Optional Practical Training – Still Time to Apply!

If you are completing your program this May, there is still time to apply for Optional Practical Training. Go to our F-1 OPT instruction page to get started, or attend an OPT workshop.

• You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before your completion date and no later than 60 days after your completion date. Your completion date is the program end date listed on your I-20.
• According to USCIS instructions, you must be inside the US when submitting the I-765 application for employment authorization - unfortunately, this has not changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you leave the US after you have finished your program requirements, you will not be able to apply for OPT following departure.

On-line OPT Applications? (Updated 4/16/2021)

USCIS has recently announced that it will now accept on-line applications for OPT. At this time, please note the following:

• Both on-line and paper applications for OPT will be accepted. At this time, the on-line application system is very new, and as with any new system, it will likely be some time before we know how well the system will work.
• Because the on-line application system is new, the International Center does not have much direct guidance to provide about how to file your application on-line. However, the final choice whether to apply using the paper-based application or the new on-line system will be up to you. We will provide more information about the on-line system once it becomes available.
• For both the on-line and paper application, you must begin by requesting an OPT I-20 from the International Center. You cannot skip this step, even if you use the on-line system to apply for OPT.
• USCIS has indicated that the processing times for both paper and on-line applications will be about the same, but you will save a little time because you will not need to mail in a paper application.