New OPT Policy
Changes to 12-month Post-Completion OPT

17-month OPT extension for STEM students

An F-1 student may have up to one year of Optional Practical Training per degree level, during which he may work either full or part-time before graduation or full-time after graduation. Optional Practical Training is available for 12 months only per degree level. The student does not have 12 months of pre-degree practical training and 12 months of post-degree practical training. Every 2 months of part-time practical training before completion will count as one month of full time practical training. A student may apply for Optional Practical Training at the following times: 1) during the student's annual vacation if currently enrolled and if intending to resume studies after vacation, 2) part time while school is in session, 3) after completion of course requirements for a degree program, while student is completing thesis or dissertation, 4) after completion of study or graduation. The practical training must be related to the student's field of study, and the training must be completed by the 14th month after graduation. If the student intends to enroll for a second degree, he may wish use only a portion of the 12 months after the first degree, and save the remaining months to be used with the second degree. Practical training before graduation is automatically terminated when student transfers to another school.

• Requirements
• Procedure
• USCIS Instructions for Photograph

1. Student must have been a full-time student at least one full academic year (9 consecutive months), and must currently be in F-1 status.
2. Student must maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year.
3. For Summer optional practical training, student must present proof (i.e. pre-registration form), that he will be enrolled full-time in the fall. For thesis-type practical training, student must have letter from Department, stating that he has completed all course requirements for the degree, except for thesis. For post-completion practical training, student must have a letter from the Department verifying student has completed all requirements, including thesis and will graduate at the end of the semester.
4. For post-degree practical training only, application must be submitted to USCIS during the semester of completion and no later than the day of graduation.
5. Student does not have to have a job in order to apply for Optional Practical Training , but because it is limited to 12 months total, it is wise to have a job lined up before applying for the EAD. Keep in mind, however, that it can take several months to get the EAD card from USCIS. Keep in mind also that if you wait to apply more than one month after your completion date, the application will still take several months to process and therefore, because the practical training must end 14 months after the completion date, you may have less than 12 months of practical training authorized by USCIS.
6. Student may not begin working until the EAD is issued and may not begin working before the start date noted on the EAD.
7. Once the EAD is issued, the time authorized counts against the 12 month total, whether or not the student finds a job.
8. Post-completion practical training may be split between educational programs, if the student is intending to pursue another degree in the future. If less than one year of practical training is desired, it must be requested at the time of application.
9. The USCIS will not cancel an EAD once it is issued.
10. If the employment is outside the Dallas area, you may be able to apply at another USCIS office which takes less time to process the application.

1. Student brings to Office of International Education:
   • Confirmation of Program Completion form . Academic advisor fills out this form
   • I-20 original document
   • Completed form I-765(application)
   • Check payable to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) for $340.
   • 2 identical passport-style photos in color with white background (directions at bottom of page)
   • Copy of passport identity page, showing expiration date
   • Copies of previously-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if any
   • Signature card (available in the Office of International Education)
   • Copy of I-94 (front and back)
2. Office of International Education will:
   • Prepare a SEVIS I-20 with recommendation for OPT.
   • Contact you to return to the OIE to sign the new I-20
   • Mail to USCIS Texas Service Center the following items:
     • A copy of the endorsed SEVIS I-20.
     • the I-765
     • Check for $340
     • 2 Photos.
     • Pass Port Identity Page
     • Signature Card
     • Copy of I-94(front and back)
   • Give the original I-20 ID back to the student.
3. USCISwill mail a notice of receipt in about three weeks to the address on the application. The EAD will be mailed to the same address, unless USCIS is informed ofa change of address. It is VERY IMPORTANT to notify USCIS of a change of address since the Post Office will not forward mail issued by a government agency.