International Graduate Student Services
Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students

When can you apply for Optional Practical Training?
Checklist for application
OPT application packet
Traveling while on OPT
Frequently asked questions and answers

When can you apply for Optional Practical Training?

Immigration regulations require that students be enrolled full time every semester. The only exceptions are (a) if a student is already on OPT before the beginning of the semester or (b) if a student has been pre-approved for reduced enrollment in his/her final semester (less than 9 hours).

Students who have been in F-1 status for at least 9 months (two academic semesters) are eligible for optional practical training (OPT), which is a temporary employment authorization in their major field of study for purposes of gaining practical experience. Students may receive twelve months of practical training for each higher academic level (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate).

Students may apply for authorization for optional practical training directly related to their major area of study in the following cases:
 

• Pre-completion OPT during summer vacation. Students must intend to register for the next semester. It is advisable to have a job offer at the time of application in this case. The job can be full or part-time. Apply 90 days before you wish to begin work.

• Pre-completion OPT while school is in session. Must maintain full time enrollment. Practical training may not exceed twenty hours a week. Should have a job offer before applying, and cannot hold any on-campus positions simultaneously. Apply 120 days before you wish to begin work

• Pre-completion OPT after completion of all course requirements except thesis or dissertation, or final project requirements for non-thesis students. OPT is authorized to be worked before the student’s program end. Should have a job offer before applying. Apply 120 days before you wish to begin work.
• If degree requirements will not be completed before the program end date on the I-20, must request an extension of program.
• If less than 12 month allotment of OPT is used, must apply for remaining OPT time. Requires new OPT application and fee.
• Students cannot enroll full time during this employment period; the maximum enrollment allowed is 6 hours.
• If students are not enrolled at all during this OPT period, a Leave of Absence from should be filed with the academic department and the Graduate School, for academic purposes.

• Post-completion OPT after program end date
  • Apply no more than 90 days before the completion of the program, but no later than 60 days after program completion (during the grace period).
  • OPT must begin within 60 days of program completion, even if you apply during the 60 day grace period.
  • Students carrying 3 or more course work hours may NOT begin OPT before the end of the semester.
  • Students on assistantships, and any other students enrolled for full time hours, including research hours, cannot begin OPT before the end of the semester or the end of their assistantship contract, whichever date is later.

 

Extensions of OPT may be filed for a

• Cap gap extension if you have been approved for H1b during post-completion OPT but you will have a gap between when your OPT ends and when the H1b status begins.
• 17 month STEM extension if you graduated with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math, and meet USCIS requirements while on post-completion OPT. ONE extension is permitted, whether at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level. Once used, there is no other STEM extension available.

 

Upon completion of all the attached forms, an international advisor will review your application and decide either to recommend or not recommend your application for submission to USCIS for adjudication. A new SEVIS I-20 will be issued indicating the recommendation by the international advisor for the OPT.

Please note:

• Your OPT will be terminated if/when you transfer to another school or enroll in another degree program.
• You may NOT work during any gap between your program completion date and the beginning of your authorized OPT.

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Checklist for application

1. I-765 (completed in blue ink and signed by you)
2. SEVIS I-20 form bearing an OPT recommendation by a DSO. You also must bring in all previously issued I-20 forms and have them copied at the time you submit your application for review.
3. Passport and I-94 card (these will be copied and immediately returned to you at the time when you submit your application)
4. Payment check made payable to Department of Homeland Security-- the fee is $340
5. Recommendation letter from your department on VT letterhead
6. Two color photos (please follow the instructions included in the application packet)

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OPT application packet

Please print out all the following forms as they are all necessary for the application:

• OPT application cover page
• Eligibility and application requirements
• Tips for completing the I-765 form
• I-765 form
• Sample letters for recommendation for OPT
• Photo specifications
• Change of address form
• OPT Options Table

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Traveling while on OPT

You will need the following documents if you travel outside of the U.S. while you are on Optional Practical Training. All of these are necessary when you reenter the U.S.:

1. Valid F-1 visa
2. Valid passport
3. SEVIS I-20 form endorsed for travel
4. OPT authorization card from USCIS
5. Letter from employer stating job offer and conditions of employment

Frequently asked questions and answers

 

What are immigration requirements for enrollment if I am near the end of my degree program?

International graduate students are required to maintain full time hours with few exceptions. One exception is if you are in your final semester, and need less than full time hours to complete your Plan of Study, and you are NOT on assistantship. If this is your situation, you must complete a Request for Reduced Enrollment Form (link), have your advisor sign it stating that you will finish degree requirements by the end of the semester, and submit it to us BEFORE the beginning of your final semester. If approved, you will be allowed to enroll for either Defending Student Status (DSS), or 3 credit hours, or the number of hours required to complete your Plan of Study (if more than 3 hours).

Are there any requirements for Defending Student Status that are different for international students and domestic students?

International students may defend any time during the semester using DSS, IF your principal activity is other than being an F-1/J-1 student enrolled full-time in pursuit of a degree.  Examples would be students already on OPT or Academic Training or in H-1 status returning to the university solely to defend, or students returning from their home country for a defense (using B-1 or B-2 or visa waiver program).

International students who defend within the first 15 days of the semester may use DSS to fulfill immigration requirements IF you begin your OPT before the beginning of the semester, or change to a different visa status within 60 days of your defense and submission of ETD, or leave the U.S. within 60 days of defense and ETD submission.

Scheduling of the final examination and defense means that you have completed all work on the thesis/dissertation and the only thing left is the taking of the final examination and defense.

International students who have some work remaining on their thesis or dissertation and who plan to defend any time during the semester are required to enroll for 3 credit hours. The 3-hour enrollment documents your need to be physically present on campus for the semester, utilizing university resources and pursuing degree requirements (which are required for continued eligibility for F-1/J-1 status).

"Date admitted to the U.S." Is this the last time?

This is the last time when you were inspected and admitted to the U.S. A stamp in your passport and on your I-94 card shows the last date and place of entry.

When was I first granted F-1 status? When I got my visa at the consulate?

You were first granted F-1 status when you entered the U.S. in F-1 status for the first time, or when USCIS first approved a change of status to F-1 from any other visa status.

Can I change jobs during OPT?

Yes, you can, as long as the job is related to your area of study. You must provide employment information to IGSS as soon as you are offered and accept employment, and report any changes in employment within 10 days, using the Change of Address for SEVIS form.

What if I don't have a job when I apply for OPT, or lose my job while on OPT?

Students on post-completion OPT may have up to a total of 90 days of unemployment during the 12 month OPT period. If you use the 90 days before your OPT period ends, your OPT will be terminated by USCIS.

Students with an approved cap-gap extension also are subject to the 90 day period of unemployment.

Students who receive a 17-month STEM extension are given an additional 30 days of unemployment for a total of 120 days over the entire post-completion OPT period.

What if I move after I submit the OPT application to USCIS?

You will have to notify USCIS in writing of your change of address. Unfortunately documents from USCIS are not forwarded to a new address by the postal service but are returned to USCIS. If you know you will move within a few days or weeks after you submit your application, give a P.O.Box address or someone's address whom you trust where you will be able to receive correspondence and your OPT authorization from USCIS. Also remember that you are now obligated to report address changes and employment information to us, and in turn we update your information in SEVIS.

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Can I split up my time on OPT?

Maybe. If you want to do summer OPT or apply for OPT before thesis/dissertation and defense, then this is considered pre-completion OPT. You can use part of your 12 month maximum eligibility for pre-completion OPT, and then apply for any remaining time as post-completion OPT when you complete your degree requirements. Please come by our office to discuss your plans with one of our designated school officials.

What if I don't use all my OPT because I go back to school?

Your OPT will be cancelled if you transfer to a new school (as of the transfer release date) or begin a new degree program at VT. (program start date on new I-20 form).

Can I go home just before I complete my degree?

You should not travel outside the U.S. right before your graduation unless you already have an approved OPT and a job offer in your hand. If you leave the U.S. after you have applied for OPT but before receiving the authorization or before even applying for OPT, you may not be able to return to the U.S., and thus lose your practical training.

What if I want to travel during OPT. Do I need to get a travel signature from VT?

Yes, you do. You will have to bring or send your I-20 form to us for travel endorsement. We will mail the signed I-20 form back to you to the address you specify. Please allow sufficient time for mailing, or send us a self-addressed stamped priority or express mail envelope for faster service. We mail documents by regular first class mail.

What if I need to renew my visa while on OPT?

If you need to renew your F-1 visa while on OPT, your visa will be limited by the time remaining on your OPT. Be sure you have a valid travel signature before leaving the U.S.

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Do I need to report my address changes to VT and USCIS while I'm on OPT?

Yes, you need to report to us if/when your address changes while you are on OPT.  Our mailing address is:

International Student Services
Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown
Graduate School (0325)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Where can I learn more about the new OPT regulations and the cap gap extension and STEM extension?

Please read the NEW OPT Procedures for F1 students.