Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to be authorized for off-campus employment, typically for one year. Students in valid F-1 status may apply for OPT to gain work experience that is directly related to their major/field of study
Types of OPT
Pre-completion OPT: OPT work authorization that occurs before completing your degree. You may apply for Pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before your requested start date. In most cases, employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term but can be full-time (40 hours per week) during vacation periods.
Note: In most cases, students are advised to apply for CPT instead. Please speak with an ISSP Advisor with any questions.
Post-completion OPT: OPT work authorization that follows the completion of your degree. This is the most common form of OPT that students apply for. You may apply for post-completion OPT as early as 90 days before your I-20 program end date (which may be adjusted to match your final quarter of enrollment toward your degree) or as late as 60 days after your I-20 program end date.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for OPT if you:
- Are in valid F-1 status
- Have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (3 quarters) while maintaining a valid visa status
- Have not already received 12 months of OPT at your current or a higher degree level
- Have not used a total of 12 months of full-time CPT at your current degree level
- Have completed the mandatory OPT workshop
Note: You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT work authorization. Students will often apply for OPT while searching for a job related to their major field of study, especially because processing by the USCIS can take 3-4 months.
Length of OPT
OPT can be approved for a maximum period of 12 months (Pre- and Post-completion OPT combined). For Post-completion OPT, the OPT start date can be as early as the date after the I-20 program end date or as late as 60 days after the I-20 program end date. Students who have completed STEM-eligible degrees may be eligible for an additional 24-month STEM OPT period following their Post-Completion OPT authorization.
Processing Time
OPT applications typically take 3-4 months for review and processing by USCIS (current processing times may be found online). “Premium Processing” is available for an additional cost, which guarantees that USCIS will make a decision on the request within 30 days, which students may consider on a case-by-case basis. Due to processing times, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. It’s crucial that students only work upon receipt of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS, and only within the dates printed on the card.
Maintaining Status on OPT
Students on Pre-completion OPT must continue to maintain F-1 status as usual (e.g., full-time enrollment).
For Post-completion OPT applicants, students are expected to work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during the dates printed on the EAD card, although unemployment is allowed for up to 90 days during this period. All changes to a student’s personal information (name, address, contact information) or a student’s employment status (job start, job end, change in hours, etc) must be reported within 10 days via iGlobal. For more information on maintaining status, please visit the Maintaining Status on OPT page.
How to Apply
- Attend an OPT Workshop within 9 months of applying for OPT.
- If it has been 7-9 months since you attended a workshop, ISSP may request that you attend another workshop to ensure you are getting current information and any updates.
- Log in to iGlobal, select “F-1 Employment” on the left navigation, and complete the OPT Request form.
- You will be notified once the new OPT I-20 is ready within 10 business days of all e-form submissions (including Academic Advisor approvals).
- Prepare the I-765 and all other supporting documents.
- Review the I-765 Basic Guidelines document for assistance.
- Review the list of required documents in the OPT Request e-form and in the OPT workshop slides.
- You may schedule an appointment with your ISSP Advisor via Zoom if you’d like to review this application in advance.
- Submit your complete I-765 OPT e-file application to USCIS online
- Applying by mail is not recommended.
- You must be in the U.S. to apply for OPT, and you must remain in the U.S. until USCIS has received your application.
- You must upload the OPT I-20 before submitting the I-765 online OPT application.
To ensure our office can provide continued support and advising throughout the OPT authorization period, the Division of Global Engagement charges a $300 non-refundable fee to your UCSC student account within 30 days from the date the OPT I-20 is issued. Charges may appear after you have left campus.
Please make sure to check “My Student Center” and click “Account Inquiry” to see the due date. eBill notifications will be sent via email from Student Business Services and the UCSC eBill/ePay site.
STEM OPT Extension
Students who have received a U.S. Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in certain STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields are eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of work authorization, which follows Post-completion OPT. See our web page about the STEM OPT Extension for more information.