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F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is 12 months of work authorization for F-1 visa students.
Most students apply for Post-Completion OPT to begin work after graduation. However, other OPT options are included below along with Post-Completion OPT. If you have additional questions or are unsure after reading the information provided, we encourage you to meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss the employment options, requirements and answer questions.
Pre-Completion OPT
Pre-completion OPT is work authorization which is available to F-1 students before graduating. Pre-completion OPT can be an option when an off-campus internship or employment opportunity is not considered “integral” to a student’s degree.
F-1 students may take advantage of up to 12 months of OPT per degree level. Both pre-completion and post-completion OPT count toward these aggregate 12 months, meaning that any OPT completed before graduation is deducted from available post-completion OPT. This deduction occurs at a rate of either 50% or 100%, depending on whether the pre-completion OPT was part- or full-time. See the examples below:
- 4 months of full-time, pre-completion OPT: 8 months of post-completion OPT available
- 4 months of part-time, pre-completion OPT: 10 months of post-completion OPT available
During the fall, winter, and spring quarters, pre-completion OPT can only be authorized for part-time work (20 hours/week or less). Pre-completion OPT can be authorized for either part-time or full-time work during summer.
Unlike Curricular Practical Training (CPT), all OPT is authorized by USCIS. This means that an OPT application can take 3 months or more to be processed and approved. You may apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before your intended start date. Note that changing from part-time to full-time, or revert from full-time to part-time, will require a new application.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate or graduate student standing
- Valid F-1 status for at least one academic year
- Good academic standing (2.0 for undergrad students, 3.0 for graduate students)
- International Center recommends your pre-completion OPT in SEVIS and issues you a new I-20 with the requested OPT dates
How to Apply
- Email intlservices@calpoly.edu to schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor
- Obtain an offer letter from your prospective employer will all of the following:
- Start and end dates of employment (may extend into winter/spring breaks)
- Paid or unpaid position
- Part-time (must state 20 hours or less) or full-time
- Full address of the employer
- Brief description of job duties
- Signature of your employer
- Provide the offer letter to your Academic Advisor to determine whether the employment is directly related to your major.
- Gather the documents below and send PDF scans to intlservices@calpoly.edu for review:
- I-94 Electronic Copy – Use the Electronic I-94 Retrieval Form to access your most recent I-94
- Passport Copies - Color scans of your passport:
- Photo, information, and signature page(s)
- Any extensions
- Any/all previous I-20s with CPT authorization for your current degree level (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photo - review the government's photo requirements webpage. The Department of State also has a photo check tool which you can use to check your photo before uploading.
- Previous EAD Card Copies (if applicable) - A color copy of the front/back of any previous EAD card(s)
- Complete the Pre-Completion OPT Request in your International Student Hub. Follow the instructions there for setting up a myUSCIS account and completing the I-765.
- After receiving your Pre-Completion OPT I-20, print and sign in blue ink, upload to your I-765 application via your myUSCIS account, pay your fee, and file. You can track the status of your application directly in your myUSCIS account.
Next Steps
- If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), notify the International Center immediately for assistance
- The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card will be mailed to the address on your I- 765 Form. Your approved employment dates will be listed on your EAD card so you must receive the EAD before you can begin employment
Post-Completion OPT
Eligibility
- Be physically present in the U.S. in valid F-1 status
- Have maintained full-time enrollment for at least one academic year in F-1 status (or other visa status that allows enrollment)
- Have completed the GWR or plan to complete it in your final quarter
- Graduate students may work full-time on OPT concurrently while finishing thesis work as long as all course requirements have been completed
Things to Know
- USCIS can take 1-3 months (sometimes more) to process OPT applications.
- Carefully follow the OPT Application Instructions listed at the bottom of this page.
- After your OPT ends, there is a 60-day grace period to depart the U.S. or have your SEVIS record released to another school.
- You are not authorized to begin employment until your OPT application is approved and you have received your EAD from the DHS.
Timeline
- You can apply for OPT:
- Up to 90 days prior to the end-date of your final term (last day of finals)
- Your application must be received by USCIS no later than 60 days after the end-date of your final term
- NOTE: Average USCIS processing time for OPT applications is 90 days
- The 12 months of OPT will not be authorized beyond 14 months after the end-date of your final term
- After your OPT ends, there is a 60-day grace period to depart the U.S. or have your SEVIS record released to another school
Additional OPT Employment Information
OPT Application Instructions
- At the start of your final quarter, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing the OPT course in Homebase. Completing the Homebase course is a prerequisite for requesting an OPT advising meeting or requesting your OPT I-20.
- Complete the OPT course in Homebase and save a copy of your Completion Certificate.
- Log in to the International Student Hub and complete the OPT Request.
- Upload your Homebase Completion Certificate and complete the required questionnaires
- You will need to enter your Academic Advisor’s information into the Recommendation form so they can confirm you are on track to graduate (grad students may list their Thesis Advisor)
- An International Student Advisor will review your application and issue your OPT I-20 via email.
- While you are waiting for your OPT I-20, prepare the following documents:
- I-94 Electronic Copy – Use the Electronic I-94 Retrieval Form to access your most recent I-94
- Passport Copies - Color scans of your passport:
- Photo, information, and signature page(s)
- Any extensions
- Any/all previous I-20s with CPT authorization for your current degree level (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photo - review the government's photo requirements webpage. The Department of State also has a photo check tool which you can use to check your photo before uploading.
- Previous EAD Card Copies (if applicable) - A color copy of the front/back of any previous EAD card(s)
- After receiving your OPT I-20, register for a USCIS online account and begin the application for Post-Completion OPT.
- Click "My USCIS" then "File a Form Online"
- Select Form I-765, then Post-Completion OPT
- Upload your new OPT I-20 along with the other required documents listed above
- After completing the form, make your payment and submit your application.
- You can track the status of your application via your myUSCIS account. Contact the International Center if you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS.
OPT Employment Rules
- You must wait to receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card in the mail before beginning work.
- You are allowed only 90 days of cumulative unemployment during your authorized OPT period
- You must work in a field related to your major at Cal Poly
- Volunteer work may be counted as employment, and you may have multiple employers
- You are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week
Travel While on OPT
You will need the following documents for re-entry to the U.S.:
- OPT I-20 with a valid travel signature
- Although Form I-20 indicates a validity period of one year for travel signatures, visa regulations set a shorter validity period of 6 months for travel signatures on I-20s used by students on post-completion OPT
- Signed letter from employer including:
- Company name
- Whether job is paid or unpaid (if paid, must list salary to be earned)
- Start and end date of employment
- Brief description of your job duties
- Address of the company (location of where you will work)
- Specific number of hours you will work per week
- Supervisor’s name, email and phone number
- Valid F-1 student visa (entry permit)
- Valid passport
- EAD card
- View the Levels of Risk Grid for traveling during different stages of OPT processing and employment
Change of Address
- If you move while your OPT application is pending, you will need to submit a Change of Address request directly with USCIS. If the EAD card is mailed to an old address, the post office will not forward it to you. It will be returned to immigration and you will have to apply again and repay the fee.
- You may not begin employment until you have received your EAD from the DHS.
- If you move any time during your stay in the U.S. under F-1 status (this includes time on OPT) while on a Cal Poly I-20, you must notify the International Center within 10 days.
- Before you are hired, it is advisable to obtain an employment contract from your employer. This should state the terms of employment such as salary, review schedule, length of employment, and job requirements.
- After OPT is approved, update address, phone, and employer information in the SEVP OPT Portal. SEVP will send you login information to the portal when your OPT is approved. If you do not get an email, email with a copy of your EAD card to intlservices@calpoly.edu so our staff can submit a correction request to SEVP on your behalf.
Reporting Requirements
While on OPT, you are required to keep your address and employment information up to date.
- You'll receive an email from SEVP on or shortly after your OPT start date. Be sure to set up your SEVP Portal account even if you do not yet have a job lined up
- Use this portal to update your address and/or employment information. All updates must be made within 10 days of the change
- If you need to change your email address, email intlservices@calpoly.edu
STEM OPT Extension
The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field. Both you and your employer should review details of the requirements of the program on the Study in the States STEM OPT Hub.
Eligibility
- Review the Eligible CIP Codes for the STEM OPT Extension webpage
- Your major’s CIP Code is located on the first page of your I-20
When to Apply
- No sooner than 90 days before the end date on your current OPT EAD card.
- Mail your application to USCIS so that is received before your OPT EAD end date.
How to Apply
- Complete the STEM OPT online module in Homebase
- Complete the I-983 form with your employer
- Complete the STEM OPT I-20 Request in your International Student Hub
- Click "Non Cal Poly login"
- Log in using your personal email address
- Receive your STEM OPT I-20 and complete the application in you myUSCIS Online account
Reporting Requirements
- Submit Form I-983 within first 12 months of STEM OPT with annual evaluation
- Submit Form I-983 at end of STEM OPT
- Report of changes to your employment, address, email and phone number within 10 days of any change
- Keep the International Center updated with your employment, address, email, and phone number
- STEM OPT Reporting Chart
- STEM OPT General Reporting Requirements
Unemployment
- Do not have more than 150 days of unemployment between your regular OPT and STEM OPT authorized periods combined