OPT VISA INFORMATION
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) FOR F-1 STUDENTS
Reminder: Pursuant to a court order (PDF, 613.77 KB), USCIS has extended flexibility for certain foreign students affected by late receipt notices on Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). These flexibilities have been extended to include applications received on or after October 1, 2020, until and including October 31, 2021. If the application is received before October 31, 2021, the applicant may submit Form I-765 up to 120 days before the program end date. Read more here. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended flexibility for certain applicants applying for OPT on Form I-765.
Reminder: On February 6, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina issued a nationwide injunction (PDF, 232.45 KB) prohibiting USCIS from enforcing the August 9, 2018 policy memorandum entitled ” Cumulative illegal presence and F, J, and M nonimmigrants.” USCIS will continue to apply the previous policy guidance in AFM Chapter 40.9.2 issued on May 6, 2009. Consolidation of Guidance on Unlawful Presence for Purposes of Sections 212(a)(9)(b)(i) and 212(a)(9)(c)(i)(I) of the Act (PDF, 3.33 MB) .
Reminder: If you are unable to access your email due to COVID-19-related impacts to your university (such as mailroom closures), please refer to our How to Change Your Address page to provide an up-to-date address.
Generally, F-1 international students are not allowed to work in the United States. However, F-1 students may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows F-1 students to work in a position directly related to the student’s major field of study for up to 12 months. An F-1 student may be authorized to complete pre-OPT (before completing a course of study) or post-completion OPT (after completing a course of study). Time on post-completion OPT will be reduced by any time in pre-completion OPT. F-1 students earning a degree in certain STEM fields are eligible for an extension of 24 months of post-completion OPT, for a total of 36 months. This guide provides information about post-completion OPT, which is the most common type of OPT. Information about completing pre-OPT while pursuing your degree can be found on our Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students webpage.
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 take OPT in two different ways.
OPT before completion
You may apply to participate in the pre-completion program after you have been legally enrolled full-time for one full academic year at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-accredited college, university, conservatory, or seminary. OPT. You do not need to have F-1 status for a full academic year; you may meet the “full academic year” requirement even if you have other nonimmigrant status during this time.
If you are authorized to participate in pre-completed OPT, you may work (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session. When school isn’t in session, you can work full-time.
OPT after completion
You can apply for post-completion OPT after completing your studies. If you are approved for post-graduation OPT, you must work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time.
The impact of pre-completion OPT employment authorization on post-completion OPT applications at the same education level
Impact of pre-completion OPT employment authorization on post-completion OPT applications with the same education level
If you have been awarded 1 year of part-time (20 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total hours of full-time OPT still available will be reduced by 6 months from the year previously authorized at the same education level 50%. In this case, you will only be entitled to OPT employment authorization for the remaining 6 months after full-time completion.
If you have been awarded 1 year of full-time (40 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total hours of full-time optional practical training still available will be reduced by 1 year from the year previously authorized at the same education level 100%. In this case, you will not be entitled to employment authorization for any period after completion of OPT.
STEM OPT EXTENSION
If you have a degree in certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, you may apply to extend your post-completion OPT employment authorization for 24 months if you.
Be an F-1 student earning a STEM degree on the STEM Designated Degree Program Listing (PDF).
Be employed by an employer who is registered and using the electronic verification system; and
Receive first-time 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.
APPLY FOR OPT
Generally, you must ask your academic institution’s Designated School Official (DSO) to recommend OPT. Your DSO will make the recommendation by signing your Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) and making appropriate notations on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the USCIS and attach the required fee and supporting documentation as described in the form instructions.
WHEN TO APPLY
| If your application is based on… | The application is… | so you… |
| STEM degree | OPT before completion |
You must apply after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record. And you can apply up to 90 days before you complete a full academic year, as long as you do not begin OPT employment before completing a full academic year. |
| Initial OPT after completion of studies |
Must apply after your DSO enters OPT recommendation into your SEVIS record, and Must apply within 30 days after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record, and You can apply up to 90 days before you complete your degree, but no later than 60 days after you complete your degree. |
|
| STEM OPT extension |
Must apply after your DSO enters OPT recommendation into your SEVIS record, and Must apply within 60 days after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record, and You can apply up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires. |
|
| Non-STEM Degree | OPT before completion |
Must apply after your DSO enters OPT recommendation into your SEVIS record, and You can apply up to 90 days before you complete a full academic year, as long as you do not begin OPT employment before completing a full academic year. |
| OPT after completion |
Must apply after your DSO enters OPT recommendation into your SEVIS record, and Must apply within 30 days after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record, and You can apply up to 90 days before you complete your degree, but no later than 60 days after you complete your degree. |
You can begin your pre-completion or post-completion OPT only after we approve your Form I-765 and receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
If you submit your STEM OPT extension application on time and your OPT period expires while your extension application is pending, we will automatically extend your employment authorization for 180 days. This automatic 180-day extension will stop once USCIS makes a decision on your STEM OPT extension application.
DO I NEED TO HAVE QUALIFYING EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE OR SKILLS?
If you are an F-1 student in the United States and you seek employment directly related to your major field of study, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
For the initial 12 months of OPT
You have been a full-time student and have shown good performance for at least one full academic year
You currently maintain F-1 status
Your proposed work must be directly related to your major area of research.
For post-graduation OPT, you can apply up to 90 days before completing your degree, but no later than 60 days.
For post-completion OPT, you must apply within 30 days after your designated school official (DSO) enters the recommendation for OPT into your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record.
For 24-month STEM OPT extension
In addition to the requirements for the initial 12 months of OPT above, you are an F-1 student earning a STEM degree from the STEM Designated Degree Program List (PDF).
You can apply 90 days before your current OPT authorization expires.
You must apply within 60 days after your DSO enters the STEM OPT recommendation into your SEVIS record.
DO I NEED TO HAVE A JOB OFFER? DO I NEED A COMPANY TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR ME?
You do not need to have a job offer before applying for the initial 12 months of OPT. However, your proposed work must be directly related to your major area of research. In addition, you cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days during any period of completed OPT.
For the 24-month STEM OPT period, you must be employed by an employer that is registered and using E-Verify and sign a STEM OPT Student Training Plan (PDF) (Form I-983).
For initial OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension, you must submit your application directly to USCIS (Form I-765; more information here). The employer will not submit the application for you.
WILL I BE WORKING IN THE UNITED STATES PERMANENTLY AS A LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT, OR TEMPORARILY FOR A SPECIFIC PERIOD AS A NONIMMIGRANT?
You will work temporarily as a nonimmigrant for a specified period of time.
During your initial OPT period, you may be authorized to pursue a total of 12 months of full-time internship at each education level. (For example, you could have 12 months for a bachelor’s degree and another 12 months for a master’s degree). If you have a qualifying STEM degree, you can apply to extend your OPT for 24 months upon completion. If you earn another qualifying STEM degree with a higher education level than your first degree, you may be eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT and another 24-month STEM OPT extension.
For example, if you are within the validity period of post-graduation OPT and you have a STEM degree, you can apply for a 24-month extension of post-graduation OPT, for a total OPT period of 36 months. If you earn another higher-level STEM degree, you may again apply for up to 12 months of post-graduation OPT and then apply for 24 months of STEM OPT, for a total of 36 months of OPT at that education level. A student may not receive more than two STEM OPT extensions in his or her lifetime.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PATHWAY?
F-1 students must first request a recommendation for OPT from their U.S. college or university’s Designated School Official (DSO), who will file the F-1 Student Form I-20 (Nonimmigrant Student Status Eligibility) in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). certificate). Only after obtaining the DSO’s endorsement on Form I-20 and SEVIS can you submit the required employment authorization application (Form I-765) to USCIS.
Additionally, there are time limits on when to formally file Form I-765 to seek post-completion OPT or a 24-month STEM OPT extension. USCIS must receive Form I-765 for any post-completion OPT no earlier than 90 days before you complete your degree and no later than 60 days after you complete your degree. Additionally, your Form I-765 must be submitted within 30 days after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record. For a 24-month STEM OPT extension, USCIS must receive Form I-765 within 90 days before OPT expires after completion, and within 60 days after your DSO enters a recommendation for STEM OPT into your SEVIS record.
F-1 students may not begin work in the United States until they receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Working without an EAD can negatively impact your current and future immigration status.
More information
You can find more information about STEM OPT centers and the Study in the United States website from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Student and Exchange Visitor Programs.