What is Optional Practical Training?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. You may use some or all of the available 12 months of practical training during your course of study, or save the full twelve months to use after you complete your studies . Authorization for optional practical training is granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)—formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS—and can take at least 90 days and frequently up to 120 days to obtain. It is important that you apply for the authorization at the earliest possible date.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for F-1 Optional Practical Training?

To be eligible to apply for optional practical training, you must:

• have been in full time student status for at least one full academic year preceding the submission of your OPT application
• be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application, and
• intend to work in a position directly related to your major field of study

When should I apply?

• If you are a student completing the first academic year of study (or are in a one year program), the earliest you can submit the application is 90 days prior to the date you complete your first academic year.
• If you are beyond the first year of study, you may submit your application no earlier than 120 days prior to the start date you request for your OPT.
• If you are applying for OPT based on completion of all coursework and/or completion of your academic program, you must submit an application for optional practical training prior to your completion date. Applications received at USCIS after the completion date will be denied.

Important: you must apply for post-completion OPT no later than three weeks before you complete your degree requirements, to allow for adequate processing time. United states citizenship and immigration services (USCIS) will not accept applications received after you have completed your studies.

The OPT card is approved for a specific beginning and end date. You must identify those dates on the OPT Request Form. For OPT after completion of studies or graduation, the beginning date can be no later than 60 days after the date you complete your studies. If you have questions about your OPT dates, please discuss this with your OMIA adviser.

How do I apply for OPT?

OPT must be recommended by the OMIA before submitting the application to USCIS. Your first step is to schedule an appointment with our office. To schedule, call or e-mail the OMIA office at (914) 395-2660 or ddumas@sarahlawrence.edu.

You must provide the following documents:

• the completed OPT request form to be signed by the Associate Dean for Multicultural and International and Affairs.
• the completed I-765 form. (Make certain that the address you put in item #3 will be valid for the next 90 to 120 days as that is where your receipt and employment card will be sent). Mail from USCIS will not be forwarded by the US Postal Service
• A copy of your I-94 form (both sides) and a copy of the visa and identification pages from your passport
• Copies, front and back, of all previous I-20s
• Two recent photographs per the attached instructions from USCIS (see sample). Write your name and SEVIS number in pencil on the back of the photos. Do not cut to size or staple.
• A check or money order for $180 payable to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. If paying by check, be sure that your name and address are printed on it.

OMIA will review your application and submit a recommendation for OPT by updating your record in SEVIS. The SEVIS system will produce a new I-20. A copy of this new I-20 will be sent with your application for Optical Practical Training.