USCIS Announces Fee Increases and Changes in Premium Processing Impacting OPT filing fees
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Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit available to F-1 students only that allow students to work off-campus in your field of study to gain practical experience. There are three types of OPT that students may be eligible for: Pre-Completion, Post-Completion, and STEM Extension. All students are eligible for 12 months of OPT if they have completed full-time enrollment for at least one consecutive academic year (two long semesters) and have not participated in more than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training. The 12 months of OPT are granted once per degree level. Some students are eligible for an extension of their OPT, provided that they meet all requirements. OPT applications are adjudicated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with the recommendation of a Designed School Official and can take up to 90 days to process.
Note: Students who have fallen out of compliance may not be eligible for OPT.
Click here to view upcoming OPT Workshop Sessions
Click here for estimated I-765 processing times from USCIS*
*Processing times are estimates. (Form: I-765, Category: F-1, and Field Office: Potomac Service Center)
Typically, students that apply for Pre-Completion OPT are applying because they have exhausted all of their Curricular Practical Training (CPT) options, or CPT was not an option. Pre-Completion OPT can only be granted for a period beginning and ending prior to completion of degree. Pre-Completion OPT can only be granted on a part-time basis (less than 20 hours per week) or on a full-time basis (more than 20 hours per week) during annual vacations or for students working on thesis/dissertation only. Time accrued on Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the total 12 months of OPT eligibility.
For more information on how to apply for Pre-Completion OPT, please review the Pre/Post-Completion Optional Practical Training Tutorial
Requesting an OPT I-20:
Maintaining F-1 Status on OPT:
Pre/Post OPT Information Seminars: See Event Calendar
Post-Completion OPT is the most common type of work authorization, that begins after completion of degree or after the completion of all coursework for students on a thesis/dissertation track. Applying for Post-Completion OPT enables students to remain in the U.S. after they have completed their program to gain practical training in their field of study. Students generally receive 12 months of full-time OPT, if they have not participated in Pre-Completion OPT or have not exceeded 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training. Students applying for Post-Completion OPT can only apply up 90 days prior to their expected program completion date and up to 60 days after their program completion date. Please contact the ISSS office if you have any doubts as to the start date of your 60-day grace period (i.e. program completion date). Typically, your program completion date will be the "Conferral of Degree" date, which typically coincides with university commencement date. These dates are provided by the Registrar's office in the Academic Calendar.
*The Form I-765 must be filed with USCIS by the end of the 60-day grace period (calculated 60 days from program end date on your OPT-recommended I-20).
The ISSS office requires students submit the I-20 request for OPT a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the end of the 60-day grace period.
For more information on how to apply for Post-Completion OPT and how to maintain F-1 status, please review...
1. Requesting an OPT I-20 Video Walkthrough:
View an additional Pre/Post-Completion Optional Practical Training Tutorial via PowerPoint.
2. I-765 Video Walkthrough:
Requesting an OPT I-20:
- Complete the "Maintaining F-1 Status During Optional Practical Training (OPT)" Canvas course
- Pay the OPT SEVIS Maintenance Fee
- Submit the Pre-/Post-Completion I-20 Request
Maintaining F-1 Status on OPT:
Pre/Post OPT Information Seminars: See Event Calendar
Check case processing times from USCIS: Click here
Select students on Post-Completion OPT can extend their OPT by applying for a 24-Month STEM Extension. To be able to apply for a STEM Extension the student must have a STEM degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. This degree is typically the last degree conferred, however, students can also apply for a STEM Extension based on a previous degree from a U.S. accredited school and degree that must also be conferred within the last 10 years.
To apply, students must be a paid employee of an E-Verified company and the employer must also be willing to complete the I-983 Training Plan with the student.
For more information on how to apply for STEM Extension OPT and maintain F-1 status during the STEM Extension, please review the Optional Practical Training: 24-Month STEM Extension Tutorial.
Requesting an OPT I-20:
- Complete the Form I-983 in conjunction with your E-Verified employer
- Pay the OPT SEVIS Maintenance Fee
- Submit the OPT STEM Extension Request & Acknowledgement Form
Maintaining F-1 Status on OPT:
Check case processing times from USCIS: click here
Only Post-Completion and STEM applicants are required to pay this fee. Once you have paid online (with a debit or credit card), print out an electronic copy of the receipt, you won't need to print off a physical receipt.
Click here to pay online
