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

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 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. 

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.