Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Purpose

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment authorization for F-1 students to gain practical experience related to their field of study.  

• Eligible F-1 students may receive up to 12 months of OPT for each higher degree level completed in the U.S. 
• Approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Typical processing time: 90–120 days. Premium Processing is available 
• After approval, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). EAD is your official work permit in the U.S. 

Types of OPT

• Part-time: Up to 20 hours per week 
• Full-time: More than 20 hours per week 

Students may be eligible to participate in OPT in two different ways:

To qualify for Optional Practical Training, you must: 

• Be in valid F-1 status at the time of application. 
• Be physically present in the United States when you apply. 
• Have a valid passport that remains valid throughout your OPT period. 
• Have completed at least one full academic year (two consecutive semesters) of full-time study in the U.S. — or have approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) or Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) status. 
• Note: Summer and Winter sessions do not count toward this requirement. 
• Not have used more than 12 months of OPT at your current degree level. 
• Not have completed more than 365 days of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT). 

Your Job Must Relate to Your Major 

• All OPT employment must be directly related to your major field of study (not your minor). 
• You can hold more than one job during OPT, as long as each is related to your major. 
• You are responsible for explaining and documenting how your job connects to your major. 
•  If the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) questions your employment later, you must be able to prove the connection. 
• F-1 advisors can’t confirm whether a specific job qualifies, since they’re not experts in your academic field.   

Types of Employment That Are Allowed 

• Paid employment: Part-time or full-time paid work is allowed. 
• Multiple employers: You may work for more than one employer if all jobs are related to your major. 
• Short-term gigs (for artists/performers): You may take multiple short-term jobs (e.g., performances, freelance gigs). Keep a record of each job’s dates, duration, and employer. 
• Work for hire (independent contractor / 1099) You can work as a contractor. Keep contracts, company contact info, and dates of each project. 
• Self-employed business owner: You can start your own business and work full-time. You must have proper licenses and show that the work is related to your major. 
• Employment through an agency: You may work through staffing or temp agencies. Keep evidence you worked at least 20 hours per week. 
• Unpaid or volunteer work: You may volunteer or intern (without pay) as long as this does not violate labor laws and you work at least 20 hours per week. Obtain a verification letter from your supervisor. 

Employment That Are Not Allowed 

• Jobs not related to your major. 
• On-campus “student” jobs after your I-20 end date — your OPT recommendation shortens your program end date, and on-campus work authorization ends at that point. 
• Graduate students on OPT who are still completing their Culminating Experience may not continue on-campus work once the I-20 end date passes. 

Most students receive 12 months of Post-Completion OPT. During your post-completion OPT period, you cannot exceed 90 days of unemployment in total. The unemployment limit does not apply to pre-completion OPT. 

Example:  If your EAD card is valid from July 30, 2025, to July 29, 2026, you cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days between those dates. 

When Unemployment Days Begin 

Unemployment days start only from your EAD “valid from” date (as shown on your card). 

They do not start from: 

• The day you applied for OPT 
• Your requested OPT start date 
• The end of your semester or program (I-20 end date) 
• While your OPT is still pending 
• The time between EAD approval and your actual “valid from” date 

What Counts as Unemployment 

• Any day without active employment reported in your SEVP Portal. 
• Days between jobs or between a job offer and actual start date. 
• Days where you forgot to report employment (these still count as unemployment). 

Example:  If your EAD starts on August 1, and your new job starts on August 20,  you’ve used 19 unemployment days (Aug 1–19). 

Employment Hour Requirements 

• You must work at least 20 hours per week in a job related to your major. 
• You must report your employment in the SEVP Portal to be considered “employed” and maintain your F-1 status. 

If You Exceed 90 Days of Unemployment 

If you reach 90 days of unemployment, your: 

• F-1 and OPT status are automatically terminated by SEVP. 
• You will receive an email notice from SEVP, not from your international student advisor. 
• You will lose the 60-day grace period normally available after OPT. 

How to Avoid SEVIS Termination 

Before reaching the 90-day limit, you should: 

• Depart the U.S., or 
• Transfer your SEVIS record to another SEVP-certified school. 

If you leave the U.S., email f1@sfsu.edu with: 

• The date you departed, and 
• A request for your advisor to end your OPT before you exceed unemployment days. 

Below is a general timeline outlining the major phases from the time an F-1 student begins their Post-Completion OPT request through approval and beyond.   

Please note that processing times may vary and are not guaranteed by the F-1 advisors. 

Phase 1: During the Final Semester 

• Review the OPT resources and complete the OPT quiz. 
• Download the OPT Request Form and select your preferred OPT start date. 
• Email the OPT Request Form to your Academic Advisor or Graduate Advisor for signature to verify degree completion. 
• Receive the signed OPT Request Form from your advisor. 

Phase 2: Submitting the OPT Request 

• Email signed OPT Request Form to f1@sfsu.edu. 
• While waiting for your new I-20, begin preparing your OPT application for USCIS. 
• F-1 Advisors will issue your OPT Requested I-20 within 10 business days. 
• After receiving the I-20, file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization online through the USCIS website. You will need to upload the I-20 with OPT recommendation. 

After filing with USCIS: 

• A digital receipt notice, I-797C, Notice of Action, will be available immediately.  
• Check status online at https://egov.uscis.gov/  
• The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) arrives about 2–3 weeks after approval. 
• If you applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) with your OPT, it should arrive within 2 weeks after receiving your EAD. If you do not receive the SSN card in the mail, apply for SSN in-person. 

Please note: Processing timelines are approximate and subject to change by USCIS. 

Phase 3: After OPT/EAD Start Date 

• Receive a SEVP Portal activation email directly from SEVP. 
• Create your SEVP Portal account and log in. 
• Begin employment and report your job details in the SEVP Portal within 10 days of your start date. 
• If not yet employed, unemployment days will begin counting from your approved start date. 
• (If applicable) Apply for STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before your OPT end date. 

Phase 4: OPT End Date and Grace Period 

• After your OPT end date, you enter a 60-day grace period. 
• During this time, you may: 
• Prepare to depart the U.S., or 
• Transfer your SEVIS record to another U.S. institution. 
• Your F-1 status at SFSU will be considered completed at the end of this grace period. 

• Review the OPT resources above carefully. Understand the OPT responsibilities 
  • Complete the mandatory OPT quiz here.  
  • The purpose of the quiz is to test students' knowledge of OPT and remind students of their responsibilities. 
  • There is no minimum score requirement.   
• Keep a note of the date of completion to fill OPT request form 

• Download the OPT Authorization Request form (PDF, 170KB) 
• Fill out all required sections. 
• For the “Academic Information” section, ask your Academic Advisor to sign: 
  • Graduate Students: Contact your Graduate Coordinator 
  • Undergraduate Students: Contact the Undergraduate Advising Center 

Email the completed form to f1@sfsu.edu. 

• An F-1 Advisor will review your request. If eligible, you’ll receive an OPT Requested I-20 within 10 business days.  
• The I-20 end date will be automatically updated to your current semester’s program end date.  
• While waiting for your new I-20, begin preparing Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization).  
• The CIP code on your I-20 will list your major (not concentration). For example, Business Administration – Marketing will appear as Business Administration, General. 

USCIS allows students to file for Post-Completion OPT (C)(3)(B) online. 

Tips before filing: 

• Use your personal email address (not your SFSU email) when creating a USCIS online account, since SFSU accounts are deactivated about a year after graduation. 
• Review the Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Instructions (link to Google Slides). 

Additional Resources: 

• USCIS Form I-765 
• How to Create a USCIS Online Account 
• Tips for Filing Online 

Premium Processing (Optional): 

• USCIS offers premium processing for an additional fee. 
• This guarantees action on your case within the timeframe listed in USCIS Premium Processing Information. 

We strongly advise you to update your “preferred email” in the Student Center to a personal email address, as SFSU student accounts are deactivated about one year after graduation. 

The “Preferred Email” is linked to your SEVIS record and is where SEVP will send important reminders and SEVP Portal login instructions.  Once your preferred email is updated, SEVP will send account creation link to your personal email, so check your personal email regularly after graduation. 

• You can check status online at https://egov.uscis.gov/ 
• If USCIS needs more information, they will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). This does not mean your Form I-765 is denied. It just requires additional documents. Submit your response electronically through your USCIS online account. You must respond by the USCIS deadline, or your application will be denied. Receiving an RFE may delay processing. 
• If your Form I-765 is rejected, it means it was not filed properly and does not establish a filing date. Contact us immediately for guidance. 
•  If your Form I-765 is denied, it means your OPT has not been approved. Contact us immediately for next steps. 

Students who have pending I-765 must enter the U.S. with “PENDING” remark for OPT.

Post-Completion OPT students are not required to buy SFSU pre-approved insurance but may choose to enroll within 30 days after their current plan ends. 

Example: If your coverage ends August 9, you must purchase new insurance by September 8. 

 To Purchase OPT Insurance: Go to United HealthCare's student portal at https://www.uhcsr.com/sfsu. Follow the step-by-step instructions (Word, 64KB). 

USCIS will mail your EAD card to the mailing address you provided on Form I-765. You may begin working only on or after the “Valid From” date listed on your EAD and must have the card in hand.  

If you also applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) with your Form I-765, you would normally receive your SSN card within about 10 days of approval. However, as of March 20, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has temporarily paused automatic SSN issuance for OPT applicants through June 2025.  

If you do not receive your SSN automatically, you may apply in person at a local SSA office within 30 days of your OPT start date. 

The SEVP Portal is an online system where you can report your OPT employment, address, and phone number directly to SEVP. Unemployment days are automatically tracked based on what you report. 

After your EAD start date, you’ll receive a SEVP Portal login email.  Create your SEVP Portal account as soon as you receive the email (the link expires).  

If not received within a week, email f1@sfsu.edu with: 

• Your full name and SFSU ID 
• Request to “Send SEVP login email after OPT start date.” 

Sample statement for reporting: 

My major is (MAJOR), concentration in (CONCENTRATION). My job is directly related to my major because I will work an average of (NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK) as a (JOB TITLE) at a (COMPANY TITLE), where I will (JOB DUTIES). On a daily basis, I use the knowledge I gained in my (MAJOR COURSE TITLES). My duties directly utilize the skills and knowledge I acquired from my coursework and degree at SFSU. 

After updating your information in the SEVP Portal, you may request an updated I-20 that includes your employer details on page 2.
Submit your request through the Updated I-20 Request Form.

Lost EAD

Option 1 – Check with USCIS 

• Verify your mailing address in your online I-765 account. 
• Submit an inquiry using the USCIS Self-Service Tool. 
• If USPS returns your card, USCIS will reissue it to your updated address. 
• Allow 21 days for USPS to return the card and another 30 days for reissuance before following up. 
• If still not received, request proof from USCIS and contact the CIS Ombudsman for assistance. 

You cannot work during this time. 

Option 2 - Request a Replacement

• File a new Form I-765 with the filing fee for a replacement EAD. 
• Include copies of your I-797 approval notice and I-20 showing the original OPT recommendation. 
• You’ll receive a new I-797 receipt; you may work up to 90 days with this receipt while waiting for the new card (USCIS I-9 guidance). 

Ensure your mailing address accepts first-class mail and your name or c/o contact is correctly listed. 

In all cases, the student’s address must be able to accept mail categorized as “first-class or higher”; students must be listed as physically residing there with USPS or have indicated the person living at the residence in the c/o mailing address on the I-765.

Correcting an Erroneous EAD

Mistakes may include name, birthday, start and/or end date. A typical error is an EAD end date that exceeds 12 months, or that ends more than the regulatory OPT completion limit of 14 months beyond the student’s program end date. Students should review dates for accuracy and correct any errors, even if the error appears to grant more than the regulatory permissible amount of time.

Option 1: USCIS Error

1. Student may submit a service request via the USCIS' website. No new I-765 or fee is required. Must return the incorrect EAD to USCIS services center. 

Option 2: Applicant Error

1. File a new I-765 application with the filing fee. Include an Explanation letter and a copy of incorrect EAD
2. A new I-20 is not required since OPT is already approved. 

If the student has an offer of employment, they may be able to complete the I-9 requirements with the incorrect EAD, depending on the specific error (such as birth date) and the requirements of the employer. If so, they can work while waiting for the replacement EAD if they can complete the I-9 process before returning the EAD.

SEVP sent regular reminders to F-1 students on OPT.  It is essential for you to keep your email address up to date.  To change your email address for SEVP portal: 

• Step 1: In your Student Center, change your Preferred Email to a personal email. Advisors will update your email in SEVIS within 24 hours. 
• Step 2: SEVP will lock your old portal account and send an email from do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov to your new email address with a temporary password. 
• Step 3: Log in with your new email and temporary password, then reset your password. 

Students on the 12-month post-completion OPT must enter the U.S. with an “APPROVED” remark for OPT.

Students on Post-Completion OPT are not required to purchase SFSU pre-approved insurance. 

However, OPT students are eligible to purchase this plan as long as they purchase within 30 days of their previous insurance expiration date. For example, if their current insurance will end on August 9, they must purchase new coverage by September 8.

To Purchase OPT Insurance

Go to United HealthCare's student portal at https://www.uhcsr.com/sfsu. Follow the step-by-step instructions (Word, 64KB). 

Students with incomes below the threshold indicated on VITA - Beta Alpha Psi Beta Chi Chapter - OPEN (sfsubap.org) can receive free tax assistance from VITA.

STEM major students may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Plan and apply 90 days before their OPT end date.  See the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension information page for eligibility and the application process.

If you do not exceed 90 days of unemployment, you have a 60-day grace period after the “Valid Until” date on your EAD. During this period, you must leave the U.S. or transfer to another school to continue your F-1 status. 

You will lose access to the SEVP Portal shortly after your EAD end date. We recommend taking screenshots and saving records of your employment history and SEVP reporting for your own reference. 

See Change Degree Level: Bachelors to Masters if students plan to pursue another program of study at SFSU.

If students wish to pursue study at a different U.S. institution, follow the I-20 Transfer Procedures instruction and request their SEVIS record/I-20 to be transferred to their new school.

Contact an F-1 international student advisor as soon as possible if students believe they will fail a class after they have applied for OPT.   In some cases, they may be able to withdraw their OPT application. In other cases, they will continue their OPT and work part-time, while they complete their studies. Their OPT time will not be extended.

Do not enroll in any academic courses: Students can only take recreational/avocational classes (Yoga or Wine tasting classes…etc) while on post-OPT. They cannot enroll in any academic degree or certificate programs while on post-OPT. 

If students plan to obtain a higher degree and their academic program will start before their OPT end date, students must request their SEVIS record to be transferred to their new schools. Their OPT will end on the date SFSU transfer their SEVIS record out. 

No.  If their OPT application hasn't been approved, this means they do not have any authorization to work in the U.S.  Do not start working before they have the EAD in their hand.

Yes. Make sure to report their new employer at SEVP Portal.

No. When recommending OPT, the F-1 international advisors shorten the program end date on the I-20 to reflect the OPT applicant’s degree program completion. F-1 students can not pursue on-campus employment beyond the I-20 end date. Graduate students who are still working on Culminating Experiences but have applied for OPT will also have shortened I-20s, therefore, can not presume on-campus employment after the program end date on the I-20.

Students can apply for OPT and SSN together (on the I-765 form). Their SSN card should arrive within 7 business days after receiving the EAD.