International Students

OPT is employment that is directly related to your field of study.  It is designed to complement your academic work by providing you an opportunity to obtain actual work experience in your field of study. 

• As an F-1 student you are allowed up to 12 months of OPT for each educational level you pursue. For example: if you take 12 months of OPT after completing your bachelor’s degree, you are eligible for another 12 months of OPT for each additional level of degree program you complete (Master’s, Ph.D).

  • You can use part of your 12 months of OPT before completing your degree (i.e., during the summer breaks), or

  • You can save the full year of OPT to use after you graduate. 

• In order to be eligible for practical training you must be in lawful F-1 student status for at least one full academic year (9 months) and submit the application materials to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in a timely manner.

• You may not begin work until you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

• While school is in session, you are limited to 20 hours of work per week.

• You must keep the International Student office up-to-date with any employment changes, including but not limited to new employers, or new contact information by submitting the OPT SEVIS Update Request form

For further information on OPT, you may refer to the OPT Policies PDF, provided by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

What to file:

• Completed Form I-765 PDF, “Application for Employment Authorization” (instructions for filling out the form may be found here).  For best results:

• • Complete the form in blue ink

  • Attempt to make your signature no larger than 1″ wide x ½” tall and do NOT cross the lines. (fit it in the white space). If your signature is too large, USCIS will return the application to you.

  • List a local address that is valid for the next three (3) months where you can receive all correspondence.

• Two Photos – passport style. Print your name and admission number (found on your I-94 card) lightly on the back in pencil.

• Copy of student visa, passport photo page, I-94, and all previous I-20s.

• Check for $410 made payable to Department of Homeland Security in order to receive EAD

• Copies of any prior EAD cards (if applicable)

Upon gathering this information, bring these items to the International Student Office in Ryerson Hall 126.  The International Academic Adviser will provide a new I-20 and a letter that will show his/her recommendation for this employment and assist you in sending your OPT application.

After applying:

• USCIS will generally spend a response in the form of a letter within two (2) weeks.  This letter will have a receipt number, which you will need to keep on hand to check your application status.
• You may not work until you have received your EAD card.
• You may travel across the U.S. and across the border; however, if you are approved while you are out of the country, you  may have issues returning if you are approved during your absence and do not have proof of employment.
• You must continue to keep in contact with the International Student Office.

Upon Approval:

• You will receive your EAD card via mail.
• You will receive an email from do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov to set up your account for the SEVP Portal. Make sure you set up your account within 30 days or the link in the email will no longer be valid.
• Report changes in name, address, email address, and employment to your DSO or through the SEVIS OPT Portal within 10 days of any change using the OPT SEVIS Update Request Form
• You have a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. This number is cumulative for the entire year.  If you are having issues finding employment after 60 days, it is strongly recommended to contact your DSO to explore your options.

24-Month OPT STEM Extension

You may qualify for an additional 24 months of OPT under the following circumstances:

• You have been granted OPT and are currently in a valid period of OPT;

• The degree for your current period of post-completion OPT is a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) program.

• The employer from which you are seeking employment uses the E-Verify program.

• You have not previously received a 17 or 24-month extension of OPT.

How to apply:

For a detailed checklist on what must be filed, click Here. You will be required to contact the International Student Office for an updated I-20.  Please allow up to five (5) business days for processing.

After applying:

• You may continue to work on your expired EAD for OPT up to 180 days while your 17-month extension petition is pending if you meet these conditions:

• You must continue to report changes in name, address, email address, and employment to your DSO or through the SEVIS OPT Portal within 10 days of any change using the OPT SEVIS Update Request Form

Employer requirements:

If an employer wants to provide a practical training opportunity to a STEM OPT student during his/her extension, they must:

• Be enrolled in E-Verify and remain in good standing
• Report material changes to the STEM OPT student’s employment to the DSO within 5 business days
• Implement a formal training program to augment the student’s academic learning through practical experience.
• Provide an OPT opportunity that is commensurate with those of similarly situated U.S. workers in duties, hours and compensation.
• Complete the Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.  Instructions may be found Here.  In this form, employer must attest that:
  • You have enough resources and trained personnel available to appropriately train the student;
  • The student will not replace a full-or part-time , temporary or permanent U.S. worker; and
  • Working for you will help the student attain his or her training objectives. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may visit your worksite(s) to verify whether you are meeting the STEM OPT program requirements, including whether you are maintaining the ability and resources to provide structured and guidecd work-based learning experiences for the STEM OPT student. More information on Employer Resposibilities may be found Here.

For more information, please refer to the DHS STEM OPT Hub. 

SOURCE: www.uscis.gov