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What is OPT?
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What is OPT? |
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OPT is training that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. It provides students with practical experience in their field of study upon completion of a degree program.
Students in STEM fields may be eligible for an additional 24-month extension of post-completion OPT. Please see the STEM OPT HUB on the Study in the States website for more information. The Application Guide and Resources for the STEM OPT Extension (STEM OPT) is another helpful resource.
Who is eligible to apply? |
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To be eligible for OPT, you must:
- be in good immigration status
- have been enrolled as a full-time student for the past nine months
- be in your last semester
- have a valid passport
- be physically present in the US
Students who were previously authorized for 12 months of OPT are eligible to apply again when they complete a degree at a higher level.
Graduate students who have completed all program requirements with the exception of the thesis or dissertation may apply for post-completion OPT.
F-1 students are eligible for one year of OPT per level, for example, one year at the bachelor's level, one year at the master's level, etc.
OPT Application Filing Timeline |
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The earliest date to apply is 90 days before the completion of your program.
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USCIS must receive your complete OPT application within 60 days after your program end date.
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Important Notes on the Timeline: You must apply several days prior to day 60 to ensure that your payment is processed by USCIS prior to the deadline. |
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How to Apply |
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to OPT |
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Step 1
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Check out the OPT Checklist for an overview of your next steps. |
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Review Information/ OPT Quiz
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for instructions on how to use the portal to fulfill reporting requirements while on OPT. |
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2. Take |
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the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Orientation Quiz. |
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Affairs will issue an I-20 with OPT recommendation. |
Step 2
Schedule an appointment with an International Programs advisor to discuss any questions or concerns about applying for OPT. You can make an appointment by calling 850-474-2479 or through the SSC Campus App in MyUWF.
Step 3
It is important to review all details on this page to ensure that you understand how to maintain F-1 status while your OPT application is pending and when your OPT is approved. |
Confirm Graduation Semester
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Submit OPT Start Date Request
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Submit the OPT Start Date Request Form in MyUWF. To request a new I-20 with a recommendation for OPT from |
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earliest start date you can select is the day after your program end date |
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Affairs will review your documents, shorten your I-20 end date if necessary and issue an updated I-20 with the recommendation for post-completion OPT. |
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The new I-20 must be uploaded in your OPT application.
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Step 4
Picking up your new I-20 with OPT |
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Recommendation:
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MUST be included in your OPT application |
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Create a USCIS Online Account and Compile Supporting Documents for OPT Application |
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Use this link to create a USCIS account and begin the I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/sign-in Students are responsible for submitting a complete application and all documents required for online filing in the USCIS online account. A copy of the OPT I-20 must be included in your OPT application. Important Notes:
OPT Application Checklist of Required Documentation
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Step 5
Complete Form I-765 and compile supporting documents.
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Final Steps |
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Schedule an Advising Appointment in Navigate
Complete as much of the online I-765 as possible and upload your required documentation.
- Do not make payment or submit the form prior to the final document check.
- The system allows you to submit the OPT application without required documents or with missing information. This can lead to delays or denials.
- You must be certain that all questions are answered fully and all required documentation is uploaded before making payment.
- Bring your laptop so that you can review and edit your I-765 if updates are needed.
- Computers are also available in the International Center if needed.
- It is important to complete as much of the application as possible and upload your documents before the final document check.
- If you do not have all the required documents, you must follow up and schedule a new appointment.
In Navigate, select Academic Support and Immigration Advising to make an appointment.
You have the opportunity to ask any questions you have and review your I-765 and documentation before you submit/pay for the OPT application.
Important Information to Review before you apply for OPT |
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- Processing time varies. Some applications are processed within 1-2 months. It may
Step 6
Schedule an advising appointment with an international programs advisor to review your OPT application.
You must bring all the required documentation to the appointment. Please see the OPT Application Checklist of Required Documentation.
Final Steps
Send your complete OPT application with fee to USCIS, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Check that the Form I-765 is complete, signed in blue ink and dated.
- Make certain that the copies of all Forms I-20 are signed and dated.
- Double check that your application includes all items on the OPT Application Checklist.
- Make a complete copy of your application for your records.
If your address on the I-765 is in Florida, mail the complete application to:
USCIS Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
International Programs recommends regular mail with the United States Postal Service to ship these documents. Do not use express mail.
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Important Information About OPT
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- take up to 90 days or longer.
- You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT.
- You must not begin work until your OPT is approved and you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).
- If you move while your application is being processed, you must complete an AR-11 form to update your address or update in your USCIS account.
- USCIS will not forward your mail or EAD card to a new address.
- Employment is permitted only during the time period specified on the EAD card.
- Post-completion OPT is considered full-time, more than 20 hours per week.
- You may have multiple employers, but all employment must be related to your major field of study.
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- Affairs will send important OPT updates to the email on record in MyUWF.
- International students who rely on recruitment agencies to obtain OPT placements should ensure those agencies are trustworthy and reputable.
Reputable recruiters will not modify a student’s resume or academic background to secure OPT placement.
International students who encounter fraudulent activity tied to OPT should contact
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the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tip line at 1-866-DHS-2ICE orwww.ICE.gov/tips immediately and make a report.
Maintaining Status while on OPT |
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Reporting Requirements
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You will use the SEVP Portal to fulfill your legal reporting requirements while on OPT.
It is your responsibility to complete reporting requirements.
In the portal, you can update:
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If no employer information is entered into SEVIS after 90 days, ICE will cancel your OPT and terminate your status. To update your legal name or email address, contact your international student advisor or email international@uwf.edu.
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The travel signature on your I-20 |
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is valid for six months. For travel, you must have the following to re-enter the US:
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Travel outside of the US while your OPT request is pending is not recommended. If you travel outside the US after your OPT is approved and you do not have a job or a job offer, you may not reenter the US as an F-1 student and your OPT will end. |
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You can accrue up to 90 days of unemployment while on approved OPT.
You can |
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work without pay |
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where this |
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violate any labor laws. This is considered employment.
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OPT Application Checklist of Required Documentation
After you pick up your I-20 with OPT recommendation, compile your documents to send to USCIS.
Note: It is important to review the complete OPT page before you submit your application. Keep a copy of all documents for your records. You are responsible for submitting the OPT application within the filing deadlines.
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For notification of delivery, use this form. Put this form on top of your application.
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Completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
Download the form to access the latest version. Refer to Instructions for Form I-765 for details on how to complete the Form I-765.
Use the code for standard Post-completion OPT for item 27: (c)(3)(B).
Use Part 6. Additional Information to provide all previously used SEVIS numbers and evidence of any previously authorized CPT or OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized.
NOTE: You must file your Form I-765 within 30 days of the date that your DSO enters the recommendation.
Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an item is not applicable with “N/A.” If the answer is none, write “None.”
Print completed form and sign in blue ink in Applicant Signature field.
Include original of Form I-765 in your application.
What to Expect After You Submit your Application to USCIS |
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USCIS will contact you by mail at the address on your I-765 form.
You will receive an I-797C Notice of Action acknowledging receipt of your application.
Contact International Affairs if there is an error on your receipt notice or if you receive a Request for Further Evidence. How to Track Delivery of your EAD Card (Employment Authorization Document)USCIS has options to get automatic case updates including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) tracking number when your EAD card is mailed. A tracking number is assigned upon shipment of the EAD card.
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You must not begin work until your OPT is approved and you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).
Below is an example of an Employment Authorization Document.
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Filing Fee
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Check or money order for the Form I-765 filing fee of $410.00, made payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security."
If you do not have a check with your printed name and address, you should use a money order.
You may pay by credit card using G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. See Pay With a Credit Card for details.
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Copies of all I-20s.
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Put a copy of your signed and dated new I-20 with OPT recommendation on top.
Include a copy of all prior I-20s.
Check that all I-20s have your signature and date before you copy.
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Copy of all previous Employment Authorization Documents (EAD cards).
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Include a copy of front and back of each EAD card.
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Proof of identity if you do not have a previous EAD card.
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Copy of biographical ID page of your passport (valid for at least six months).
Copy of most recent F-1 visa.
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Most recent I-94 arrival record.
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Printout of electronic Form I-94.
Or copy of both sides of cardstock I-94.
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Two US passport-style photographs.
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Two identical US passport-style color photos, taken within 30 days of filing Form I-765.
Write your name in pencil on the back of each photo.
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Graduation Verification Form
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See Submitting the Graduation Verification Form to complete the form.
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Below is an example of an Employment Authorization Document.
FAQs
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