Optional Practical Training Information for Faculty and Staff

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is 12 months of off-campus work benefit for all F-1 visa holders seeking a degree. OPT can be used during a student’s program (Pre-Completion OPT) or after completing their program (Post-Completion OPT). Students can use some of their OPT before completing their program and some after, but cannot exceed a total of 12 months.

Useful OPT facts for departments:

  • A job offer is not needed to apply for OPT but all employment on OPT has to be related to the students’ major program of study*
  • Students have to have been enrolled for at least two consecutive semesters before they can begin OPT
  • Students cannot engage in Pre-Completion OPT after their program ends, or Post-Completion OPT before their program ends
  • OPT is requested through United States Citizen and Immigration Services and can take 3-4 months to process
  • Students can only work after they have received their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and during the approved OPT dates stated on the EAD
  • ISSS requires that all students complete the online OPT canvas course before applying for OPT
  • Students who complete a STEM-eligible degree may be eligible for a 24-month extension after Post-Completion OPT. For a list of STEM-eligible degrees, visit our STEM OPT webpage.

The electronic OPT advisor form is an important part of the OPT application and verifies that the student is in good academic standing and when the student is supposed to complete their program.** Depending on the department, this form may be completed by a professor, dean, program manager, or the department program assistant. Your department may want to designate a specific person to complete this form. It is not as important who completes the form as long as this staff or faculty member has the ability to verify the information on the form.

*Students should be able to show a direct connection of their job duties to their course curriculum. If students are not sure if a job is in their field of study, they may ask their academic department for their opinion. While opinions of faculty, departments, and professionals in the field are helpful, ultimately it is up to the student to demonstrate this connection.

**Some advisors have asked how they can know if a student will complete their program by a certain date. It is fine to say that the student is “expected” to complete their program, since there is really no way to know before the end of the term.

Please use this information for your individual understanding and to advise students about academic related issues. ISSS should be the sole advising body for students seeking information about OPT, as the regulations are much more detailed and nuanced as outlined here.