Optional Practical Training (OPT)

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows you to gain valuable hands-on experience and begin contributing your knowledge from F&M to the U.S. immediately. Without OPT, most F-1s would have no choice but to leave the U.S. and or go directly to graduate school.  It allows for at least one-year of work authorization in your major field of study without the need for additional sponsorship during that time. 

 Because it is work authorization intended to allow you to apply the theoretical knowledge attained in school to the real world, you must find a job that is directly related to your major.  During OPT students will remain in F-1 status. OPT is a benefit of a student's F-1 status. It is NOT a visa.  

All F-1 students have the ability to apply for their one-year of authorization. While pre-completion OPT exists, F&M encourages students to use CPT while they are a student, and save their one-year of OPT for after their graduation.

What if I don't want to use (all of) my OPT?

Some students chose not to do OPT and that is fine!   Some students will only want to do OPT for the summer before they start graduate school in the fall.  

F-1 students will be given one-year of authorization after each level of study (Masters, etc.).  If you do not use it now, you will lose it, but will get the chance to apply after your next degree.  If you have a STEM major at any of these levels you could qualify for additional time after each degree. 

Who is my sponsor while I am on OPT?

You are still in F-1 status and F&M ISS is still your immigration sponsor.  We are still here to advise and manage your immigration status even though you may be in other states.  Failure to stay in touch with ISS can have dire consequences for your immigration record!

If your (potential) employer is a little confused about how OPT works, ISS is happy to chat with them. 

When can I apply for OPT?

Students may file with USCIS up to 90 days before the program completion date (graduation for May graduates).  Students have until the end of their 60 day grace period to apply for OPT (but there are downsides to applying late!).   We suggest applying by the middle of April to maximize your chances and ability to use your entire year of authorization.

For Spring 2025 graduates (5/10/2025 end dates): The earliest you can apply is February 11, 2025.  The latest day for USCIS to receive your application is July 9, 2025 (end of the 60-day grace period). 

If you will complete your degree requirements at another time, your end date will be adjusted to the last day of attendance/exams.  Then the appropriate 90-day and 60-day timelines apply.

NOTE: If you leave the US during the grace period and did not apply for OPT, your grace period will end as well as your OPT eligibility. 

How do I apply?

You will need the assistance of the F&M ISS office in order to apply.  F-1 students cannot apply without a new I-20 recommending them for OPT.   View the specific section below with detailed instructions. 

Do I need to have a job lined up to apply for OPT?

You do NOT need to have a job offer before applying for the 12-month OPT.  Most students apply while they are still looking.  Applying early will let you be able to say to potential employers "I have already taken care of my work authorization application, and I believe I should be able to start working for you on..."  They will be impressed by this!

Do I need a valid F-1 visa to apply for OPT?

No, the F-1 visa in your passport can be expired.  The visa only serves as an entry document.  What is important is that you have an active SEVIS record and have been maintaining status. 

How much does it cost to apply for OPT?

As of April 1, 2024, it will cost $470 to apply for OPT online (it will cost $520 to apply by paper/mail). 

How long does it take for USCIS to process my application? Is approval guaranteed?

You should expect processing to take anywhere from 1-4 months depending on how busy USCIS is.   If you submit a complete application with ISS assistance on time and have maintained legal F-1 status, OPT should be approved.  However, all final decisions are at the discretion of USCIS.  There is no lottery for OPT.  OPT is a benefit of F-1 status. 

How should I select my requested start date?

If you are applying for post-completion OPT, the beginning date must be within 60 days of the program end date (probably graduation).  This is not necessarily the day you will actually start working, but it is the date that you could legally begin working.  It is also the date that your 90-day unemployment clock begins.

At your OPT meeting with Dean Haile, you can discuss and strategize your requested start date. Once a start date is submitted with your OPT application, you cannot change it.  Employment authorization is normally granted to begin on the date requested or the date the employment authorization is adjudicated, whichever is later, and is authorized until the end date requested.

The US government will not allow you to work any longer than 14 months (1 year + 60 days) past graduation while on OPT, regardless of when you actually begin a job.  This means that if you graduate in May, but don't start working until September, you will still only get until July of the following year. 

What is an EAD? Also known as an OPT card?

The Employment Authorization Document or EAD is a card that is mailed to you by USCIS as proof of your eligibility to work in the U.S. while on OPT. Please make sure you provide ISS with a copy of the front and back of your EAD no later than 10 days after you have received it.  If you are having your EAD mailed to the International Center, we will take care of scanning it before handing it over to you. 

DO NOT LOSE IT!  It will cost $470 and months of processing to replace!

How do I know if a job is related to my field of study? or how to explore listings?

Your work on OPT must be directly related to your major(s) at F&M. You should be able to connect the skills learned in your major to your everyday job responsibilities and your overall job mission.  If you are unsure what kind of job you should be looking for, you may utilize the following resources: 

• Review the specific responsibilities associated with a position - it isn't always the company or the job title that makes it clear if they are related.

• Speak with your academic department

• Contact F&M's Career Center to speak with an adviser (did you know you have access to them after graduation, too?)

• Consult What I Do With This Major? 

Ultimately, it will be your responsibility to write a few sentences that get entered into SEVIS to justify the connection between major and job.

Do I have to work full-time? Does it have to be paid?

To be considered employed on OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week in a professional capacity in your field of study. 

Acceptable work experience can take many forms: paid, unpaid, professional volunteer-style, internship. 

Can I travel while on OPT?

It is prudent to consult with ISS advisor prior to leaving the US as immigration regulations can change at any time.  Currently the following are required to return to the US:

• A valid passport (at least 6 months into the future at all times)

• A valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport (except Canadian citizens) - renewing on OPT can be tricky.  Consult ISS.

• Your OPT I-20 endorsed for reentry by ISS within the last six months

• Your valid EAD for OPT

• A letter from your employer stating that you have a job to return to.

Please note: Your EAD will have a notation “not valid for reentry to US.” This is printed on all EAD cards issued for OPT and simply means that the card alone is not sufficient for reentry to the US.

Can I take classes while on OPT?

If you want to start a new degree program (Masters, etc), you must request ISS to transfer your SEVIS record to the new school.  The transfer of your record will cancel the remainder of your OPT (since your OPT is tied to your Bachelor's degree sponsor).  Work closely with ISS to determine the appropriate SEVIS transfer date. 

If you want to take *one* course while on OPT which will not be applied to a future degree or will not signal the beginning of a new program, that might be permitted.  Please disclose that to ISS so that the appropriate documentation can be gathered. 

You will need the assistance of the F&M ISS office in order to apply.  F-1 students cannot apply without a new I-20 recommending them for OPT. For May graduates, the earliest you can apply for OPT authorization is Tuesday, February 11 2025 (90 days before graduation). 

You will apply for OPT online, through USCIS.We promise that applying is the easy part, the most time consuming part is finding work experience!  

In order to apply you must complete the following:

1. Attend an OPT information session or watch a recording. 

   • While viewing the slides from the presentation is not a substitute for viewing the actual presentation, you can refer to the slides here.

2. Read the FAQs posted above.

3. Follow the specific instructions located on this helpful Step-By-Step guide.  

4. Once you have completed the required steps and have reached the "STEP AND SAVE YOUR PROGRESS" section of the Step-By-Step guide, you can make an appointment with Dean Haile for a 30-minute application meeting.  

   • • • Make an appointment at this link

       • Complete the OPT Request form via iss.fandm.edu (Navigate to 4-ISS Requests > OPT Request > Submit)

5. Attend your appointment: 

   • Bring your laptop, partially completed application (see instructions), and an idea of your requested start date to your appointment.  

   • While at your appointment, you will complete the rest of the application items with assistance from Dean Haile, and hit the submit button! 

   • You should be prepared to pay the OPT application fee so that you can submit. 

Who qualifies for the STEM OPT extension?

•  Students with a FULL major in one of the following:

  • • • Astrophysics

      • BFB: Animal Behavior 

      • BFB: Neuroscience

      • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

      • Biology

      • Chemistry

      • Cognitive Science

      • Computational Physics

      • Computer Science

      • Data Science (effective Fall 2023)

      • Earth & Environmental Science (effective Fall 2023)

      • Environmental Science 

      • Environmental Studies

      • Geosciences

      • Mathematics

      • Moral Psychology

      • Physics 

      • Psychology (your I-20 will call it "Behavioral Studies")

• And, their employer will be using E-Verify,

• And, their work is paid, 

… will qualify to apply for the STEM extension towards the end of your first year on OPT.  These 16 F&M majors are STEM-designated by the US Dept. of Education based on the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) and the specifics of the F&M curriculum. 

When do I apply for STEM OPT?

You will apply for STEM OPT about 90 days before your one-year OPT end date.  The process is similar to the one-year OPT application and you will still work with ISS.  The biggest difference is that you will need to complete an I-983 Training Plan with your employer.  This is submitted to Dean Haile and she will upload it into SEVIS for you.  See the STEM OPT instructions page for more details. 

It will cost another filing fee.  $470 as of April 1, 2024.  

When should I discuss the STEM extension with my employer?

We suggest discussing it as early as possible.  The possibility of retaining you as an employee for more than one-year could be very appealing to some employers! This also makes sure that they would be an eligible employer (using E-Verify) before you find that out too late to switch jobs for the STEM extension. 

The STEM extension also gives employers the ability to have multiple attempts at the H1B lottery for their employees without losing them.  While its not a guarantee that employers will want to sponsor, the extension allows them the ability to keep employing you and keep trying. 

For more detailed information about the STEM Extension and applying, please visit our dedicated page for the STEM Extension.