Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• You must have a degree in a STEM field. You can check if your degree qualifies by comparing the CIP code number of your major (on page 1 of your I-20 under "Program of Study - Major 1") to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
• You must be paid while on the STEM OPT extension. You may not "volunteer" for the employer. There must be a direct employer/employee relationship, so you cannot be your own employer.
• The employer may not be your "employer" in name only. The employer must complete an I-983 OPT Training Plan and identify a staff person who will monitor your progress while on the STEM OPT extension. 
  • The "personnel" who provides and supervises the training experience may be either employees of the employer, or contractors who the employer has retained to provide services to the employer; they may not be employees or contractors of the employer's clients or customers.
  • The employer may not fulfill its training obligation by having the student make periodic telephone calls or send periodic emails to describe and discuss their experiences at a client or customer of the employer.
• The STEM OPT employer must be an E-Verify Employer. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. 
• The training experience must take place on-site at the employer's place of business or worksite(s). U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has authority to conduct employer site visits to ensure that the employer is meeting program requirements; if the student is sent to different worksite locations as part of the training opportunity, ICE must be able to access such worksite locations.
• Online or distance learning arrangements may not be used to fulfill the employer's training obligation to the student.
• Staffing and temporary agencies may employ students under the STEM OPT program only if they will be the entity that provides the practical training to the student at its own place of business and have a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student. For instance, a student could work for such an entity's IT department. Such entities may not, however, assign or contract out students to work for one of their customers or clients, and assign, or otherwise delegate, their training responsibilities to the customer or client.

If you are applying for pre-completion OPT, you can file your application 90 days before you wish to start working. You can only work:

• During your annual vacation or when school is not in session if you intend to register for the next term or session.
• While school is in session provided that you do not work more than 20 hours a week.
• Full-time after completion of all course requirements for your degree (excluding thesis/dissertation or equivalent).

If you are an undergraduate student applying for post-completion OPT, you may apply 90 days prior to graduation and no later than 60 days after the end of your academic program.

You may only work after you have fully completed your program of study.

If you are a graduate student applying for post-completion OPT, you can apply 90 days prior to graduation and no later than 60 days after the end of your academic program. Your program completion date can be one of the following:

• The last day of your last term
• The date that all requirements (thesis/dissertation) have been completed
• The date that all coursework has been completed, but not your thesis/dissertation

In cases where the requested OPT start will be after the last day of your last term of study, the program completion date will be your term graduation date.

If you are applying for the 24 month STEM extension, you may apply 90 days prior to the expiration of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and no later than your EAD's expiration.

All international students must read through our UC International OPT Seminar prior to applying for OPT. There are no exceptions to this policy.

You will be asked to provide the following information:

• Whether you are filing for pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, or the STEM extension
• Your degree level
• Your proposed start and end date for employment
• If you have a current job offer
• If you have applied for OPT before

As a part of the application, you will upload the following documents as one PDF:

• I-20s that show past CPT or OPT authorizations.
  • If you've never done CPT or OPT before, you will not upload additional I-20s.    
• Passport
• Visa
• Most recent I-94
• Official university transcript
• One passport-style photo. Taken within the last 30 days.

STEM OPT Extension applicants will need to complete an I-983 Training Plan.

The application will explain who you need to contact for your degree level and college. Email your academic advisor to let them know that you are sending the request.

Advisor approval is not required for STEM OPT Extension applications.

You must send this request within 30 days of your OPT appointment (60 days for STEM OPT Extension applicants), but no more than 90 days prior to the expiration date listed on the new I-20 you received during that appointment.

It may take around 90 days for your OPT request to be processed. You can check your status on the USCIS website.

When applying for OPT, including pre-completion, post-completion or the 24-month STEM extension, you can now request premium processing to ensure quick approval of the application. Premium processing will ensure that a decision is made on the application within 30 business days. The cost for premium processing is $1,500.

• Students who have immediate start dates for OPT (30 days or less) should certainly consider paying the premium processing fee.
• Students with no job offers or start dates that are more than 30 days away might want to consider the necessity for paying the premium processing fee.
• Students applying for the STEM OPT extension can work for 180 days on the receipt notice, so premium processing may not be necessary unless a quick approval is needed for things like travel.

Use the online I-907 form to request premium processing.

Upload a copy of the EAD using the "Update Immigration/Visa Documents" form in the Biographical Information tab.

You may not start OPT employment until DHS approves the application and provides you with an EAD.

You can update your US residential address directly in the SEVP portal.

To update your employer details, complete the OPT Employment Update eForm in iBearcatsGlobal. If you are on the 24-month STEM OPT extension, a new I-983 Training plan is required.

All changes must be made within 10 days.

• If you remain unemployed for 90 (regular OPT) or 150 days (STEM OPT), your F-1 status will be terminated. You must keep UC International Services informed of any loss of employment on OPT.
• Every 6 months you are required to verify your employment status with UC International Services.
• Students on the STEM OPT extension are required to have an evaluation using the I-983 form at the 12 and 24-month points of their STEM OPT training period.
  
• If you decide to stop working on OPT and return to school, you must notify UC International Services immediately and give us the name of the school you will attend. Your OPT ends when your SEVIS record is transferred.

If your immigration status changes while on OPT (i.e. H-1B, Permanent Residence), you must inform UC International Services immediately.

Fill out the Notification of Change of Immigration Status eForm at iBearcatsGlobal, under the Biographical Information tab.

You may NOT travel outside the United States while your 12-month OPT application is pending at the USCIS. You can travel while the 24-month STEM OPT application is pending. You may travel once you receive your EAD card.

You will need the following in order to re-enter the US:

1. Unexpired passport
2. Unexpired F-1 visa* (unless visa exempt)
3. The back of your I-20 signed for travel (signed within the past six months)
4. Your EAD card (or receipt)
   
5. A letter from your employer stating you are currently employed (or a recently dated paycheck).

*If your visa has expired, you will need to present all the documents above (except #2 and include salary in #5) to the US Consulate/Embassy to obtain a new visa stamp. Please consult with a UC International advisor prior to traveling in such circumstances. Obtaining a new visa at this stage may be difficult.

This scenario is known as the H-1B "Cap Gap": when you've received an approved H-1B petition, but your F-1 status expires before your H-1B.

If this happens to you, you do not need to leave the United States. Instead, provide UC International with proof that you have received an H-1B approval using the Cap Gap I-20 eForm in iBearcatsGlobal. We will issue a new I-20 showing an OPT recommendation that covers the "cap-gap" period.

The US government considers starting your own business in the United States, also known as entrepreneurship, as work.

If you are an F-1 student who plans to start your own business in the United States, you must obtain work authorization to start the business. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the only realistic work authorization that can be used to start your own business.

• You cannot be your own employer for the purpose of the STEM OPT extension.
• You cannot operate your own business, engage in business, or receive revenue, compensation or salary until you have work authorization. 
• You need work authorization to run your own business, even if you forego any compensation, revenue, or salary. 
• You cannot write books or blogs to generate income without work authorization.

If you want to start your own business while on OPT, do your research. 

If your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card for OPT contains an error, you must correct the error to avoid problems in the future. Return the original EAD card to get it corrected. The most common errors include:

• Misspelling of a name
• Incorrect date of birth
• Incorrect employment dates
• Improper work code

USCIS Error

1. Write a letter to USCIS explaining the situation
   In your letter, include: 
   1. The date;
   2. The address of the USCIS office as indicated on your approval notice;
   3. Your personal identifying information: 
      1. Full name as indicated on your I-20, 
      2. Date of birth, 
      3. SEVIS ID number, 
      4. USCIS Receipt Number for the OPT EAD with the error;
   4. A detailed explanation of your situation (that the EAD was issued with incorrect dates);
   5. A statement indicating that you have enclosed supporting documentation on the correct information (for example, your incorrect EAD card and the dates that should instead have been on your EAD card, a copy of your previous Post-Completion OPT I-20 and previous Pre-Completion OPT EAD card);
   6. A statement requesting USCIS to mail the new corrected EAD card to you;
   7. The US address that you would like the new EAD card to be mailed to;
   8. Your signature.
2. Photocopy your supporting documentation
   Make a photocopy of the original incorrect EAD card and your letter for your records before mailing to USCIS.
3. Send your correction request to USCIS
   Send your letter, EAD card with the error, and other supporting documents via FedEx or UPS so that you can track the package. Keep a copy the shipment tracking information for your records. Your approval notice for the EAD card with the error must have the correct address.

Not a USCIS error

If your EAD contains incorrect information that is not due to a USCIS error, you must submit:

• A new Form I-765,
• the filing fee
• any documents specified in the form instructions, and
• the card containing the error

In both cases, USCIS will issue a corrected EAD normally within 30-45 days of receiving the request. Your ability to begin or continue work during the correction process will depend on your employer and how they interpret I-9 laws.

Lost, stolen or missing EAD

If your EAD is lost, stolen or destroyed, you may request a replacement EAD by filing a new Form I-765 and filing fee (if required).

If your EAD has never been received in the mail, and request that USCIS research your case and try to determine what happened to your EAD. They will provide further instructions about your next steps if the EAD can’t be located.