Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Apply For OPT

• What is Optional Practical Training?
• Who is eligible for OPT?
• What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
• If I had CPT, can I still have OPT?

When You Apply For OPT

• What are the requirements needed to apply for OPT?
• How do I apply for OPT?
• What does the ISSS staff and the International Center do in the OPT process?
• What documents should I send to USCIS for OPT?
• Is there any special ways to mail the documents?
• I am going to graduate in August. Can I take an exam credit during the summer?
• Why should I apply for OPT early when I know I can request “expedited” processing of my OPT application?
• Rather than apply for OPT early in the semester, isn’t it a better idea to wait until I have a job offer?
• Can I use CPT as I wait for OPT approval?
• After I apply for OPT, can I change my start date?
• After I apply for OPT using expedited service, is there anything I can do to speed up the processing?
• Where can I get my receipt "LIN" number?
• What if I do not have my USCIS Form I-797 receipt (OPT receipt)?

When You Have OPT Authorization

• When can I start work under OPT?
• Does OPT employment need to be full-time?
• What is the 3 month (90 day) unemployment rule?
• How is the 3 month (90 day) unemployment rule regulated?
• Can I take classes during my OPT?
• Can I change employers during my OPT?
• What type of visa am I on and can I travel outside the U.S.?
• What does the message "not valid for re-entry" mean on my EAD?
• If I apply for OPT and then decide not to use it, can I get my OPT time back?

When You Finish OPT

• How long can I stay in the U.S. after my OPT expires?
• Can I return to school after completing OPT?
• I already finished a year of OPT and I want to return to school. When I finish can I have another year of OPT?

Before You Apply for OPT

What is Optional Practical Training? OPT is a benefit of the F-1 visa status.  OPT is employment authorization for work experience that is directly related to your major field of study.  You may use OPT for unpaid or paid work experience. Eligible F-1 students may engage in optional practical training in the following ways:

• Full-time (20+ hours/week) as pre-completion OPT during summer break
• Part-time (20 hours or less/week) as pre-completion OPT while school is in session and students must maintain full-time enrollment
• After completion of a degree program (undergraduates:  after graduation date, graduate students:  after defense or graduation date of semester in which defense took place) as post-completion OPT
• GRADUATE STUDENTS, after completion of all course requirements, excluding thesis or dissertation, as pre- or post-completion OPT

Who is eligible for OPT? Eligibility requirements for OPT include:

• Lawful F-1 status for one full academic year prior to applying for OPT
• Valid I-20 or is within the 60 day grace period post-graduation
• Passport which will not expire for at least one year after you apply for OPT
• Maintained full-time enrollment or approved for reduced course load
• No more than 364 (less than one year) days of full-time CPT

What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)? CPT is practical training allowing a student to fulfill a course requirement before graduation only.

Please ask an advisor if you are not sure if you need OPT or CPT.

If I had CPT, can I still have OPT? Yes, provided that you did not have CPT full-time for twelve months or more.  Part-time CPT has no effect on OPT eligibility.

When You Apply for OPT

What are the requirements needed to apply for OPT? You don't need a job offer in order to apply for OPT, but you must apply for OPT around 120 days before you intend to start the OPT.

How do I apply for OPT? To apply for OPT, complete the steps listed below:

• Step 1: Complete the Application
• Step 2: Submit the Application to ISSS
• Step 3: Mail the Application to USCIS

Please contact an ISSS Advisor for an appointment if you have questions after you have read the information on this website and have completed all the forms to the best of your ability.

What does the ISSS staff and the International Center do in the OPT process? While an ISSS advisor can recommend OPT permission, it is the USCIS that must approve the OPT. The ISSS advisor will verify that you are in lawful F-1 status and then make a notation on the third page of your I-20. When this process is finished, the advisor will email you and leave your application materials and mailing instructions for you at the International Center Front Desk. Mailing the application to USCIS is your responsibility.

What documents should I send to USCIS for OPT? Refer to Step 3 for information on which documents to include and where to send your application.  ISSS will not make copies for you, please have all your copies ready when you turn in your application.

Is there a special way to mail the documents? You cannot apply for OPT in person at the USCIS office. The application must be submitted by mail. Do not use any types of mail service that would require USCIS to sign for the envelope.

Can I register for “Exam Only” credit while on OPT? You may be eligible if you are past the academic program end date on your I-20 and you already applied for post-completion OPT.  Before registering, please consult with an ISSS advisor.  If you have not passed the end date on your I-20, and are applying for pre-completion OPT, you must take research credit until you reach the end date on your I-20.

Why should I apply for OPT early when I know I can request “expedited” processing of my OPT application? No one can guarantee approval on time if you do not plan ahead. Expediting an OPT is a favor from the government and it can be taken away at any time and without notice. Therefore, it would not be wise to depend upon expedited processing of your OPT application.  Some people are successful at getting approved quickly, others are not as successful. 

Rather than apply for OPT early in the semester, isn’t it a better idea to wait until I have a job offer? This is a common concern, especially with the 3 month unemployment rule that is tied to post-completion OPT. Many times when students wait for a job offer to apply for OPT, they risk losing that position if the OPT is not approved in time.  It can take up to 90 days to receive OPT work authorization and most employers are unwilling to wait that long to fill a position.

Can I use CPT as I wait for OPT approval? CPT is for the purpose of meeting an integral curricular component within your degree program and not merely to facilitate work authorization to begin employment. It is very difficult to justify why a student wouldn’t need CPT until the very end of their program.  Therefore, CPT is not an option if you have a job offer for a full-time, benefit eligible position and you have completed the degree requirements for your program of study.  Once an academic program is completed, OPT is the only work authorization available for F-1 students.

After I apply for OPT, can I change my start date? If your OPT application has not been processed by Immigration, then it might be possible to change the start date on your OPT. However, anytime that we try to make a change on an application that has already been sent to USCIS, there is a risk that the change will not be implemented at the time of adjudication of your application. Once an application has been approved, the start date cannot be changed.

After I apply for OPT using expedited service, is there anything I can do to speed up the processing?  ISSS cannot do anything to speed the processing of an expedited OPT application. As expedited servicing is a favor from the government, we cannot demand the Service Center to process an application quickly. Demanding fast service could remove all expedited service, which could be very costly for you and any others hoping for expedited processing.

Where can I get my receipt "LIN" number? You will receive a Form I-797 "Notice of Action" from the USCIS approximately two weeks after you mail your application. The "LIN" number is the receipt number printed in the upper left corner of the USCIS Form I-797 "Notice of Action" receipt. If you have your "LIN" number you can check the status of your application online.

What if I do not have my USCIS Form I-797 receipt (OPT receipt)? If you do not receive a receipt (or you lose it), your "LIN" number will be printed on the back of the cancelled check or money order.

• If you paid with a check: Ask your bank for a copy of the cancelled check (if you don't already have it) and look on the back of it for your LIN number.
• If you paid with a money order: Bring the money order receipt back to the place where you bought the money order. Ask them to get a copy of the back of the money order. It usually takes at least 24 hours to get a copy of the money order.

Hint: It is easier to track a cancelled check than a money order.

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When You Have OPT Authorization

When can I start work under OPT? When you have the EAD and the start date of employment authorization (shown on the EAD) has arrived. If your EAD arrives later than the date your employer wishes you to begin working, you may not begin to work early. You cannot begin to work until the EAD card is in your hand and the start date has arrived.

Does OPT employment need to be full-time? If you have completed your studies, OPT employment must be full time.  Full-time is anything over than 20 hours a week.

What is the 3 month (90 day) unemployment rule? The regulations have now changed and require students to be gaining full-time, practical experience in their field of study for at least 9 months out of the 12 months given for OPT.    During the entire 12 month period, students cannot accrue more than 3 months of unemployment.

How is the 3 month (90 day) unemployment rule regulated? It is your responsibility to report your employment information to ISSS as soon as you have a position.  We can then update your SEVIS record to reflect your practical training.  You can update ISSS with any employment and addresses changes through the on-line document request “OPT Address Update,” and we will in turn update SEVIS. By using SEVIS, the government will be able to track OPT employment (or unemployment).

Can I take classes during my OPT? If you only have research left and you have already applied for post-completion OPT, you can continue to register until you finish the research requirements.  Please not that you are still subject to the 3 month (90 day) unemployment rule, even if you are still registered. However, if you begin a new course of study, this will automatically cancel your OPT authorization. Also, ISSS does not recommend taking a class that may later be used to satisfy new degree program requirements.

Can I change employers during my OPT? Yes. As long as the employment is related to your field of study, you can work for any employer.  Please make sure that you submit your new employer’s address through the “OPT Address Update” link on our on-line document request.

What type of visa am I on and can I travel outside the U.S.? OPT is not a different visa. A person with OPT authorization is an F-1 student holding an EAD for OPT. Refer to the OPT Travel Regulations for more information.

What does the message "not valid for re-entry" mean on my EAD? This statement means that you must have a passport, visa, I-20, letter of employment, and the EAD to re-enter the U.S. The EAD does not replace the need for the other documents.

If I apply for OPT and then decide not to use it, can I get my OPT time back? If USCIS has not yet acted on your application at the time you decide you do not want OPT, then you can write USCIS and state that you want to withdraw your application. If USCIS has already approved your application, then it is not possible to have the OPT authorization withdrawn or changed.  USCIS will not return the application fee.

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When You Finish OPT

How long can I stay in the U.S. after my OPT expires? 60 days.  Please note that this does not apply following a 3 month (90 day) unemployment time.  Students on post-completion OPT who have accrued more than 3 months of unemployment are considered “out of status” and are not eligible for a grace period.

Can I return to school after completing OPT? Yes, provided you obtain a new I-20 for the next program of studies within 60 days of your OPT expiration. This will require you to complete the USCIS procedure for moving to a new level of studies (if you resume studies at the University of Missouri) or the procedure for a school transfer (if you go to a different school).

I already finished a year of OPT and I want to return to school. When I finish can I have another year of OPT? Yes, provided your degree is at a higher level than your previous degree (e.g. you have a M.S. and are now working on a Ph.D.). You also must meet the OPT eligibility requirements.