Optional Practical Training (OPT)

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Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment authorization most students use after graduation to gain work experience in their field of study.

OPT is granted for a duration of 12 months (extensions are available for STEM majors) per educational level.

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must have been enrolled at Davidson full-time for one full academic year (two consecutive semesters)
  • You must be in lawful F-1 status
  • No job offer is necessary to apply
  • You must be in the U.S. in F-1 status at time of OPT application
  • You must receive a new I-20 from ISE with OPT recommendation
  • Your requested OPT start date can be anytime within the 60 day grace period after your program end date
  • You must submit the OPT I-20 to USCIS within 30 days of the recommendation date

As a reminder, U.S. immigration regulations are subject to change, including policies and benefits that apply to F‑1 visa holders. Federal guidelines can shift with little notice, and these changes may affect eligibility for employment benefits like OPT and STEM Extension as well as other aspects of maintaining lawful student status. Because of this, ISE recommends that you secondary plan in case your preferred option becomes delayed or unavailable.

Steps for Gaining and Maintaining OPT Authorization

Step 1: Gather Materials

Prepare the items below which are required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as part of the OPT application:

  • OPT Advisor Recommendation form (PDF)
  • Online USCIS application, Form I-765
  • Gather $470 to be paid online
    • Fees are subject to change. Check the status of the fee increase before submission of your OPT application to USCIS.
    • Seniors can apply for an Alvarez grant to pay for the OPT fee.
  • A passport photo (2″x2″).
    • Make sure the photo meets U.S. government specifications.
    • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued new guidance that states self-submitted photos will no longer be accepted. Until more guidance is provided about how to get an acceptable photo, keep an eye on your USCIS portal to check for Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
  • Your most recent I-94 record
  • Your most recent F-1 visa
  • Your passport biographical page
  • Copies of all previous I-20s with CPT or OPT (or a different SEVIS ID number)

Step 2: Complete the OPT I-20 Request in WildcatSync

  1. Fill out the OPT I-20 Request in WildcatSync.
  2. Upload the documents to be reviewed by an ISE advisor.
  3. Submit the request form and allow 3-5 days for ISE to issue a new I-20 that will include the OPT recommendation.
  4. ISE will review the request and, if everything is in order, email the new I-20 to you.

If you would like, you may schedule an appointment with an ISE advisor to review the completed OPT application. When you attend the appointment you are expected to have all of the above items (review Step 1) so that the advisor can review the material that is otherwise ready to be submitted to USCIS. ISE recommends that you DO NOT submit the application and payment online until you have received feedback about your materials from an advisor either in-person or by email.

Step 3: Submit the USCIS application and payment

You must submit these to USCIS within 30 days of ISE recommending you for OPT.

  1. Log back into your USCIS account.
  2. Make any necessary changes after feedback from an ISE advisor.
  3. Upload the new I-20 with OPT recommendation.
  4. Submit the application and make the payment. Your application has not been submitted until you have completed the payment.

Step 4: Wait

It will generally take USCIS at least 90 days to process the OPT application and there is no way to expedite the process. For this reason, it is important that you apply for OPT at least three months before you hope to have the work authorization and begin your employment. You may not begin working until your OPT is approved, you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS, and the approved start date arrives.

Step 5: Maintain F-1 Status During OPT

Remember that throughout the entirety of your OPT, your legal immigration status is F-1. If you need to renew your visa, it would be an F-1 visa for which you apply. You must maintain a valid travel signature on your I-20 if you are traveling internationally. Travel signatures are valid for 6 months while on OPT.

Within 2-3 days before/after your approved OPT start date, you will receive an email instructing you to set up your SEVP Portal. The link will expire after 14 days, so do not delay. You are required to report employment and address updates through the portal. While on OPT, students are required to report any of the following within 10 days:

  • A change in name or residential address
  • The name and address of your employer. If you have more than one employer, you must provide each employer's name and address.
  • The name and address of any new employer(s)
  • Any change to any employer's name or address
  • Any period(s) of unemployment, including those days between the end of one job and the beginning of the new job
  • If you decide to cease OPT and depart the U.S. (also report to ISE)
  • If you change to another immigration status in the U.S. (also report to ISE)

Your employment must meet certain requirements:

  • All OPT must be directly related to your major area of study
  • You must work part time (at least 20 hours per week) or full time
  • You are allowed to accrue an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during OPT

After you have entered the employment information on your SEVP portal, please submit a I-20 Travel Signature and Reprint Request in WildcatSync so we can issue an updated I-20 with the employer and email the I-20 to you.