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Optional Practical Training – Still Time to Apply!

Monday, July, 19th, 2021 Immigration

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If you are completing your program this August, 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.

Online OPT Applications? (Updated 7/19/2021)

USCIS announced this past April that it will now accept online 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 online 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 online system will be up to you. We will provide more information about the on-line system once it becomes available. Talk to an international student advisor about which method you would like to choose.
  • 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 online applications will be about the same, but you will save a little time with the online method because you will not need to spend time mailing in a paper application.