There are two general types of optional practical training:
International Applicants
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There are two general types of optional practical training:
Post-completion OPT is further subdivided into:
Eligibility
General Information
School
USCIS
Eligibility
General Information
School
USCIS
Travel While on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Visit the following website for guidance about travel while on post-completion OPT: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel
Authorization to engage in optional practical training employment is automatically terminated when an F-1 student transfers to another school or begins study at another educational level.
24-Month OPT STEM Extension
Students who enroll or have enrolled in a STEM-designated degree program, are eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Interested F-1 students must first request for an I-20 with STEM recommendation from their DSO, and then apply for and receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Contact your Designated School Official (DSO) for assistance.
Eligibility
School
USCIS
You can apply for 24-month STEM OPT Extension no sooner than 90 days prior to your current OPT end date and no later than the day your current EAD card expires. As long as your application is received by USCIS by your current EAD end date, you will be allowed to remain in the U.S. and continue employment for 180 days or until a decision is made on your application.
24-Month STEM OPT Reporting Requirements
In order to maintain your F-1 status while on STEM OPT, you must check in regularly with your DSO to report changes (within 10 days of change), and validate your information in SEVIS.
Validating SEVIS Information
Every 6 months from the start date listed on the STEM OPT EAD authorization, submit the Post-Completion Optional Practical Training Employment Reporting Form with your current employment information and current residential address – even if it has not changed. This must be submitted within 10 days of the due date, which is exactly 6, 12, and 18 months from the start date of your STEM OPT EAD authorization.
Annual Self Evaluation
Submit an annual self-evaluation in the Form I-983 to report about the progress of your STEM OPT Training experience.
Material Changes to Existing Form I-983
Report Changes to Your Employer or Employment
Submit both the Post-Completion Optional Practical Training Employment Reporting Form, and the Form I-983 (for both previous and new employer as needed) with any changes in Employer or Employment information.
Report Changes to Your Name or Address
Unemployment Limit
Students on the 24-month STEM OPT extension are able to access unused days of employment from the initial OPT period plus an additional 60 days of unemployment for a maximum period of 150 days of unemployment.
Severe Economic Hardship is for F-1 students who experience severe changes in funding that are unforeseen and uncontrollable.
Eligibility
Must be lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (2 semesters or 4 sessions).
School
USCIS
Eligibility
Employment Information
School
USCIS
If approved, USCIS will send you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) authorizing off-campus employment. You can begin work once you receive the EAD card and reach the start date listed on it.
To maintain F-1 status during OPT, comply with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employment and reporting requirements. DHS requires students authorized by USCIS to engage in OPT to report any change of name or address, or interruption of such employment within 10 days of the change. The changes can be made personally via the SEVP Portal, or to your DSO by completing the OPT Post-Completion Reporting Form.
All F-1 students on OPT are required to report the following within 10 days for the OPT Start Date, and also within 10 days of any subsequent changes:
All students on OPT STEM Extension must report all of the above, plus the following:
Updates to the following information will require an updated Form I-20 to be printed:
Contact your DSO to complete the OPT Post-Completion Reporting Form. Once that has been completed, the updates will be reported in SEVIS and an updated I-20 issued to student.
F-1 students can also report employment via the SEVP Portal. Updating the SEVP Portal does not eliminate the need to report employment to your DSO by completing the OPT Post-Completion Reporting Form. The DSO must be alerted in this way whenever an update is made via the SEVP Portal. This will allow the DSO to issue an updated Form I-20 when needed.
Students on post-completion practical training including STEM OPT can update the following information via the SEVP Portal:
Students on standard F-1 post-completion practical training (but not students on STEM OPT) can also:
SEVP Portal Account Instructions – Comprehensive information found at: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/create-an-sevp-portal-account.
How to Create a SEVP Portal Account:
How to Log In and Navigate After You Have Created Your Account
Expand/Collapse Sections: Plus sign expands the section to view information, and Minus sign collapses the section.
Colors of Action Buttons: Active buttons look blue with white text. Buttons you cannot use look gray with black text.
Error/Success Messages: The portal uses different messages and visual aids to help you enter data correctly. If you submit data incorrectly or submit incomplete information, the portal displays light pink error messages at the top of the page. If you submit data correctly, the portal displays light green success messages at the top of the screen to reflect a successful submission.
Idle Time: After 20 minutes of inactivity, the portal will ask you to confirm that you want to remain logged into the system. You must click OK to remain logged in. If too much time has passed and you do not respond to the prompt, the system will log you out.
Locked Account: The SEVP Portal will lock your account if you do not log in to the portal for 90 days or after three failed attempts to log in to the system. Contact your DSO to request assistance in unlocking your Portal account. The SEVP Portal will send you an email link that will unlock your account. Notice email sender and subject line:
View History
Address Validation
Frequently Asked Questions
Students on STEM OPT cannot add any employers in the Portal. You can only edit some of your employer’s information. To add an employer to your record:
Students must report STEM OPT participation every 6 months from the approved STEM OPT start date, and any changes in personal and employer information by completing the Contact Information Update Form and the Form I-983, Training Plan.
All updated forms must be submitted to your DSO. Failure in reporting participation causes a violation to your F-1 status.
Types of Employment:
Single Employer
Provide the employment dates and your employer’s name and address.
None – Actively Seeking Employment
If you have been unemployed for more than 10 days since your OPT start date, indicate those dates. To remain in the U.S., you must be actively looking for relevant employment. In order to maintain your visa status, you must limit unemployment while on OPT to a total of 90 days or 150 days if you have been approved for the 24-month OPT extension.
Work for Hire (contract employment)
Provide the employment dates and your employer’s name and address. If requested by DHS, you must be able to provide evidence that you worked an average of at least 20 hours per week.
Unpaid Volunteer or Intern
Provide the employment dates and your employer’s name and address. If requested by DHS, you must be able to provide evidence that you worked an average of at least 20 hours per week and that the work was related to your OPT degree. This option is not available to students in the 24-month OPT extension period.
Self-Employed U.S. Business Owner
List your company’s name or print “Self-Employed” and the business address. This location may be the same as your personal address, if appropriate. If requested by DHS, you must be able to provide evidence that you have proper business licenses, the business is related to your degree and that the business keeps you full-time employed.
NOTE: The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has issued contradictory information regarding whether unemployment periods of less than 10 days count, or do not count, towards the 90 day unemployment deadline. However, it is crucial that you report all periods of employment to avoid unnecessary accrual of unemployment days.
DeVry University is a private, for-profit school. Pay particular attention to the information below – especially Graduate Student applicants.
Each year the USCIS issues 65,000 H-1B regular CAP cases and 20,000 H-1B Master’s CAP cases which are available beginning April 1st for an October 1st start date. F-1 Undergraduate and Graduate students who graduate from DeVry University must both file towards the 65,000 H-1B regular CAP. Do NOT file towards the H-1B Master’s CAP.
Please note: The regulation states that in order for a foreign student to be eligible for the H-1B Master’s CAP Exemption, the school issuing the Master’s degree must meet the following two requirements:
Since DeVry University is a private, for-profit institution, you should file your H-1B towards the Bachelor’s cap of 65,000. Filing improperly towards the Master’s cap may lead to a denial and by the time the H-1B petition is re-filed under the Bachelor’s cap, the H-1B numbers may already be gone.