1. OPT: Optional Practical Training, Work and Life after PSU
Plymouth State University’s Global Engagement Office
International Student Services

2. OPT Is:
An acronym for Optional Practical Training. It is defined within government regulations as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.”
Is employment in your field of study after you complete your degree.
Is temporary – typically 12 months
Is optional! In other words it is not mandatory and not part of curriculum
Employment that is either paid or unpaid

3. Eligibility
You are a degree-seeking student who has been in lawful status as a full-time student for at least one academic year.
For Post-Completion Practical Training, you may apply up to 90 days BEFORE you complete your degree or, up to 60 days AFTER.
You may engage in Optional Practical Training only after you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) are eligible for a 24-month extension of OPT (after the initial 12 months).

4. Highlights of OPT…….
A job is NOT required before you apply
No special permission is needed to quit a job or change jobs, but you must notify your international student advisor within 10 days of any job change and address change
One year of OPT is available after each degree level completed; qualified extensions are applied for during the 12-month period
Employment must be related to the degree program listed on your I20
Student can have a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while on OPT. These are counted as calendar days, not weekdays.
While on OPT, you remain in F-1 status during the duration of OPT
It may take 3 months for the USCIS to grant OPT.
There is NO guarantee that OPT will be granted!

5. What is considered “work” while on OPT?
Volunteering?
YES! Ask the employer for a letter describing duties, time per day and length of volunteering. Must be related to program of study
Contract work?
YES
Employment with a company?
Self-employed?
“Work” can be paid or unpaid

6. Things to Consider Before Applying for OPT
Is your passport valid for at least 6 months? If not, you’ll need to renew it well before OPT application
When does your visa expire? Depending on the date, you may need to renew it the next time your home
OPT approval in and of itself does NOT grant entry into the US!
What are potential travel plans for the next 6-9 months?
It is not recommended that you depart the US before OPT is approved and without a written job offer
What is a good OPT start date, depending on your circumstances?
i.e. Do you intend to travel around US with family after graduation and need time before starting to work? Do you need time to relocate/leave Plymouth? What do your job leads look like?

7. Travel on OPT…..
On OPT do not travel outside of U.S. borders without
the newly revised and current I-20 which recommends OPT that has been signed by the international student advisor within the past 6 months
a job offer or proof of employment (ex: pay stubs)
your EAD (OPT) card
your passport that is valid for at least 6 months
a valid visa
You must be returning to “resume employment” to be granted re-entry by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Never enter the US on any other visa status other than F-1 while on OPT.

8. How Do I Apply, Cancel or Withdraw OPT?
1. Review Global PSU webpages! Read all material provided in the packet provided to you by your intl student advisor. Complete and seek signatures as required.
2. Schedule appointment with Jane to complete application, photocopy and prep for mailing.
3. USCIS will send a receipt notice (I-797) to you in the mail within 2-3 weeks to the address indicated on your application.
4. Checking the status online:
Go to the USCIS Case Status Search Page https:
Cancelling or Withdrawing application ---
1. If, prior to mailing application:
Notify your intl advisor and we will issue you a NEW and revised I20
2. If, after mailing application, but before approval:
Meet with int’l advisor with a written withdrawal request. It is impossible to track down your application at the processing center. We will do our best to get your application canceled. NOTE: You will have very little time to cancel and there are NO refunds!

9. Student Responsibilities……
Students are required to notify intl advisor within 10 days of:
Any job change
Any address change
Whenever you are employed or NOT employed
Students must maintain documents that show:
How employment is related to degree program
Dates of employment
NOTE:
You must be able to provide this information to any gov’t official if asked.
******After graduating, working without OPT authorization
is a visa status violation unless you have
changed your visa status!******

10. After OPT…….
Continue with your US education; seek a Master’s or Doctoral degree
Apply for permanent residency
Apply for a “change of visa status” to another employment-based visa
Marry a US citizen
Return home