OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment opportunity, authorized by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), that allows F1 international students to gain practical work experience (on- or off-campus) by applying their academic knowledge to a position directly related to their field of study.
To learn more about OPT, including how to apply, please click on the topics below.
- Types of OPT
Post-Completion OPT
- * (most popular option): Work authorization after completion of your studies
Pre-Completion OPT- Part-time (20 hours/week or less) during the fall or spring semesters
- Part-time or full-time during summer vacation if you are currently enrolled and intend to register for the following semester
- Full-time during fall or spring if you are a graduate student who has completed all coursework and is in the thesis, dissertation, or comprehensive exams-only phase of your degree
- Work authorization before completion of your studies, in one of the following three situations:
- *Because Post-Completion OPT is the most common form of OPT, this page will focus on Post-Completion OPT.
- Confused about if you should apply for CPT, Pre-Completion OPT, or Post-Completion OPT?
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- Eligibility
- You have completed of at least one full year of academic study at SHSU
- You intend to graduate/complete your program before you begin work
- You have not engaged in full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for more than 12 months
- To be eligible for Post-Completion OPT, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are eligible for 12 months of full-time OPT for each higher degree level earned. Your 12 months will begin with the start date listed on your EAD card. STEM majors may be eligible for an OPT extension (please see OPT STEM Extension tab below).
- Rules and Regulations
Field of work
- Must be directly related to your program of study. (For example, if you are studying accounting, it should be an accounting position.)
Employer- You may engage in OPT for any employer for the duration of the OPT authorization period, as long as the employment qualifies under OPT standards. You must report new employers to the Global Engagement Center.
Duration- Standard OPT is for a period of 12 months. Your 12 months will begin with the start date listed on your EAD card. STEM majors may be eligible for an OPT extension (please see OPT STEM Extension tab below).
Hours per week- Post-completion OPT must be full-time (20+ hours/week)
Offer of employment- No offer of employment is needed to apply for OPT. You may begin to apply for jobs before your OPT is approved, but you cannot begin working until it is approved. Need help with your job search? Set up an appointment with a career counselor in
- .
Unemployment- Students are limited to 90 days of unemployment during their 12-month OPT period. Can’t find a job? Some volunteer opportunities can be approved for OPT. Contact your international student advisor at
- for more information.
- OPT Timeline
- Students completing their program have a 5-month window in which to apply for OPT- You can apply up to 90 days before, and 60 days after, your I-20 program end date.
- See the timeline below:
- Common questions:
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- ” OPT processing takes 3-4 months on average, so you are strongly encouraged to apply early.
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- ?” 90 days before your degree completion (I-20 program end date).
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- ?” 60 days after your degree completion (I-20 program end date), BUT don’t wait till the last minute!
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- ” You will receive a receipt called a I-797C Notice of Action. This is an official notice that your OPT application has been received by USCIS.
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- ” You can start working when you receive your EAD (Employment Authorization Document). This card lists your start date (typically the date you requested in your application).
- How to Apply + OPT Checklist
OPT Application Procedure and Checklist
Instructions: Follow the directions below. Only check off the items when you have followed the directions fully. When all items are complete, schedule an appointment with a DSO via Campus Connect for a document review. We cannot issue the OPT DSO endorsed I-20 until after reviewing your documents. Please bring your laptop to this appointment or schedule a virtual appointment so you may share your screen.
Apply for OPT online - guide to creating your USCIS account and I-765 application
Step 1: SHSU International Programs Forms
- Thoroughly read this OPT Information Packet and sign the Statement of Responsibility
- Complete your personal information on Completion of Degree Form (see link above)
- Send Completion of Degree Form to your academic/department advisor, ask them to complete Section 2
- Pay International Programs SEVIS Continuance fee of $75 here
Step 2: USCIS Application Portal- Form I-765
- Create an account on myaccount.uscis.gov
- Follow steps to file an employment authorization application, choose Form I-765
- Fill out all relevant information (if unsure about something, leave it blank and ask a DSO)
- Eligibility category: Post-completion OPT (c)(3)(B)
- Gather and upload all necessary documents
- Click "view draft snapshot" on Review & Submit page- DO NOT SUBMIT YET
- Create an appointment on Campus Connect with a DSO to complete document review
Step 3: Document Review with GEC DSO
- You should have all above steps completed before coming to document review appointment Please bring a laptop or schedule a virtual appointment so that you may share your screen
- Have all documents ready to review together, including Statement of Responsibility, Completion of Degree form, and receipt of payment for GEC SEVIS Continuance $75 fee
- After reviewing documents, you will be issued a new OPT recommendation I-20 that you will upload into the application portal
- Use credit/debit card or bank account/routing information to pay $410 fee
- Submit application!
NOTE: We strongly recommend you use GEC's mailing address. Students are often moving around after graduation and having EAD cards sent to our office avoids mailing complications. Put the following in "mailing address" on the I-765:
In Care Of: Your Name
1908 Avenue J
Box 2150
Huntsville, TX, 77341 - OPT STEM Extension
- F1 international students majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields may be eligible for a 24-month OPT extension following their standard 12-month OPT period (for a total of 36 months of work authorization). Eligibility depends on your field of study and your employer’s ability to register in the E-Verify system. Please check with your international student advisor (
- ) to see if your field study qualifies for OPT STEM Extension.
- Please see the checklist for OPT STEM Extension
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- Your application packet must be submitted prior to the end date on your 12-month OPT EAD card
- You can continue working once your receive your receipt (I-797C), even if your OPT EAD card has expired
- You are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment (for a total of 150 days over the course of 36 months)
- Notes:
- Questions? Schedule an appointment with an international student advisor or email
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Additional Information
F1 international students are encouraged to meet with their international student advisor early in their final semester to learn about the OPT application process. You can schedule an appointment with an international student advisor or email GEC@shsu.edu.
At least twice a semester, the Global Engagement Center hosts OPT workshops. Please look out for workshop announcements via email and social media. You can view the workshop PowerPoint presentation HERE.