Please note this is a guide and does not provide legal advice.
Purpose
This guide is to help you apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), the year of work authorization all F-1 students are eligible for after they complete their programs.
1. Request forms
The first step to apply for OPT online is to request your OPT I-20. Complete the myPassport forms, which can be found under Employment/Internships > Optional Practical Training Application Forms. You will need this newly issued I-20 to apply for OPT. After you complete these forms, an international student advisor will issue you an OPT-endorsed I-20.
2. Gather the necessary materials
- Digital 2″x2″ color passport photo that meets USCIS specifications
- A scan of your passport biographic (photograph) page
- A scan of the front and back of any previous EAD cards (if applicable)
- A scan of any previous I-20s with CPT or OPT information (required if applicable)
- A digital copy of your I-20 with an OPT recommendation
- You must apply for OPT with this I-20 within 30 days of when it was issued. As a reminder, you must apply via myPassport to receive a new I-20 before filing for your OPT online.
- The I-20 must be signed by an ISSS advisor and by you.
- Your most recent form I-94
- I-94 website
- Select “Get Most Recent Form I-94”
- A credit card with which you can pay the filing fee
3. Apply online
For detailed instructions on how to apply online, please refer to our How to Complete Form I-765 Online guide. Please note that most F-1 students do not have an A-number or USCIS online account number, so you can leave this blank. If you previously had an EAD, the USCIS number is your A-number.
4. Provide evidence
This is where you upload the required documents for your application.
- Under “Employment Authorization Document,” if you have previously been issued an EAD, you should upload this here. Otherwise, you can upload the photo page of your passport.
- Upload the Form I-20 document issued ISSS with the OPT authorization on page 2.
5. Additional information
Most students do not need to fill out anything in this section. If you have a situation that needs to be addressed in this section, talk to an international student advisor. Some common issues include an expiring passport, differences between your I-94 and travel history, or a change of status while you were in the U.S.
Employment reporting instructions
Immigration regulations require you inform WSU of any employment changes within 10 days. You can update your employment information at myPassport under Employment/Internships > OPT Employment Update Form.
Frequently asked questions
You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before and 60 days after the completion of your program. We recommend applying as early as possible, but in some cases, it may be better to wait. If you are unsure about your program end date or when to apply, talk to an ISSS advisor. Be aware that applying late may result in gaps of unemployment or a shorter OPT period.
- Undergraduates: The program end date is the day semester grades are posted.
- Graduate students with an assistantship: The program end date is the last day of the pay period for your final month (May 15, July 31, December 31), or the day grades post, whichever is later.
- Graduate students without an assistantship: The program end date is the day grades are posted.
Other factors, like taking an interim exam period, could affect this date. For clarification, speak with an ISSS advisor.
No, you do not need a job offer to apply.
Yes, you can pay for premium processing when you first apply or while your OPT application is pending.
This is fine. You are still in status as long as your OPT application is pending. However, you cannot start working until you receive your EAD card, and the approved start date has arrived.
You are still in F-1 status while on OPT.
You must wait. You cannot start working until you have your EAD card, and the start date printed on the card has arrived.
No. On-campus employment authorization ends when your program is complete. You must wait for your EAD card and for your OPT to start before you can work on campus again.
Yes, you can. The regulations allow graduate students who have finished their coursework to end their program and apply for OPT early. However:
- Your program end date will be shortened, which means you will lose on-campus employment opportunities (like an assistantship) until your OPT is approved.
- You must have your degree to apply for the STEM OPT extension, so it is important to complete your academic program while on OPT, ideally within the first 6 months.
Your OPT period must end within 14 months of your program completion date. If your application is submitted or approved late, this could result in less than 12 months of OPT.
USCIS typically takes 2-4 months to process applications. Fall and winter applications are generally processed faster than spring and summer applications.
Your OPT must start within your 60-day grace period. While the choice is yours, consider these factors:
- When will you submit your application? An early submission gives you more time for processing and more flexibility in choosing a start date. If you apply late, consider a later start date.
- Job market in your field: If you expect to need more time to find a job, it might be best to choose a later start date.
- Plans during your grace period: If you want time off before working, you can choose a later start date.
No, graduate assistantships require full-time enrollment and full-time enrollment in a degree program is not allowed while on OPT.
We strongly discourage any paid or unpaid work (including volunteering) on campus until you have your EAD card and your OPT has started.
Yes, but the work must be related to your major. We recommend documenting your volunteer work (e.g., supervisor’s letter, weekly journals) in case questions arise later. Be aware there are laws about what qualifies as “volunteer” work, and misuse could put you or your company at risk.
CPT cannot be used for employment once you have applied for OPT. CPT must be an integral part of your major, and by applying for OPT, you and your department confirm all degree requirements are completed or will be. Therefore, our office cannot authorize CPT after applying for OPT.