Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of training, often paid, that directly relates to your program of study. You can apply for OPT during your program of study, which is known as pre-completion OPT, or after you finish your program of study, know as post-completion OPT.
In order to apply for OPT, F-1 students must request approval from their DSO. A DSO makes this recommendation in SEVIS and by endorsing a student’s Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” The student must then file the Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization” and supporting documents with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and if approved, USCIS will issue a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document.” You cannot begin your training until you receive your authorization from USCIS.
Pre-completion OPT is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, but can be full-time during breaks and annual vacation.
You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor’s level and another 12 months of OPT at the master’s level).
To qualify for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), students must meet the following criteria:
You must have completed at least one full academic year (two semesters) of full-time study in the U.S. under F-1 status before your OPT start date.
You must have maintained valid F-1 status throughout your studies.
You must not have exceeded 12 months of full-time CPT at the same degree level.
No job offer is required at the time of application.
You may apply up to 90 days before your requested OPT start date.
You must receive a recommendation from your DSO and a new I-20 with the OPT endorsement.
Your application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the OPT recommendation being entered in SEVIS.
OPT is authorized for up to 12 months per degree level (e.g., bachelor's, master's, doctorate).
You may only begin working on or after the start date listed on your EAD card (Employment Authorization Document).
During your 12-month OPT period, you are permitted no more than 90 days of unemployment.
This means you must begin qualifying employment within 90 days of your EAD start date.
A) Pre-completion OPT (Code: (c)(3)(A))
Can be applied for at any time during program of study (after completing at least one academic year).
Granted prior to degree completion; cannot exceed program completion date listed on the I-20.
Authorized part-time (20 hours per week or less) while school is in session, or full-time during the summer semester (if not enrolled full-time) and other official breaks and holidays, if currently enrolled and expecting to enroll for the next available semester.
Deducted from the 12-month period of OPT eligibility (students must apply separately for post-completion OPT for the period not used as pre-completion OPT-90-day unemployment period doesn't apply).
B) Post-completion OPT (Code: (c)(3)(B)))
Should be applied for during the semester in which student expects to receive the degree and up to 90 days prior to the desired OPT start date.
Must be received by USCIS no later than 60 days after the program completion date listed on the I-20.
Authorization granted for full-time OPT up to 12 months (less any period of authorized pre-completion OPT).
F-1 students on Pre- or Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) may engage in employment that is directly related to their major field of study. Below are the types of employment that are permitted under federal regulations:
Work full-time or part-time for a U.S. employer in a role that aligns with your academic major.
You may work for more than one employer, as long as each position is directly related to your degree program and properly documented.
Ideal for artists, performers, or freelance professionals. You must maintain a list of engagements, including dates and locations, to show that your work is consistent with your field of study.
You may work as a 1099 contractor. Keep contracts and records that show the services provided are related to your degree.
You can start your own business if:
The work is directly related to your major
You work full-time
The business is properly licensed and active
Permitted if the employment placement is in your field of study and you are working at least 20 hours per week.
Allowed if the position complies with labor laws and:
Is at least 20 hours per week
Is directly related to your degree
You maintain proper documentation (e.g., offer letter, supervisor confirmation)
Employment must be related to your degree program.
You must work at least 20 hours per week to count as valid OPT employment.
You are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during your Post-OPT period.
All employment must be reported through the SEVP Portal or to the DSO.
Students engaged in Pre-completion OPT must follow the same travel requirements that apply to all F-1 students who are currently enrolled.
Students engaged in Post-completion OPT should consult with ISSD prior to making travel arrangements.
Traveling before receiving EAD card and an employment offer should be avoided.
When traveling, page 2 of the I-20 must have the DSO’s travel endorsement (valid for six months) & it is recommended to take the EAD card and a job offer letter with you.
Traveling with a pending OPT application is not recommended.
Obtaining a new F-1 visa while on OPT can be risky.
Consulting with an ISSD advisor before making plans to travel outside the U.S. is recommended - each travel situation is different and may require individual advising.
IMPORTANT:
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will automate the SEVIS termination of any OPT record which does not contain the employment information by day 90 of the OPT authorization (calculated from the start date listed on the Employment Authorization Document your receive from USCIS in order to begin your OPT employment).
In order to ensure that all records are properly updated, we ask that you report your OPT employment to our office by submitting the OPT Reporting Form. If this information is new or different from the information currently stored in your SEVIS record, we will print a new OPT I-20 for you and contact you for pickup or mailing arrangements.
SFBC is responsible for the F-1 SEVIS record and I-20 for the duration of OPT. Students must keep ISSD informed of the following:
Initial employment information within 90 days of the OPT start date (employer name, location, address, contact information, including email) as well as any subsequent changes in employment.
Completion of OPT prior to OPT end date due to change of status or return to the home country
Acceptance to another degree program in F-1 status will require SEVIS transfer if going to another school in the U.S.
Student’s current address and contact information (including a non-SFBC email address); change of address information must be provided within 10 days.
Persons engaged in OPT continue to be in F-1 status, and ISSD continues to have responsibility for maintaining these records throughout the duration of OPT. Students engaged in OPT must provide ISSD with the following information:
Initial employment information within the 90 days of the OPT start date - completed OPT Reporting Form.
Report consequent changes in employment.
Changes of address (within 10 days of occurrence).
Change of status to another category.
Departure from the U.S. prior to the end date of OPT.
Transfer of schools to begin a new academic program prior to OPT completion.
Plans to travel outside the U.S. to renew F-1 visa.
Whether you plan to apply online or by mail with USCIS you must first follow these steps to receive a new I-20 from ISSD specifically recommending you for OPT on page 2. Please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Please review the online OPT workshop and complete the quiz before you submit the I-20 OPT Request Form to International Student Services Department. (When you receive a score of 100%, save a PDF copy of your results showing your score, email, name, student ID#. You will need to upload this PDF in the form. Note: I-20 OPT Request Forms without confirmation of 100/100 quiz score will not be processed.
Step 2: Please submit electronically your OPT I-20 Request Form and upload through this e-form all required documents listed (OPT quiz results, passport, I-94, etc).
Step 3: It will take 7 -10 business days to process your OPT request.
Step 4: ISSD will send you an e-mail to inform you the new OPT I-20 is ready, which will be attached as a scanned copy to the same email. Detailed instructions will be provided in that same email. You will be responsible for submitting all the necessary documents to USCIS on your own.
F-1 students may submit their Post-Completion OPT application to USCIS:
Earliest: Up to 90 days before the official semester end date of your final term
Latest: Before the end of the 60-day grace period following your program completion
🔔 Note: ISSD begins accepting OPT requests starting the 4th week of the semester to allow time for SEVIS registration.
Once you submit your complete OPT request, please allow up to 10 business days for ISSD to review your request and issue your new OPT I-20.
After you receive your new I-20 with the OPT recommendation, you must submit your full OPT application to USCIS within 30 days of the I-20 issuance date.
Once USCIS receives your application, it may take an average of 1 to 3 months (or more) to process and approve your OPT request.
Please note: ISSD has no control over USCIS processing times, so we strongly encourage students to apply as early as possible within the allowed filing window.
Submitting your OPT application early within the eligible filing window gives you the best chance of timely approval and allows you to plan more effectively for employment start dates.
📄 OPT Application Window Key Dates
(Dates below are in MM/DD/YYYY format — insert term-specific dates as needed)
Semester
Summer 2025
Fall 2025
Spring 2026
OPT Beginning Application Date
05/10/2025
09/16/2025
02/10/2026
Recommended Deadline to Request OPT I-20
06/26/2025
11/02/2025
03/29/2026
Final Deadline to Request OPT I-20
07/09/2025
11/15/2025
04/11/2026
OPT Requested Start Date*
08/09/2025 -
10/06/2025
12/06/2025 -
02/02/2026
05/02/2026 -
06/29/2026
End of 60 day Grace Period
10/07/2025
02/03/2026
06/30/2026
*You will need to choose an OPT requested start date as part of your application for OPT. Please refer to the table above to see the date range from which you may choose a start date. The OPT requested start date must be a date that is within your 60-day grace period.
Recommended and final deadline refers to your OPT e-form submission to ISSD. The final deadline for USCIS is to file your petition before the 60-day grace period ends!
After submitting your OPT application, you can monitor your case and stay informed by using the USCIS website:🔗 Visit USCIS.gov
📌 1. Check Your Case Status
Once you receive your Receipt Notice (Form I-797) by mail (usually within 2–4 weeks), you can:
Go to USCIS Case Status
Enter your Receipt Number (found on the top of your I-797 notice)
📌 2. Check OPT Processing Times
Visit the USCIS Processing Times page
Select Form: I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)
Use the Service Center listed on your receipt notice to view estimated timelines
📌 3. Create a USCIS Online Account
Sign up at my.uscis.gov
Allows you to:
Track your case status
Get email/text updates
Upload documents (if you filed online or want to link your paper application)
🔔 Tip: Keep a copy of your I-797 receipt notice—it’s required for tracking your case and for any follow-up with USCIS or ISSD.
✅ After your OPT is approved and you begin working, you must complete the mandatory OPT Reporting Form.
Only begin working after USCIS has approved your OPT and the start date listed on your EAD card (Employment Authorization Document).
Do not work before the OPT start date or between your program end date and OPT start date—this is considered unauthorized employment.
You must work at least 20 hours per week in a position related to your degree.
There is no maximum limit on hours—you may work full-time.
Both paid and unpaid work (e.g., internships or volunteer positions) are acceptable if:
The work is related to your I-20 major.
It meets the 20-hour per week minimum.
The employer is U.S.-based.
Report your employment before reaching 90 days of unemployment, which begins from the OPT start date on your EAD card.
All employment must be reported via the OPT Reporting Form, including:
Paid jobs
Unpaid internships
Self-employment
Multiple employers
Self-employment is allowed during Post-OPT if:
Your business is directly related to your major.
You are working full-time (20+ hours/week).
ISSD cannot provide legal business advice, but you can visit sba.gov for resources on starting a business in the U.S.
If you are currently working on campus:
You must stop once your final term ends (based on your updated I-20 program end date).
You may only resume work on or after your OPT start date listed on your EAD card.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) launched the SEVP Portal, which streamlines the SEVIS update process by enabling F-1 students participating in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to report personal and employer information directly to SEVP. Link to the SEVP Portal: https://sevp.ice.gov/opt/#/login
Through the portal, students can now:
Add or edit their phone number.
Add or edit their mailing and physical address.
Add or edit their employer information.
For more information on how the SEVP Portal works click here.
When your Post-Completion OPT ends, you enter a 60-day Grace Period. Here’s what you can and cannot do during this time:
Stay in the U.S. for up to 60 days to prepare for:
Departure
Transfer to another school
Change of education level (e.g., enrolling in a new program at SFBC)
No employment of any kind is allowed during the Grace Period.
You cannot receive a new travel signature on your I-20 after OPT ends.
You cannot leave the U.S. and return on your SFBC F-1 visa and I-20 once your OPT has ended.
If you plan to start a new program at SFBC after OPT:
Submit the Change of Education Level Request Form in Populi.
ISSD will review your request and issue a new I-20 for the next degree level.
Interested in a graduate program? Contact Admissions to complete program-specific requirements.
If you are accepted to a new school and wish to transfer your SEVIS record:
Send your acceptance letter and transfer release form (if applicable) to issd@sfbc.edu.
Request that ISSD transfer your SEVIS record to the new school.
You must receive a new I-20 from the new school within your 60-day grace period.
Your new program must begin within 5 months of your OPT end date.