International Center

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization for off-campus work that is directly related to your major field of study.  To be eligible for OPT, you must be in lawful F-1 status for one full academic year prior to applying for OPT, have a passport valid for at least six months into the future, and have accumulated less than one year of full-time CPT.

• Frequently asked questions
  • Before you apply for OPT
  • When you apply for OPT
  • When you have OPT authorization
  • When you finish OPT
• OPT application process
• OPT workshop slides
• OPT travel regulations
• OPT extension
• OPT extension checklist