Optional Practical Training for F-1 students
Working in the US
- Cooperative Education
- F-2 and J-2 work permission
- Optional Practical Training for F-1 students
- Academic training for J-1 students
- Permanent employment and residency
- Working in the U.S.A. (PowerPoint file)
General information
Optional Practical Training, or OPT, offers F-1 students an opportunity for work experience in their field of study off-campus. OPT is recommended by the ISSS Office, but is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It could take Immigration 90 days to process your application. You are eligible for OPT up to 12 months total before, during or after graduation.
OPT is defined as paid or volunteer employment directly related to your major area of study.
While you are on OPT you MUST notify the ISSS Office at RPI of the employers name, address and dates you are working for that company and any change of employer.
Requirements
A student in F-1 status may apply for OPT if he/she has met the following requirements:
- Must be lawfully enrolled for nine consecutive months (one academic year) of full-time study before participating.
- Recommendation from ISSS Office
- Authorization of Immigration
- Paid fee of $340.00
- You can apply when you have completed all the requirements for the degree listed on the I-20, but are still working on your thesis or dissertation.
- Your Bursar's account must be paid.
- Graduate School recommendation Form (for Graduate Students).
- Academic Advisors Form (for Undergraduate Students).
- The job must be for the Degree and Major listed on your I-20.
When to apply
A student in-status may apply for OPT:
- During annual vacations and at other times when school is not in session and if the student is currently enrolled and eligible, and intends to register or the next semester. The OPT may be full- or part-time.
- When school is in session, provided that OPT does not exceed 20 hours per week.
- After completion of all degree requirements or the degree (excluding thesis or disseration).
- It is highly recommended that you apply before the graduation date. But USCIS will accept the application within 60 days after graduation. This is not recommended by the ISSS office because of potential problems.
OPT is limited to a total of 12 months. Part-time OPT, 20 hours per week or less, shall be deducted from the available OPT at half the full-time rate.
Any OPT prior to completion of studies shall be deducted from the amount of OPT available upon graduation. Therefore, you must carefully consider your goals before applying for OPT.
Authorization for OPT is automatically terminated when you transfer from Rensselaer to another school.
If the OPT is to begin following completion of a degree, the application can be made starting 90 days before employment or graduation. Remember, it takes Immigration at least 90 days to process your application.
An offer of employment is not required to obtain approval for OPT. BUT graduate students applying before graduation will have to provide a employment letter to the Graduate School before that Office will sign the recommendation form.
The student should stop by the ISSS Office to pick up the application packet.
Required documents
You must submit the following documents to the ISSS Office to process an application for OPT. Remember, it takes the ISSS Office five days to process an application.
- Your completed recommendation form, found in the OPT packet
- Your completed Optional Practical Training Request Form (available on-line for both undergraduate and graduate students, and in your OPT application packet)
- Your form I-20 (originals and all of them)
- Completed form I-765, also found in the OPT packet
- Two photocopies of your I-94 (both sides)
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Two photocopies of identifying pages in passport
- Visa stamp page
- Picture page with personal information
- Photocopy of previous EAD card (both sides)
The ISSS Office will instruct the student when he/she should return to the ISSS Office to pick up the documents. The student will send everything to Immigration.
Immigration will send your EAD card to the address you provided on the form I-765, IF you think you might move before you receive your EAD card put the ISSS Office as your address.
If you are traveling outside the US while on optional practical training to re-enter the U.S. you must have had your I-20 signed within the past 6 months, your EAD card and a valid letter of employment prior, valid visa stamp and valid passport.
Specifications for passport photos
The U.S. Department of State has a website which presents the latest recommendations for passport and visa photographs. By providing good quality photos for U.S. passports and U.S. visas, the Department of State can process the applications efficiently.
Timing your application
Regulations have changed regarding the time period that you are eligible to apply for practical training. You can apply up to 60 days after graduation BUT we do not recommend it. This Office advises that you apply before graduation.
If you do not complete your application in time, you will loose your ability to apply for OPT. Those who have completed at least one full academic year of study (fall and spring semesters) may begin the application process up to 90 days before graduation.
Get a second degree at a higher level, get another 12 months
Another amendment to the regulations state that you are eligible for an additional 12 months of optional practical training if you have completed a second degree at a higher level. If you got your Bachelor's degree, applied for and received 12 months of OPT, and then complete a Master's or Ph.D., you are now eligible to apply for another 12 months of OPT.
Frequently-asked questions about OPT
Have the new Immigration regulations changed the amount of time for optional practical training?
Yes. F-1 students are now eligible for a new 12-month period of optional practical training (OPT) for each change to a higher educational level. This means if you receive a BS degree and use 12 months OPT and then receive a Master's degree, you can receive another 12 months of OPT.
If I receive a Master's degree and use 12 months of OPT and then get another Master's degree, can I have another 12 months of OPT?
No. You must receive a higher education level degree to receive another period of OPT.
Has the application deadline for OPT changed?
Yes. A student applying for OPT post-graduation is now required to submit his or her application to the immigration office no later than the degree completion date. However, OPT can still begin as late as 60 days following completion of study.