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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
General Requirements and Conditions
F-1 students who have completed one full academic year (two semesters) of full-time study and who are maintaining their F-1 status are eligible to apply for OPT. OPT authorization allows off-campus work that is directly related to a student’s major area of study. A job offer is not needed to apply for OPT, and OPT employment can be paid or unpaid as long as any unpaid work does not violate any labor laws. All F-1 students are eligible for a total of 12 months of standard/regular OPT during/after each degree level. Students with approved OPT remain subject to all relevant F-1 regulations for the duration of their OPT and should review the "Important Information for Students" section below for details.
This page has information on the following:
- Timing and Restrictions for OPT : Pre-Completion OPT versus Post-Completion OPT
- Application Deadlines and Processing Time for OPT
- Application Process for OPT
- Important Information for Students with Approved or Pending OPT (SEVIS Reporting Requirements, Travel, Details Unemployment Limits, End of OPT Processes, etc.)
Timing and Restrictions for OPT: Post- vs.Pre-Completion OPT
Pre-Completion OPT Timing and Limits:
- Pre-completion OPT has start and end dates before the SEVIS program end date on the I-20
- Pre-completion OPT may not exceed 20 hours a week during the semester
- Pre-completion OPT may be full-time during winter break or summer vacation (unless the student is graduating in August)
- May not begin before receipt of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or before the start date listed on the EAD
- Pre-completion OPT ends early if the academic program finishes early
Post-Completion OPT Timing and Limits:
- Post-completion OPT must generally have a start date in the 60 day period after the SEVIS program end date on the I-20. This date is generally the same date as the MU graduation date. (Graduate students may request an OPT start date that is before their MU graduation date if they have completed all course work other than thesis/dissertation work. See the section below on "Coursework Completion OPT" for details.)
- Post-completion OPT may not begin before receipt of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or before the start date listed on the EAD.
- Post-completion OPT is automatically terminated if you transfer to another school or being students at another educational level at Marquette.
- Students who applied for post-completion OPT (excluding those who applied for "coursework completion OPT) and who fail to complete their program by their SEVIS program end date should contact OIE immediately. If the OPT application hasn't been approved by USCIS, the student may attempt withdraw the application by notifying the Service Center (while the DS withdraws the recommendation in SEVIS). If the OPT application has been approved, the student may only work part-time during the semester until they complete all degree requirements.
"Coursework Completion OPT" allows graduate students with only thesis credits/dissertation work remaining to apply to begin full-time, post-completion OPT during the semesters before their MU graduation. As part of the application, the student's SEVIS/I-20 program end date, which is normally the same as the graduation date, will be set to a date during the semester. Students considering Coursework Completion OPT should carefully consider the following limits related to this type of OPT:
- On-campus employment, including TA and RA work, must stop as of the the new SEVIS program end date used in this OPT application. Students choosing this option should notifiy their MU employer of this earlier start date as soon as they decide to apply for this type of OPT. If the on-campus employment is directly related to the student's major program of study, it may be possible to continue the position using authorized post-completion OPT if there is no gap between the new SEVIS program end date and the first day of their approved OPT. (This usually requires paying for premium processing for the OPT application although even then it is not always possible to guarantee that there will be no gap.) When not prohibited by a gap in authorization, continuation of a position will also require pre-approval from the campus employer and the Graduate School/Student Employment Office as well as an update with MU's HR office to ensure that the I-9 employment documents reflect the shift to using the OPT authorization/EAD card as the basis of employment authorization.
- Start dates for coursework completion OPT are generally chosen in regards to a number of variables including: the requirement to end current on-campus employment (including TAs and RAs) early due to the earlier than normal SEVIS program end date required by this process, the OPT application timeline (see below), average USCIS processing time (about 3 months), and the start date of a concrete job offer.
- Students applying for OPT under this "coursework completion" option should note that they will no longer be able to extend their SEVIS program end date if they should fail to complete any academic program requirements as their F-1 status will be based on their authorized OPT period and related F-1 regulations.
Application Deadlines and Processing Time for OPT
OPT applications must reach U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) according to the following timelines:
Post-completion OPT:
- up to 90 days before, and no later than 60 days after, the program completion date on the I-20;
- not before the OPT recommendation is entered in SEVIS and an updated I-20 is issued by an MU DSO;
- no later than 30 days after the MU DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS
Pre-completion OPT:
- up to 90 days before the requested employment start date;
- not before the OPT recommendation is entered in SEVIS and an updated I-20 is issued by an MU DSO;
- no later than 30 days after the MU DSO enters the OPT recommendation in SEVIS
USCIS processing time for OPT applications typically takes between 12 and 14 weeks, but can vary significantly. See https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ for processing time estimates.
Premium Processing:
Students needing OPT authorization faster than the standard processing period can apply for premium processing. See https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing for details.
EAD Card Not Received After Approval:
If the status of your OPT application is approved and you haven’t received the card in about a week, or if the status is still pending after the processing time posted by USCIS at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/, you can contact USCIS either via phone at 1-800-375-5283 or you can file an online case inquiry or service request at https://www.uscis.gov/tools/uscis-tools-and-resources. Be sure to have your receipt notice/number ready when taking one of these actions.
Application Process for OPT
Before submitting your OPT application be sure you understand the information in this section and the sections above. You are also advised to read these excerpts from the excerpts from the government regulations related to OPT.
Step 1: Complete OIE's "OPT Request Form" and the USCIS I-765 form
The two following forms must be completed and submitted to OIE for review: 1) the OPT Request Form and 2) a draft copy of their I-765. (A draft copy can be printed towards the end of filling out the form. Students should take care to avoid submitting the I-765 instead printing a draft copy.)
Step 2: OIE Meeting to Review Forms and Endorsement OPT Request
All students applying for OPT must meet with an MU DSO before submitting their OPT application in order to have their application endorsed in SEVIS. Submission of an OPT application/Form I-765 before the DSO endorsement will result in a denied application. This meeting will also be used to review the F-1 regulations that F-1 students doing post-completion OPT must know and follow to avoid losing their F-1 status. To schedule a DSO meeting, call OIE's front desk at 414-288-7289. Students should have the OPT Request Form and a draft copy of their I-765 ready for their endorsment meeting with OIE.
Step 3: Submit OPT Application to USCIS
OPT applications can be submitted to USCIS online or via the traditional paper/courier method. Students filing online should carefully follow the detailed instructions found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765. Students filing via paper/courier should carefully follow the detailed instructions in the "Paper Filing Instructions" section below.*
Waiting for Authorization/Checking your Application's Progress
About 10 to 14 days after you submit your application for OPT to USCIS, you should receive a receipt notice by postal mail. This notice will include a Receipt Number which you can use to check the status of your application on www.uscis.gov. Look for “Case Status” on the website home page. Checking the status of your application on www.uscis.gov is the best way to know about your application's status.
If your OPT application and Form I-765 has been pending more than 75 days (from the receipt date on your Receipt Notice), you may contact the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that an Approaching Regulatory Time frame "service request" be created. The NCSC will route the service request to the appropriate office for review.
Once you are approved for OPT by USCIS, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) by postal mail. The EAD card contains the authorization number, the dates of approved employment authorization, the bearer’s name, photo and signature. The EAD card is proof of employment authorization during the dates listed on the card. Employment authorization begins on the date requested or the date the employment authorization is adjudicated, whichever is later. You may not begin employment prior to the approved starting date. Please provide OIE with a copy of your EAD card once you receive it.
* Paper Filing Instructions
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Attn: I-765 C03
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517
P.O. Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680
Important Information for Students with Approved or Pending OPT
SEVIS Reporting Requirements for Pre-Completion OPT
In addition to all other SEVIS reporting requirements for enrolled students, students with approved pre-completion OPT must report employer information anytime they start or stop work. This information should be reported using OIE's OPT Verification Form and must be reported no later than 10 days from the change.
SEVIS Reporting Requirements During Post-Completion OPT
Your F-1 status continues during OPT, so you must report changes to the information below within 10 days the change. Except as noted, changes can be reported either via OIE's OPT Verification Form or via your SEVIS Portal. You only need to report via one of these methods, not both. (SEVP@ice.dhs.gov emails details on creating the Portal when your OPT is approved.)
- Residence address in the United States
- Legal name
- Telephone number
- E-mail address
- United States legal status (i.e. inform us if you change your status to H1-B, J-1, H-4, etc.)
- Information about your employer, including employer name, address, and starting date
- The form asks you to "explain how your job is related to your major field of study." Be sure your answer lists both your primary job duties as well as your degree/major name and also includes a brief explanation of how the duties are directly related to your degree/major.
- Information about any disruption of your employment such as job termination or change of employers
- Departure from U.S. When Ending OPT Early
This change should be reported to an MU DSO via email including this statement - “I have departed the U.S. on date X and do not intend to return using my MU I-20 and related OPT authorization.” - so your SEVIS record can be manually completed by an MU DSO.
General OPT Requirements to Remember:
- OPT employment may not begin prior to your approved starting date.
- OPT employment must be in a job that is related to your major field of study.
- OPT employment may be paid or unpaid. Volunteer or internship positions which are unpaid, yet related to your field of study, can be submitted as evidence of your OPT activity. You may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern when this activity does not violate any labor laws. We suggest that you obtain documentation from the organization/company which confirms the dates of your volunteer activity.
- Employment may be full-time or part-time. If you have more than one job at the same time, please provide employer information about each job.
Unemployment Limits During Post-Completion OPT
During post-completion OPT your F–1 status depends on employment and you may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during the initial 12 months of your post-completion OPT. You must work at least 20 hours per week in a qualifying position to be considered employed. The 20 hours can include hours from more than one position and the positions can be paid or unpaid as long as they do not violate U.S. labor law.
Employment outside the U.S. during approved OPT generally counts as unemployment
unless you are either employed during a period of leave authorized by an employer or are traveling as part of your employment.
Exceeding 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT is a violation of your F-1 status and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may terminate your F-1 status and/or deny future immigration benefits if you exceeded this limit. Days of unemployment are tracked in your SEVIS record based on the OPT employment data you are required to report.
To avoid violating your status by exceeding 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT, you should take one of the actions below before exceeding this limit:
- Depart the U.S.
- Transfer to another SEVP certified school
- Change education levels
- Take action to otherwise maintain status in the U.S.
Travel Outside the U.S. With Pending or Approved Post-Completion OPT
Reentry to the U.S. after program completion with approved post-completion OPT is generally possible if you have the correct documents for your situation as described below. (Students considering working outside the U.S. during OPT should see the related information in the Unemployment section above.)
- Your most recent I-20 with a DSO signature no older than 6 months
- a valid F-1 visa in your passport (If your visa is expired you may apply for new F-1 visa)
- a valid passport
- your EAD card
-
Employment letters documenting current or future employment. These letters are not technically required fo reentry, but are recommended because readmission is always at the discretion of the CBP officer inspecting you for reentry and US-ICE/CBP seems to have updated its online guidance to more strongly suggest that a letter from a current or future employer should be part of the documents that students with OPT should show to reenter the U.S. See the following website for details: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel
Reentry after applying for OPT but before I-20 program end date is the same as for any enrolled F-1 student. See the Travel Outside the U.S. section of this website for details.
Reentry after program completion while OPT is pending, while possible, is not generally recommended unless there is a compelling reason because it comes with increased risks that include additional questions/ inspection at customs upon reentry, the chance that your EAD card may be issued while you are outside the U.S. and you won't have it to show on reentry, and the chance that you may receive a Request for Evidence related to your application while you are away and be unable to respond. If you must travel in these circumstances, to reenter the U.S. you will use the same documents listed under the "OPT approved" section above replacing the EAD card with your OPT application receipt notice.
Missing travel documents?
If you need a travel signature on your I-20 to renter the U.S., or if you lost your I-20 while traveling, contact OIE at least two weeks prior to your return date and we can email you an updated I-20.
In limited cases, US CBP may allow entry to students who can otherwise be denied entry (e.g. without their I-20, without a valid travel signature, have not paid the I-901 fee, with certain SEVIS status problems). The conditions of any I-515 entry must be resolved by the student within the 30 days.
If you lost your passport, you should contact your embassy or consulate for assistance.
If you lost your F-1 visa, you must make an appointment with a U.S. embassy or consulate to get a replacement visa before reentering the U.S.
At the End of Your Post-Completion OPT
If you complete your OPT period in valid F-1 status (i.e. no excess unemployment, all employment properly reported, etc.) you you may remain in the U.S. for an additional 60 days. During this “grace period” you may transfer to another academic program, change to another visa status, apply for "Cap Gap" relief if transitioning to H-1B, or prepare to depart from the U.S. You may not be employed during this period. See below for additional information about each of these options.
Transfer to Another School / Begin New Program at MU:
During authorized OPT students may transfer to a new school or begin a new program at Marquette if the new program will being no more than 5 months after the transfer release date or the last date of authorized OPT whichever is earlier. OPT authorization will automatically end on the transfer release date or on the start date of the new MU program (or the date you reenter the U.S. using the I-20 for the new MU program if earlier than the program start date). The request for a SEVIS transfer or for an I-20 to begin a new program at MU must be received by OIE before the end of the 60 day grace period.
Change of Status During OPT:
If you are in F-1 status with approved OPT and you are eligible for another legal status in the U.S., you may apply to USCIS to change to that legal status through the end of the 60 grace period at the end of your OPT. Students with a timely filed change of status (COS) request may remain in the U.S. while USCIS makes a decision on their application.
If you change status before the end of your OPT, your OPT will end on the date of the USCIS action notice or your entry to the U.S. in the new status. Unused OPT time will be lost.
Abandoning OPT:
If you decide to leave the United States before the authorized OPT ending date on your EAD and do not plan to return to the U.S., you must report this to an MU DSO via an email including this statement - “I have departed the U.S. on date X and do not intend to return using my MU I-20 and related OPT authorization.” - so your SEVIS record can be manually completed by an MU DSO.