12 Month Post Completion Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in your current major field of study. Students are eligible for a maximum of 12 months of OPT after each education level (i.e. bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate) in your F-1 status. The purpose is to "round off" or complement your academic work.

The OPT Process at a Glance

  1. Student: Request OPT
  2. DSO: Recommend OPT
  3. Student: File I-765
  4. USCIS: Adjudicate I-765
  5. Student: Get EAD & start work and reports to DSO
  6. DSO: Report address change & employer information

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for 12 Month Post Completion OPT you must meet the following criteria.

  • Must have been in lawful F-1 student status for at least one full academic year.
  • Be physically present in the United States.
  • Be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of application.
  • Intend to seek employment directly related to your current major field of study. The work may occur anywhere in the United States.
  • Must submit your application in a timely fashion (see next section).

Students enrolled in English language training programs are not eligible for practical training.

Importance of the Actual Date You Complete Your Program of Study

Immigration regulations refer to the date you complete all requirements for a program of study, not to the date you participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate or diploma. USCIS ignores your graduation ceremony date because it realizes that many students, especially graduate students, may complete requirements for a degree any day during the year. This means that the last day of an academic term may not be the date you complete program requirements. Failure to complete your degree by the date specified in your OPT application will require a program extension and you must continue to maintain your registration. If OPT has been approved and you are required to attend another semester, student may only work part-time until program completion.

Your lawful F-1 status expires 60 days after the date you complete all requirements for a program of study.  You must leave the United States by that date unless you file a timely application for practical training or make other plans to remain lawfully in the U.S.

Termination of Practical Training

Your OPT will automatically be terminated if you transfer to another school or begin study at another educational level. Your OPT will automatically be terminated if you change your non-immigrant status to another category (such as H-1B). Please notify OIIS if you end your OPT prior to your authorized end date. Failure to complete your degree by the date specified in your OPT application is grounds for termination of your OPT.

Form I-765

This may be filed up to 90 days prior to your completion date and no later than 60 days after your completion date.  If you file any earlier than 90 days prior to your completion date, your OPT request will be denied. Form I-765 must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the date the OPT recommendation is made in SEVIS or it will be denied. It can take approximately 2-3 months to be approved by USCIS, so please plan accordingly.

How to Apply

Visit the ISS Student Portal to apply for OPT.

  • Log in and toggle to the OIIS Requests Page
  • Select 12 Month OPT Request
  • Read all sections thoroughly and ensure all the information that you have provided is correct including:
    • Start and end dates (example: 07/07/2023 – 07/06/2024)
    • Approver name and email (academic advisor)

When your OPT I-20 has been generated, we will contact via email when it is ready to download from Docusign. Following that, we will give you instructions on how to apply online or send in your application to USCIS. Any additional important information regarding fees and processes will be sent to you as a part of your request process in the student portal.