International Student Support Services

Optional Practical Training

OPT Work Authorization

Definition

Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides F-1 visa students with an opportunity to gain 12 months of employment experience in his/her major field of study (STEM majors have the option to apply for a 24 month extension). Employment while on OPT must be related to your major field of study.  A job offer is not required to apply for OPT.  You must obtain authorization by USCIS in the form of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) prior to beginning employment. OPT is granted for specific dates, and cannot be adjusted after it is approved.  You should allow approximately 90-120 days for your application to be processed.

*Most students use OPT for post-graduation employment and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for pre-graduation employment. If you wish to use OPT for pre-graduation employment, please consult a CIE advisor.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for OPT, the student must:

  • Be in F-1 status
  • Be a full-time student for at least one academic year
  • Be in good academic standing

Employment

  • The work must be related to your major field of study.
  • The work may be paid or unpaid and must be at least a minimum of 20 hours per week.
  • Employer sponsorship is not required, for the student already has the work authorization.
  • You may not be unemployed for more than 90 days during the OPT period.

Maximum Length

  • The standard OPT period is a cumulative maximum of 12 months.
  • Part-time OPT is deducted from the 12-month limit at 50%.
  • You can only work on OPT until the end date listed on your OPT card, unless you have applied for a 24 month STEM extension, or your employer has filed for an H-1B for you.
  • An F-1 may become eligible for another 12 months of OPT if he/she advances to a higher educational level.

Applying for OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request Form

This form is to be completed by students requesting pre or post-completion OPT.

  • OPT Instructions

    The first step to applying to OPT is to submit this OPT Request Form. Once CIE approves your OPT request, you will receive a notification with your next steps. We suggest you submit this OPT Request form about 90 days prior to your graduation date. For pre-completion OPT, submit this request form 90 days prior to your desired employment start date.
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
    Your I-20 expiration date is the same as your program completion date found on #5 of your I-20.
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

  • OPT Start Date

    Your OPT start date must fall within 60 days from your program completion date on the I-20. If you are applying late, it is generally safer to choose a later date in your grace period to ensure receipt of your EAD card by your requested OPT start date. Note: Your OPT start date will be the date you requested or the date of USCIS approval, whichever is later. The requested OPT start date cannot be changed once your OPT application has been approved by USCIS.

Center for International Education