Global Education Office

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is F-1 visa temporary employment authorization for “training directly related to the student's major area of study” for students enrolled in U.S. degree or certificate programs [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)].

Although OPT provides employment authorization, the authorization is for training, which is the process of developing the skills and knowledge that relates to useful competencies or to do a job.

In the information and guidance below the word training is used because that word appears in the term OPT and in the OPT regulations.

There are three kinds of OPT:

1. Pre-completion OPT, for training before you complete the requirements for the degree or certificate listed on your current VCU I-20.
2. Post-completion OPT, for training after you complete the requirements for the degree or certificate listed on your current VCU I-20.
3. STEM OPT is an extension of post-completion OPT available to STEM eligible majors.

The three kinds of OPT are discussed in detail below.

OPT authorization is provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, sometimes called a work card or OPT card). However, you must obtain an OPT I-20 from GEO before you begin your application with DHS.

Yes. Training authorized by OPT must be related to your major.

Students, training organizations, and even other VCU units sometimes use definitions of training that do not necessarily tie the training to the student’s major.

But per the DHS regulation above, OPT training must be “directly related to the student's major."

If your on-campus training will occur before you finish your degree/certificate program, the training can most likely be authorized under On Campus Employment Authorization or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and does not need Pre-OPT work authorization.

If your on-campus training will occur after you finish your degree/certificate program, you will need Post-completion OPT to authorize the training.

If your off-campus training will occur before you finish your degree/certificate program, the training could possibly be authorized under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and does not need Pre-OPT work authorization.

If your off-campus training will occur after you finish your degree/certificate program, you will need Post-completion OPT to authorize the training.

For pre- and post-completion OPT, the maximum allowable authorization is 12 months total.

This does not mean 12 months for pre-completion OPT plus 12 months for post-completion OPT.

It means 12 months total (aggregate) whether for pre- or post-completion OPT.

For STEM OPT, the maximum allowable authorization is 24 months beyond the 12 months maximum allowable time for OPT.

Although OPT provides employment authorization, the authorization is for training, which is the process of developing the skills and knowledge that relates to useful competencies or to do a job.

For pre- and post-completion OPT, the training can be paid or unpaid. If the training is paid, then OPT automatically provides employment authorization for the paid training.

STEM OPT authorizes training that is paid only and so STEM OPT automatically provides employment authorization for the paid training. (You cannot engage in unpaid training during STEM OPT.)

Yes. DHS monitors your eligibility for OPT before and during the application process and throughout the course of the period OPT authorization. Failure to comply with the OPT regulations leads to immediate loss of OPT authorization.    

For the three types of OPT (pre-completion, post-completion, and STEM):

1. You need to obtain an updated VCU I-20 endorsed (marked) for OPT and then submit the updated I-20 to USCIS as part of a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization.
   
   
2. OPT authorization is provided by USCIS in the form an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, sometimes called a work card or OPT card).

Although you require an updated VCU I-20 from GEO to file the I-765 application, OPT authorization is provided by USCIS, an agency of DHS.

No. You do not need a training/job offer in hand to apply for OPT.  You can apply for OPT and look for a training opportunity while USCIS processes the OPT application.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, you must, at the time the I-765 is submitted to USCIS:

1. Be in F-1 status and remain in F-1 status while USCIS processes the I-765 application. Loss of F-1 status for any reason during this time means USCIS will deny the I-765 application.
2. Be within 90 days of being enrolled in full-time study at VCU for at least one academic year in a nonimmigrant status. Example: If you will reach the one academic year of full-time study in a nonimmigrant status on August 15, you can submit the I-765 to USCIS as early as May 17 (90 days before August 15).
3. Have not completed the requirements for the degree or certificate program,
4. Have not been authorized for 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at your current program level.
5. Have not been authorized for 12 months of OPT at your current program level.
   
   

Restrictions on Pre-completion OPT Use

1. You must remain in F-1 status during the OPT period authorized by USCIS. This means you must be enrolled at VCU in a full course of study (FCS) or be authorized by GEO for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) or Full Time Equivalent (FTE). Loss of F-1 status for any reason during this period immediately invalidates the OPT authorized by USCIS.
2. The training must be directly related to the major on your current VCU I-20.
3. Pre-completion OPT authorizes up to 20 hours per week of training during the Fall and Spring semesters and up to 40 hours per week of training during VCU’s scheduled Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks.
4. USCIS will deduct authorized pre-completion OPT from post-completion OPT eligibility as follows: 50% for part-time pre-completion OPT and 100% for full-time pre-completion OPT. This means if you use part-time pre-completion OPT for 2 months, 1 month of Post-completion OPT will be deducted from your available time. If you use full-time Pre-completion OPT, you will have 2 months deducted from your Post-completion OPT.
5. Unused pre-completion OPT authorized by USCIS cannot be returned and applied toward future pre- or post-completion OPT eligibility. This means authorized pre-completion OPT is “use it or lose it”.
6. If you are a graduate student, you may have the ability to combine pre-completion OPT with CPT and On Campus employment authorization but the total number of hours worked under combined authorizations cannot exceed 40 hours per week.

NOTE: The application procedures and number of restrictions on the use of pre-completion OPT can make it a non-ideal form of employment authorization. Alternatives to pre-completion OPT are On Campus Employment Authorization and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Application Process

To apply for pre-completion, OPT, you must do the following in this order:

1. Attend a GEO OPT Workshop.
2. Request an OPT I-20 from GEO. Allow 1-2 weeks for GEO to provide the OPT I-20 to you.
3. Submit the OPT I-20 to USCIS as part of a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. See below 'How do I file an I-765 OPT application?'
   
   

Commence Training

You cannot commence OPT training until you have received the EAD from USCIS.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for post-completion OPT, you must, at the time the I-765 is submitted to USCIS:

1. Be in F-1 status and enrolled without interruption at VCU for at least one academic year in a nonimmigrant interruption. One academic year means two consecutive semesters (Fall + Spring or Spring + Fall)
2. You are within 90 days before, or 60 days after, completing the requirements for the degree or certificate program indicated on your current VCU I-20. Example: If you will complete the program requirements on May 12, you can submit I-765 to USCIS as early as February 12 (90 days before May 12) or as late as July 10 (60 days after May 12).
3. You have not been authorized for 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at your current program level.
4. You have not been authorized for 12 months of OPT at your current program level.
   
   

Restrictions on Use

1. Full-time training is considered to be at least 20 hours/week. Employment opportunities may label this training as part-time but as long as you are working at least 20 hours/week you are considered full-time for the OPT regulations.
2. Post-completion OPT training can consist of one or more training opportunities as long as the total number of hours worked per week is not fewer than 20.
3. Post-completion OPT can be paid or unpaid.
4. The training must be directly related to the major on your current VCU I-20.
5. You are limited to an aggregate of 90 days total of non-training (non-employment) from the effective date on your EAD. Failure to commence training closely tied to the major on your current VCU I-20 by day 90 will render the EAD invalid for use on day 91.
6. Unused post-completion OPT authorized by USCIS cannot be returned and applied toward future OPT eligibility. This means authorized post-completion OPT is “use it or lose it”.

Application Process

To apply for post-completion, OPT, you must do the following in this order:

1. Attend a GEO OPT Workshop.
2. Request an OPT I-20 from GEO. Allow 1-2 weeks for GEO to provide the OPT I-20 to you.
3. Submit the OPT I-20 to USCIS as part of a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. See below “How do I file an I-765 OPT application?”

Commence Training

You cannot commence OPT training until you have received the EAD from USCIS.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for STEM OPT, the CIP code for the major on your current VCU I-20 must appear on the official DHS list of STEM fields at https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2016/stem-list.pdf

In addition, to be eligible for STEM OPT, the following must all be true for you at the time the I-765 is submitted to USCIS:

1. Your post-completion OPT has not expired.
2. You have not been in a period of non-training (unemployment) for more than 90 days in the aggregate starting from the effective date of your post-completion OPT EAD.
3. You and your post-completion OPT training supervisor have completed Form I-983 and returned it to GEO.
   
   

Restrictions on Use

1. STEM OPT training must be full-time and paid. STEM OPT training cannot be part-time or unpaid.
2. STEM OPT training must be closely tied to the major indicated on your current VCU I-20.
3. You are limited to an aggregate of 90 days total of non-training from the effective date on your STEM OPT EAD. Failure to commence training closely tied to the major on your current VCU I-20 by day 90 will render the OPT EAD invalid for use on day 91.
4. STEM OPT must be paid and it must be closely tied to the major field indicated on your current VCU I-20.
5. Unused STEM OPT authorized by USCIS cannot be returned and applied toward future OPT eligibility. This means authorized STEM OPT is “use it or lose it."
   
   

Application Process

1. Request an OPT STEM I-20 from GEO. Allow 1-2 weeks for GEO to provide the OPT I-20 to you.
2. Submit the OPT STEM I-20 to USCIS as part of a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. See below “How do I file an I-765 OPT application?”
   
   

Continue Training

If your I-765 Application for Employment Authorization is submitted to USCIS before the expiration date on the EAD, you are eligible for automatic temporary (180-day) employment authorization while USCIS processes the I-765.

1. Request an OPT STEM I-20 from GEO by submitting the OPT STEM form and I-983. Allow 1-2 weeks for GEO to provide the OPT STEM I-20 to you.
2. Submit the OPT STEM I-20 to USCIS as part of a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. See below “How do I file an I-765 OPT application?”

GEO’s guidance for filing an I-765 OPT application will be provided to you in writing at the time we provide the OPT STEM I-20 to you.

USCIS will process the application.  

For information about current USCIS processing times for an I-765 OPT application go to https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Select Form I-765
Select category “Based on a request by a qualified F-1 student”
Select Potomac Service Center

You should also check your USCIS account for updates on your application.

If USCIS has any questions or concerns about your I-765 OPT application they will contact you about it by regular U.S. mail at the U.S. mailing address you indicate on the I-765.  They will not contact GEO about your I-765 OPT application.  

When USCIS approves the I-765 OPT application, they will let you know through your account and will send an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, sometimes called a “work card” or “OPT card”) to you by regular U.S. mail at the U.S. mailing address you indicate on the I-765. The EAD will have a tracking number.

For pre-completion and post-completion OPT, you cannot start your OPT training until the effective (start) date on the EAD.   You will need the actual EAD in order to commence training.

For STEM OPT (only), if you can present an employer with documentary evidence that your STEM OPT I-765 was delivered to USCIS before the expiration (end) date on your current post-completion OPT EAD, you may be eligible for automatic temporary employment authorization for up to 180 days while USCIS processes the STEM OPT I-765.   

GEO’s guidance about the SEVP OPT portal will be provided to you in writing at the time we provide the OPT I-20 to you. You can find more information here: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevp-portal-help