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Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an extension of F-1 student status that allows international students to work in the United States in order to gain practical experience.   Any OPT employment must be directly related to the student's field of study and commensurate with his/her degree level.  The OPT must be recommended by the International Student Advisor, and it must be authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service(CIS – Division of the Department of Homeland Security).

Please review the following FAQs for a brief overview of OPT rules and procedures. Any student seeking to obtain OPT Authorization, should contact the ISSO to make an OPT appointment up to four months before the expected start date of the OPT employment.

Optional Practical Training FAQs

Who is eligible for an OPT?

In order to apply for OPT, students must have been in lawful, full-time student status for at least one full academic year.  OPT can be done as Pre-Completion (before completion of studies) or Post-Completion (after completion of studies), full or part-time. 

Do I have to have a job to apply for OPT?

No. Optional Practical Training is not specific to an employer. OPT authorization allows you to work for one or more employers as long as your duties are related to your field of study.

Once on OPT, can I work full time?

During your post-completion OPT, you can work as little or as may hours as your employer(s) require. If you are doing pre-completion OPT, you can work up to 20 hours during the academic semester but full-time during the summer and winter break.

How long can I work on OPT?

You are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT for each degree level (B.A, M.A., Ph.D.), but this is NOT possible if you receive your M.A. on the way to obtaining your Ph.D. while enrolled in a Ph.D. program.  You must specify the dates for your OPT when applying for authorization.

When can I apply for an OPT?

The earliest your application for OPT can be submitted is 90 days prior to your program end date. As OPT is not specific to an employer; you do not need a job offer in order to apply for OPT. It is highly recommended to apply early for OPT. The OPT process can take one to three months, so be sure to plan ahead.

How can I apply for an OPT?

The following is meant to be a rough guide to the OPT application process. However, we strongly recommend that you make an appointment with an ISSO advisor to go over the OPT details and how policies and processes will apply to your specific case.

Step 1: Contact the ISSO to make an appointment with an International Student Advisor. Make sure to mention that you would like an appointment to prepare for your OPT Application and give a few dates and times when you are available.

Step 2: Obtain your Academic Advisor's Recommendation (PDF) . This form must be completed and signed by your Academic Advisor before the ISSO can begin processing your OPT Request.

Please make sure that the form is signed by the appropriate advisor:

UNDERGRADUATES: Must be signed by either your faculty advisor for your major and/or your class advisor.
IBS: Must be signed by Karen Muise
SID: MA Students - must be signed by Professor Christine Espinoza
MS Students - Ravi Lakshmikanthan or Doris Breay
OTHER HELLER PROGRAMS: Ravi Lakshmikanthan or Doris Breay
GSAS: Must be signed by your faculty advisor

Step 3: Bring the following documents to your appointment with your International Student Advisor:

• All your I-20 documents that you have been issued. This includes I-20s from institutions you attended before attending Brandeis.

• Any OPT card you may have been issued in the past.

• Your valid passport which contains your visa and I-94 card.

• The completed Academic Advisor Recommendation (PDF) form.

• Completed I-765 form (PDF). Please read the instructions for the form carefully. OPT Authorizations can be delayed significantly for seemingly minor errors in filling out the I-765. The following is a short list of hints for filling out the I-765:

Line 1: Make sure that your last name is spelled out in all capital letters . But your first name should be spelled out with only the first letter in caps. (For example: SMITH, John)
Line 3: We recommend that you use the ISSO address because CIS will not forward mail if you move. Also, the postal service may not deliver your card if your name is not on the mailbox.
C/O ISSO 415 South Street MS 040
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
Line 10: This is your I-94 number – the white card in your passport, include 11 digits total
Line 11: complete this only if you have applied for OPT before (or TN visas or previous H-1B visas); CPT does not apply – you can check NO if you have only done CPT and on-campus employment
Line 12 and 13: This information is found on your I-94 card
Line 14 and 15: Write “student”
Line 16: “(C) (3) (A)” –This is the code for pre-completion practical training
“(C) (3) (B)” – Post-Completion Optional Practical Training
“(C) (3) (C)” – 17-month extension for STEM Students

•Two copies of a recent 2 inch X 2 inch passport photo.

•Your checkbook.

Your International Student Advisor will explain OPT procedures and rules in detail and how they would apply in your particular situation, help you select your OPT dates, make copies of your documents for your OPT packet and submit request for a new I-20 with an "OPT Authorization Request".

Step 4: You receive an email notifying you that your new I-20 with the OPT Authorization Request is ready.

Step 5: Come to the ISSO to sign your new I-20. ISSO staff will make copies of your signed I-20 to make a completed OPT packet that you can then submit to the Vermont Service Center.

Step 6: Mail your OPT packet by Return Receipt Requested, Certified Mail, Priority Mail or Express Mail to the following address:

Step 7: In approximately two to three weeks, CIS will send you a Form I-797 Notice of Action indicating that they have received your application and your case will be decided within 90 days. You may hear before that time. It will have a tracking number for your application and will look something like EAC-11-222-3333. You may check the status of your application on line at www.USCIS.gov . Look for the case status on line link (enter the EAC# in the manner above).

Step 8: If approved, CIS will send your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card to the ISSO or to the address provided on the I-765. If CIS has a question regarding your application before approval, it will send you a "Request for Evidence." We recommend contacting the ISSO so that we may advise you on how to respond.

How long does it take to get OPT Authorization?

In 2006, OPT processing times for some students were closer to three months, though there is no guaranteed of actual processing times for this year.  OPT applications cannot be expedited.  Current average processing times for applications are listed on the http://www.uscis.gov/ web site under the Vermont Service Center.  This may be helpful to you in knowing how long the VSC is taking to process I-765 applications (work authorization/OPT).  Experience tells us that the earlier you file your OPT application, the shorter the processing time on the application due to the number of applications they receive – please plan accordingly! 

Should I use e-file?

The ISSO DOES NOT recommend that our students use e-file to apply for OPT. There are many questions regarding the use of this new service for OPT applications. Until the Vermont Service Center provides more information about this to schools, our recommendation is to proceed as we have outlined above and NOT to e-file your application.

Can I use my OPT time before completing my degree?

OPT done before completion of studies must be part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) while school is in session, but can be full-time during vacation periods, such as summer vacation or winter break. Any OPT done before you complete your studies will subtract from the total 12 months of OPT available. If pre-completion OPT is done part-time, it will only subtract from the total at half the rate. For example, if you do pre-completion OPT part-time for four months, you will have used two months of your total 12. You must maintain your full-time registration status at all times.

Pre-completion OPT for Ph.D. students: An exception is made for Ph.D. students who would like to pursue their full-time OPT while they are in post-residency status at Brandeis. If you have completed all course work, if you have permission from your faculty advisor (and the approval of GSAS if applicable) and if you maintain all on-going requirements of your doctoral program, you may apply for Pre-Completion Full-Time OPT in your major field of study. If you complete all 12 months of OPT during this pre-completion period, you are not eligible for post-completion OPT.

Will my application for OPT Authorization Request subject me to a security check?

OPT applications may be subject to security check procedures and this may delay the processing of your application. If an adjudicating officer decides that your file needs further review, it will be sent to Washington D.C. Security check procedures are considered classified information. Students currently subject to NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System), students who study a field listed in the “Technology Alert List”, and students who have family connections or frequently travel to places that are considered high risk to the U.S. Government may be more likely to undergo security checks. The stated processing time is approximately 30 days, but it can be longer. They cannot be expedited.

Will I be able to continue working on-campus while on OPT?

Once you have completed your degree, you are no longer eligible for on-campus employment. If you are planning to continue your research/work, you will need the Employment Authorization Document (EAD)/OPT card to cover your dates of employment at Brandeis and your work must be related to your major field of study.

What is my status while I'm awaiting my OPT Card?

If you do not have a job offer at the time of graduation or at the time of your application for OPT, you are legally allowed to remain in the United States as long as you are actively pursuing employment in the U.S. Although it is highly recommended to secure a job as soon as possible, as long as you are seeking a position, your immigration status in the United States is not in jeopardy.

Am I still considered an F-1 Student while I'm on OPT?

While on Post-Completion OPT, you are still an F-1 Student Visa Holder and you are still a Brandeis University student for visa purposes. This means that you are responsible for communicating the following information to the ISSO during the OPT time:

• You must inform the ISSO of any changes in address information within 10 days of moving.

• If you have changed your visa status, you must fax or mail ISSO the copies of your Approval Notice from CIS indicating your new visa status. This must be done within 10 days of receiving the documents from CIS. ISSO will then remove you from SEVIS

• Finally, when you have completed your OPT time, please email the ISSO within 10 days of the end date listed on your EAD card.

Can I travel outside the U.S. while on OPT?

Once the application is approved by CIS, you MUST have an official job offer and the EAD to present at the Port of Entry to return to the United States. Once the OPT is approved, students can only return to the U.S. to resume employment - this is determined by a job offer. The Department of Homeland Security states, "If your OPT has been approved and you depart before you get a job, your OPT ends and you cannot reenter." However, they have clarified their position to state that you do not need the job offer in order to depart, but you DO need the job offer to reenter the United States.

However traveling to and from the United States without proof of employment during your OPT Authorized period carries a high risk. After you have completed your program, the law [8CFR 214.2(f)(13)(ii)] references the need to show a valid EAD/approved OPT card in order to re-enter. However, recent interpretations from SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) and DOS (Department of State) indicate that re-entry with a pending application is possible. [DOS field cable 2004 State 008466 1/13/2004 AMDOC #200405007]. Because of the conflicting guidance between the law and the interpretation of the law, we are not recommending travel and re-entry after your completion date and while the OPT application is pending unless you have a valid job offer. One never knows when CIS will adjudicate the OPT application and it is a high risk to travel without proper documentation. Once the application is approved, it is clear that both a job offer and the EAD is needed (see below). We recommend reviewing and even printing out the information on line from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding travel on OPT (section 2.N and 2.O) http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm

Please note that since an OPT is essentially an extension of your Student visa, you F-1 or J-1 entry visa must be valid upon entry into the U.S. For further information on travel with a student visa, review the Travel FAQs.

Will I still be eligible for Student Health Insurance while on post-completion OPT?

You will no longer be eligible for the student health insurance plan after August of your graduation year. If your employer will not be providing you with coverage, the ISSO has resources in the office for short term health plans. A few of the more popular companies are: International SOS, HTH Worldwide, The Gateway Plans, T.W. Lord & Associates (1-800-633-2360), Compass Benefits Group, The Harbor Group, etc. We recommend that you review rates and plans carefully to ensure your full knowledge of the coverage.