Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training is designed to give the student work experience in their field of study before they go back to their home country.
MAJOR STIPULATIONS FOR OPT
- The student must apply for OPT prior to finishing their academic degree.
- The student also may travel while OPT is pending, but once approved, he or she cannot travel until employment has been secured in the U.S.
PRECONDITIONS
- Student must be lawfully enrolled with an F-1 Visa.
- The duration should be a cumulative maximum of 12 months during any uninterrupted stay in F-1 status.
- Students may request OPT after being lawfully enrolled in F-1 status for 9 months.
- OPT must be related to the student’s field of study.
- The student does not need to have a job to apply.
- The student must apply and receive the EAD (work authorization card) with the assistance of the Designated Signing Official (DSO) before work may begin.
PROCEDURE FOR OPT
Submit a completed Request for Optional Practical Training Form to the International Office with the following documents.
- Completed Form I-765. (Application for Employment Authorization marked with the code [c] [3] [i]).
- Check to Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $340.
- Ten Dollar ($10) shipping fee (make checks payable to ORU).
- Photocopies of all prior form I-20.
- A copy of both sides of your I-94.
- Photocopies of passport.
- Letter from the academic advisor
- Two ADIT summary photos (access www.passport.com or www.uscis.gov for more information).
- Transcript from the Registrar’s Office.
Duration of employment authorization
- Employment authorization will begin on the date requested or the date the employment authorization is adjudicated, whichever is later.
- Exception: The employment authorization period for the 17-month OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization, and ends 17 months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved.
Reporting Requirements while on OPT
All students on OPT are required to report to the DSO:
- any change of name or address, or
- any interruption of such employment
In addition, students with an approved 17-month OPT extension:
- Must report to the student's DSO within 10 days of any change of:
- legal name
- residential or mailing address
- employer name
- employer address, and/or
- loss of employment.
- Must make a validation report to the DSO every six months starting from the date the extension begins and ending when the student's F-1 status ends, the student changes educational levels at the same school, the student transfers to another school, or the 17-month OPT extension ends, whichever is first. The validation is a confirmation that the student's name and address, employer name and address, and/or loss of employment is current and accurate. The report is due to the DSO within 10 business days of each reporting date.
Limited Periods of Unemployment to Maintain Status
- During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment.
- Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT carried out under the initial post-completion OPT authorization.
- Students granted a 17-month OPT extension may not accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 29 month OPT period.
APPROVALS
All documentation should be collected by the student and submitted to the DSO for review before they send to the government to be considered for OPT authorization. If a decision to approve is made, the student will receive an EAD (work authorization) card. Processing time is typically 2-4 months. Application must be received before the student’s program end date.
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