• Please remember that you are not authorized to work on- or off-campus after your new program completion date (listed on your new I-20) until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and no sooner than the start date indicated on the card. Working after your program end date on your OPT I-20, but before your authorized OPT start date, will be considered a violation of your F-1 status leading to serious immigration consequences.
  
  
• You may legally remain in the U.S. with a properly filed OPT application received by USCIS deadlines and with receipt number of filing, however, you cannot work until the application is adjudicated (see above). 
  
  
• If utilizing the all but dissertation option for OPT, you may still enroll in credits required to complete your thesis/dissertation. You cannot start a new degree program while awaiting OPT or while on OPT.
  
  
• Please allow at least 2-3 months or longer for USCIS to process the request (click here to check current USCIS processing times) and for the EAD card to be mailed back to you before you can begin working. Please see https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 for the most current form I-765 and instructions.
  
  
• Please note that travelling while your OPT application is pending with USCIS is not recommended as you must have the EAD card in hand if approved prior to you returning to the U.S. and even if not approved yet, travel while the OPT application in pending can be problematic at the U.S. border. If you have any questions about travel while on OPT or while your OPT application is pending with USCIS, please let us know by e-mailing isss-opt@mail.wvu.edu so we can inform you of your options and things to consider.
  
  
• If you MUST move before you receive your EAD card in the mail, contact the USCIS Contact Center or use the customer service telephone number/directions to contact USCIS found on your receipt notice. You must also update your physical address with ISSS using a Contact Information Update request. Please note: The U.S. Postal Service will not forward your EAD card to your new address.
  
  
• Typically, the student will need to contact USCIS about errors, concerns, or address updates. USCIS will not talk to a P/DSO about a student case. Please visit the USCIS Contact Center webpage for further information.
  
  

• If you receive communication from USCIS requesting evidence from you (RFE), please contact our office at isss-students@mail.wvu.edu to share this information with us. It is important that you do so in case action from our office is required to assist you. Failure to do so will carry strong consequences.
  
  

 | Part 5: After you have been granted OPT by USCIS

 | Part 6: Important Regulatory Information & Required Employment Updates

IMPORTANT: Please remember that your obligation to strictly comply with U.S. regulations and SEVP rules for your SEVIS record does not stop with the issuance of the OPT EAD card. In order for your SEVIS record to be kept up-to-date and your F-1 status valid throughout the OPT period, you MUST pay special attention to the following requirements:

• Full-time employment required - Students must work full-time (20 or more hours) when on post-completion OPT either in one job or an aggregate total of 20 or more hours between multiple employment opportunities.  
  
  
• All employment must relate to your degree obtained - your employment must relate to your degree and you must explain the nexus between your job duties/work being performed and the degree required for the position when submitting OPT Employment Updates. ISSS may request additional info or documentation from you in the event that details you provide are vague or it is not readily apparent if the employment relates to your degree. Please be sure to provide concise, but adequate, justification in OPT Employment Update requests and list not only how employment relates, but the job duties an their relevance to the degree.
  
  
• Unemployment - F-1 students on OPT may not remain unemployed for more than a total of 90 days out of a 12 month OPT period (or a combined total of 150 days out of a 36 month OPT period with STEM extension). The days of unemployment will start on the start date of your OPT card, or the day the OPT is approved (whichever is later) if you are not employed. In summary, you must not be unemployed for more than 90 days from the start date of your issued EAD card or 90 days total while on OPT. If you exceed the unemployment limit or fail to report employment in a timely manner, SEVP may auto-complete your SEVIS record negating your OPT approval.
  
  
• Changes to your U.S. Physical Address - If you move to a new address, it is important that you complete a new Contact Information Update request to our office by logging in to the student request portal and going to "Requests and Documents". There you will see an icon for the Contact Information Update and by clicking on it, you may begin providing the new address. Please remember to click "Submit" when finished. This action must be taken within 10 days of moving to the new address.
  
  
• Taking classes/enrolling while approved for OPT - You cannot be approved for OPT and also engage in a full-time degree seeking program while on OPT. You may only take courses to finish your research/thesis/dissertation or non-degree coursework that is "incident to status".
  
  
• Travel while on OPT - If you need to travel outside of the U.S., you must be sure to obtain a travel signature from ISSS. A travel signature from our office is good for up to six months. Please contact our office at least 2 weeks in advance in case you need the signature re-validated. You will also need to be in possession of your EAD card to successfully re-enter the U.S. and must have a valid visa and passport. Proof of employment or seeking employment is also recommended.
  
  Travel Endorsements on the OPT I-20 can be issued electronically and you can request a Travel Endorsement by logging into your student request portal, going to "Requests and Documents", clicking on the Travel Endorsement icon, provide the required info and documents, and remember to click "Submit" when complete. A DSO will provide the endorsement and updated signatures and contact you via e-mail to let you know when finished and how to access, print, and sign the updated I-20 for travel. Please allow at least a week's time for processing, but ISSS strives to complete these requests as soon as possible.
  
  
• Changing status while on OPT - If you change status (e.g. F-1 to F-2 or to an H-1B work visa), please provide ISSS with a copy of your approval notice through an immigration status update request by logging into your student request portal, going to "Requests and Documents", clicking on the Immigration Status Update icon, provide the required info and documents, and remember to click "Submit" when complete.
  
  
• Report ALL Employment - You must notify ISSS of any change in your employment or contact information throughout your 12 month OPT by using an OPT Employment Update request each time there are changes to your employment. Changes to your employment should be reported by regulation within 10 days of the change.
  
  
• Completing or discontinuing your OPT - If you have completed your OPT and/or plan to return to your home country and discontinue OPT, please e-mail us at isss-OPT@mail.wvu.edu to let us know and confirm in your e-mail that you are finished with OPT or ending your OPT and returning to your home country. We will then need to work to complete your SEVIS record as required.

• Additional Information Concerning Worker's Rights: Know Your Rights (Wilberforce Pamphlet) from the Department of State . An information pamphlet describing your rights while working in the United States.

OPT Employment Update Requirements 

• A brief, but thorough, description of your job duties and how theses job duties relate to the degree required. Simply saying that you have a degree in "X" and the job or research requires this degree is not enough. You also must explain further any research being done and how it relates to your degree if applicable for that type of position
  
  
• Employer Name - This is not your supervisor name or researcher name who you work with, but the actual employer/company name.
  
  
• Job Title - Your title or role with the employer/company
  
  
• Start date of employment. Please also include the end date of employment if known. Please remember that you cannot exceed 90 days of unemployment from the start date of your EAD card and 90 days aggregate unemployment while on OPT.
  
  
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) - Highly Recommend in SEVIS. This is also known as the employer/company federal tax identification number and is used to identify a business entity for tax purposes. Please ask your employer to provide this number to you for SEVIS reporting purposes to the U.S. government.
  
  
• Indicate your hours as full-time (20 or more hours) or part-time (fewer than 20 hours). To count as valid OPT employment, you must cumulatively have 20 or more hours of employment.
  
  OPT regulations state that: "A student must work at least 20 hours per week in a qualifying position to be considered employed. If a student has a variable schedule, within a month, it should average out to at least 20 hours per week."
  
  
• U.S. Physical Address for your employment - Please provide the proper street and number, city, state, and zip code for your place of employment where you will be physically working. This is required by SEVP/ICE for site visits that are within their regulatory authority if needed.
  
  
• Supervisor Contact Information - It is recommended in SEVIS to provide the full name, phone number, and e-mail address of your supervisor. If the supervisor does not have a direct e-mail or phone number, a company phone or e-mail where they can be reached is acceptable.
  
  

 | PART 7: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

A. Optional Practical Training is the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in your program of study to work in your major field. OPT is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The authorization process can take up to 3 months. The maximum amount of time granted to work in F-1 OPT status is 12 months per degree level (undergraduate, masters and doctoral) with the possibility of a 24-month extension for those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related fields who qualify.

It is highly recommended to use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during your course of study and save all 12 months for post-completion OPT. Students may apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before completion of studies and up to 60 days after the program completion date.

Students MUST file their application with USCIS within 30 days of getting the new OPT recommendation I-20 Form from ISSS.

Q. Who is eligible for OPT?

A. To be eligible to apply for OPT, you must: (1) have been in full-time student status for at least one academic year by the requested start date of your OPT, and (2) be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application, (3) have not used OPT at the same degree level previously, and (4) not have engaged in more than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during the current degree level.

Q. Do I need a job to apply for OPT?

A. No, you do not need a job to request or apply for OPT. You can request OPT and apply to USCIS without a job, but will need to find full-time employment in a job related to your degree during the first 90 days of your authorized OPT and have a total of 90 days aggregate unemployment while on OPT.  Time used searching for employment during USCIS approved OPT dates will count against your allowed number of days for unemployment.

Q. Do I need to have a job during the Post-Completion OPT period?

A. Yes. The regulation requires students to have employment while on OPT after completion of studies. Students are only allowed a total of 90 days of unemployment in the 12 month period of OPT or 150 days total if working with the 24-month STEM extension. During the entire OPT period, students must update ISSS with employment information through an OPT Employment Update.

Q. What types of employment are acceptable for OPT?

• Multiple employers: Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to the student’s degree program.
  
• Short-term multiple employers (performing artists): Students, such as musicians and other performing artists may work for multiple short-term employers ("gigs"). The student should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration. If requested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), students must be prepared to provide evidence showing a list of all gigs.
• Work for hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than employment relationship. If requested by DHS, students must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.
• Self-employed business owner: Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must work full-time. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student’s degree program. A student who is self-employed (including performance majors with regular “gigs”) may be paid or unpaid.
• Employment through an agency: Students on post-completion OPT must be able to provide evidence showing they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.
• Unpaid employment: Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this does not violate any labor laws such as volunteering for an otherwise paid position. The work must be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT. These students must be able to provide evidence from the employer that the student worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.

A. For students who are registered full or part time, and/or students who have Graduate Assistantship positions, the program completion date will typically be the last day of finals in the semester of OPT application.

• Important Note For Graduate Students:
  
  Graduate students who have completed all degree required coursework except their thesis/dissertation may apply for post-completion OPT. These students may choose to apply for post-completion OPT based on the date coursework is finished for their degree (usually the last day of finals for a semester) and use the period of OPT application/approval to enroll and complete thesis/dissertation work only. Student MUST be finished with coursework to use this option.
  
  Alternatively, students who are finished with degree required coursework may choose to continue to be enrolled in credits deemed full-time per their academic department to finish their thesis/dissertation and then elect to apply for post-completion OPT based on the use of their published defense date as the program end date.

The recommended employment start date must be after the student's program completion date and no later than the end of his or her 60 day grace period.

Q. How does ISSS determine my program end date for my updated OPT I-20?
A. Your program end date for your I-20 in your request cannot be after the last day of finals for the semester. We will typically use the last day of finals for your program end date if your advisor or you indicate a date past the last date of finals unless we receive information about an agreed upon defense date if using that option.

Q. How is the recommended OPT start date determined?
A. Your recommended OPT start date will need to be within the 60 day grace period or after the day your 60 day grace period expires. USCIS will make the final decision and assign your start and end dates based on the requested dates, but does not guarantee that you will be assigned the dates that you request.

Q. If I complete one degree program, use 12 months of practical training, and then begin a second course of study, am I eligible for an additional 12 months of practical training?

A.Yes, but only at a higher degree level.

Q. Do I have to use the entire 12-month OPT period at once, or may I use it in increments?

After completion of studies it may only be used as a single block of time. It is highly recommended that student use the CPT option prior to program completion and save all 12 months for post-completion OPT.

Q. May I save any of my unused post-completion OPT eligibility and use it at a later time?

A. No. Once you apply for post-completion OPT, the OPT work eligibility for that degree ends. There is no recapture of unused OPT time.

Q. What immigration status do I have during OPT?

A. A student with OPT authorization is still an F-1 student holding an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card for OPT.

Q. When can I start working under OPT?

A. Work only after you receive the OPT EAD card issued by the USCIS, and the effective start date listed on the employment document has been reached.

Q. How long does it take to get authorization for OPT and when should I apply?

A. Authorization for OPT is granted by USCIS and processing can take up to 2-3 months (https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times). Therefore it is important that you apply for the authorization well in advance of the date you wish to start working. You may apply up to 90 days before completion of studies and no later than 60 days after. You must file your application with USCIS within 30 days of receiving the new OPT Form I-20 from ISSS.

Q. Form I-765:

• A. Common Errors to Avoid and Frequently Asked Questions When Filling Out the I-765. 

Q. What can I do if I’ve been waiting more than 90 days for my OPT authorization?

A. You can always check your case status online at the USCIS website Case Status Online. OPT applications typically remain in "Pending" or “Initial Review Status” until approved.

Q. May I cancel my OPT application once I have applied?

A. Yes, you may request that the OPT application be withdrawn and the recommendation in SEVIS be cancelled, but only if you have recently mailed/filed online with USCIS and it has not been approved. Contact your International Student Advisor in ISSS as soon as possible if you need to cancel the OPT application with your reason(s) for cancellation and what your next plans are which may include exiting the U.S. Once your OPT application has been approved by USCIS, it cannot be cancelled or withdrawn. Please e-mail isss-opt@mail.wvu.edu as needed.

Q. Can I begin working before I receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?

A. No! Working before OPT has been authorized by USCIS constitutes illegal employment that will jeopardize your legal status in the United States.

Q. What happens if I receive my updated I-20 and recommendation in SEVIS from ISSS but cannot/have not applied by the 30 day deadline to file with USCIS after the recommendation is made and I am still within my 60 day grace period to file for OPT?

A. You may still be able to apply with a new recommendation and form I-20. You should e-mail isss-opt@mail.wvu.edu immediately to let us know of the situation, so we can look at your record, cancel the original recommendation, and assess whether you are still eligible to apply. If we can issue the updated form I-20 with recommendation in a reasonable time frame for you to still apply for OPT, we will do so as quickly as possible.

Q. What happens if I receive my updated I-20 and recommendation in SEVIS from ISSS, but never apply to USCIS and I know I am past all deadlines to apply or re-request a new recommendation?

A. You will need to e-mail isss-opt@mail.wvu.edu to let us know, but SEVP requires that we cancel the OPT recommendation in SEVIS once this information is known. Your SEVIS record will typically be auto-completed the following day by SEVP after we cancel the OPT recommendation in SEVIS and you will be required to depart the U.S. immediately as you will no longer have a status in the U.S.

Q. What should I do once I receive the EAD card in the mail?

A. You can now start your OPT employment on the the start date indicated on your EAD card. Keep your EAD card in a safe place and send ISSS a scanned copy of the front/back of the card through an OPT Employment Update to keep in your student file. Be sure to report your employment information to ISSS using the student request portal and selecting: OPT Employment Update.

Q. Do I have to do anything with ISSS during Post-Completion OPT?

A. Yes! Immigration regulations REQUIRE that while on POST-completion OPT (after graduation), you MUST report employment and address changes to ISSS. You will need to request a travel signature every six months if you plan to travel outside the United States and return in F-1 status and must report to ISSS if you choose to end your OPT period early for any reason. It is in your best interest so as to keep your SEVIS record accurate and current at all times.

Q. What if I lose my EAD?

A. If you lose your EAD, you will need to submit a new application and new fee to USCIS before changing employers during the approved OPT period. The new EAD card will also be necessary as a reentry document after any travel abroad. For more information about replacing your EAD card, please visit the USCIS EAD Card Information Page. Please also e-mail isss-opt@mail.wvu.edu if you've lost your EAD and are in need of further help.

Q. What happens if I exceed the 90-day unemployment limit?

A. After 90 days of unemployment, an F-1 student in the post-completion period loses valid immigration status. Students are encouraged to depart the United States or change status prior to the 90 day expiry. Students who exceed the 90-day unemployment limit may be denied future immigration benefits. Your SEVIS record could also be auto-completed.

Q. May I take classes during OPT?

A. If you had intended to graduate, but have not yet completed your thesis/dissertation, you can continue to register until you finish the thesis/dissertation requirement. In this case, you would still remain subject to the 90-day unemployment rule.

Beginning a new course of study will automatically cancel your OPT authorization. Transferring to a new institution or changing your educational level will also automatically cause the cancellation of your OPT authorization. ISSS does not recommend taking a class or classes (even part-time) that may later be used to satisfy new program degree requirements. You may only take courses that are "incident to status" meaning that they are non-degree pursuant and you remain part-time. Vocational classes may be taken during OPT.

Q. Can I change employers during OPT?

A. Yes. As long as the employment is directly related to your field of study, you can work for any and all employers you would like. You will need to update your employment via an OPT Employment Update any time you have new employment, there are changes to existing employment, or when you end employment.

Q. How do I renew my driver's license while on OPT?

A. You may need to wait until the start date on your EAD is current before you can renew your driver’s license. Please e-mail isss-opt@mail.wvu.edu with questions or submit a Good Standing Letter request via the student request portal in order for us to determine eligibility and provide guidance. Even if we can issue a Good Standing Letter stating your situation with OPT, it is ultimately up to the DMV to determine if they will issue or renew a driver's license.

Q. Can I extend my OPT after the 12 months?

A. There are two types of extensions available after completion of the initial OPT period: 

(1) a 24-month extension for those in certain STEM fields. A list of approved STEM programs is available at: STEM Designated Degree. Please click on STEM OPT Extension for further info.

(2) An “H-1B Cap Gap Extension” which extends work authorization through to the start of your cap-subject H-1B visa. If your OPT ends after your employer has applied for an H-1B but before the H-1B starts on October 1st, a cap gap extension is possible. The H-1B Cap Gap notation should be automatic on your SEVIS record if applied successfully with USCIS. Please speak with an International Student Advisor for guidance at isss-opt@mail.wvu.edu if you need further assistance.

Q. How long can I stay in the U.S. after my post-completion OPT end date?

A. There is a 60-day grace period following the end of the OPT period. The grace period is only applicable for those who have not exceeded the 90 days of unemployment during the OPT period or the 150 aggregate days (maximum of 90 for OPT + maximum of 60 during STEM) of unemployment during the STEM extension.