Overview

The page explains how to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Post-completion OPT gives F-1 students the opportunity to work in the United States after completion of their degree.

For help with this process, please contact International Programs at international@uwf.edu.

Update: 8/24/2020

International Programs is here to support you as you apply for Optional Practical Training while the university is working remotely, Our goal is to process your request as quickly as possible. Students should carefully review the information on this page and monitor email from their international student advisor.

Virtual advising appointments are available to answer questions and to review your OPT application before you submit it to USCIS. We encourage students to make notes as they review the information on this page. This will ensure that your questions are addressed in the advising session.

If you experience a delay in the delivery of your EAD card, please see this USCIS resource page: Form I-9 Verification During EAD Production Delays Due to COVID-19

What is OPT?

Post-completion OPT gives F-1 students the opportunity to work in the United States after completion of their degree.

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.

Who is eligible to apply?

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

OPT Application Filing Timeline

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. Processing times range up to 3 to 5 months.

The earliest date to apply is 90 days before the completion of your program.
USCIS must receive your complete OPT application within 60 days after your program end date.

Steps to Apply for OPT

Step 1

Review the information in this OPT Confluence page to learn about the process to apply for OPT.

View The SEVP Portal: Overview Video for instructions on how to use the portal to fulfill reporting requirements while on OPT.

Please note that reporting requirements for STEM OPT do not apply to students on Post-completion OPT.
It's a good idea to make a note of any questions or concerns so that you can review them in your OPT advising appointment.

Take the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Orientation Quiz.

This is required before International Programs 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 Navigate App in MyUWF.

Step 3

To request a new I-20 with a recommendation for OPT from International Programs, submit the OPT Start Date Request Form in MyUWF.

The earliest start date you can select is the day after your program end date.

If you graduate early, your program end date will be changed to reflect your graduation date.
You must choose a start date within 60 days of your program end date.

International Programs 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.

Important note:

USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date the OPT I-20 is issued or within 60 days after your program end date, whichever is sooner.

If you apply late, you may have less than 30 days to apply.

Step 4

Pick up your new I-20 with OPT recommendation.

During the COVID-19 remote work environment, we will email you a copy of your OPT I-20.
You must download it and sign/date in ink.
USCIS does not accept electronic signatures.

Review it for accuracy, sign and date it.

A copy of the OPT I-20 must be included in your OPT application to USCIS.

Step 5

Compile supporting documents for the OPT application.

For more information, see the OPT Application Checklist of Required Documentation at the bottom of this page.

Checklist has notes on each required item. Be sure to read these carefully.
For more information, please refer to the USCIS website https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.
See pages 19-20 in Form I-765 Instructions for how to assemble your documents in the correct order.

Important Note:

USCIS will send the EAD card and all notifications to the address on the I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization. International Programs usually advises that the address should be valid for at least 4 months. In this current epidemic, processing may take longer. Therefore, it is important that the address on your I-765 be valid as long as possible. You can discuss your options and concerns with your international advisor.

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 below.

Final Steps

Send your complete OPT application with fee to USCIS, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Be careful that all required documents are in the application.
USCIS can deny your application if it is missing any required documentation without sending you a notification (a Request for Further Evidence).

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.

Where to send the application:

We recommend that you send your complete application by the United States Postal Service (USPS) by Priority Mail so that you have a tracking number.

Please see the USCIS website for the address: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses

See the section for Foreign Students and search for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).
International Programs recommends the United States Postal Service to ship these documents.
If you submit your application near the deadline (60 days after your program end date), be aware of shipping timelines and select overnight service with the United States Postal Service.

Important Information to Review before you apply for OPT

Processing time can 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.
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.
International Programs 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 the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tip line at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or www.ICE.gov/tips immediately and make a report.

Maintaining Status while on OPT

Reporting Requirements and the SEVP Portal

You will use the SEVP Portal to fulfill your legal reporting requirements while on OPT.

Updates must be made within 10 days of the change occurring.
Students receive an email directly from SEVP with instructions to activate the portal account.
If you do not receive an email, email a copy of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to international@uwf.edu.

It is your responsibility to complete reporting requirements.

The SEVP Portal Help page has step-by-step instructions and instructional videos to learn to navigate the portal.
Please note that reporting requirements for STEM OPT do not apply to students on Post-completion OPT.

In the portal, you can update:

Physical home address.
Mailing address.
Telephone number.
Employment information. The employer address should be the address the student reports to for work.

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.

SEVP will send email to the address listed in your portal account.
Be sure to check your email regularly.

Travel and Maintaining Status

The travel signature on your I-20 is valid for six months.

For travel, you must have the following to re-enter the US:

a valid passport and visa
Form I-20 with travel signature (within 6 months of re-entry to the US)
EAD card
job offer letter/letter from your employer that you are on approved leave

Applying for OPT and Travel

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.

Unemployment and Unpaid Work

You can accrue up to 90 days of unemployment while on approved OPT.

Days of unemployment are counted from the start date on the EAD card.
If you accrue over 90 days of unemployment, you will violate your F-1 status if you do not take action to maintain legal status.

You can work without pay where this does not violate any labor laws. This is considered employment.

You must work (where this does not violate any labor laws) full time, more than 20 hours per week, in your major area of study.
You must report employment information for unpaid positions.
You should be able to provide evidence from your employer to document that you have maintained legal status.

OPT Application Checklist of Required Documentation

A complete application for OPT includes all items on the checklist, including a copy of your I-20 with OPT recommendation.

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.

Form G-1145	For notification of delivery, use this form. Put this form on top of your application.
Filing Fee	Important Note: It is important to pay the correct fee. Forms with the incorrect fee will be rejected. Check for the amount of the fee the day you send your application. Fees are subject to change. You must check the USCIS fee amount and include the correct fee or it will be rejected. You can also use the Fee Calculator here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/form-filing-tips International Programs recommends payment by money order. Check or money order 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.
Completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Include original of Form I-765 in your application.	Please see the USCIS I-765 website to confirm that you submit the correct version of the I-765. Read and follow the USCIS Form Filing Tips carefully. Important Note: If you are mailing your application on or after August 25, 2020: Check to see that your I-765 is the August 25th edition. The date is printed on the lower left corner of the I-765. Prior editions of the I-765 will be rejected. You must download and complete the form before you print. Refer to Instructions for Form I-765 for details on how to complete the Form I-765. Answer all questions fully and accurately. Use the name on your I-20 for Family Name and Given Name(s). 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. Students must write their signatures so that they fit within the lines of the signature section on Form I-765 so that signatures can be scanned cleanly and applied to the EAD. 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 and the academic level at which it was authorized evidence of any previously authorized OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized Important: You must file your Form I-765 within 30 days of the date that your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT in SEVIS.
Most recent I-94 arrival record.	Printout of electronic Form I-94. Make sure the record indicates “Class of Admission: F1" and “Admit Until Date: D/S,” which stands for duration of status. Make sure the I-94 shows the correct date for your most recent entry. Or copy of both sides of card stock I-94.
Copy of all previous Employment Authorization Documents (EAD cards).	Include a copy of front and back of each EAD card.
Proof of identity if you do not have a previous EAD card.	Copy of biographical ID page of your passport (valid for at least six months). Copy of most recent F-1 visa.
Two US passport-style photographs.	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.
Copies of all I-20s.	Put a copy of your signed and dated new I-20 with OPT recommendation on top. IMPORTANT: You must download, sign and date the I-20. Then make a copy to send to USCIS. USCIS will not accept an electronically-generated signature. Include a copy of all prior I-20s. Check that all I-20s have your signature and date before you copy.
Graduation Verification Form	See Submitting the Graduation Verification Form to complete the form.

What to Expect After You Submit your Application to USCIS

Updates from USCIS

USCIS will contact you by mail at the address on your I-765 form.

Check your mail regularly.

You will receive an I-797C Notice of Action acknowledging receipt of your application.

You can use the case number to track your OPT application on the USCIS website.

Contact International Programs if there is an error on your receipt notice or if you receive a Request for Further Evidence.

A tracking number is assigned upon shipment of the EAD card.

You can use the case number on the USCIS website to identify your tracking number.
You can use your tracking number at www.USPS.com in the Quick Tools Tracking section.
Contact your local post office for more information in tracking EAD card delivery.

Receive your Employment Authorization Card

You must not begin work until your OPT is approved and you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).

Employment is permitted only during the time period specified on the EAD card.

Below is an example of an Employment Authorization Document.

UWF Public Knowledge Base > Application Guide and Resources for Optional Practical Training (OPT) > EAD.png

FAQs

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