1. OPT Optional Practical Training
International Office
Texas State University

2. What is OPT Optional Practical Training
F-1 students may apply to USCIS for authorization for 12 months (24 month extension for STEM) of temporary employment for optional practical training directly related to their major area of study.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)
Refer to the STEM list on USCIS website:

3. (excluding thesis or equivalent)
Post-Completion OPT
Full-time Work Authorization after you graduate
for a student in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree program to gain practical experience after completion of all course requirements for the degree
(excluding thesis or equivalent)

4. When & How to Apply for OPT http://www. international. txstate
You may apply as early as 90 days before completion of your studies and no later than 60 days after completion of studies, and since DHS processing times may be lengthy (3 months average processing time); apply early.
You cannot have engaged in 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training.
You must make a request for OPT authorization to a Designated School Official (DSO). Visit the International Office homepage ( to set up an appointment with an International Office Advisor after you have reviewed the OPT website.
No offer of employment is required to apply for standard OPT, but you are expected to work during the OPT EAD validity period.
When calculating our OPT Start Date consider when you expect to get a job and begin working.
Work with Career Services for resume and interview tips.

5. ELIGIBILITY FOR OPT
You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis (UG 12hrs/ GRAD 9hrs) at a DHS-approved school for one full academic year before being eligible for OPT.
-One year of Consecutive enrollment (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall)
You must have maintained and be in lawful F1 status.
You must complete all practical training within a 14-month period following the completion of study.

6. Time Table
You may request your employment start date to be as early as your completion date, but no later than 60 days after the completion date
Graduation
12 months of OPT
60 days after graduation
14 Months Later
12 months of OPT
Even if you receive your OPT card more than 60 days after your completion date, you may not continue employment beyond the 14 month limit

7. The OPT Application Checklist
Before your OPT appointment, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents which must be included in the application:
OPT Statement of Understanding signed by the student
The confirmation page for completion of the OPT Assessment on TRACS( please attach a screen shot at the bottom of the page)
Completion of Degree form signed by an Academic Advisor or Professor
Complete the G-1145 form if you would like to be E-Notified from USCIS
Valid Passport & Visa
Most Recent Entry I-94
Any I-20s with CPT approval on the 3rd page
A personal check or money order for $ made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”
2 Passport photos (which must meet the size requirements taken within 30 days)
Any previous EAD Card or I-797 Change of Status approval (if applicable)
An electronically saved version of your I-765, with as many fields as possible completed.
*If you do not have all the required documents on the check list we cannot continue with your appointment, you will need to reschedule. *

8. OPT Appointment
1. Please go to International Office webpage to schedule an appointment with an International Office Advisor to complete the OPT application,
2. When you arrive for your appointment, the front desk staff will make copies of your passport, visa, I-94, and any CPT I-20s necessary as well as your Completion of Degree form and Statement of Understanding, passport photos and check.
3.An International Office Advisor will review your Academic Transcript to ensure that you have maintained your F-1 status and are eligible to apply for OPT.
4. The Advisor will help explain how to fill in any fields on the I-765 that have been left blank. You will print out the I-765 and sign the original.
5. The Adviser will put an International Office address label as the return address.
6. You will tell the Advisor your requested employment Start Date. The Advisor will create an I-20 with the OPT request. You will sign and keep the original and a copy will be made to go with your OPT application.
*If you do not have all the required documents on the check list we cannot continue with your appointment, you will need to reschedule. *

9. Thesis or Dissertation only students
There are exceptions related to students who have only thesis/dissertation or comprehensive exams left to complete.
If a student will complete their thesis/dissertation early in the semester and wants to begin their OPT prior to graduation, then the student must obtain a letter of completion from the Graduate College.
If a thesis/dissertation student who selected the post-completion OPT option does not finish his or her degree by the end of the post-completion OPT, he or she will not be eligible for a program extension.
If a student does not complete his or her thesis/dissertation during the 12 months of post-completion OPT... The student should prepare to change status, change education level and/or transfer, or depart the country prior to the end of the 60-day grace period.

10. Sign your name here
Personal address or IO address
Lower case “c”

11. The Completed OPT Application
Review the entire application with an advisor. The application should include documents in the following order:
A completed form I-765, passport photos, a check or money order, a copy of your new OPT I-20 (signed by the DSO and student), copies of your most recent I-20 and any CPT I-20s, a copy of your passport, most recent I-94, visa and any I Change of Status approval or previous EAD card.
The International Office will offer to mail the application for you, or you can mail it yourself.
It takes about 2 – 3 weeks to receive a receipt notification from USCIS. The IO will notify you upon receipt.
After the receipt is received, it should take no more than 90 days from the receipt date to receive your EAD card.

12. Things to remember about OPT
The student may not begin OPT until the date indicated on the employment authorization document and have the physical card in hand
During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment.
An F-1 student on OPT is required to report any change of name or address, or interruption of such employment to the DSO for the duration of the OPT.
The student must make a validation report to the DSO every six months starting from the date the extension begins and ending when the student's F-1 status or OPT ends.

13. TIPS & FAQs about travel
Can I reenter if my request for OPT is pending?
Yes, but traveling during this time should be undertaken with caution. USCIS may send you a request for evidence while you are away, however, so you would want to make sure you have provided a correct U.S. address both to your DSO and on the application and would be able to send in requested documents. Also, if USCIS approves your OPT application, you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Like a request for further information, USCIS can only send the EAD to your U.S. address.
Things you need to travel: signed I-20, valid passport, valid visa, OPT EAD, and a letter from your employer
Can I reenter if I left while on OPT?
If USCIS has approved your OPT you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States, in addition to your Form I-20, valid passport and visa, and a letter of employment if you have one. If you exceed the limits on unemployment while outside the United States, you will not be eligible to re-enter the United States in F-1 status.
If you have a job, you may travel and reenter to resume work at the same job or you have a written offer for another job

14. Reporting Employment
You must report your employment to the International Office within
10 business days
Use our online portal to report your employment information

15. Employment information
Paid/ Unpaid employment OR (Volunteering)
Unpaid employment is okay with USCIS.
Volunteering (See handout)
Keep a work history log for your records.
Include the employer name, hours, dates, and supervisor information and ALL I-20s

16. Eligibility for a 24-Month Stem Extension http://www. international
The special 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for students with a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree can be applied for if…
The degree that was the basis for the student's current period of OPT is a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the degree programs on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List, published on the SEVP Web site at
The student's employer is registered in the E-Verify program, as evidenced by either a valid E-Verify company identification number or, if the employer is using a designated agent to perform the E-Verify queries, a valid E-Verify client company identification number, and the employer is a participant in good standing in the E-Verify program, as determined by USCIS.
You must apply before your current OPT expires.

17. More Information Please visit our website For More Information on OPT: