Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

International Student Office and a Form I-20 OPT Requested

1. Complete page one of Optional Practical Training (OPT) Request Form
2. Must have applied for graduation 

3. Receive your OPT-Requested I-20 from the International Student Office

   • Receive new I-20 and screenshot of Curricular Practical Training record.

USCIS Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

1. Be sure to answer all the questions. Enter “N/A "for any questions that do not apply to you. If the question requires a numerical response, enter “none”.
2. Answer item #27 (Code for Post Completion OPT you are applying for) with (C) (03) (B)
3. There is a $470 fee you will have to pay at the time to submit your application online. (Fee is subject to change without notice, so please check for the latest Fee amount for the I-765 application
4. Once I-765 has been received by USCIS, an email receipt will be sent (Form I-797) containing a receipt number assigned to your case.

5. USCIS takes 90-120 days to adjudicate an I-765 OPT application.

   • During this time, you are not authorized to work.
   • If approved, you will receive your EAD in the mail. Do not start working until your EAD arrives.
   • Send a copy of the EAD card to the international Student Office.

Once your OPT Employment Authorization is granted:

• You must present your EAD Card to the ISO. A new I-20 will be printed stating that OPT was approved
• You must report employment information through the SEVP Portal and to the International Student Office.
• You must report any changes in name or address to the College within 10 days.

Students who received a bachelor’s in a STEM OPT eligible program may apply for a 24-month extension of their Post-Completion OPT. You can apply as early as 90 days before your standard OPT EAD card expires. USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before your current OPT EAD Card expires.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, you need to:

• Maintain your F-1 Status
• Currently work in a period of Post-Completion OPT
• Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or System Administration which are Eligible STEM OPT programs

• Have a job offer that meets the following criteria:

  • Job must be directly related to the program of study
  • Employer enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify program
  • Job offers at least 20 hours of work per week
  • Job position is paid
• Student and employer must complete and sign the Form I-983 Training Plan

If your STEM extension is properly and timely submitted your standard EAD is automatically extended 180 days while the STEM extension application is pending.

If approved, the start date will be the day after the end of your standard OPT end date. A new EAD will be issued.

If it’s denied, you must stop working immediately. And a 60-day grace period will automatically begin to either exit the United States, be admitted to

How to apply

1. Have your employer complete and sign the Form I-983 Training Plan. This must be submitted with your application. More information about can be found on the Study in the States webpage, including the PDF version of the form and the instructions for completing the form.
2. Request a new I-20 with “STEM OPT Requested”
3. Apply through USCIS Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)
4. Eligibility category is (C) (03) (C) (STEM Extension)
5. A-number. It is located on your EAD card as “USCIS#”
6. You will need to upload both your STEM extension Requested Form I-20 and your I-983 form.
7. There is a $470 fee you will have to pay at the time to submit your application online. (Fee is subject to change without notice, so please check for the latest Fee amount for the I-765 application
8. Once I-765 has been received by USCIS, an email receipt will be sent (Form I-797) containing a receipt number assigned to your case.