Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined in the regulations as temporary employment to gain practical experience directly related to the students major field of study.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined in the regulations as temporary employment to gain practical experience directly related to the students major field of study. OPT can be authorized at the following times:
Pre-completion OPT: During the students annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session
if the student is currently enrolled and eligible, and intends to register for the
next term or session, and while school is in session, provided that it does not exceed
20 hours per week while school is in session.
Post-completion OPT: After completion of all course requirements for the degree, excluding thesis or
equivalent, if the student is in a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree program,
or after completion of the course of study.
STEM Extension OPT: Recipients of bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in certain STEM (science,
technology, engineering, mathematics) fields can apply for a 24-month post-completion
OPT extension if certain requirements are met.
Who is eligible for OPT? F-1 students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis at a SEVP approved school for one full academic year (2 semesters or 30 credit hours) before being eligible for OPT. Students in English language training are not eligible for OPT.
Where can I use OPT? Students may engage in OPT for any employer for the duration of OPT authorized, as long as the employment qualifies under OPT standards. Training/work can be completed anywhere in the U.S. after the OPT EAD card is issued.
How long does OPT last? Standard OPT is available for a cumulative maximum of 12 months per educational level. A one-time extension of 24 months (for a total of 36 months) is available to certain STEM degree recipients.
How many hours per week can I work? Pre-completion OPT is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and the student still has coursework to complete. Full-time employment can be requested for pre-completion OPT done during official school breaks.
For post-completion OPT, a student must be employed for at least 20 hours per week. Students requesting post-completion OPT may work 40 + hours per week.
Can I work anywhere? NO! The job must be directly related to and commensurate with the level of the students course of study. Please see your academic advisor / professors for questions about which jobs will apply. It is very important that you can document that the job you accept is directly related to your field of study.
Must I have an offer of employment to apply for OPT? No offer of employment is required, but the student is expected to work while on OPT. You should keep records of all job postings, letters of invitation for interviews, letters of rejection, or resume postings related to your job search. Students on post-completion OPT are limited to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. Tech cannot find your job, but you may want to consult the Norman Career Center for assistance in searching for a job.
Students must apply for OPT with the assistance of International Students and Scholars. An I-765 for standard post-completion OPT can be filed up to 90 days before the program end-date and up to 60 days after the program end-date.
Work can begin only after receiving the EAD issued by USCIS and on or after the start date on the EAD.
How do I apply for OPT?
Online:
For those who are concerned about receiving mail at your current location in several
months time, you are welcome to use the ISS address as your mailing address for the
OPT application. This address is listed below:
International Students and Scholars
Dean, Suite 116
402 W O Street
Russellville, AR 72801
After submitting the online application, you will receive a Receipt Notice immediately in your USCIS account. Approximately 2 weeks after your application has been submitted, you or the ISS should also receive a paper Receipt Notice from USCIS showing that they have received your application and application fee.
After that, it could take anywhere from 30 to 120 days for USCIS to process your application. The average processing time is 90 days. This is why it is so important for you to apply early if you want to begin work immediately following graduation.
OPT can be authorized for a maximum aggregate period of 12 months per educational level. A student becomes eligible for another 12 months of practical training when he or she changes to a higher educational level.
Post completion OPT must be completed within a 14-month period following the completion of study.
Prior use of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for one year or more eliminates eligibility for OPT.
OPT can be filed no more than 90 days before graduation. The deadline to file for OPT is 60 days following the program end-date.
During any initial 12-month period of post-completion OPT, no student may be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days. If a STEM student receives a 24-month extension, the limit on unemployment is raised to an aggregate of no more than 150 days, applied to the entire 36-month period on which the student is on post-completion OPT.
According to DHS, students may be denied future immigration benefits that rely on the students valid F-1 status if DHS determines that the student exceeded the limitations on unemployment.
Duration of status and OPT work authorization will be automatically extended for an F-1 student who is the beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition requesting change of status and an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year. This is called the H-1B cap-gap extension.
While you are on OPT, it is important to remember that you are still in F-1 visa status and under the jurisdiction of your I-20 issued by Arkansas Tech University. With this in mind, please remember that you must report the following information to the ISS at internationaled@atu.edu upon request:
Some necessary updates can only be reported using the OPT Information Verification Form. The Verification Form must be completed upon request of any staff at ISS. All other updates must be made through your account on the SEVP Portal.
On the day your OPT begins, you will receive an email from the SEVP about the creation of your SEVP Portal. On this account, you can update your address, phone number, email, and your employment information. The link provided in the email will expire after 14 days and to create your account after this time, please contact Sara Chronister or the ISS to request another email be sent. For any difficulties in accessing the Portal, please contact their customer support. NOTE: Students on STEM Extension will have access to the Portal, but any updates on employment will also require the submission of the I-983 to the ISS.
Please keep good records for each job detailing the position you held, proof of the duration of your employment, contact information for your supervisor or manager, and a description of your work. You should always be able to prove that you are employed and that your job relates to your course of study.
Pending:
Travel while your application for OPT is pending is not advised. It is fairly risky to your application. Departure of the U.S. while any USCIS application is pending could cause that application to be automatically denied. If you choose to travel, you will be required to have a valid passport, valid F-1 visa, I-20 endorsed for travel, and an official receipt notice regarding your OPT application from the USCIS.
Approved:
An F-1 student engaged in post-completion OPT who travels outside the U.S. temporarily (less than 5 months) can be readmitted to resume employment for the remainder of the period authorized on his or her EAD card, if the following conditions are met:
If your OPT has been approved and you depart before you get a job, your may not be
allowed to re-enter.
Please remember, re-entry into the U.S. is never guaranteed. You should always exercise
good judgment when planning trips abroad. The best general guidance is that a student
who has both an EAD for post-completion OPT and a job should not experience difficulty
re-entering the U.S. If either of these two conditions is missing, you are assuming
risk.
Recipients of bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields can apply for the 24-month post-completion OPT extension. Click here for a list of the current CIP codes of eligible STEM programs.
To apply for a 24-month STEM extension, a student must have an offer of employment from an employer registered with E-Verify and there must be a bona fide employer/employee relationship established. Staffing firms cannot sign the I-983 necessary to apply for the Extension. The employer who signs the I-983 must be the one providing the training.
Applications must be filed before the current EAD expires, but no more than 90 days before the expiration date.
The STEM Extension can also be based on a prior STEM degree. For example, if you obtained a STEM bachelor's degree and a non STEM Master's degree, you can complete the STEM Extension based on the bachelor's degree after completing the regular 12 month OPT on the Master's degree.
Please make sure you apply BEFORE your OPT expires!
Online:
For those who are concerned about receiving mail at your current location in several months time, you are welcome to use the ISS address as your mailing address for the OPT application. This address is listed below:
International Students and Scholars
Dean, Suite 116
402 W O Street
Russellville, AR 72801
General Reporting
Students must report any material changes to their legal name, address, employment status, or employer throughout OPT.
These updates must be made to Arkansas Tech University within 10 days of the change.
Validation Reporting
During the STEM OPT extension period, the student must make a 6, 12 and, 18 month validation report to the DSO that confirms the student’s current name, address, employer, and employment status are correct.
A DSO in the ISS office will contact you by email to make these reports. The email will be called OPT Reporting. The OPT Information Verification Form can be submitted to satisfy this reporting and will be attached to the email request.
For the 12 month OPT Report, the student must also submit the first Self-Evaluation found on the last page of the I-983. The DSO cannot complete the reporting for OPT without this evaluation. This evaluation must be signed by the student and the student's supervisor.
At the end of the 24 month STEM Extension OPT, the student must also complete a Final Self-Evaluation and submit it to the ISS. This evaluation must be signed by the student and the student's supervisor.
Both Self-Evaluations must be submitted within 10 days of the 12 and 24 month marks from the start date of the STEM OPT.
These evaluations are the responsibility of the student and the employer. ISS cannot be expected to notify all students when each of their evaluations are due, but will make an effort to do so. The student will also receive an email from SEVP regarding these reporting obligations.