Optional Practical Training

 

• Information and Procedures
  • Important Information
  • Travel
• How to Apply for OPT
  • OPT Presentation
  • Application Steps
  • Online Filing
  • Documents Needed to Apply for Optional Practical Training
  • Premium Processing
• Reporting Requirements
• Options After OPT End Date or Ending Your OPT Early
• STEM OPT

Information and Procedures

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is intended to provide hands-on practical experience complementary to the academic program, 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii). Students on practical training are still considered to be F-1 students at the University of Nevada, Reno, even though they may be working elsewhere in the United States. A student does not need to have a specific job offer to make the application, but they do need a signature showing support from their academic advisor for the OPT. Students must have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before employment may legally begin.

Students may apply for full-time post-completion OPT to start after program completion or during the thesis/dissertation stage after completing all coursework (at least 20 hrs/week) after being a full-time student for at least 1 academic year. Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT per higher education level. Regulations allow students graduating from STEM fields to apply for up 12 months of OPT and then apply for a 24-month extension totaling 36 months of OPT; the extension may be used twice during their academic career. STEM majors must first apply for 12-month OPT then apply for the 24-month extension up to 90 days before the end of their 12-month OPT. Non-stem majors have a total of 12 months full-time Optional Practical Training which can be utilized with flexibility. If training or employment will be longer than 12 months or 36 months for STEM majors, students should consider applying for a change of their status during the period of practical training. Refer to Tip Sheet: How F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Avoid Form I-765 Delays for tips from USCIS. OISS does not prevent students from applying for OPT if they have filed for permanent residence status; note that USCIS may deny your application if you have filed for permanent residence. Consult with an attorney for more guidance.

 

Important Information

• Students may apply no earlier than 90 days before program completion and up to 60 days after program completion.
• Students do not need to have employment to apply for OPT.
• Students must be physically present in the U.S. when USCIS receives the application.
• OPT may start from the first date after program completion up to 60 days after program completion.
• If you leave the U.S. during the 60-day grace period after program completion before applying for post-completion OPT and/or enter the U.S. under a different status, you will not be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT.
• Students are eligible to start full-time post-completion OPT (at least 20 hours per week) after completing their program or at the thesis/dissertation stage, after completing all coursework.
  • Thesis/dissertation students - the I-20 program end date will be shortened to either the defense date or end of the semester, whichever is sooner.
  • If applying for post-completion OPT during the thesis/dissertation stage of the program, you must complete your thesis/dissertation before the 12-months of post-completion OPT ends.
    • If you are a STEM OPT eligible student and apply for it, you may complete your thesis/dissertation during your STEM OPT period.
• Employment must be in the major indicated on the OPT request on the first page of your I-20.
• Pre-completion OPT reduces time from post-completion OPT. Talk to an OISS advisor for more information.
• Allow 90 days from the date your application is received by USCIS for processing.
• Do not work until you receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and the EAD start date is effective.
• Students are permitted 90 days of unemployment while on 12 month OPT. In order to show proof of your employment, if needed, OISS recommends you:
  • Keep a copy of your official job offer letter stating the position title and description, start and end (if known) dates of employment and number of hours worked per week, even if you are volunteering
  • Keep all your timesheets and/or paystubs if you will be getting paid
  • Maintain medical insurance coverage.
• International students are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes for the first 5 years in the U.S. (including during OPT) but are required to pay all federal and state taxes.
• Your OPT automatically ends on the SEVIS release date if you transfer to another U.S. institution before your EAD card end date or on the date you start a new education level at the University of Nevada, Reno (University).
• If you do not use more than 90 days of unemployment, you will have a 60-day grace period after the OPT EAD card end date to be admitted and transferred to a new U.S. institution, be admitted to a new program at the University, leave the U.S., or submit a change of status application. Talk to an OISS advisor for more information.

Travel
To return to the U.S. during post-completion OPT, you and any F-2 dependents need the following documents:

• OPT I-20 signed for travel (valid for 6 months) on the 2^nd page;
  • If you cannot come to OISS for the signature, complete the Student I-20/DS-2019 Request Form to request a new I-20 with a travel signature;
• Valid F-1 or F-2 visa (it is possible to renew a visa after OPT approval but difficult with a pending application);
• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date you re-enter;
  • Passport should be valid for at least 6 months whenever you are in the U.S.
• If your OPT has not been approved - Form I-797C (Receipt Notice);
  • If your OPT is approved while you are out of the country, you will need to have your EAD card and an employment letter or contract in order to return;
  • If your application is denied while you are out of the country, you will not be able to reapply or return to the U.S. on that F-1 program;
• If your OPT has been approved - OPT EAD card and employment letter or contract;
• F-2 dependents will only need copies of the necessary documents to prove the F-1's status - Receipt Notice or front and back of EAD card and employment letter or contract.
• Please note: re-entry after travel out of the country is never guaranteed. If your application is denied while you are out of the country, it may not be possible for you to return on the F-1 visa or to resume OPT.
  • If your F-2 dependents are still in the U.S. they will have to leave the country.
• Go to Travel Outside the U.S. for more information.

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How to Apply for OPT

NOTE: Due to possible lengthy processing times at USCIS, we advise that you apply for practical training up to 90 days before you need it. The earliest date that you may apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training is 90 days before program completion and the latest is 60 days after program completion; the application packet must be received by USCIS before the 60-day period is over. Students may not begin employment on OPT until they receive the EAD card and start date is effective.

OPT PRESENTATION: For more information, application timeline, and sample I-765, go to OPT Presentation (NOT accessible. Email oiss@unr.edu for an accessible copy).

Step 1: Login to submit the Optional Practical Training (OPT) request in order to request the OPT recommendation I-20.

• Refer to Documents Needed to Apply for Optional Practical Training below. You will have to upload your I-765, passport, visa (if you have one), and I-94 to the OPT Recommendation I-20 request (1.5 MB maximum size per upload).
• If you are completing more than one major and are requesting OPT for each major, submit an application for each of your majors with an approval from each of your program academic advisors.
• Add your academic advisor's (not an OISS employee) information in the OPT recommendation request for them to get an email to submit an academic advisor's approval for you.
  • Submit your application after your advisor enters an approval.

Step 2: After your academic advisor(s) submit(s) the approval(s) and you submit your OPT Recommendation I-20 request, call the OISS to schedule a virtual appointment with an OISS advisor.

• The OISS advisor will review your application and request an OPT recommendation in SEVIS if the application is approved.
• You will receive a new I-20 with the OPT recommendation on page 2.
  • A new I-20 will be issued for each F-2 dependent you have.

Step 3: Make an electronic or hard copy of all the documents in the application packet before filing online or mailing.
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You have 2 options to file for OPT, online and mailing. Online filing is recommended. Watch this short video on the advantages of filing online versus mailing a paper application.

Online Filing (recommended)
Refer to USCIS File Online and Benefits of Filing Online for more information.

• You may file your application online if you choose to do so.
  • You will need to create a USCIS account if you do not already have one.
• You will still need to follow the steps above to request a OPT recommendation I-20 to upload to your online Form I-765 application.
• Read and follow the online I-765 instructions and questions carefully.
  • Submit ONLY the documents the online application requests. They will be different than what you would submit for a mailed in application.
  • DO NOT type “N/A” or “None” for responses that do not apply to you, leave them blank.
  • Use a mailing address you will have for at least five months from the time USCIS receives your application.
    • If using OISS for the mailing address, enter it as:
      • Street Number and Name: 1664 N. Virginia St.
      • Apt.: MS 0074
      • City or Town: Reno, State: NV, ZIP Code: 89557
  • Post-completion OPT eligibility category is (c)(03)(B).
  • If the uploaded photo shows as "unvalidated" it means it needs further validation from USCIS, you can still submit your I-765.
• Download the PDF of your filled in online I-765 to upload to the OPT Application below.
  • You can get the draft of the I-765 before paying.
  • Go to the "Review and Submit" section of your online I-765 application, then under "Your application summary" click on the "View draft snapshot" link to get the PDF (do not click the Print link to get the draft I-765).
    • The PDF will have an “Electronic Form Only” watermark.
      • Sample 1^st page of correct draft online I-765 to upload.
      • Sample incorrect online I-765 - click on the "View draft snapshot" link to get the correct draft copy.
• DO NOT pay the filing fee and submit the online application before getting the OPT recommendation I-20.
  • You will need to upload the OPT recommendation I-20 to your online application.
  • Upload only the supporting documents requested on the online I-765; they will be different from what is listed below.
  • The I-765 will be signed electronically.
• If you file online, DO NOT mail in an application as well; use only one filing option.
• NOTE: the online fling recognizes Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) for the submission time of your application. Keep that in mind when filing to ensure you file on time.
  • For assistance with converting the time, refer to https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/timezone/utc.

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Documents Needed to Apply for Optional Practical Training

• You must have the following to apply for OPT with USCIS:
  • Completed online or all 7 pages of paper Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) - Read and follow the I-765 instructions carefully. Go to OPT Presentation for a sample I-765 (slide 23) to help you complete the I-765.
    • Make sure you are using the correct edition otherwise USCIS will reject your application. Check for any alerts and "Edition Date" at Form I-765.
    • Print single-sided.
    • We recommend you type your responses on the form to avoid any handwriting confusion.
      • If any response does not fit when typed, you may type in what will fit then type it fully on page 7 or handwrite it clearly in black ink.
    • Use a mailing address you will have for at least five months from the time USCIS receives your application.
      • If using OISS for the mailing address, enter it as:
        • Street Number and Name: 1664 N. Virginia St.
        • Apt.: MS 0074
        • City or Town: Reno, State: NV, ZIP Code: 89557
    • Signatures must be original or may be reproduced original signatures. "This means that a document may be scanned, faxed, photocopied, or similarly reproduced provided that the copy must be of an original document containing an original handwritten signature, unless otherwise specified" (https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-announces-flexibility-in-submitting-required-signatures-during-covid-19-national-emergency).
  • Processing fee payment:
    • ONLINE FILING: You will pay the filing fee of $470⁰⁰ (four hundred and seventy) online AFTER getting your OPT recommendation I-20 form OISS.
    • MAIL IN FILING: Money order, personal check, cashier's check, or credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions in U.S. currency for the filing fee payment of $520⁰⁰ (five hundred and twenty).
      • Use the Fee Calculator on the date you mail your application to ensure you are paying the correct fee.
        • We recommend you print the USCIS fee calculation page and include it with your application. Make certain the printout includes the date of printing.
      • Form G-1450: Make sure you are using the correct edition otherwise USCIS will reject your application. Check "Edition Date" at Form G-1450.
      • Make checks and money orders payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with "I-765 OPT filing fee" in the memo line (if you have one) or at the top of the check or money order.
      • Sign the money order, personal check, or Form G-1450.
  • 1^st and 2^nd pages of your OPT Recommendation I-20 - see "Step 2" above for OPT recommendation I-20 request instructions.
    • ONLINE FILING: upload the 1^st and 2^nd pages to the "Form I-20" evidence section of the online I-765.
  • Two identical passport photos (2" x 2") taken within 30 days of filing your application with your name and I-94 number written on the back of the photos in a small envelope.
    • ONLINE FILING: you will upload one passport photo. Request a digital copy when you take your photo.
  • Copies of:
    • the bio page of your current passport (include extension page if applicable),
    • current visa (even if it is expired), and
    • I-94.
  • Copies of the 1^st and 2^nd pages (or 1^st and 3^rd pages for I-20s issued before July 2015) of any (including at other institutions) I-20s showing previous SEVIS ID(s) or employment authorization (CPT and/or OPT) to support information listed on page 7 of the I-765.
    • ONLINE FILING: upload these documents to the "Evidence" section of the online I-765 and enter the details in "Additional Information" using the guideline on page 7 of the Sample OPT I-765.
  • If applicable: copy of Form I-797 Approval Notice if you changed your status to F-1 within the U.S.
  • If applicable: front and back copy of any previous EAD card(s).
  • MAIL IN FILING - OPTIONAL: You may attach Form G-1145 (E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance) to the first page of the application to request an e-Notification of the receipt of the application at the USCIS Lockbox facility. There is no filing fee for this service.
    • Make sure you are using the correct edition at "Edition Date" at Form G-1145.
  • You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of your OPT application.

 

TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF YOUR OPT APPLICATION BEING REJECTED OR DENIED BY USCIS, THE OPT APPLICATION PACKET MUST:

• USE USCIS FORMS WITH THE CORRECT EDITION DATE AND CORRECT FILING FEE AMOUNT

• NOT BE RECEIVED BY USCIS MORE THAN 90 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROGRAM END DATE

• BE RECEIVED BY USCIS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE OPT SEVIS RECOMMENDATION DATE (USUALLY THE SAME DATE AS THE I-20 ISSUE DATE LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR I-20) OR 60 DAYS OF YOUR OPT I-20 PROGRAM END DATE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST

OPTIONAL: Premium Processing
Students may file Form I-907 online or by mail for premium processing of their OPT application. The premium processing application may be submitted when you file your I-765 or after you file it. With premium processing, USCIS has 30 calendar days to adjudicate (process) the I-765 application after they determine that they have all the necessary documentation to process the I-765 application. If an RFE or RFI is issued, the 30-day period begins again. The fee is $1,685⁰⁰; in addition to the Form I-765 filing fee. If you file online, you will submit Form I-907 after submitting your I-765. If you file by mail, you may mail both forms at the same time with two separate payments.

OISS recommends you consider USCIS I-765 processing times before deciding to file for premium processing. OPT Form I-765 applications are processed at the Potomac Service Center.

Note:

• You are eligible to remain in the U.S. while your OPT application is pending, even if it is after your 60-day grace period.
• In 2 to 4 weeks USCIS will mail your Form I-797C, Notice of Action (Receipt Notice) with a Receipt Number and Received Date confirming that they have received your OPT application. This does not indicate OPT approval.
  • ONLINE FILING: you will get an email message notification with your receipt number within 24 hours of USCIS accepting your application – you will still get a receipt notice in the mail.
  • If you included Form G-1145 with your application packet, you will get an email and/or text message notification with your receipt number within 24 hours of USCIS accepting your application – you will still get a receipt notice in the mail.
• Check your application status:
  • ONLINE FILING: you may login to your USCIS account to check your application status.
  • Go to Check Case Status on the USCIS website to check the status of your application.
    • You may sign up for an account to receive email updates on your case.
  • After your Receipt Notice is mailed, the status message will remain the same unless USCIS requests more evidence/information or makes a decision on your application.
• You should receive your EAD card within 90 days of the received date on the Receipt Notice if your application is approved.
  • After I-765 approval, the EAD card should be produced within two weeks. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) delivery times after card production vary. It can take up to 30 days from approval before an EAD card is received.
    • Use Check Case Status to find your USPS tracking number for EAD card delivery.
    • If you have not received their EAD card within this timeframe, use e-Request to submit an inquiry.
  • When you receive your EAD card, bring it to OISS for us to make a copy for your records or you may email us a copy of the front and back of the card.
    • If you used OISS as the mailing address on your I-765, we will make a copy of the EAD card when we receive.
  • REMINDER: you cannot start working until you have the actual EAD card.

 

Reporting Requirements