Optional Practical Training

• Must complete or be in the final term for one of the following degree types: bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D.
• Must not have 365 days or more of full-time CPT (Curricular Practical Training) at the same degree level.
• Must have maintained lawful immigration status for at least two consecutive semesters at full-time enrollment.
• Transfer students, recently terminated students, or those who have adjusted their status in the U.S. from another visa category to F-1 must meet with an ISSS advisor to determine eligibility.
• Must not have any violations (for example, unauthorized employment or unauthorized under-enrollment).
• Cannot have had OPT previously at the same or higher degree level.
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future.
• You DO NOT need a position to apply. In fact, most students do not find a place of employment until after they have received OPT approval from USCIS.

• Must apply for OPT no more than 90 days before your program completion date and no later than 60 days after your program completion date. (Failure to submit an application to the ISSS and to USCIS on or before that date will result in denial of the application. We recommend that all applications be submitted to the ISSS no later than 30 days after your program completion date).
• The application window dates vary each semester. Meet with your ISSS advisor or attend one of the OPT workshops for information about specific dates.
• Once an I-20 with the OPT recommendation has been created by the ISSS advisor, you must submit your application to USCIS either through the online portal or on paper to a USCIS services center. USCIS must receive the complete application within 30 calendar days of the date of issuance on the I-20.
• Do not apply for OPT before you have received a new I-20 with an OPT recommendation from ISSS.

The process can be long, so be prepared and apply early.

1. Gather your documents to submit through iNAU. You will need to:
   • Choose your OPT start date –
     • You have to choose a date when you would prefer to start your OPT. This date must be between your program end date and the end of your OPT application window (60 days from your program end date). Eligible dates will vary by semester, so see your ISSS advisor if you would like exact dates.
     • If your completed application for OPT is approved on or before the date you chose, then your EAD (OPT card) will have a start date that matches the date you requested.
     • If USCIS approves your application after the date you requested, then the date when USCIS approves your application will be your start date. This is to your benefit as your unemployment period only begins from the start date on your EAD – not from the start date you requested.
     • Example – you have chosen January 1 as your start date:
       1. USCIS approves your application on December 20
          1. Your start date remains January 1
       2. USCIS approves your application on February 1
          1. Your start date changes to February 1
     • Note – You cannot begin employment until the start date on your EAD regardless of the date you chose. When in doubt, contact your ISSS advisor.
   • Request a graduation confirmation letter
     • This is from your academic advisor (must be on university letterhead and signed by the advisor) and must include the following:
       • Your name, student ID
       • Degree level
       • Major(s)
       • Confirmation that you are making normal academic progress and are expected to graduate in that term
       • Degree conferral date
       • Wet-ink signature and date
     • Note: If the semester has ended, then the letter from your advisor must confirm that you have already completed all program requirements and specify the date when you completed the program requirements. If the degree is already conferred, a copy of your unofficial transcript confirming degree completion is acceptable.

• • All previously issued I-20s with CPT or OPT recommendations/authorizations
    • If you studied at a different university, high school, or any SEVP certified institution that issued you an I-20 for this degree level or any other, you should upload copies of these I-20s as part of your application.
  • Your most recent I-94
  • Photocopy of passport ID biographic page
    • Note: Your passport must be valid for 6 months in the future. If it has expired or will expire soon, please notify your ISSS advisor AND the citizen services division of your home country’s embassy or consulate in the United States.
  • Photocopy of current or most recent F-1 visa
    • Note: The visa may be expired

2. Request the OPT recommendation from ISSS, by uploading the above listed documents through iNAU
   • Submit all required and requested documents to the ISSS on iNAU.
   • ISSS will issue you a new I-20 with an OPT recommendation on the second page based on the dates you gave us in your application (see bullet one in the checklist above).
3. Prepare and mail your completed application to USCIS OR submit your full application through the USCIS online portal.
   • Once you have the new I-20 from ISSS, you are now able to submit your documents to USCIS
     • Look at your new I-20 and find the date it was created. Your application must be received by USCIS within 30 calendar days of the date on your new I-20! Failure to submit your documents on time will result in the denial of your application.

• • Paper submission – We recommend that you make a copy of your application before mailing it to USCIS. Mail your application to the appropriate USCIS address. Reference the table on USCIS’s webpage. Submit the following to USCIS in one application in this order (top to bottom):
    • Completed G-1145 form (optional)
    • Check or money order for $470 made out to ‘US Department of Homeland Security’
    • Two (2) identical, recently taken, passport-style color photos (2 by 2 inches)
    • Completed Form I-765 “Application for Employment Authorization.” Verify that you have signed and dated the application and review any suggestions from your ISSS Advisor.
    • Copy of new I-20 with the OPT endorsement
    • All previously issued I-20s with CPT or OPT recommendations/authorizations
    • Photocopies of any previous EAD cards (if applicable)
    • Most recent electronic I-94 record
    • Photocopy of passport ID page(s)
    • Photocopy of current or most recent F-1 visa
  • Online submission  – Create your USCIS portal account and file your I-765 by following the prompts and uploading the above-listed documents.
    • DO NOT submit your I-765 before you have received your new I-20 with the OPT recommendation.
    • Payments through the online portal must be made by credit card.
    • Once you file your I-765 through the online portal you will receive a digital receipt notice to the email on file.

Once you submit your application to USCIS, you should receive an I-797c (Notice of Action – receipt) from USCIS. It acts as proof that USCIS has received your application. It includes the receipt number that starts with three letters. This number is linked with your application and will be needed any time you check the status of your application or communicate with USCIS.

• Paper submission  – If you submitted a paper application to USCIS you can expect a receipt notice within 2-3 weeks of the application’s receipt by USCIS.
• Online submission – Once you file your I-765 through the online portal you should automatically receive a digital receipt notice to the email on file.
• If you do not receive your I-797c from USCIS, follow these instructions:

1. 1. Go to the USCIS inquiry page
   2. Select “Did not receive notice by mail.”
   3. Complete the form. Make sure to complete the following correctly:
      • Form number – I765
      • Form sub type – I765 Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]
      • Receipt number – This number is found on the I-797c, which you do not have if you are petitioning for a replacement. If you submitted the G-1145 with your application, you should have received a text message with your receipt number. Otherwise, you need to call USCIS for the receipt number (1-800-375-5283).
      • What notice was not received? – Other
      • Provide Last Action on Your Case – Type “I-797 Notice of Action: for I-765 Receipt”
      • This form is completed by the – Select “Applicant or Petitioner”

If you are approved for OPT by USCIS, you will receive an I-797 Notice of Approval and an EAD in the mail to the address on your form I-765. You may begin employment no earlier than the start date on the card. You should not work without the card in hand. You will receive your EAD separately from the I-797 Notice of Approval.

• When you receive the EAD card you must upload a copy to iNAU.
• If the card has dates that you do not understand, please contact the ISSS. You cannot be approved for more than 12 months of OPT, so if you have more than 12 months granted on the card, please contact the ISSS.
• If you are approved but do not receive your EAD card within 30 days of approval or if the card has incorrect information on it, you may request a new card. If you are able to prove that USCIS made an error, they are required to replace the card without a fee. If the card was not delivered because of an error on the part of USPS or for any other reason, or if you included incorrect information in your I-765, you will be required to pay the $470.00 fee for a replacement card. Please meet with an advisor to go over the procedures for requesting a new card.

If there is an issue with your application, USCIS may request additional information. This is done in the form of an RFE. If you receive an RFE, please meet with an ISSS advisor before responding. It is also important to resolve an RFE as quickly as possible. Our office is happy to review the RFE. If you are not in Flagstaff, you can schedule a virtual appointment with us (link in sidebar). Please upload your RFE documents to iNAU with the General Document Upload e-form.

If your application is denied, immediately make an appointment with an ISSS advisor. One benefit to applying early within your application window is that you may be able to submit a second application to USCIS depending on the denial reason.

All employment must be submitted within 10 days of any changes through the SEVP portal or iNAU. You may begin employment in a position directly related to your field of study once you have your EAD and the start date has already begun. If you fail to report the changes within 10 days using the SEVP portal, you must report through iNAU. You may request a new I-20 that includes your employment information.

Remember to follow these guidelines when it comes to OPT employment:

1. You must report your employment and any changes to your employment information (including name, site, address, or position)
2. You are required to be employed for an average of 20 or more hours per week while on OPT.
3. You may hold multiple positions to reach the 20-hour minimum for OPT so long as each position is directly related to your field of study and curriculum. Even if you satisfy this requirement, you may not have additional side employment that is not directly related to your program of study. You are required to report all employment.
4. You are not required to be paid for your work – unpaid internships in your field for holders of your degree qualify as employment during the first 12 months of OPT.
5. You may change employers at any time during OPT.
6. You are allowed up to 90 days of aggregate unemployment while on OPT (which begins on the start date of your EAD). Over the entire 12 months of your OPT, you may not accrue more than 90 days of total unemployment. Multiple periods of unemployment are added together to reach the number of 90.

Additional information

• It is unlawful to begin employment before the start date on your EAD card.
• If you intend to take classes in the United States while on OPT, contact the ISSS before the classes begin to discuss how this may affect your OPT.
• If you begin a new course of study toward a degree, change degree levels, transfer your SEVIS record to another university, are approved for an adjustment of status application by USCIS, or enter the US in any status other than as an F-1 student (using your F-1 student visa), your OPT is automatically completed.
• If you depart the US without the intention of returning to complete your OPT, please contact ISSS.
• You are entitled to a 60-day grace period once your EAD expires as long as you have continued to maintain your status by reporting your employment while not exceeding 90 days of total unemployment. During this grace period, you may remain in the United States to resolve personal matters, apply for a change of status, travel within the US, or transfer your SEVIS record to a new university. Under no circumstances may you continue your employment into your grace period unless you have a pending STEM OPT application with USCIS.

F-1 students who have graduated with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics (STEM) are eligible to remain in the United States for an additional 24 months on an OPT Stem Extension.

You may be eligible for the STEM extension if:

• You are actively participating in post-completion OPT and have properly reported your employment.
• Your current degree level is a STEM program listed on the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM List.
• You have present employment or a job offer from a company that uses the US Government’s E-Verify system.
• You have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment during your OPT and will not go over this limit prior to applying for an extension.
• You submit a completed Employment Authorization Application on or before the current end-date of your OPT – Please email  ISSS at least 2 weeks before your end-date to ensure proper processing.
• The position is paid and is for a minimum of 20 hours or more of employment per week.
• You have not previously used STEM Extensions for your current degree level.
• You have not had more than one previous STEM extension at any degree level.

To participate in the STEM OPT extension, you will need to go through the OPT application process again. This includes gathering all of the same documents and paying the application fee.

Additional information

• For the form I-765, your reason for applying will be “renewal of permission to accept employment”
• Your eligibility category for the STEM Extension is (c)(3)(C)
• You will also need to submit Form I-983 to your ISSS advisor with your other documents

The Cap-Gap period refers to the gap between the end date of the F-1 status and the beginning of the H-1B status. F-1 students who are on post-completion OPT and wish to change their status to H-1B, and who have filed their request during the H-1B acceptance period which starts on April 1, are eligible for the Cap Gap Extension, which extends a student’s F-1 status through September 30 even if their OPT authorization and/or F-1 grace period would have otherwise expired. While the Cap-Gap extension is automatically recorded in SEVIS, your change of status application must be filed in a timely manner.

If your H-1B application is still pending as of October 1, you are allowed to remain in the US, however, you must stop working until your H-1B application is approved.