change, in a manner prescribed by the school. A student enrolled at a SEVIS school can satisfy the requirement in 8 CFR 265.1 of notifying the Service by providing a notice of a change of address within 10 days to the DSO, who in turn shall enter the information in SEVIS within 21 days of notification by the student.”

8 CFR 214.2 (f) (12) requires “An F-1 student authorized by the Service to engage in practical training is required to report any change of name or address, or interruption of such employment to the DSO for the duration of the authorized training. A DSO who recommends a student for optional practical training is responsible for updating the student’s record to reflect these reported changes for the duration of time that training is authorized.”

8 CFR 214.3 (g) (3) requires reporting within 21 days of change in “Any other notification request made by SEVIS with respect to the current status of the student”

The PDSO and/or DSO's is able to provide you with general guidance. However, any advice provided to you by our office, as well as the information in this packet, does not constitute legal advice. Additionally, due to the fluid nature of governmental interpretation, USCIS may change its interpretation of the above mentioned immigration policies, procedures, regulations, and eligibility requirements for benefits at any time. This office will do its best to provide you with the most current guidance, but please be mindful that each case is fact-specific, and it is advised that you contact an experienced immigration attorney if you have questions regarding your situation. All information and documents included with the I-765 application is the sole responsibility of the student.

I have read, understood, and will abide by the above 8 CFR's.

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