What is the OPT Application Process
The application process begins with students requesting an I-20 form from their Office for International students of their respective universities. The process is complete when the student receives the EAD card. Students can apply for OPT up to 90 days prior to the end of your program. The deadline to take advantage of OPT is 60 days after the end of your program.
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Receive new i-20 from International Student Office: 1Week
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Submit all required documents to USCIS by mail: 1-2 Weeks
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USCIS processing time: 90 days
OPT Application Material
(These documents must be submitted to respective Student centers)
Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
I-765 filing fee
- Check or money order of $ 380.00 made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Two Passport Style Photos
Copy of current I-20
Copy of valid Passport ID page (and renewal page, if applicable)
Copy of I-94 card or printout of electronic I-94
Copy of current Visa
Copies of any previously issued Employment Authorization Documents – EADs (if applicable)
Application Procedures
Submit Electronic Materials along with the completed Application to your Student center
Collect Application from your student center and sign new I-20
Mail application to USCIS
Pick an OPT start date:
For post-completion OPT, your start date can be any day after your end date through the 60 day grace period. Be sure to pick a working day (i.e., Monday) as you will not be able to begin work until the date you pick.
If you don’t yet have a job offer, you will need to estimate what start date will work best for you.
Pick an OPT end date:
If you haven’t used OPT prior to graduating, your end date will be 365 days after your start date.
If you’ve worked on pre-completion OPT, you will need to deduct that time from the allowable 12 months.
NOTE: You may not begin your employment until you receive your EAD, which has a start date mentioned on it. You may begin working from the start date mentioned on EAD.
Optional Practical Training:17 Month STEM Extension
Eligibility Based on Area of Study
A STEM extension is a one-time, 17 month extension that supplements post-completion OPT (making it a total of 29 months upon approval from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)) in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Only students in certain majors/areas of study specified in the regulations are eligible to apply for this extension.
Travel Regulation:
If You Have Graduated & Your OPT is Pending
You may travel outside the U.S. and re-enter the U.S. while your OPT application is pending in order to resume searching for a job. In order to re-enter the U.S., you will need:
Valid passport
Valid F-1 visa I-20 signed for travel within six months
I-797 receipt notice
If You Have Graduated & Your OPT has been approved
You may travel outside the U.S. only if you have a job offer or you are returning to a job. In order to re-enter the U.S., you will need:
Valid passport
Valid F-1 visa
I-20 signed for travel within six months
EAD card
Letter from your employer stating that you need to return to the U.S. to resume working
If You Have Not Graduated
You may travel outside the U.S. and re-enter the U.S. because you are still a student. In order to re-enter the U.S., you will need
Valid passport
Valid F-1 visa
I-20 signed for travel within six months
Letter from your department stating that you have not yet graduated
Life After OPT
Within 60 days after completing OPT, you must do one of the following:
Depart the U.S.
Apply for change of status in the U.S.
Begin another F-1 program.
Note:You cannot work during the grace period.