Optional Practical Training (OPT) FAQs

1. I received my OPT I-20 from OIPS, but have not sent it to USCIS and am approaching or have exceeded my 30 days since the DSO recommended OPT for me in SEVIS and printed my I-20. What should I do in this case?

If the I-20 with the DSO Recommendation on p. 2 that you received from OIPS is approaching the 30 days from initial issue, you MUST make an appointment with a DSO to have your OPT recommendation updated in SEVIS and a new I-20 issued. Note:  The DSO in OIPS cannot make a new recommendation after 60 days from your program completion date have passed.

2. Do I apply for Pre or Post Completion OPT?

a.   If you plan to have OPT after you complete your program (see program end date on your I-20) then that would be post-completion OPT.  

b.   If you want to have a position during your academic program that is outside the semester dates or is not eligible for CPT, then you can apply for pre-completion OPT. For Pre-Completion OPT, Students can work only 20 hours during the academic semester and more than 20 hours while class is not in session such as summer vacation (not weekends.) 

3. I applied for OPT several weeks ago. Why does USCIS list my application Case Status as “received on mm/dd/yy date?" 

This is very common. Unfortunately, USCIS does not regularly update cases statuses for OPT.  Once the card is approved, typically the case status will skip from “received on mm/dd/yy date” to “approved on mm/dd/yy date.”

4. What if I have no case status when I enter my case number on the USCIS website to track my case status? 

Recently, USCIS has been experiencing difficulty with their database system and sometimes the case status does not register. Don’t worry! This does not mean USCIS has not received your application and is not processing it. If you have an I-797C Receipt Notice, this means they have officially received your application and are processing it. However, if you want to confirm, you must contact USCIS directly at 1-800-375-5283. You may also want to check back on the website periodically to see if your case status is now registering. 

5. Can USCIS or OIPS expedite my application? 

Your OPT application cannot be expedited by either USCIS or OIPS. The Texas Service Center which processes all state of Virginia OPT applications has informed us directly they do not expedite OPT applications.

6. Is fingerprint or biometric scanning required for my OPT application or EAD Card?

No. USCIS currently does not require fingerprint/biometric scanning.

7. Can I travel outside the U.S. while my OPT application is pending? 

You are always free to leave the U.S.; however, OIPS strongly encourages you to not travel while your application is pending. Exiting the U.S. while your application is pending could result in USCIS denying your application. By exiting the U.S., USCIS may view your exit as an abandonment of your application. If an emergency situation occurs that may require you leaving the U.S while the application is pending, OIPS strongly encourages you to seek advice from your international student advisor. Please be aware that your application could be denied. However, cases have occurred where the student left the country while his/her OPT was pending and their OPT was approved.

8. If I applied for OPT and I have a I-797C Receipt Notice from USCIS, can I leave the country and re-enter at the border point-of-entry with this receipt instead of the EAD card? 

If you travel while the application is pending and try to re-enter with an I-797C receipt, USCIS may deny you entry into the United States and require you to return home immediately. Please see FAQ question #5 for more details about traveling while an application is pending.

Can I renew my driver’s license while my OPT application is pending? 

Unfortunately, you will have to wait until you receive your EAD card before you can renew your license. Once you have your new EAD card, your renewal dates will be based on your EAD card, typically 1 year.

What happens if my grace period ends and I have not been approved for OPT yet?

Students remain in active F-1 status between the time they apply for OPT with USCIS and the time they receive approval for OPT with USCIS. Students are also on F-1 status while on OPT. 

12. What’s my actual OPT start date?  

Your start date will be printed on your EAD card. Your start date is the day your OPT period starts and the day you start accumulating unemployment days if applicable. You cannot start working until you have your EAD card in hand and the start date on your EAD card has passed. 

13. What is the first date I can legally work in the U.S.? Is it the date USCIS issues my EAD card or the date I receive my EAD Card? 

You must wait until you have received your EAD Card and the start date on the card is valid in order to begin work. Example: Your EAD Card start date is January 1, 2016, but you receive your card on December 1. You cannot begin work until January 1, 2016, even if you have the card.

14. How do I report Employment on OPT?  

Students are required to report their employment within 10 days of a change. It is strongly encouraged that students report their employment through OIPS using this link: OPT/STEM Employment Update Form. OIPS will use your submission to update SEVP on your behalf. By submitting through the link, an advisor can review your update and let you know if it would be best to include more information.

• Please note that, although students must report their employment within 10 business days, OIPS has longer to update SEVP from your report. 
• Please do not update your employment through the link and SEVP. 
• You do not need to submit your offer letter with your form.
• You do not need to complete this update until you have a job offer or have started working.
• Reporting through OIPS within 10 days is equivalent to reporting employment with SEVP.  

15. Where do I need to update my Address if it changes?  

You would update your address through the OPT Employment Update Form and it will be updated in SEVP as well.

16. How do I report employment Changes while on STEM OPT?

a. Complete Page 5 (final evaluation) with current/previous employer of I-983 training plan.

b. Complete Pages 1-4 of I-983 training plan with new Employer.

c. Report both employment completion and new employment through one submission here: OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update form.

Do I need to upload my offer letter with my employment update?  

No, you have the option to, but you are not required to upload the offer letter with your employment update. 

When do I report employment for OPT?

You must report OPT employment within 10 days of starting. You can report your OPT employer before you start, but please make sure to put the date you will start your employment for your employment start date in the request rather than the date you fill out the Employment Update Form.

I’m completing the OPT Employment form and it says I need to submit the I-983, do I need to get this from my employer? I’m on my initial period of OPT. 

No, you are on your initial period of OPT so you do not need to complete the I-983. You will not need to use the I-983 until you are on STEM OPT if applicable.

20. Can I have multiple employers at the same time on OPT and work more than 20 hours? 

Yes, students can work for more than one employer on OPT. Each employer needs to be reported within 10-days of starting and meet the eligibility requirements for an OPT employer. There is a minimum number of hours students need to work on OPT (20 hours), but not a maximum number of hours. If you have 2 employers, you can work 10 hours at each employer for a total of 20 hours to meet your hour requirement while on OPT, but while on STEM OPT, you will need to work a minimum of 20 hours for each employer. 

21. Do unpaid or volunteer jobs/positions count as valid employment while on OPT? 

Yes. As long as the employment is over 20 hours a week, it is valid employment. You can also have a combination of jobs that total 20 hours or more in order to comply with OPT employment regulations. Example: You can have a paid internship for 10 hours a week and an unpaid internship for 15 hours a week (total 25 hours) and these count as valid employment. Of course, you need to report your OPT employment to OIPS via the OPT Employment Update Form.

22. Can I begin work if my EAD Card is approved, but I have not received my card? 

No. You must wait until you have received your EAD Card and the start date on the card is valid in order to begin work.

23. Can I work in a volunteer position before I receive my EAD card? 

No. If the position you are “volunteering” for will be the same position for which you will be paid for once your employment authorization begins (when you have the EAD card with a valid start date), then ISSS does not recommend you work in an unpaid capacity. Your employer may be violating U.S. federal labor laws by permitting you to work in an unpaid capacity in a position which is normally compensated for similar workers.

24. Can I work remotely while on OPT?  

Yes, students can work anywhere in the US while on OPT and they can work remotely while on OPT. For reporting your work address, you would put your physical work site as in the place the work is done. 

25. Can I work X job with my major?

OIPS are not subject matter experts. We cannot determine if your job is related to your degree. Here are some methods for assessing if a job is related to your degree:

• Read through the job description. Does it mention your specific degree under required or preferred qualifications? Does it mention your degree level as well?
• For required or preferred qualifications, does it list skills and knowledge that you learned in your major area classes?
• You can also speak to an industry advisor with career services to help you make this determination as well. 

26. Can I travel outside of the U.S. after my EAD Card has been issued? 

Yes. If you travel outside the U.S. while on OPT, you will need the following: (1) Travel signature on page 2 of I-20 (2) EAD Card (3) Original employment letter showing you have valid employment (4) Valid Passport and (5) Valid Visa. If you try to re-enter the U.S. without proof of valid employment, you may be denied entrance by Customs and Border Patrol (CPB). OIPS also recommends you travel with original copies of your academic transcripts.

27. How long can I be outside the US while on OPT?

a. There is no limit to travel on OPT. Your reentry to the US will be determined by an Officer at the port of entry. If you stay out of the US for a long period of time then they may question your intentions since OPT is a benefit that allows you to work in the US. 

b. Upon entry you will be asked to show a valid passport, F-1 visa, I-20 with travel signature, OPT EAD and possibly an offer letter. The officer is at liberty to ask for additional documentation. If you plan to stay out of the US for more than a month, we recommend you have a letter from your employer stating that they are expecting you back and that you are still employed. 

28. Can I remain in the United States if my OPT ends? 

From the end date of your EAD Card, you have a 60-day grace period in which you must (a) file for a change of visa status (b) transfer to another school or get admitted into and receive a new I-20 for a new program at GSU or other SEVIS-approved school in the U.S. (c) or leave the U.S. If you wish to pursue another degree (Option B), you must be issued a new I-20 at a SEVIS approved school for a degree seeking program within the 60-day Grace Period and begin study within 5 months of ending OPT. Example: Your OPT ends 9/2/2016 and you want to begin graduate school in the Spring 2017. If you are accepted during your grace period (9/3/2016 to 11/3/2016) and issued an I-20, you may remain in the U.S. to begin your new degree in the Spring because it’s less than 5 months. If it’s more than 5 months from the end of your OPT until the program begins, you will have to leave and re-enter the country with a new I-20 (at the earliest 30 days prior to the beginning of your new I-20 start date).

29. How many days can I be unemployed while on OPT?        

Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment. During the period when OPT authorization begins and ends, each day (including weekends and holidays) that the student does not have qualifying employment counts as a day of unemployment. Thus, you need to maintain employment for at least 9 months out of the 12 total months of OPT. Students who receive a 24-month extension are given an additional 60 days of unemployment for a total of 150 days over their entire post-completion OPT period. OPT authorization begins on the employment start date shown on the student’s EAD card, even if you don’t have the actual card in hand.

30. What are the consequences of exceeding the 90-day unemployment limit on OPT? What should I do if I am getting close to this 90-day limit or have exceeded it? 

A student who has exceeded the period of unemployment while on post-completion OPT has violated his/her status, unless she has taken one of the following actions: (1) applied to continue his/her education by a change of education level or transferring to another SEVP-certified school (2) departed the United States or (3) Taken action to otherwise maintain legal status, i.e. filed a change of status to another visa status, etc. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may deny you a future immigration benefit for exceeding the 90-day unemployment limit while remaining in the country. For example, if you apply for Permanent Residency (Green Card), USCIS may deny your request based on the fact you failed to follow visa regulations for your F-1 status. If you are getting close to exceeding the 90-day limit, you should begin to make plans to do any of the 3 options listed above.

31. Will OIPS or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “terminate” my F-1 visa status if I exceed the 90-day unemployment limit? 

No, OIPS will not terminate your record. It is your responsibility to follow federal regulations regarding unemployment limits while on OPT. See question #10 above on what to do in case you exceed the 90-day unemployment limit. DHS maintains responsibility for determining whether a student has violated his or her status or exceeded the permissible limit on authorized unemployment. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) or the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) examine SEVIS data for an individual, a selected group or all students on post-completion OPT and terminate a student’s record if it fails to show that the student maintained the proper period of employment. 

32. How do I transfer out while on OPT/STEM OPT?  

a. If you have been admitted into a new program and you would like to transfer your immigration record to your new school, you will need to apply to Transfer Out. Please review the Transfer Out Eligibility Requirements, complete the Transfer out form and then upload the form here with your admission letter and your Transfer-In form from your new school if you have it.

b. If you are on STEM OPT, you will also need to complete page 5 of your I-983 training plan with your employer.

33. How long does it take for USCIS to send the EAD Card once my case status says “approved?" 

Typically, it takes about 5-7 business days to arrive; however, USCIS states that you must “allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you.” Please be patient. Typically your card will arrive shortly.

34. What is my visa status while on OPT? 

Your visa status (F-1) does not change while on OPT. You still considered to be in F-1 status while on OPT and must abide by all F-1 regulations.

35. Do I have to pay taxes while on OPT? 

Please consult a tax advisor.

36. Am I required to buy health insurance while on OPT? 

a. Medical insurance is an extremely important consideration while you are on OPT. The cost of medical care for an accident or illness in the US can be more money than you earn in an entire year of OPT employment.

b. Health insurance in the U.S. is typically linked to your employer. If your OPT activity is not with an employer that offers insurance, or if your employer's plan does not cover medical evacuation/repatriation for people living internationally, then you should purchase additional coverage.  

I applied for OPT and discovered that I failed a course or that my GPA is not high enough to be awarded the degree yet. What should I do? 

If you have applied for OPT and find that you will not finish the degree as planned, you must make an appointment with a DSO in OIPS as soon as possible to discuss your options. 

38. What DSO do I put on my I-983?  

The DSO who signed your last I-20.

39. My STEM OPT was approved by USCIS, now what? 

Submit your EAD Card here: OPT Employment Update Form

40. I got an automatic email from SEVP about updating my employment information, what should I do? (STEM OPT)

That was an automatic email. If you have not already, please complete the OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update Form to report your employment, as students on STEM OPT are required to do every 6-months. If you have already done your mandatory reporting, then there is no action you need to take at this time with OIPS.

41. When should I apply for STEM OPT?

That depends. If you already know your STEM OPT Employer then it would be best to apply as soon as possible (120 days before OPT end date for STEM OPT I-20, 90 days before OPT end date for USCIS application) as it usually takes the full 180-day period that students can work while their STEM OPT is pending to be approved for STEM OPT by USCIS. 

42. What happens if my OPT end date passes and I have not been approved for STEM OPT yet?  

Students can continue working for 180 days while their STEM OPT is pending approval with USCIS. 

43. I have a STEM eligible degree but my OPT is not 3 years long. Is this a mistake? 

The initial period of OPT is only one year long. STEM OPT is a separate application process. You can learn how to apply for STEM OPT on the F-1 and J-1 forms page of the OIPS website. Please search STEM OPT by hitting ctrl + F on your keyboard so you can see links to all of the STEM OPT pages on the OIPS website.

44. Do I need to apply for STEM OPT 120 days before the end of my OPT period, or will OIPS allow me to apply later?

Yes, we will still process your request, but we encourage you to apply earlier if circumstances permit. The earlier you start the application process, the more likely you will not have a gap in OPT employment authorization. If you work 180 days on your STEM OPT, and your STEM has not been approved by USCIS yet, you will need to stop working until you receive your STEM OPT EAD card. 

45. Should I report an employment change if my STEM OPT is pending with USCIS? 

a. Yes, students must report their update within 10 days of the change. Report the update using OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update form. 

b. If you are still on your initial period of OPT, you will need to complete page 1-4 of the I-983 training plan with your new employer and submit it with the update.  

c. If your STEM OPT period has started (the day after your OPT end date on your EAD card), then you will need to complete both page 5 of the I-983 training plan with your previous employer and pages 1-4 of a new I-983 training plan with your new employer and upload both forms with your employment update.