Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) for UT Tyler F-1 Students

International Student Services

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is 12-month work authorization available to F-1 international students who have been enrolled full-time for at least two consecutive semesters and plan to seek employment in the United States in their field of study. The most common type of OPT is Post-Completion OPT, which occurs following the I-20 program end date.

Students seeking OPT employment authorization must follow the application procedures and timelines required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Review the sections below to learn more about the OPT application process. 

Understanding the Basics

  • Be a UT Tyler student in valid F-1 status.
  • Be enrolled in the final semester of coursework required by academic program OR be within the 60-day grace period following your I-20 program end date.
  • Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis, in an approved SEVP-certified institution for at least one full academic year.
  • Must not have exceeded 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
  • Must seek employment directly related to major area of study.
  • Submit all required documents and apply within USCIS timelines (described below).
Note: graduate students pending thesis requirements (defense, etc.) may apply for OPT before graduation as long as all program coursework will be completed by the I-20 program end date.
No, a job offer is not required to apply for OPT. However, be aware that during your 12-month OPT period, you are only allowed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment
During the pending OPT application and after OPT approval by USCIS, F-1 students will remain in F-1 status under the I-20 authorization of UT Tyler. The OPT Extension is a benefit of your F-1 status and extends your ability to remain in the United States for the purpose of seeking employment in your field of study. This means that you will continue to use your the UT Tyler I-20 and F-1 documents to travel and you will still need to get updated travel signatures from OIP (every 6 months). This also means that OIP is still responsible for reporting changes about your status to SEVIS and helping you maintain your F-1 status while you are on OPT.
Yes, you will need a Social Security Number (SSN) for any paid employment in the United States.

Applying for OPT

  • You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before and up to 60 days after your expected program completion date. 
  • USCIS must receive your full and complete OPT application no more than 60 days after your expected program completion date. 
  • USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of when OIP recommends your I-20 for OPT.
  • You must be physically present in the United States at the time USCIS receives your OPT application.

We recommend applying for OPT as early as possible. Waiting can cause further delays and you may not get a full 12 months of OPT.

As part of the OPT I-20 request process, you must request a particular OPT start date. This is the day on which you would like to start your OPT work authorization. Some things to consider when choosing your requested OPT start date:

  • The requested start date must be within 60 days of your program end date. It can be as early as the day after your end date and up to 60 days after that.
  • It is not guaranteed that you will be approved for the start date you request. Your approved start date will appear on your EAD card and may be later than your requested start date, depending on when you apply for OPT and how long it takes USCIS to approve it. Please note that you may not begin working until your approved EAD start date, regardless of the requested date on your I-20.
  • Do you have travel plans? If you plan to travel, especially internationally, you may not want to select a start date during this time.
  • If you have a job offer, discuss with your employer an appropriate start date based on when you have applied for your OPT (consider the 2.5 to 5 month processing time).
  • If you don't have a job offer, you should consider where you are in your job search and when jobs typically start in your field and make your best estimate of when you'd like to begin working.
  • Days of unemployment only begin after the approved start date listed on your EAD.
  • Weigh the pros and cons of an early vs. late start date. If you choose an earlier start date, you may be able to begin your employment earlier, BUT if you don't find a job, you will begin accruing unemployment days sooner. If you choose a later start date, your unemployment days will begin accruing later, BUT you'll have to wait longer to begin employment.

 

  • Create your online USCIS account
  • Gather the following documents:
    • Digital 2x2 color passport photo with white background
    • A scan of your passport photograph page
    • A scan of your F-1 visa (or change of status approval notice)
    • A scan of the front and back of any previous EAD cards (if applicable)
    • A digital copy of your I-20 with OPT recommendation
      • The I-20 must be issued no more than 30 days before the I-765 is filed. 
      • The I-20 must be signed by an advisor at OIP and by you.
  • Your most recent form I-94
    • Select “Get Most Recent Form I-94”
  • A credit card to pay the filing fee
  • File a form online

Premium Processing is available from USCIS for the form I-765 for OPT and STEM OPT. 

What is premium processing?

  • USCIS will process your OPT I-765 request within 30 days of submission of the fully completed I-907 form.

What is the fee?

  • See the current Premium Processing for Form I-765 under the “Filing Fee” section on the Form I-907 website.

How can I request premium processing?

After Applying for OPT

After submitting your OPT application, you will need to wait for approval from USCIS. During your post-completion OPT period, you will be subject to updated F-1 regulations related to employment and unemployment. You’ll also be required to report personal and employment information to both OIP and SEVIS. Additionally, you'll need to consider your options as you approach the end of your 12-month OPT period.

Waiting for your OPT EAD Card

USCIS processing times for OPT applications can vary and may take several months. While Premium Processing is available, it comes at a significant cost. You can check the current OPT and STEM OPT processing times by visiting USCIS current OPT processing times for the most up-to-date information. 

 

The first week: E-file: You should receive your receipt notice through your USCIS online account. 

Within 30-45 days: You will also receive an I-797C receipt notice by mail, which confirms the date USCIS received your OPT application and includes your receipt number. Be sure to keep this notice in a safe place, as it serves as your official proof of submission and may be required for travel or other important purposes.

Around 1-3 months: You should receive an I-797 Notice of Approval and your EAD card at the mailing address you provided. If you filed online (E-Filing), the approval notice will also appear in your USCIS account. These documents may arrive separately or together. 

Once you receive your EAD card, check it carefully to ensure all information is accurate. Email a copy of your EAD to oip@uttyler.edu. You may begin working on your approved EAD start date. If you notice any errors on your EAD card, contact an OIP advisor immediately.

To check current processing times, visit USCIS OPT processing times. 

  • Select form I-765 category: "Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [c][3]"
  • Service Center:  Potomac Service Center". 

If you E-FILE, you will be able to track your Case Status via your online USCIS account.

Please note that your application will likely remain in "Received" status throughout most of the processing period, until it is officially approved.

After completing your degree, you are not authorized to work—on or off campus—until you have received your EAD card and your approved OPT start date has arrived, even if your USCIS case status shows that your application has been approved.

No. Work that is normally paid requires employment authorization. To begin working, you must have the card in hand and the start date must have arrived.

Travel during the OPT application process is allowed, but not recommended as it poses certain risks.

Keep in mind the following:

  • You will need to have someone monitor your mail and let you know if you receive any communications from USCIS.
  • If you receive a Request for Evidence, you will need to respond by a specific deadline, which could be difficult from outside the U.S.
  • For post-completion OPT: If you are denied for OPT while outside the United States after your Program Completion Date, you will not be able to re-enter or reapply. Your F-1 status will end.
  • If you are approved for OPT while outside the United States, you will need to arrange for your EAD card to be sent to you in order to re-enter the United States.
  • If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need to reapply for an F-1 visa with your EAD card and proof of employment.
  • If you choose to travel while your application is pending, be sure that you are monitoring your mail. Sign up for an account with USCIS Case Status online.

 

Employment and Unemployment on OPT

During your OPT authorization period, you must either be employed or actively seeking qualifying employment. Keep in mind that there are specific criteria for what counts as valid employment and a limit to the number of days you may remain unemployed.

 

On the start date of your approved EAD card. You must have the EAD card in hand to start working.

Employment must be: 

  • for a U.S. employer. Employment for non-US employment entities DOES NOT meet OPT employment requirements and cannot be authorized. 
  • a job that is directly related to the students program of study; if the relationship between the job and a student's field of study is called into questions by USCIS in the future, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate the relationship. 
  • Employment during OPT must be at least 20 hours per week to be considered full-time. If your total work hours fall below this threshold, it will count toward your 90-day unemployment limit. If you hold multiple part-time jobs, the combined hours must total 20 hours per week or more, and you are responsible for carefully documenting your work hours. 

  • OIP recommends maintaining at least one position that is 20 hours per week or more to help avoid potential scrutiny of your OPT employment.

  • paid or unpaid. 
  • Paid Employment: Students authorized for post-completion OPT may work part-time or full-time as long as the total employment averages at least 20 hours or more per week.
  • Multiple Employers: You may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to your degree program.
  • Short-Term Multiple Employers (For Performing Artists): If you are a musician, other performing artist, or you are doing other creative projects, you may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). You should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration. If requested by the government, you must be prepared to provide evidence showing a list of all gigs.
  • Work for Hire: Work for hire means that an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. If requested by the government, you must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.
  • Self-Employed Business Owner: Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, you must work full time. You must be able to prove that you have the proper business licenses and are actively engaged in a business related to your degree program.
  • Employment Through an Agency: Students on post-completion OPT must be able to provide evidence showing they worked at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.
  • Unpaid Employment: Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this does not violate labor laws. These students must be able to provide evidence from the employer that you worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.

During the period of OPT authorization, a student should be working or actively seeking employment. If you decide to quit your job, or if you do not find a job, keep the unemployment rules in mind.

  • Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment. The 90 days start counting from your approved OPT/EAD start date (not the recommended start date nor the program end date on your I-20) and are cumulative.
  • Students who are granted a 24-month extension are given an additional 60 days of unemployment for a total of 150 days over their entire post-completion OPT and STEM periods.
  • Approved vacation from a job does not count as "unemployment" if you are still considered an employee there. 
  • Jobs that are fewer than 20 hours per week may count towards the 90-day unemployment limit if the total cumulative employment of all positions is not more than 20 hours per week. If you have multiple part-time jobs the cumulative total work hours should be 20 hours per week or more, and you're responsible for carefully documenting work hours. 

Federal regulations require that all employment that you engage in while on OPT be directly related to your UT Tyler major. As part of your OPT reporting requirements, you must provide a description demonstrating a logical connection between your regular job duties and your major area of study. If USCIS questions whether your job is directly related to your field of study, the burden of proof falls on the student to clearly demonstrate the connection. OIP cannot determine which specific jobs do or do not qualify, as we are not experts in your academic discipline. You are encouraged to keep thorough documentation that explains how your position is related to your degree.

It is recommended that students maintain evidence for each job: the position held, duration of that position, the job title, contact information for the student’s supervisor or manager, and a description of the work. 

Rules and Reporting Requirements on OPT

While on OPT, students are required to follow specific rules and regulations in order to maintain valid F-1 status in the United States.

During the period of OPT authorization, a student should be working or actively seeking employment.

The top 5 rules to remember while on OPT are:

  1. You may only work from the start date of your EAD card to the end date of your EAD card.
  2. All employment must be related to your major field of study.
  3. You must report all employment and address changes to OIP at oip@uttyler.edu  within 10 days of any change.
  4. You are limited to 90 days of unemployment during your OPT.
  5. The travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 is valid only 6 months while on OPT.

All students on OPT are required to report their current address and employment information within 10 days of any change. They are also required to report if they end their OPT early.