Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that allows international students to apply their classroom knowledge in a work environment and is directly related to an F-1 student's major or field of study. Eligible students can apply to both Pre-Completion OPT (before graduation) or Post-Completion OPT (after earning an Associate's degree).

  • Authorized by USCIS
  • Pre-completion OPT will be counted toward the 12-month allowance (see Post-Completion OPT below)
  • Part-time Pre-Completion OPT will count ½ and full-time Pre-Completion OPT will count full. For example, if you are authorized for 2 months of part-time pre-completion OPT, you will only have 11 months remaining to use following the completion of your program of study. If you are authorized for 2 months of full-time pre-completion OPT, you will only have 10 months remaining to use following the completion of your program
  • Part-time work (20 hours or less) during Fall and Spring semesters, or full-time work (40 hours) during Winter and Summer semesters allowed in your major or field of study
  • You do not need to secure employment while applying for Pre-Completion OPT
  • No unemployment restrictions. If you do not secure employment after your Pre-Completion OPT is authorized, it will still be counted towards your 12-month OPT allowance
  • Must report employer, dates of employment and type of employment to ISC
  • Employment during pre-completion OPT may include paid employment, multiple employers, short-term multiple employers (performing artists), work for hire, self-employed business owner, employment through an agency or consulting firm, and unpaid employment 
    • For more information about types of employment allowed while on OPT, refer to section 7.2.1 on SEVP Policy Guidance.
  • Authorized by USCIS
  • Students can qualify up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization after completing degree
  • If you have completed any pre-completion OPT, your 12 months will be shortened depending on the length of authorization that was previously given
  • If you have completed OPT at a higher degree level, you will not be eligible to apply at a lower degree level
  • Unemployment restrictions: 90 days of unemployment
  • Student must work a minimum of 20 hours per week in your major or field of study
  • Must report employer, dates of employment and type of employment to ISC and USCIS
  • Employment during post-completion OPT may include paid employment, multiple employers, short-term multiple employers (performing artists), work for hire, self-employed business owner, employment through an agency or consulting firm, and unpaid employment 
    • For more information about types of employment allowed while on OPT, refer to section 7.2.1 on SEVP Policy Guidance.
  • Student must have maintained valid F-1 status
  • Student must have completed one year as a full-time student
  • Student must not have accrued 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Student must have applied for graduation with the academic counselor to apply for Post-OPT
  • Employment must be releated directly to your major/field of study
  • Student must receive an updated I-20 with OPT recommendation
  • OPT application decision is made by United Stated Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
  • Student must NOT have already completed OPT at the current or higher level
  • Pre-Completion OPT: Up to 90 days before reaching your one-year of academic study as a full-time student 
  • Post-Completion OPT: Up to 90 days before degree completion date (last day of the semester) or up to 60 days after degree completion (last day of the semester)
  • USCIS must receive the complete OPT application packet within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issue date. The date of when the OPT I-20 was issued is located on page 1 of your OPT I-20 
    • NOTE: Post-Completion OPT Students - If you depart the U.S. during your 60-day grace period before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services receives your OPT application, you will lose your OPT eligibility

How to Apply

  • Schedule an appointment with an academic counselor and file your petition for graduation
    • For Pre-Completion OPT, talk to your F-1 Advisor
  • Complete the OPT Request Form
Required Documents  
Application Fee Pay by credit card or debit card
U.S. Passport-style (2x2) color photo 1 digital photo
Form I-765 Complete online
Recent I-94 (port of entry record) Download at I-94 - Official Website (dhs.gov)
I-20s Prepare copies of all I-20s issued to you. You must sign every I-20
OPT I-20 To be issued by your F-1 Advisor
Passport Prepare a copy of your valid passport ID page
F-1 visa Prepare a copy of your F-1 visa page (inside your passport) or change of status approval receipt
EAD Prepare a copy of all previously issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (if applicable)
ISC’s OPT Request Form Complete ISC’s Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request Form – This is only for ISC. Do not upload

*To file by mail, see your F-1 Advisor

  • If everything is in order and your F-1 advisor determines that you meet all eligibility requirements for OPT, your advisor will issue an updated SEVIS Form I-20 with an OPT recommendation
  • You will receive an email with your OPT I-20
  • You must first receive your OPT I-20 from your F-1 Advisor before submitting your OPT application materials via the USCIS online application portal.
  • Submit your online application within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issue date.
    • The date of when the OPT I-20 was issued is located on page 1 of your OPT I-20.
    • Applications received by USCIS later than 30 days from the issuance date on page 1 of your OPT I-20 will be denied.
  • USCIS must receive your completed OPT application materials before your 60-day grace period ends.
    • The 60-day grace period begins after your "program end date" listed on page 1 of your OPT I-20.
    • Applications received by USCIS after the 60-day grace period will be denied.
  • Incomplete applications will be denied by USCIS.
  • Create an account with USCIS at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/create-account
  • Select Form I-765 to apply for OPT - this will redirect you to the online Form I-765 
  • Choose the correct type of OPT - Pre-OPT or Post-OPT
  • Complete all appropriate boxes
  • Name each document with your name and document type (ex. Larry LANCER - I94)
  • Upload required documents (evidences)
  • Pay application fee online
  • Submit your OPT application
  • Receive an application receipt notice
  • Check applicaiton status via your MyUSCIS account

** Premium processing service is available for OPT application for additional cost. 

*To file by mail, see your F-1 Advisor
If you are requesting premium processing service by mail, you must also file Form I-907.

  • Processing times for OPT applications by USCIS may range from 3 to 5 months
  • If you paid for premium processing service, you may receive a decision faster
  • Get your I-797 Receipt Notice digitally via your MyUSCIS account
  • You can check your application from your MyUSCIS account  or online at www.uscis.gov 
    • Click on “Check your Case Status”
  • If your OPT application is approved, your EAD card will be mailed to the U.S. mailing address that you provided on your I-765 Form
  • You may begin your employment after you receive your EAD card
    • Check your employment start date on your EAD card

Note: Do not contact USCIS multiple times as it will slow down the process. Please note that the application is under your name and ISC staff cannot contact USCIS on your behalf. 

  • You will receive a decision from USCIS via your MyUSCIS account and by mail
  • Once OPT has been approved, you cannot cancel. You will have to use it or lose it
  • You will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) mailed directly to you at the address on Form I-765
    • Email a copy of your EAD to your F-1 Advisor
  • You cannot accumulate more than 90 calendar days of unemployment during the 12-month period of your Post-Completion OPT
  • You must create the SEVP OPT Student Portal to report your employment
    • You will receive a unique link from the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) to the email you listed on your Form I-765 on the start date of your EAD card
  • Immediately after you obtained a job offer, report the following information to your SEVP OPT Student Portal within 10 calendar days:
    • Explain how your job is related to your major or field of study
    • Employer's name and telephone number
    • Supervisor's name and contact information
    • Employer's address including city, state, and zip code
    • Employment start date and your job title
    • If your employment is full-time (20 hours or more per week) or part-time (less than 20 hours per week)

During the Period of your Post-Completion OPT

You are still considered to be in F-1 student status. Although you do not have to register for 12 units, you must still follow all other F-1 student status rules.

  • Report employment and keep track of your OPT by reporting changes to ISC and the SEVP OPT Student Portal
  • Employment during Post-Completion OPT must be full-time (20+ hours per week)
    • If you are employed for less than 20 hours per week, you will still accrue unemployment days
    • Maxiumum unemployment days allowed is 90 calendar days
  • You must be employed full-time and not have accrued more than 90 calendar days of unemployment days in order to maintain your F-1 status
  • You can purchase the optional PCC international student insurance by directly contacting PCC's international insurance provider
  • You must keep ISC informed of any changes in your name, address, or any other information about your stay in the U.S.
    • Failure to report any changes to ISC may jeopardize your legal status in the U.S.
  • If you change your status, you must contact your F-1 Advisor
  • If you begin a new degree program at another institution during your authorized period of OPT, you will lose any OPT time remaining on your EAD
  • Once you are transferred out, your OPT will automatically end
  • You will be reuqired to stop employment once your I-20 record is transferred from PCC to the new institution
  • Request travel signature from your F-1 Advisor
  • Travel signature is only valid for 6 months during OPT
  • Travel is not recommended while USCIS is processing your OPT application
  • Student must have a valid passport and valid F-1 visa
  • Student must have the EAD card or I-797 Approval Receipt Notice
  • Regulations only permit you to re-enter the U.S. to resume OPT employment
  • We do not advise you to travel if you have not secured employment 
  • Recommended documents: unofficial transcript and your job offer letter from your employer

You have 60-day (calendar days) grace period after the expiration date on  your EAD card to decide what's next. There is no option to extend the OPT on an Associate's degree. When the 12 months have been completed, you must seek another visa status if you wish to remain in the U.S. 

  • You may transfer to another U.S. institution or stay at PCC to study a new major
  • You may depart the U.S. 
  • You may change your status, if eligible