Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Guide
Click here to view the prerecorded OPT Information Session.
Eligibility - You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year, currently be in F-1 status, have completed all requirements for the award of your degree, per degree level and have no outstanding debts to the University. The major you will be graduating with must be on your current SEVIS I-20 for at least one academic year. You are eligible for a maximum of twelve months optional practical training employment while in F-1 status degree level. You may obtain another 12 months when you enroll in another degree level.
Application Deadline - Students can apply for post-completion OPT as early as 90 days before the date of their graduation, but OPT applications must be received and receipted by USCIS within 60 days after the date of graduation. It will take approximately 90 days for USCIS to process your application and issue and EAD card (Employment Authorization Document); therefore, it is important to apply early.
Procedure - Your first step in obtaining an EAD is to qualify for an I-20 from the OIA recommending you for practical training.
Step 1 - Submit to the OIA the documents listed below in order to receive an I-20 from the OIA recommending you for OPT:
- Completed Undergraduate OPT application or Graduate OPT application.
- Completed Form I -765. This form must be typed (In Part 2 on Item 27, please enter (c)(3)(B). Complete Part 6 only if you have been approved for CPT or OPT in the past or if you have ever used a different SEVIS ID in F-1 status)
- Completed Form G-1145 (Must be typed)
- Your current SEVIS I-20
- Photocopy of the picture page of your passport
- Photocopy of your visa
- I-94 Printout. You may download your I-94 information by going to I-94 Retrieval.
Once the following documents are submitted to the Office of International Affairs, the OIA will review the student's application to determine the student's eligibility for OPT. If the student is eligible for OPT, the OIA will issue the student an I-20 recommending post-completion OPT.
It will take the Office of International Affairs staff approximately 3 business days to finish processing a student's OPT application. The OIA will email the student informing them that they may pick up their OPT application from the office.
Step 2 - Once the student picks up their I-20 and other application documents from the Office of International Affairs, the student will then need to mail their application to the USCIS Service Center. Students must mail their application to the USCIS within 30 days from the date the OPT I-20 was issued. OPT applications will be denied by the USCIS if a student mails their application past 30 days from the date the I-20 was issued. We suggest that you mail your application to the USCIS by certified mail, return receipt requested. This will provide you with proof that your application was received timely in the event that the application is lost. We also recommend that you photocopy the entire application before you mail it so that you have a copy for your records. So that the documents do not get lost, put the photos in a small envelope and label as “photos” and staple all pages together, being careful not to staple the photos. Please make sure your application includes all of the following documents:
- Completed Form G-1145
- Completed Form I-765
- I-94 Printout
- Copy of the I-20 issued by the OIA requesting your post-completion OPT.
- Photocopy of the picture page of your passport
- Photocopy of your visa
- Two identical passport photos (photos must be exactly 2" x 2") (lightly write your full name and I-94 number on the back of the photos in pencil)
- $410 personal check or money order made payable to the "U.S. Department of Homeland Security
You must bring the completed application to the OIA if you would like it to be reviewed before you mail it to the USCIS.
Step 3 - The USCIS will send the EAD card to the address indicated on the Form I-765, which must be your current address.
Processing time - Currently, the entire process for receiving employment authorization is taking more than 90 days.
Special Considerations - Regulations allow you to change employers during the period of authorized practical training, as long as the new employment continues to be directly related to your field of study and commensurate with your educational level.
Once the OIA has annotated your SEVIS I-20AB by recommending optional practical training, there is no provision for withdrawing or canceling the recommendation. Also, the notation on the SEVIS I-20 recommending optional practical training will be viewed by the Office of International Affairs and indicate that you have been granted practical training following completion of your studies.
Note: You are not allowed to work until you receive the EAD from USCIS.
You are considered to be maintaining your F-1 status for 60 days following the expiration date of your practical training, which is the time allowed you to either depart from the United States or change to another status. If you want to begin a new full-time program of study at any point during or following authorized practical training, you must follow the procedures for continuation from one educational level to another at UL Lafayette, if applicable, or for transfer of schools.
All students on OPT have 90 days from the start date on their EAD card (you must have the card in your possession) to find employment within their major. It can be either paid employment or volunteer employment.
If you leave the U.S. during your authorized period of practical training, you may return for the remainder of the authorized period provided you have:
- A SEVIS I-20AB that has been re-certified.
- A valid F-1 entry visa and a valid passport.
- An EAD that is not expired.
- A letter from your current employer.
Please contact the Office of International Affairs if you have questions about the OPT application procedure or if you receive any correspondence about your application.
