Attention
- Students must still obtain an OPT-endorsed I-20 or STEM OPT-endorsed I-20 from the Office of International Affairs before filing Form I-765
- Students must be within the United States when filing their OPT application online
- USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph and/or signature) at any time before making a decision on your application
- USCIS must still receive your OPT application within 30 days of the OPT-endorsed I-20 issuance date
- You must upload a passport-style photograph (2 inches by 2 inches) of you must be uploaded in JPG, JPEG or PNG file formats
- Other files such as I-20 copies, passports and/or previous EAD must be uploaded in JPG, JPEG, PDF, TIF or TIFF file formats (max size: 6 MB per file)
- Foreign language documents must have an English translation
- All uploaded files must have titles in English and no special characters (#, ?, etc.)
- Do not enter “N/A” for non-applicable fields on the online application
- The application will be submitted once the non-refundable $410 payment has been made. If you would like a student immigration coordinator to review your OPT application during a virtual appointment, please do not submit payment until we have reviewed your application
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work authorization for F-1 students, defined in the federal regulations as "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student's major area of study." It is intended to provide students with practical experience in their field of study during or, more commonly, upon completion of a degree program.
An F-1 student may be authorized to receive up to a total of 12 months of OPT either before (pre-) and/or after (post-) completion of studies. However, students who have accumulated 12 months or more of full-time curricular practical training (CPT) are ineligible to apply for OPT.
An F-1 student is eligible for 12 months of OPT for each degree level. However, a student cannot apply for OPT at a degree level lower than one for which he/she has already been approved for OPT in the past.
