Optional Practical Training

About

Most F-1 students use Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work after graduation. This is a benefit of F-1 status that allows you to work for up to 12 months. Even if you don’t have a job offer yet, you can still apply for OPT. You may only work within the dates on your OPT EAD card.

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Pre-Completion OPT

General Information

• Pre-completion OPT allows students ineligible for CPT authorization to work off campus prior to graduation.

• Pre-completion OPT is recommended by ISSS and approved by USCIS. This means you must pay the I-765 application fee (and, if desired, the I-901 application for premium processing fee) and wait until you recieve your EAD in the mail before you start working.
  • ISSS cannot process a pre-completion OPT I-20 more than 90 days before your requested start date.
• You are still required to continue to adhere to all F-1 requirements, including enrollment requirements, while on pre-completion OPT.
• There is no consequence to being unemployed during pre-completion OPT. However, the time authorized for your pre-completion OPT will still be subtracted from the total 12-months allowed for OPT, even if you never find a job or worked during pre-completion OPT.

What to Consider before doing Pre-Completion OPT

• You may only work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) for pre-completion OPT during major semesters (fall and spring).
  • If you want to work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) in the summer for pre-completion OPT, you must apply for pre-completion OPT again to ISSS and USCIS.
• Pre-completion OPT subtracts from the total 12-months allowed for OPT. This means you would have less time for post-completion OPT. 
  • Full-time pre-completion OPT subtracts at a 1:1 rate (e.g.: if you do six months of full-time pre-completion OPT, you will have only six months of post-completion OPT available).
  • Part-time pre-completion OPT subtracts at one-half the full-time rate (e.g.: if you do six months of part-time pre-completion OPT, you will have only nine months of post-completion OPT available).

Post-Completion OPT

OPT based on Graduation

Apply for this type if you plan to graduate this semester and want to start working after graduation.

OPT based on Completion of Coursework

Apply for this if you're a thesis or dissertation student and want to start OPT before you graduate.

• All required coursework—including any necessary CPT—required to graduate per your updated degree plan, excluding any applicable 691 (research) credit hours, exit surveys, final exams, and thesis or dissertation revisions, must be completed AND GRADED.
• You must have an updated degree plan that shows you have enough credits to graduate.
• You must have a defense date set (it is okay if this date changes later).
• If you are currently doing CPT or any other non-691 courses, ISSS cannot process the OPT until those courses have been completed and graded. 

Steps to Apply for OPT

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Complete the Optional Practical Training Homebase Module

Start by completing the Optional Practical Training Homebase module that can be found under the "Homebase Modules" tab within the ISSS Portal. 

Make sure to download your Certificate of Completion upon finishing the module so you can upload it to your OPT request via the ISSS Portal. 

Apply for an OPT I-20 from ISSS

General Information

• We recommend attending an ISSS OPT webinar prior to applying for OPT.
• Apply for an OPT I-20 through the ISSS Portal. Make sure to click the correct request based on whether you want pre-completion OPT or post-completion OPT.

Post-Completion OPT Only 

• Post-completion OPT also includes paying the $200 post enrollment fee.
• ISSS will shorten the program end date on your I-20 based on the type of OPT you apply for:
  • OPT based on Graduation: Your new program end date will be the 1st day of graduation on the Academic Calendar of your final semester.
  • OPT based on Completion of Coursework: Your new program end date will be the day before your requested OPT start date.
  • ISSS will NOT process your OPT request until you are within 90 days of your new I-20 program end date!

Submit Your I-765

• Add your OPT I-20 to I-765 application and submit to USCIS.
  • There are I-765 guides in Homebase. You can find the links in ISSS Portal by clicking "Homebase Modules" on the left side menu, then click "F-1 Employment Homebase Links".
• You can submit your I-765 online or by mail (we recommend you use the online option).
• You must submit the I-765 to USCIS within 30 days of the date ISSS recommended your OPT (we will tell you this date in the completion email).
  • Post-completion OPT Only: You must submit the I-765 to USCIS before your 60-day grace period ends AND within 30 days of the date ISSS recommended your OPT (we will tell you this date in the completion email).

• If you choose to apply by mail, review USCIS’ Tips for Filing Forms by Mail.

Wait for Application Decision

Wait for USCIS approval and OPT EAD card to arrive in the mail 

• You will receive a receipt notice from USCIS to confirm your application was submitted.
• You can use your receipt number to check the case status.
• USCIS Processing Times.

Pre-Completion OPT

You must continue to make normal academic progress in your degree during OPT. This includes meeting full-time enrollment requirements.

Post-Completion OPT

Your F-1 status will continue while you wait for your EAD as long as you applied before the deadlines – even if your 60-day grace period has passed.

USCIS Time Zone Information for Form I-765

You will submit an application to USCIS as part of your OPT application, and USCIS uses the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)  time zone to determine filing deadlines and processing times. More Information about the UTC can be found below. 

USCIS Uses UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)  

UTC is a universal standard of timing used around the world, which is why UTC means Coordinated Universal Time.

UTC is unique in that it never changes and there is no “daylight saving time” for UTC.

UTC is not the same as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, also known as Zulu time).

• More information can be found at https://www.timeanddate.com/time/aboututc.html.
• World time zones/UTC can be found here.

OPT Job Requirements

• You cannot work until you receive your OPT EAD card.
• You may only work within the dates on the OPT EAD card.
• The work must directly relate to the TAMU degree you are currently pursuing or just finished. The work can be paid or unpaid. 
  • Click here for information and examples on how an employment should relate to your area of study.
  • You can use the TAMU Career Center for help with finding employment (even after you graduate). 
• You can work for multiple employers as long as the work fulfills the other OPT job requirements.  
• Make sure you're working the appropriate amount of time for your OPT authorization. Please remember to keep thorough documentation of the hours you've worked.. 
  • Pre-completion OPT: You must work less than 20 hours during major semesters (spring and fall).
    • You can only work full-time if you have been authorized for full-time pre-completion OPT and it is not a major semester.
  • Post-completion OPT: You must work at least 20 hours per week.
    • For reporting purposes, working exactly 20 hours per week is considered part-time, but still meets OPT requirements.
• Post-completion OPT only: Do NOT accrue more than 90 days of unemployment on post-completion OPT. 
  • Unemployment beyond 90 days is considered a status violation. If you are getting close to 90 days of unemployment, please contact ISSS to discuss your options before the 90th day. 

OPT Reporting Requirements

Per federal government requirements, you will need to report certain information and updates during OPT. You need to report the following information within 10 days of a change:

• Change of legal name 
• Change of home address and/or phone number
• Start of new employment
• End of current employment
• Change in current employment details (e.g. job title, supervisor information, employment address, employment relation to coursework, etc.)

Failure to report could lead to you accruing unnecessary unemployment days. Remember, you’re only allowed up to 90 days of unemployment. Exceeding 90 days is a status violation.

Reporting via the SEVP Portal (Post-Completion OPT Only):

• You should receive an email link to activate your SEVP Portal aaccount on or a few days after the start date on your EAD card.
• This email will go to your TAMU email address and will come from do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov.
• This portal will allow you to report employment information directly to your F-1 SEVIS record.
• If you have issues with the portal OR would like an updated I-20, submit a report to ISSS.

Reporting Via ISSS (Pre- and Post-Completion OPT):

• You can report updates directly to ISSS by submitting the correct request.
• ISSS will update your SEVIS record as needed and issue a new I-20 if requested.
• ISSS will contact you via your TAMU email.
• Post-Completion OPT: ISSS will add your EAD end date to the TAMU system so you will still have access to Howdy and your TAMU email during OPT.

OPT FAQs

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What should I do if I was approved for OPT, but now I can’t graduate when I expected?

Contact ISSS as soon as possible to discuss your situation with a staff member. The earlier you inform ISSS, the more options you may have to resolve the situation.

How do I apply for an SSN for OPT?

• The Social Security Administration is no longer issuing Social Security Numbers for Form I-765 submissions.
• You must submit an online application for your SSN, and schedule an in-person appointment with a Social Security Administration office.
  • Your appointment cannot be earlier than 30 days before the start date listed on your EAD card. 

If I did OPT for my bachelor's degree, can I do it again for my master's degree?

Yes. You become eligible for another 12 months of OPT when you change to a higher degree level. You could do 12 months of OPT after your Bachelor's degree, another after your Master's, and another after a Doctoral degree.

If my OPT application is still pending with USCIS after my requested OPT start date, am I allowed to remain in the U.S.?

Yes.

If my OPT application is still pending with USCIS more than 60 days after my graduation date, am I allowed to remain in the U.S.?

Yes.

Can I do volunteering or unpaid work during OPT?

Yes, as long as the work meets OPT job requirements.

After my I-20 program end date and before my approved EAD card start date, can I work or volunteer for my on-campus and/or OPT employer?

• NO. After your I-20 program end date and before your approved EAD card start date, you do not have the authorization to work in the U.S.
• You cannot volunteer or do any kind of work during this time.
• You also should NOT begin new hire processes with your OPT employer. You MUST wait for the OPT authorization period to begin.

If I receive my EAD card after my requested OPT start date, will the days in between count as days of unemployment?

• Your unemployment days do not begin to accrue until the start date that is on the EAD card. Typically, if USCIS is unable to grant the start date you requested, they will issue the EAD card with a later start date.
• It is possible that by the time the card reaches you, the start date could be a few days in the past.  In this case, you would have accrued a few days of unemployment.
• In most cases, OPT applicants receive their EAD card prior to the EAD start date. 

Is paid leave considered “unemployment” during OPT?

Vacation days, weekends, and holiday leave do not typically count as unemployment. However, it must be consistent with your employer’s policy. Please check with your Human Resources Department. It really depends on the company and the status you are placed in “leave” or “laid off”.

What should I do if I receive an RFE from USCIS in response to my I-765 application?

If USCIS issues you a request for evidence (RFE) in response to your I-765 application, upload the entire RFE notice to a general ISSS request as soon as possible. The advisor who gets assigned to your request will review the RFE and, if necessary, write a DSO letter in support of your I-765 application. They will also inform you of your next steps and monitor your case until USCIS approves or denies your I-765 application.