Optional Practical Training (OPT)

You are eligible to apply for standard, post-completion OPT, if you meet the following criteria:

• You are currently in lawful F-1 status and have accrued immigration benefits for one full year since entry into the U.S. 
• You have been enrolled in a full course of study or equivalent for at least one academic year.
• You are in good academic standing.
• You have completed, or are in the process of completing your degree required coursework.
• You have not already participated in post-completion OPT at your current degree level or exceeded 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT). One OPT is granted per degree level.
• Students in English language training programs are ineligible for practical training.

• Work can begin only after receiving the EAD and on or after the start date on the EAD.
•  If your application for OPT is still pending contact a CIE Advisor for further advice.
• Work at least 20 hours per week. If work schedule is variable, work an average of 20 hrs. per week within a month. 
• Work must be directly related to your major field of study.
• Valid “employment” for OPT includes: 
  • Single full-time or multiple part-time jobs
  • Multiple, short-term jobs
  • Work for hire/independent contractor
  • Self-employed business owner
  • Employment through an agency
  • Volunteer/unpaid internships where U.S. Labor Laws permit. See Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act for more details.
• Maintain evidence - for each job - of the position held, proof of the duration of that position, the job title, contact information for the your supervisor or manager and a description of the work.
• Cannot be unemployed for a total of more than 90 days. If you are unemployed for more than 90 days during your OPT, you will be considered out of status and your status will be terminated. You must leave the U.S., transfer to another institution, change degree levels, or change your immigration status.

International Students completing Post-Completion OPT are required to report the following changes within 10 business days of the change:

• Termination of employment
• Unemployment periods
• Changes to your name
• Changes to your U.S. mailing address and contact information
• Termination of your OPT period
• Change of status or Academic level

You have two options to update your Information while in Post-Completion OPT:

SEVP Portal

The SEVP Portal will be accessible to you only after OPT is approved. You will receive an email to set up your individual SEVP Portal from do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov. Use the SEVP Portal to report the following information only:

• Physical home address
• Mailing address
• Telephone numbers
• Employment information

After you set up your SEVP Portal, you can access it here. For help with the SEVP Portal visit SEVP PORTAL HELP.

Please note: New I-20s are not issued when reporting updates.
 
You can continue to update your personal information in your CSULB Single Sign-On while on OPT. Preferred email may can be changed by submitting a student request.

Click here for travel information from International Students & Scholars Services.

Report the end of your OPT period at any time by submitting OPT end date information as a student request. 

Grace Period

F-1 students who complete their OPT period successfully until the end of their Employment Authorization Card (EAD) have a 60-day grace period. During the grace period, students must prepare to depart the U.S., gain a new F-1 status, or change to another immigration status.

A Transfer Out Request must be submitted to ISS within the grace period if you plan to start a new academic program at a school other than CSULB.

H1-B Cap Gap Extension

Your OPT work authorization will be automatically extended if you are the beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition requesting change of status and an employment start date of October 1 (the first day of the following fiscal year). To determine your eligibility for the Cap Gap or to request an I-20 with the Cap Gap notations, contact an International Student advisor or click here to view the request form. 

Optional practical training (OPT) is defined in immigration regulations as 'temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student's major area of study.'( 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(10)(ii)) OPT is approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

It is very likely that your program of study, listed in your original I-20, will be shortened in order to process your OPT request. With this in mind, you will not be ableto work on campus or be eligible for CPT after the end of your program, as printed in the OPT I-20.

You may not begin working until you receive your OPT approval (EAD card) and your start date on your EAD card has begun. During your OPT period on your EAD card, you can have only up to 90 days of unemployment. However, you could start your job search as early as you would like. Make sure to be prepared to explain OPT and its implications to your potential employers. Career Development Center is a great place to visit to start your job search. Workshops on job search specifically for international students are also offered each semester so please make sure to check your email inbox for announcements.

It takes ISS a minimum of 15 business days to process your application. After you mail your OPT application to USCIS, it takes USCIS approximately 90 days to approve your OPT.

No, CSULB does not approve Pre-Completion OPT.

Yes, you can apply for OPT as long as you have completed or are in the progress of completing all the courses required by your degree program. Please be advised that if you do not complete your project/thesis/comprehensive exam by the end of your OPT period, you will not be eligible for a program extension on your I-20 (see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5), (10), (11), and (12) and 247a.12(c)(6)(iv) and (v) ). If you have any questions, please contact an International Student Advisor.

You will need to choose an OPT start date between the day after your program end date and 60 days after your program end date. However, your authorized OPT start date on your EAD card will be either the preferred start date you requested or the date USCIS approves your application, whichever is later. You may not begin working until you receive the approval (EAD card) and your start date on your EAD card has begun.

If you qualify for STEM OPT Extension, make sure to plan and apply in a timely manner. Other F-1 students who complete an OPT have a 60-day grace period. During the grace period, students need to leave the U.S., gain a new F-1 status, or seek another immigration status. CIE usually provides a workshop regarding visa options after OPT each semester so please make sure to check your email inbox for announcements.

You will still be on F-1 status when you are on OPT. Therefore, when you travel and re-enter the U.S., you will need a valid F-1 visa.

You need to maintain your F-1 status when you are on OPT by having qualifying employment with less than 90 days of unemployment and reporting employment and address updates to CIE. For details, please click here.

No expedited service is available for OPT applications. To ensure a timely processing of your OPT application, please make sure of the following:

• Your contact information on your MyCSULB account is updated
• CIE has a copy of your current passport on file
• Your application documents are complete and correct
• Your registration holds are cleared

The following common mistakes can delay your OPT application processing or even result in a denial of your application:

• Application is not submitted within the timeframe
• Application is incomplete
• Check is dated too far away in the future
• Pictures do not follow requirements
• Failure to respond to the an Request for Further Evidence (RFE) by the given deadline

Fill out the official OPT Employment and Address Update Form.

Yes, you must inform a CIE advisor about your decision to cancel the OPT request, end your OPT early, and your plans after the completion of your OPT period. The OPT Employment and Address Update form can be used to inform CIE about your plans.

Yes. All individuals who will be employed in the United States must have a SSN. You will need your EAD card and new I-20 to apply for the SSN.

Any income you earn in the United States must be reported by filing taxes. If you earn any type of income in the U.S., you must file a tax return by April 15. For more information, please visit the Study in the States - Filing Taxes 101 page.

Contact ISS here.