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Optional Practical Training
Basic Description:
As an F-1 student, you may apply to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for authorization for 12 months of temporary employment for Optional Practical Training (OPT). The employment should be directly related to your major area of study and commensurate with your degree level. To be eligible for OPT, you must be in legal F-1 status at the time of application and have completed one academic year as a full-time student (not necessarily in F-1 status). OPT can be authorized at the following times:
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After completion of your studies (most students choose this option)
IMPORTANT! If choosing this option, your OPT application must be received by the DHS service center no later than 60 days after your program completion date. However, it is strongly recommended to apply before you complete your studies. Also, your 12 months of OPT must be completed within 14 months of the date of completion of your studies. or -
Before completion of your studies in one of the following three situations:
Part-time (20 hours a week or less) during the fall or spring semesters
Full or part-time during summer vacation if you are currently enrolled and intend to register for the following semester
Full-time during fall or spring if you have completed all coursework and are in the thesis, dissertation or comprehensive exams only phase of your degree
How to Apply:
You apply for OPT to DHS by first making a request for the authorization to a Designated School Official (DSO) in the Texas State International Office. The DSO will make a new I-20 that certifies you as eligible for OPT. You may apply up to 90 days before completion of your studies, and since DHS processing times may be lengthy, we recommend that you apply early. Before meeting with the DSO you will need to prepare for the appointment. (see below)
Appointment Checklist:
- The Statement of Responsibility Form signed and dated by you
- Your passport, I-94 card, and current I-20
- Completion of Degree Form signed by your department.
- Completed Form I-765 (download I-765 form instructions)
DO NOT leave any questions unanswered. Use “NA” (Not Applicable) or “none” as needed
DO NOT fill in Question #3 (address in United States). We will use our office address.
Question 16 should be coded (c)(3)(A) for Pre-completion OPT or (c)(3)(B) for Post-completion OPT - Personal check payable to “Department of Homeland Security” for $340
(Do not make check payable to “DHS” or “DHS”) - 2 passport photos (Click here for photo specification)
The International Office will mail the packet for you, however, if you prefer to mail it yourself, mail to:
(I-765 EAD)
DHS
P. O. Box 851041
Mesquite, TX 75185-1041
Once authorization to engage in optional practical training is granted and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued, it may not be rescinded or canceled. This means that, after optional practical training is authorized by DHS, unexpected delays in completing degree requirements, inability to find an appropriate job, or loss of a job may reduce the time you have available for work.
Employment cannot begin until you have received an EAD card and the start date on the card has been reached. You may change employers after you have begun authorized employment provided the new job is also directly related to your major field of study and commensurate with your degree level.
If you transfer to another school or begin study at another educational level, your authorization to engage in OPT employment is automatically terminated when the new program begins. In other words, the program start date on the new I-20 (as opposed to the transfer “release date”.)
If you travel outside the United States during your optional practical training period, upon reentry you must present your EAD and your Form I-20 (Student Copy) properly endorsed within six months by the Designated School Official (DSO) from the International Office. Students who do not meet both these requirements may not be allowed to reenter the United States.
If you are coming back to the United States after completion of studies and you do not already have a job, you may have trouble entering the United States, especially if a long period of time has passed since you completed your studies. Be sure to consult with the DSO when contemplating travel outside the United States and reentry to continue optional practical training. Travel following completion of studies and before the EAD is received is not recommended.
You are allowed one year of optional practical training per degree level during your time as an F-1 student. You become eligible for another 12 months of OPT if you change to a higher educational level. For example, if you are in a bachelors program, you will be authorized 1 year of practical training, and become eligible for another year of practical training when you change to a higher educational level.
You may also become eligible for another twelve months of optional practical training if you spend at least five months outside the United States and then return in F-1 status to begin a new program. Students who change from F-1 to H1-B and then back to the same F-1 program are not eligible for a new twelve-month period.
17-month extension of post-completion OPT for students with a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree. Consistent with paragraph 214.2(f)(11)(i)(C), a qualified studentmay apply for an extension of OPT while in a valid period of post-completion OPT. The extension will be for an additional 17-months, for a maximum of 29 months of OPT, if all the requirements are met. For more information visit our website at www.international.txstate.edu or set up an appointment with an advisor.
Effect of periods of unemployment while on OPT. During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. During any initial 12-month period of post-completion OPT, no student may be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days. Employment during this period is considered to be traditional paid employment, volunteer work, and unpaid or paid internship.
When you begin work, you and your employer must complete a form entitled “Employment Eligibility Verification” [DHS Form I-9], which the employer retains.
In general, F-1 students who have been in the United States less than five years are exempt from social security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. Your earnings are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Students must file a tax return on or before April 15th of each year. Students may be entitled to a refund of taxes withheld from their wages if the amount of tax owed is less than the amount withheld. Please consult the Internal Revenue Service and/or a qualified tax consultant if you have tax questions.
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