OPT Frequently Asked Questions

What is OPT? Optional Practical Training (OPT) is designed for international students to gain practical work experience in their field of study. OPT is an opportunity for F-1 students to work for a total of up to 12 months, during their studies or immediately following their degree completion.
Who is eligible for OPT? Generally, F-1 international students in both undergraduate or graduate programs are eligible for OPT as long as they have been in valid F-1 student status for one academic year. Review our main OPT webpage for detailed eligibility requirements.
Do I need a job offer to apply for OPT? An offer of employment is not required when applying for OPT.
What is the difference between Pre-Completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT? Pre-Completion OPT occurs before you complete your degree and Post-Completion OPT happens after you complete your degree. Students cannot engage in either until they have been in valid F-1 status for one academic year, however you can apply as early as 90 days before you reach the one academic year requirement.
- Pre-Completion OPT: Pre-Completion OPT can only be used during your studies. Once a student has finished their degree, Pre-Completion OPT is no longer available. Students can work over 20 hrs per week during school breaks (full-time Pre-Completion OPT), and less than 20 hrs per week while classes are in session (part-time Pre-Completion OPT). Students who use part-time Pre-Completion OPT deduct days at half the rate. For example if you work for 5 months on part-time, Pre-Completion OPT, only 2.5 months are deducted from the total 12 months. Please note that if you use part of your 12 months of OPT as Pre-Completion OPT, you will have to apply again, and pay the filing fee, to use the remaining time for another period of Pre-Completion OPT or for Post-Completion OPT. Pre-Completion OPT can be a great option for students who have found a job they want to work over summer vacation but are not eligible for CPT authorization. Many students do not apply for Pre-Completion OPT so that they can have 12 full months of OPT after they graduate.
- Post-Completion OPT: Post-completion OPT can start as early as the day after a student completes the requirements for their degree, or as late as 60 days from their degree completion. All Post-completion OPT is full-time.
When to apply for Post-Completion OPT: It typically takes 3-4 months for an OPT application to be processed by the USCIS, so apply early. Students have a 5 month window to submit a completed OPT application to the U.S. immigration office (USCIS) to apply for Post-Completion OPT. A student’s 5 month window starts from 90 days before degree completion to 60 days after degree completion date for USCIS to receive OPT application. After that, a student cannot submit an OPT application to USCIS.
Choosing dates for Post-Completion OPT: A student who finishes all degree requirements can choose an OPT start date from one day after their program completion date to 60 days after that date. The end date for OPT will be 12 months after the student’s chosen OPT start date. The latest end date for a student on Post-Completion OPT is always 14 months after the student completed their studies. Things to consider when determining your requested OPT start date are USCIS processing times, your expected employment start date, and travel plans.
Can I change my requested OPT dates? You should carefully consider your post-graduation plans before choosing your OPT dates and submitting your OPT request to ISSS. Changing your OPT dates after your OPT application has been submitted to USCIS is extremely difficult, and is not guaranteed.
How do I apply for OPT? You are required to attend an OPT workshop offered by ISSS before you can apply for OPT. Please visit our website to sign up for a workshop.
When should I sign up for an ISSS OPT workshop? We recommend you sign up for an OPT workshop at least one semester before you graduate. For example, if you are graduating in Fall 2020, please sign up for an OPT workshop at the end of Spring 2020.
How long does it take for USCIS to adjudicate my OPT application? It takes an average of 90-120 days for USCIS to adjudicate your OPT applications, so it is good to plan ahead and apply early. Processing times will vary. You can find the average USCIS processing times here.
Should I apply with Premium Processing? USCIS guarantees adjudicative action taken on forms filed with premium processing within 30 business days from the premium processing filing date, and it comes at an additional cost. Keep in mind premium processing does not guarantee approval, but it can be an option if you want to hear back from USCIS earlier. Premium processing can be filed together with your OPT application to USCIS or separately after you have already submitted your OPT application.
Are OPT applications ever denied? USCIS reviews each application carefully. Applications can be denied due to an incomplete I-765 or one with errors. Another reason we sometimes see an OPT denial is due to a payment issue. A third reason is that the OPT application was sent to USCIS more than 30 days from the day ISSS created the I-20. We recommend students apply early so if there are issues with your applications, you will still have time to reapply.
What types of employment can I have while I am on OPT? Students on OPT can work a paid or unpaid position, they can work with multiple employers at one time, and can change employers as many times as they wish. However, all jobs need to be related to your degree of study.
Where can I work on OPT? OPT is employment authorization for students working inside of the US. Students can work from anywhere within the US and can work in-person and/or remotely. It is possible to travel temporarily outside of the US while on OPT, including work related travel and temporarily working remotely from abroad. It is not possible to work fully remote from outside the US. You need to report your employer through the SEVP portal, and the employer and your physical working address needs to be within the US.
What if I cannot find a job on OPT? Students need to work full-time (more than 20 hrs per week) or they will accrue days of unemployment. Students can only be unemployed for a total of 90 days during Post-Completion OPT. The 90 days of unemployment are cumulative and once a student has reached 90 days of unemployment they are considered “out of status” and should leave the U.S. immediately. Please report your employment through the SEVP portal to ensure that you do not reach 90 days of unemployment. Pre-Completion OPT students do not accrue days of unemployment and do not need to report their employment.
Can I volunteer and/or intern during OPT? Yes, you can volunteer or intern during OPT, but it needs to be related to your field of study. When volunteering or interning it is recommended that you get a contract or agreement from your supervisor that indicates your job description and your time commitment. Work during OPT does not need to be paid but always needs to be related to your degree. Please report all internships and volunteer work at employment through the SEVP portal to avoid accruing days of unemployment.
Grace Periods on OPT: Students who complete their OPT period have a 60 day grace period after their OPT has ended to stay in the United States to prepare for their departure, transfer to a new school, and change their visa status. Students cannot work during this grace period. If you end your OPT early (before the end date listed on your OPT EAD card), you are not afforded the 60 day grace period and should depart the US soon after ending your OPT.
Can I travel on OPT? You can travel on OPT, however you will need to have your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, an I-20 with a current travel signature that was given in the past six months by ISSS, a valid visa and passport and a letter from your employer. Travel before your OPT is approved is more complicated and you should ask about this at the OPT workshop. You can also find more information about the next steps on our OPT website.
I want to apply for OPT, what should I do next? All students wishing to apply for Post-Completion OPT need to attend an ISSS OPT workshop within one year of applying for OPT. We will not issue an OPT I-20 until you have attended a workshop. Please sign-up for a workshop.
Am I eligible for the additional 24 months of STEM OPT? Students who are on a period of approved post-completion OPT and have a STEM-qualifying degree can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. For a list of USF STEM-qualifying degrees, review our STEM OPT webpage.
I have a STEM-eligible degree, am I applying for 3 years of OPT? You will first need to apply for your 1-year of post-completion OPT. When you are engaging in post-completion OPT, you may be eligible to apply for the additional 24-months of STEM OPT. You will need to submit the I-765 application and pay the application fee twice. Review our STEM OPT webpage and video tutorial for more information on STEM OPT eligibility and application process.
I am in my second Master’s program and was approved for OPT for my previous Master’s degree but decided not to use it; am I eligible for OPT again? If USCIS had previously approved you for 12 months of full-time OPT at the same or higher educational level prior to your degree program at USF, you are not eligible for OPT authorization again regardless if you utilized the benefit or not.