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.
The two most common types of post-completion OPT are:
- 12-month OPT based on Graduation: Apply for this type if you plan to graduate this semester and want to start working after graduation.
- 12-month 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 (minus research credits) must be completed. 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, ISSS cannot process the OPT until your CPT is done.
Steps to Apply for OPT
We recommend attending an ISSS OPT webinar prior to applying for OPT.
Apply for an OPT I-20 through the ISSS Portal.
Post-completion OPT includes paying the $200 post enrollment fee.
Post-Completion OPT- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
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.
Important Note
The OPT dates you requested are NOT guaranteed. Do NOT start working until you receive your EAD card. You are only allowed to work within the dates on the EAD card.
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.
- 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.
- Please remember to keep thorough documentation of the hours you've worked.
- You can work for multiple employers as long as the work fulfills the other OPT job requirements.
- 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.
- You can use the TAMU Career Center for help with finding employment (even after you graduate).
- The work must directly relate to the TAMU degree you just finished. It can be paid or unpaid.
- Click here for information and examples on how an employment should relate to your area of study.
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:
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:
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 add your EAD end date to the TAMU system so you will still have access to Howdy and your TAMU email during OPT.
ISSS will continue to contact you via your TAMU email.
Updating Your Contact Information
If the address where you live changes, update your Student Local Physical address and/or Student Local Current phone number in Howdy.
OPT FAQs
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.