Optional Practical Training (OPT)
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Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary work authorization that allows F‑1 students to gain practical experience directly related to their major field of study. OPT may be used before or after you complete your degree, depending on eligibility. It allows you to apply what you have learned in the classroom, gain real‑world experience and develop skills that can support your future career goals.
Spring 2026 OPT Workshop Dates (An email will be sent out with the teams link. All sessions are virtual.)
Thursday 04/16 - 11am
Monday 04/27 - 2pm
OPT FAQs
Pre‑Completion OPT allows F‑1 students to gain work experience directly related to their major before completing their academic program. Any time used for Pre‑Completion OPT is deducted from the total 12 months of Post-Completion OPT available at each degree level. Pre‑Completion OPT is granted by USCIS and requires the filing of an I-765.
Post‑Completion OPT covers any portion of OPT used after the student’s Program End Date. Employment must be at least 20 hours per week or full‑time. Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT at each education level (for example, 12 months at the bachelor’s level and another 12 months at the master’s level).
A 24‑month STEM OPT extension is available to students who graduate with a DHS‑approved Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree. If approved, this extension provides an additional 24 months of OPT beyond the initial Post‑Completion OPT period.
A student is eligible for OPT if:
- The student has been enrolled full‑time for at least one academic year at a SEVP‑certified institution.
- The student’s proposed employment relates directly to the student’s major field of study.
- The student has not exhausted all available OPT time at the current degree level.
- The student has not been authorized for 12 months or more of full‑time CPT. Full‑time CPT at a previous school at the same degree level counts toward the 12‑month CPT limit that affects OPT eligibility. CPT completed at a different degree level does not affect OPT.
You may apply up to 90 days before your program end date. If you complete your program earlier than expected, your DSO will shorten your program end date.
You may apply for Post‑Completion OPT up to 60 days after your program end date. Day 60 is the last day USCIS can receive your Form I‑765 and the last day you may request a Post‑Completion OPT start date. We strongly recommend beginning the process early.
1. Student Requests OPT
Log in to the Global Cardinal Portal and complete the OPT Recommendation form.
The form is sent to your Academic Advisor or Program Director for review and approval or denial. If approved, the form is forwarded to your international student advisor (Designated School Official).
2. The DSO issues an OPT Recommendation I‑20. Please allow around 1–2 business days for ISSS to create your Form I‑20 with the OPT recommendation.
3. Student signs the Form I‑20.
4. The student then completes the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I‑765). The Form I‑765, filing fee, and required supporting documents must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of the DSO’s OPT recommendation date.
Please visit USCIS and USCIS login to create an account and file Form I‑765 online. Video instructions are available on the USCIS website.
5. Upon receipt of Form I‑765, USCIS issues a Receipt Notice (Form I‑797) that includes the receipt number for the case.
If USCIS needs additional information, the student will receive a Request for Evidence (RFE). The RFE explains what information is required and provides a deadline for submission.
6. USCIS then adjudicates the application:
- If the application is approved, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and Approval Notice.
- If the application is denied, a Denial Notice is issued.
7. Student receives the EAD. The student may begin working on the authorized start date on the EAD and if the student has the EAD in hand. Please upload a copy of your EAD card in Terra Dotta.
8. While on OPT, students are required to report the following changes within 10 days through Terra Dotta so they can be updated by the DSO:
- Change in the student’s legal name
- Change in the student’s U.S. address while on OPT
- Changes in employment or interruptions in employment
Students who major in an eligible Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field may qualify for a one‑time per level, 24‑month extension of Post‑Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
A student may request a first STEM OPT extension if:
- The student is currently in a period of active Post‑Completion OPT.
- The student’s primary major is in a STEM‑eligible field.
- The student has not previously received a STEM OPT extension of any duration based on the same qualifying STEM degree. The student is working, or will be working, for an employer enrolled in the E‑Verify program.
1. Students submit a completed Form I‑983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students through the STEM OPT Recommendation form in Terra Dotta. The request may be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the OPT end date and no later than the final day of Post‑Completion OPT.
It is recommended to begin the process early.
2. The DSO recommends the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS.
SEVIS automatically calculates the start and end dates of the STEM OPT extension. The STEM OPT start date is the day after the current Post‑Completion OPT end date. The DSO then issues a Form I-20 with the STEM OPT Recommendation.
Please allow 1–3 business days for ISSS to create your Form I-20 STEM OPT Recommendation.
3. Student signs the Form I‑20.
The student then completes the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I‑765). The Form I‑765, filing fee, and required supporting documents must be submitted to USCIS. Video instructions for filing Form I‑765 online are available on the USCIS website.
4. Upon receipt of Form I‑765, USCIS issues a Receipt Notice (Form I‑797) that includes the receipt number for the case.
If USCIS needs additional information, the student will receive a Request for Evidence (RFE). The RFE explains what information is required and provides a deadline for response.
USCIS then adjudicates the application:
- If the application is approved, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and Approval Notice.
- If the application is denied, USCIS issues a Denial Notice.
5. Student receives the STEM OPT EAD. Please upload a copy of your EAD card through Terra Dotta.
6. Students must submit a new Form I‑983 for each new employment or training experience during the STEM OPT extension.
When changing employers, the previous employer must complete the Final Evaluation (the bottom section on page 5 of Form I‑983).
7. STEM OPT reporting schedule (Please note: All submissions must include all 5 pages of Form I‑983 each time):
Students must report any changes to their personal information (name, address) or employment details (employer name, address, job status) to their Designated School Official (DSO) within 10 days of the change.
Six months from the STEM OPT EAD start date, students must validate their personal and employment information with their DSO by submitting Form I‑983, even if no changes have occurred.
At the 12‑month point of the STEM OPT period, students must submit the Evaluation on Student Progress, completed by the student and employer. The employer assesses how well the student is meeting the training objectives. This evaluation is the top half of page 5 of Form I‑983 (EVALUATION ON STUDENT PROGRESS.
At 18 months after the STEM OPT EAD start date, students must again validate their personal and employment information with their DSO by submitting Form I‑983, even if there are no changes.
At the end of the 24‑month STEM OPT period, students must submit the Final Evaluation on Student Progress, which is the bottom half of page 5 of Form I‑983.
When a student changes employers during STEM OPT, the previous employer must complete the Final Evaluation on Student Progress (bottom half of page 5 of Form I‑983) upon separation.
On the start date of your OPT, you will receive an email from USCIS with instructions on how to create and access your SEVP Portal. Using the SEVP Portal, you can update your employer information, address, and email address. All updates must be made within 10 days of the change.
Please notify ISSS if you make any updates in the SEVP Portal.
The table below lists the statuses used to identify the stages of OPT requests in SEVIS. Please review the Documents section in your USCIS account regularly.
| Status | Status Meaning |
|---|---|
| Requested | DSO requested OPT in SEVIS on behalf of the student, but USCIS has not yet received the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765). |
| Pending | USCIS has received the Form I-765. |
| Approved | USCIS has approved the Form I-765. |
| Denied | USCIS has denied the Form I-765. |
| Canceled | DSO or a scheduled SEVIS maintenance job canceled the practical training request in SEVIS. |
| Withdrawn | USCIS approved the student’s request to withdraw the Form I-765. |
When the Post-Completion OPT, Application is Pending
- A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned re‑entry date to the United States
- A valid F‑1 visa stamp in your passport (this requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens)
- Your Form I‑20 with a travel signature dated within the last six months
- Your Receipt Notice (I-797) for your Form I‑765, if available.
(This document is not always required. If you have not yet received it, traveling without it generally does not create an issue.)
When the Post‑Completion OPT, Application Is Approved
- A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned re‑entry date to the United States
- A valid F‑1 visa stamp in your passport (this requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens)
- Your Form I‑20 with a valid travel signature dated within the last six months
- Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Evidence of employment in the United States, such as a job offer letter or proof of current employment
If you need to apply for a new F‑1 visa while your Post‑Completion OPT application is pending, be sure to bring the I-797 Approval Notice for you Form I‑765 receipt notice (Form I‑797) with the standard documents required for an F‑1 visa application.
Important Travel Notes
- If travel requires applying for a new F‑1 visa, we strongly recommend waiting until OPT is approved before traveling.
- Always carry your EAD, proof of U.S. employment or a job offer, and all standard visa documents when traveling.
- OPT travel signatures must be dated within the last six months at the time of re-entry. With a valid EAD and proof of employment, re-entry during OPT is generally permitted, but admission to the United States is never guaranteed.
- While OPT is pending, re-entry for the purpose of job searching is generally permitted without a job offer but is not guaranteed.
Traveling after receiving the EAD without employment or a job offer may result in denial of re-entry to the United States and possible termination of OPT.