Optional Practical Training
General Information
Optional Practical Training is a benefit available to F-1 students who plan to seek U.S. based employment in their field of study. Here are some guidelines:
- A job offer is NOT required to be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- You are eligible for a total of twelve months of full-time OPT.
- While on OPT, the employment may take place at any location in the United States, but it must be directly related to your major field of studies.
Eligibility
- Have been in lawful full-time student status for one academic year prior to completion of studies.
- Your application can be submitted up to 90 days before your Program End Date on your I-20, and up to 60 days after this date.
- F-1 students must be present in the United States in ACTIVE F-1 status at the time of the OPT application
- Must complete both the OIS application for OPT recommendation and the I-765 application with USCIS
- A completed application must be received by USCIS no later than 60 days after your Program End Date (on your I-20).
- If you have used more than 12 months of FULL TIME CPT, you are ineligible for OPT
How to Apply for OPT:
If you are applying for OPT, please access the online OPT Application Portal for document submission.
Please use your Fordham email to access the Portal. You may log in as a returning user or create an account.
You will be prompted to enter pertinent information for your application, send a Certificate of Completion request to your Academic Advisor/Class Dean, and submit the necessary documents for us to review. You will be able to save your application progress and continue the application if you need to finish at a later time.
OIS advisors will be reviewing and handling these cases as soon as possible. Your application documents must be complete for us to begin action on your case, so please make sure to submit all requested documents in the application portal.
Wait for OIS to Review Submitted Documents and Give You Next Steps.
Once you submit all of your documents via the OPT Portal and pay the fee, you will receive a message from the application platform via email saying that you have finished the document submission process. Due to volume, please allow 10 business days for an advisor to get back to you with feedback.
OIS will notify you via email once your "OPT Application Package" is available online. The OPT Package will include:
- Your New I-20 with OPT Recommendation.
- A guide for filing Form I-765 online with USCIS.
Any additional questions or technical issues regarding the OPT application process can be messaged to ois@fordham.edu.
Along with the New I-20 with OPT recommendation, you will receive detailed instructions for filing Form I-765 (OPT application) online with USCIS.
You must file Form I-765 with USCIS within 30 days of the date OIS recommended the post-completion OPT in SEVIS.
After Filing Form I-765 Online with USCIS
Within one month of your application, a receipt notice (I-797C, Notice of Action) will arrive at your mailing address. This notice is also accessible in your online USCIS portal within 48hrs of submission. You can continue to check the status of your application via your USCIS account.
After You Receive Your Receipt Notice
Check your OPT Application Case Status Online or via your USCIS account.
An OPT application normally takes about 1-3 months to get approved by USCIS, starting from the date USCIS receives an application. Consequently, OIS encourages students to apply for OPT as early as possible and remain patient during the waiting period.
However, if you have been waiting for over 4 months to receive your card, you may make an E-Request on the USCIS website to check your case status. If your case has been pending for over 5 months, please contact OIS at ois@fordham.edu so our office can make a direct inquiry with USCIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I don’t have a job before I graduate?
- You can still apply for OPT. You don’t need an offer letter at the time of application.
- You can still apply for OPT. You don’t need an offer letter at the time of application.
- How much time do I have to file I-765 once OIS approves my OPT application and sends me the updated I-20?
- You have 30 days to file using the OPT recommendation I-20. If 30 days have passed, don’t use the OPT recommendation I-20. Reach out to ois@fordham.edu.
- You have 30 days to file using the OPT recommendation I-20. If 30 days have passed, don’t use the OPT recommendation I-20. Reach out to ois@fordham.edu.
- How long is OPT authorized for?
- A total of 12 months per degree level.
- A total of 12 months per degree level.
- I am graduating from a STEM eligible degree program; can I apply for 3 years of OPT?
- It’s not possible to apply for all 36 months of OPT with one application. All F-1s who have met OPT eligibility criteria will first apply for the 12-month post-completion OPT. Certain eligible F-1s can apply for the STEM extension while on post-completion OPT (before their EAD expires).
- It’s not possible to apply for all 36 months of OPT with one application. All F-1s who have met OPT eligibility criteria will first apply for the 12-month post-completion OPT. Certain eligible F-1s can apply for the STEM extension while on post-completion OPT (before their EAD expires).
- How can I expedite my I-765 processing?
- You may request premium processing. Premium processing requires an additional fee to be paid directly to USCIS.
- You may request premium processing. Premium processing requires an additional fee to be paid directly to USCIS.
- Am I eligible for OPT if I left the U.S. after graduating without applying for OPT?
- No. If you depart the U.S. upon graduating, you lose your OPT eligibility.
- No. If you depart the U.S. upon graduating, you lose your OPT eligibility.
- Can I become eligible for OPT using another degree program?
- You may become eligible for another twelve months of practical training after completing another degree at a higher degree level. (e.g. Bachelor to Masters or Masters to Phd.)
- You may become eligible for another twelve months of practical training after completing another degree at a higher degree level. (e.g. Bachelor to Masters or Masters to Phd.)
- Is there a FT/PT requirement for OPT employment?
- No, there is not. But in order to stop the unemployment clock, students should report 20 hours of work or more.
- No, there is not. But in order to stop the unemployment clock, students should report 20 hours of work or more.
- Can I have multiple jobs on OPT?
- Yes, as long as they are related to your degree and combine for 20 hours per week or more.
- Yes, as long as they are related to your degree and combine for 20 hours per week or more.
- Can I be self-employed on OPT?
- Yes, the employment has to be related to your degree. You should also be mindful of maintaining proper business licenses and record keeping.
- Yes, the employment has to be related to your degree. You should also be mindful of maintaining proper business licenses and record keeping.
- Can I engage in unpaid employment on OPT?
- Yes, you can, as long as it is related to your degree, 20 hours per week or more, and does not violate any labor laws.
- Yes, you can, as long as it is related to your degree, 20 hours per week or more, and does not violate any labor laws.
- What is the unemployment counter?
- It begins after your I-765 is approved and you receive your EAD card. The counting begins from the start date of your EAD card. During 12 months of post-completion OPT, F-1s are allowed a total of 90 days of unemployment. Unemployment means the state of not working, so the clock will accrue in between jobs as well.
- It begins after your I-765 is approved and you receive your EAD card. The counting begins from the start date of your EAD card. During 12 months of post-completion OPT, F-1s are allowed a total of 90 days of unemployment. Unemployment means the state of not working, so the clock will accrue in between jobs as well.
- What is the travel endorsement validity on the I-20 while on OPT?
- The travel signature of a DSO is valid for six months while on OPT.
- The travel signature of a DSO is valid for six months while on OPT.
- Should I keep employment records?
- Yes, it is good practice. You can be asked to show these as proof of maintaining lawful status when you apply for a different immigration benefit. Examples of records: EAD cards (even after expiration), paystubs, contract letters, offer letters, letters describing activity, etc.