Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Pre-Completion OPT
Most F-1 students choose to save their OPT until after their degree completion. Pre-completion OPT is available for eligible students who wish to have authorization for part-time employment off-campus in their field of study. If you are an F-1 student who wishes to begin your 12 months of OPT employment authorization BEFORE completion of all coursework requirements, please speak to your IC Advisor about Pre-Completion OPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Post-Completion OPT
OPT is up to 12 months of full-time employment authorization after completion of all coursework requirements or after completion of all degree requirements. OPT employment MUST in the field of study listed on your I-20. Initial OPT employment may begin only after an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) has been received from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS). You can find the OPT application packet here online: Post-Completion OPT Form

Who is eligible for Post-Completion OPT?

  1. F-1 students who have completed at least 1 continuous academic year of study in the U.S.
  2. F-1 students who have completed all coursework requirements (excluding thesis or equivalent) or who have completed all degree requirements.
    • F-1 students are eligible for up to 12 months of initial full-time OPT for each higher degree level - a year for a Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate
    • This does NOT apply if going to a lower degree (i.e. Master's to Bachelor's) or to a similar degree (i.e. Master's to second Master's degree).
    • Post-Completion OPT years cannot be combined or split.
  3. F-1 students who have not used 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during the current degree level.

OPT Application Process

  1. Register for and attend an OPT Workshop. OPT Workshops are mandatory for all students applying for OPT. Registration can be done online on the Events and Workshops page.
  2. Please submit the following documents to the International Center:
    • I-765 Form (included in OPT Application Packet)
    • FSU Departmental Recommendation Form (included in OPT Application Packet) - This is an International Center document and will not be submitted to USCIS.
    • 2 Passport-style Photos - with name and I-94 number written in pencil or felt-tip pen on the back. Please see USCIS specifications in the OPT Application Packet for size and quality.
    • Copy of your I-94 - (copy both the front & back).
    • Copy of passport bio pages - pages which bear your name, photo, birth date, passport number, and passport expiration
    • Copy of F-1 visa - sticker in passport
    • Copy of previously issued EAD Cards (any previous OPT cards or other work authorization cards)
    • Instructions for Handling EAD Card Form (included in OPT Application Packet) - This is an International Center document and will not be submitted to USCIS.
  3. In about 1-2 weeks, you will receive a new I-20 with OPT recommendation on page 3. Your IC advisor will also return all necessary documents and copies to you at this time. Your documents will be returned along with mailing instructions and notes from your advisor about any problems with the application. You are responsible for mailing the application to USCIS, so please review all documents before sending. The following documents must be submitted to USCIS:
    • I-765 Form (completed and signed by you in BLACK ink)
    • Copy of your new OPT I-20- pages 1 & 3 ( NOT the original!)
    • 2 Passport-style Photos
    • Copy of your I-94
    • Copy of passport bio pages
    • Copy of F-1 visa
    • Copy of previously issued EAD Cards (any previous OPT cards or other work authorization cards)
    • Check or money order for $340 payable to Department of Homeland Security
  4. After 2-3 weeks from your mailing date, you will receive a receipt from USCIS. The IC will make a copy of this document and email you when the receipt arrives. You can use the receipt number (beginning with the letters SRC) to check the status of your application online. Go to www.uscis.gov and click on the “Case Status Online” link.
  5. Your OPT card should arrive within 2-3 months of the receipt date. (The receipt date is listed on the receipt notice.) The IC will make a copy of your card and email you when the card arrives.

Special Post-Completion OPT Rules

  • 17-Month STEM Extension: Post-completion STEM degree holders (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) may be eligible for a 17- month OPT extension. This would allow for a total of up to 29 months of OPT. You must be approved for post-completion OPT in an STEM designated field, and have approved employment with an employer registered with the US E-Verify system. Please see the OPT STEM Extension Application on the IC OPT website for more information on procedure and eligibility.
    • 17-month Extension Filing Date: Extension applications must be filed before the end date on the 12-month OPT card.
    • Work Authorization During Pending 17-month Extensions: The interim rule extends OPT employment authorization for STEM students with pending 17-month extension requests as long as the F-1 student filed for the 17-month extension prior to the end date of his or her 12-month OPT card. The student is allowed to maintain continuous employment for up to 180 days while USCIS adjudicates the request for the 17-month extension.

  • Cap Gap Extension:OPT Regulations extend the authorized period of stay, as well as OPT work authorization for any F-1 student who is a beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition that has been granted by, or remains pending with, USCIS. The extension of status and work authorization terminates on Oct. 1 of the year for which the H-1B visa has been requested. The extension of duration of status and work authorization will automatically terminate upon rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition filed on the student’s behalf. You will need to contact your advisor if you would like to take advantage of this benefit.

  • Periods of Unemployment: Post-Completion OPT regulations states that “during post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. During any initial 12-month period of post-completion OPT, no student (including STEM students) may be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days. To this date, it is still unclear what the consequences are if unemployed more than 90 days while on post-completion OPT. F-1s who receive a STEM Extension should not accrue more than 120 days of unemployment over the total 29-month period.

  • Reporting Requirements: Students who have completed their degree and have pending or approved OPT applications (including 17-month OPT students) must report the following:

    1. Change of address (within 10 days of moving)
    2. Change in legal name
    3. The students employer and employer’s address
    4. Any period of unemployment
    5. Students on the 17-month OPT extension must report to their IC advisor every 6 months following the start date of their extension, regardless of if any of the above information has changed or not.
NOTE: OPT students can update this information online at OPT Update Form.