1. Attend ISSS OPT webinar or watch OPT video series
2. Apply for an OPT I-20 from ISSS – this 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
3. Add OPT I-20 to I-765 application and submit to USCIS
   • 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)
   • Click here for ISSS’ tips on filling out the I-765
   • If you choose to apply by mail, review USCIS’ Tips for Filing Forms by Mail 
4. Wait for USCIS approval and OPT EAD card to arrive in the mail 
   1. Your F-1 status will continue while you wait as long as you applied before the deadlines – even if your 60-day grace period has passed
   2. You will receive a receipt notice from USCIS to confirm your application was submitted 
   3. You can use your receipt number to check the case status 
   4. USCIS Processing Times 

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.  

• 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 (this is considered full-time work for OPT purposes)  
• 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 
  • 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 always 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. 
  • You will have to explain how the work is related to your degree when you report.  
  • Here are a few example explanations provided by SEVP: 
    • “PhD in Computer Science: I am employed as a Computer and Information Research Scientist at ABC Research Institute. I work as part of a team of scientists and engineers that designs experiments to test the operation of various software systems. My work builds on research in complex algorithms and machine learning, which I studied as part of my dissertation.“ 
    • “Master's degree in Kinesiology: I am working 25 hours a week in a health food store as a consultant for Self-Made Inc., designing and teaching exercise classes that are incorporated into a customer's overall nutrition and exercise plan. My designs and customer instruction draw upon my studies and classwork in exercise therapy and physical reconditioning.” 
    • “Bachelor's degree in Business: I work full time as a Loan Officer at a mortgage company, Happy Homes, where I meet with clients and evaluate, authorize and recommend approval of loan applications. On a daily basis, I use the knowledge I gained in my credit analysis, sales and marketing classes that I took as part of my major program of study.” 

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:
  • Job title
  • Supervisor and contact information
  • Employer address
  • How employment is related to coursework

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.

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Reporting via the SEVP Portal:

You should receive an email link to activate your SEVP Portal account 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 

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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
• 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

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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 Eligibility and Application

1. 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.
2. How do I apply for an SSN for OPT?
   • You can request an SSN on your I-765 application. There will be a question that asks if you need one. 
3. 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. 
4. 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.
5. 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

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Work During OPT

1. Can I do volunteering or unpaid work during OPT? 
   • Yes, as long as the work meets OPT job requirements. 
2. 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.
3.  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. 
4. 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”.