Optional Practical Training

• Types of Optional Practical Training
• Making a Decision Regarding Optional Practical Training

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published its final rule to strengthen and enhance the optional practical training (OPT) program for F-1 international students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. 

Study in the States launched theSTEM OPT Hub in coordination with this new rule to help school officials, F-1 students and interested employers understand the new regulation.

Basic Eligibility Requirements
In order for you to be eligible to apply for OPT, the following criteria have to be met:

1. You must have been enrolled as a full-time student in valid, lawful status for one full academic year directly preceding the training;
2. You must be currently in the United States and in valid F-1 status at the time you submit your application and continue to maintain valid F-1 status;
3. The employment must be directly related to your major field of study, and
4. The employment must be appropriate for someone having your level of education.

You may submit an application for optional practical training up to 90 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year, provided that the period of employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year as indicated by your Advisor at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

The F-1 regulations are very clear on who qualifies for off-campus employment authorization and who does not. Students in exchange programs and students in special/executive programs (i.e. Global Executive MBA, Higher Education Leadership), do not qualify for any type of off-campus paid employment before or after their studies (with the exception of Internship with an International Organization Employment for exchange students) since they do not meet the eligibility requirements for these Immigration benefits.

Exchange program students: In order to qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a student must complete one full academic year (excluding time spent in F-1 status in Intensive English Programs) in F-1 status. In the case of pre-completion OPT, a student must be returning to study in the U.S. after employment. In the case of post-completion OPT, a student must receive a U.S. degree. Exchange Students are not eligible for employment at the end of their exchange year because they are neither returning to study in the U.S. after the employment, nor will they receive a U.S. degree.

Special/Executive program students: In order to qualify for off-campus employment, a student must complete one full academic year (excluding time spent in F-1 status in Intensive English Programs) in F-1 status. Special/Executive program students are not eligible for employment upon completion of their degree because they will not have completed one full academic year in F-1 status.

Types of Optional Practical Training:
OPT is available in the following cases:

(A) Before Completion of Studies:

1. Part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (40 hours per week) during your annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session if you are currently enrolled and intend to register for the next term; or
2. Part-time (20 hours per week) while school is in session; or
3. Part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (40 hours per week) after completion of graduate course requirements (but before completion of a course of study), excluding a thesis or dissertation.

You may apply no earlier than 90 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year, provided that the period of employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year and no earlier than 120 days before the expected start date. The OPT application must be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days of the OPT recommendation being entered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Please use this form to apply for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Click here for a comprehensive timeline of the Pre-completion OPT Application and Approval Process.

(B) After Completion of Studies:
Provided you are completing a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Degree Program at the U.S. institution you are authorized to attend. Post-completion OPT must be at least 20 hours of activity per week.

You may apply no earlier than up to 90 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year and 90 days before the expected degree completion date, provided that the period of employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year, and no later than 60 days after the degree completion date. If you apply for OPT during the 60-day grace period after degree completion, you must submit your OPT application no less than 20 business days before the end of the 60-day grace period in order for USCIS to receive your application by the filing deadline. The OPT application must be filed with USCIS within 30 days of the OPT recommendation being entered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Click here for a comprehensive timeline of the Post-completion OPT Application and Approval Process.

NOTE: You must continue to be registered even if you are preparing a thesis or dissertation and have finished all your course work, including during a summer session if you expect to complete your degree in that summer session. If you fail to maintain your registration, you will forfeit your opportunity for optional practical training.

1. Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request.
2. Form G-1145, “E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance.”
3. Form I-765 Item #3 indicates ISSS address as U.S. Mailing Address in order to ensure timely delivery and for ISSS to review documents for accuracy upon receipt from USCIS and issue you a new Form I-20 if your OPT is approved. We strongly suggest that you do not change the ISSS address to your personal address. Enter eligibility code (c)(3)(A) in item #16 for pre-completion OPT, and (c)(3)(B) for post-completion OPT.
4. Two U.S. Passport-Style Photos. Photos must be taken within the last 30 days and not previously used. Follow specifications on I-765 instructions . Write your name and I-94 number on back of both photos.
5. Original SEVIS Form I-20. Signed by student on page 1.
6. Copy of all previous Form I-20s. Signed by student on page 1.
7. Form I-94. Go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov to download.
8. Copy of Passport Pages. Need biographic data, photo, F-1 visa, and passport page with last entry stamp.
9. Copy of Previously Issued EAD(s). Only if applicable.
10. Money order or cashier’s check for $410.00. Must be made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. You can obtain from your bank, any US Post Office, CVS, or Western Union.

1. Working for one or multiple employers (short or long term).
2. Working on a contractual basis.
3. Working as a self-employed business owner on a full-time basis (with evidence of the proper business license).
4. Working through an agency.
5. Volunteering or holding an unpaid internship (as long as the position does not violate any labor laws).

Reporting of Employer Information and Changes in Address
For the duration of your OPT, you must report your employer information and changes in your local and/or permanent address to ISSS immediately using the Change of Student and Employer Information Form for Students in F-1 Status. ISSS will update this information in SEVIS. If you fail to report your employment, your SEVIS record will auto-terminate after 90 days of your OPT start date.

Limited Periods of Unemployment during Optional Practical Training after Completion of Studies
During post-completion OPT, your F-1 status is dependent upon employment. Once your post-completion OPT begins, you are not allowed to accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT carried out under the initial post-completion OPT authorization. Exceeding this limit may negatively affect your immigration status and future immigration benefits. You are allowed to volunteer or engage in unpaid internships during your post-completion OPT carried out under the initial post-completion OPT authorization, provided that no labor laws are violated and that the volunteer work or internship is for at least 20 hours per week. Volunteering or engaging in unpaid internships will be considered employment during your post-completion OPT carried out under the initial post-completion OPT authorization.

Health insurance through United Health Care
International students who are no longer enrolled at the University but remain in the United States to engage in post-completion F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) may still be insured under the Student Insurance policy if they originally purchased a plan that continues beyond the completion of their studies. To verify the termination date of your insurance plan, please call (=800-436-7709 or log on to www.myuhc.com. If your insurance is no longer in effect, you may enroll for continued insurance.
Enrollments for OPT students for 2016-2017 will be done via Wells Fargo Insurance Services.

1. Complete the appropriate enrollment form and mail or fax to:
   10940 White Rock Road, 2nd Floor
   Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
   Fax: 877-612-7966
2. Enrollments can also be taken by phone by calling Wells Fargo Insurance Services at 800-853-5899. Customer care representatives are available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (PST).
3. Once your request is processed (approximately 3 weeks after sending the form), you will receive the insurance card in the mail. Once payment is accepted and enrollment has been competed, you will be able to print a temporary card at www.myuhc.com . You will need your United Healthcare subscriber number which can be obtained by calling (800) 436-7709. Please refer to group # 709872 when calling to obtain your subscriber number.
4. Wells Fargo Insurance Services will verify your eligibility with the Office of International Students and Scholar Services, and if unable to verify will return any paid premium. (requires employment authorization document (EAD) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for F-1, Form I-20 Form for F-1 students.
5. Wells Fargo Insurance Services will notify you only if there is an issue with the form or if you are denied by sending you a cancellation letter and payment will be returned.

• International Scholars, Observers and OPT/ Academic Training Insurance Enrollment Form

Although insurance coverage can continue during OPT, access to the Student Health Service is limited to enrolled students. Expenses incurred off-campus will be subject to deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance. Please review the United Healthcare schedule of benefits for information on benefits, exclusions and limitations of coverage or contact the Student Health Service at studenthealth@miami.edu for additional information.

Travel Outside of U.S. While Engage in Optional Practical Training before Completion of Studies
Before completing your studies, you must present the following documents to USCIS at the port-of-entry in order to seek reentry to the U.S.:

1. SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel by your ISSS advisor within the last 12 months;
2. Valid passport; and
3. Valid F-1 visa.

1. SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel by your ISSS advisor;
2. Form I-797 receipt notice for pending application for EAD issued by USCIS;
3. Valid passport; and
4. Valid F-1 visa.

1. SEVIS Form I-20, endorsed for travel by your ISSS advisor within the last six months;
2. EAD issued by USCIS;
3. Valid passport;
4. Valid F-1 visa; and
5. A letter from the U.S. employer regarding the employment for optional practical training.

H-1B Cap-Gap Extension
Duration of status and work authorization will be automatically extended for a student on OPT who is the beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition requesting change of status and an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year. The extension of duration of status and work authorization automatically terminates upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition filed on the student's behalf.

To request an updated I-20 for H-1B cap-gap extension, please complete the OPT and STEM OPT Reporting for Students in F-1 Status.

Students on H-1B cap-gap extension must continue to report all changes of name and address, and interruptions of employment just like all other students on OPT.

Additional Resources:
Employment Eligibility Verification and Form I-9 Information for F-1 Students.

Employment Eligibility Verification and Form I-9 Information for Employers of Students in F-1 Status.