Optional Practical Training

The Application
Practical training is work experience in an area closely related to your major field of study.

You are eligible for up to 12 months of optional practical training (OPT) for each higher level of education that you complete.

You must apply for OPT before the completion date of your course of study, but you may choose an OPT starting date up to 60 days after your completion date. Plan to apply 2 to 3 months before the period of OPT will begin to be sure the process is completed in time.

You must

Have followed all the rules for the F-1 visa (being enrolled full-time, not working off-campus without authorization, finishing your program by the date on your I-20, etc.)
Have completed at least nine months of consecutive full-time enrollment in an academic program (not ESL).

You may choose OPT

Full-time after program completion or after all course requirements are completed and only a thesis, examination or dissertation remains.
Full or part-time during an annual vacation.
Part-time during school. (You must continue to be enrolled full time).

You should pick up an OPT handout plus a Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and OPT Information Sheet at the Center for International Exchange. After completing these, meet with an international student advisor to get a new I-20 with an OPT recommendation and review any questions.

Your application must include

I-20 with OPT recommendation by international student advisor
Completed Form I-765; entry in item 16 should be (c)(3)(i).
Submit two 2" x 2" passport photos taken within past 30 days.
Fee is $180 effective 10/23/05 - personal check payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Bring all your previous I-20s, your passport and I-94 to the Center for International Exchange so staff can make copies. Also bring any previous employment authorization documents.
The Center for International Exchange will put together and mail your application packet to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service unless you need it to go by priority or overnight service to ensure that USCIS receives it before the end date of the term when you finish your last class. In those cases, CIE will assemble the packet; you will be responsible for shipping.

After you've applied & During OPT

While awaiting OPT authorization and your EAD (Employment Authorization Document):

You are allowed to continue on-campus employment through the last day of your last term.

You may start to look for an OPT job closely related to your major, but may not begin employment until the EAD is actually received and the start date of the EAD has been reached.

You should not leave the U.S. after you havecompleted your studies until you have both your EAD plus a job offer, otherwise you will not be allowed to re-enter.
USCIS will send you a receipt within about two weeks. Look for the EAC number in upper left corner.
Use this number to track your case on the USCIS Web site - http://www.uscis.gov/.
If you still have no employment authorization after two months:
bring your receipt to CIE.
an international student advisor will check on the current processing time and follow up on your case.

When your EAD arrives

Check all the data for accuracy.

If there are errors, bring the card immediately to an international student advisor in CIE.
Do not delay; some errors do leave you ineligible to work.

You remain in F-1 status during your practical training. You are expected to be either looking for an OPT job or working on an OPT job during this time. Part-time study is allowed if you continue to devote the majority of your time to working or searching for an OPT job.

Continue to report to CIE any change in your address or name, and any interruption of employment during practical training.

Travel outside the U.S. while on OPT

You will need your I-20 endorsed in CIE within the last six months.
The regulation states that you will return to "resume employment"; so have proof of employment or a job offer with you when you travel, plus your unexpired EAD.
You will need an unexpired F-1 visa in your passport; contact an international student advisor before traveling if your visa has expired.

The end of Optional Practical Training

Please notify CIE when your OPT ends - especially if it's an early ending, so that your immigration record can be updated.
After your OPT period ends, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. up to 60 days.

You may use this time to prepare to return home. You may use this time to finish organizing your next educational program - you must receive the new I-20 by the end of the 60 days; the program must begin within five months of the end of the OPT or the day you transfer, whichever is earlier. Any change of status petition must be received by USCIS within this period.