OPT FAQs

Optional Practical Training, or OPT is a benefit of your F-1 immigration status. It’s work authorization that you get after you complete your degree. The way you prove you’re allowed to work is an EAD card that you get from the U.S. government.

The EAD Card, is a document issued by the U.S. government that proves you’re allowed to work. It’s looks like a driver’s license.

You need to submit an OPT application to the government.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) is the government agency that reviews OPT applications and issues EAD Cards.

The valid EAD Card is how you prove you’re allowed to work. Your I-20 will also show the extension of your immigration status beyond your program completion (graduation).

You may begin your application about 3-4 months before your graduation date. You should be 100% sure you’re going to graduate before you start your application. The earliest you can mail your application is 90 days before your program end date.

You can start working when you have a valid OPT EAD Card in your hand.  You need your card and it needs to be valid before you can begin work.

Yes, this is one of the things your Academic Advisor or Program will review before they sign your OPT I-20 Request

We do not need to see your petition to graduate, but you should be sure it has been submitted and approved before you apply for OPT. It’s important that you only apply for OPT if you are 100% sure you’re going to graduate.

You will most likely list the last day of finals for your academic term.  For example,

Spring Semester (Law) - May 13, 2016

Spring Quarter - June, 9, 2016

You should list a start date that meets your personal and professional goals. You can request any day from 1 to 60 days after your program end date. But remember, USCIS takes about 3 months to approve OPT applications, and you can’t start working until you have your valid EAD card in your hand. So you want to pick a start date that is reasonable based on processing times and your intended start date.

Undergraduate students – Drahmann Center

Graduate Engineering – Academic Advisor

Graduate Business – Graduate Business Program Office

Law School – Law School Student Services

It’s strongly recommended. The Template OPT Cover Letter serves as a checklist, mayes your application more professional and neat and help make sure you don’t forget anything important.

The Template OPT Cover Letter is in a word document -- if you open it in word you will see that not every line applies to every period as it is a general template. You should update the template to reflect your situation and remove any information that does not apply to you.

This is the form USCIS requires you to submit with your application. This is the government’s OPT application form.

The most recent version is dated 11/04/2015 in the bottom corner. You can get the most up-to-date version here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

Yes. It is highly recommended that you type your form. This helps make sure that USCIS can read your handwriting and limits the risk of a typo on your card.

You can view a sample form here: Sample OPT I-765

The address listed on your form I-765 is the address that USCIS will use to mail your receipt notice and card, so it’s important that this address be accurate and up to date and under your control. If you’re moving, you should use the address of a friend or family member you trust.

You can use a friend or family member’s address on the Form I-765, but since this is the address USCIS will use to mail your approved OPT EAD card, you should be sure it’s a person you trust.

Yes, this should be listed on your I-765 in question #11 and you should include a copy of the card in your application.

Form G-1145 authorizes USCIS to send you certain case alerts via text message and email. It’s an optional form that is not required. In many cases, it’s not needed. If you are using an friend or family member’s address on your Form I-765, we do recommend that you include Form G-1145 and that you sign up for online case alerts once you get your receipt notice.

$410. This is payable by check or money order. Payment should be made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

USCIS FILING FEES INCREASE ON DECEMBER 23, 2016 

All applications received by USCIS on or after December 23, 2016, must include the higher fees ($410) or USCIS will reject the application.

The $410 payment should be made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

You can see a sample check here: 

You can visit a branch of your bank and purchase a check or money order. You can also get a money order from most U.S. Postal Service Office locations.

https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm

Yes.  But be sure they have $410 in their bank account and make sure the check is written properly.

Yes. They need to meet US passport requirements. You should go to a reputable passport photographer. Do not go to Kinkos, Walgreens, CVS, Costco etc.

We recommend that you go to a reputable, professional passport photographer who is familiar with U.S. passport photo specifications and requirements.

Typically, drugstores (CVS, Walgreens) and grocery stores (Safeway, Costco) do not take passport photos that meet U.S passport photo specifications.

Santa Clara University students have reported success with these local passport photographers: 

J Photo Center

3148 El Camino Real Ste 101B Santa Clara, CA 95051

Phone: (408) 735-7979

Website: jphotocenter.com

Foto Express

304 E Santa Clara St Ste C San Jose, CA 95112

Phone: (408) 971-3977

Disclaimer: All resources listed are suggestions and not officially endorsed by Santa Clara University or the Global Engagement Office.

Your passport photos need to have been taken within the last 30 days. If you submit old photos (for example that you used on a prior application), USCIS will issue a Request For Evidence and require you to submit new photos before your application can be approved.

The goal of a passport photo is to provide a reasonable likeness -- you should look like yourself in the photo!

Therefore we recommend that you wear normal clothing (rather than formal or ceremonial dress). We recommend that you do not wear a white shirt (since the photo background is white).

If you regularly wear eyeglasses, you may wear them in your photos.

If you regularly wear a head-covering, veil or scarf, you may wear it in your photos.

Usually we recommend that you leave it to the professionals. But, if you are confident that you can meet the very specific U.S. government requirements you’re welcome to take your own photos. If you’re very good at it, maybe you should create a start-up company that specializes in passport photos!

Your case will be delayed because USCIS will have to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking you to submit new photos.

Your OPT I-20 will be available within 2 business days of your OPT appointment, usually the following business day. We will email you once your I-20 is ready for pick-up.

You're ready to schedule an OPT Appointment if you have:

• Attended an OPT Workshop
• Collected your signed and completed Degree Completion / OPT Request Form
• Prepared your OPT Application
• You may select one appointment slot via our OPT Appointment Calendar.

All appointments are scheduled in Pacific Standard Time (PST), please be sure your calendar is set to PST.

• All appointments are scheduled in Pacific Standard Time (PST), please be sure your calendar is set to PST.
• Do not book any appointment until you are 100% ready to visit our office.
• Once you book your appointment DO NOT send any email confirming the appointment (we already get calendar notification emails).
• On the day of your appointment please be sure to show up on time and bring all required documents.

• Show up on time
• Bring all required documents, completed
• Remove any staples or paperclips
• Have your documents in order according to the cover letter
• Put your Degree Completion form on top of the cover letter
• I-20s: put in order from the most current to the oldest (copies only, not originals)
• Have your application materials in your hand, ready to give to the advisor, not in your backpack or folder

OPT Appointments are scheduled by students directly. We closely monitor the availability and expand our appointment slots to meet peak demand. The OPT Appointment Calendar shows all available appointments. New appointments become available based on cancellation or our team adding more advising. The appointments shown are the first available appointments. Please do not schedule, cancel and reschedule multiple appointments. You should schedule your appointment based on availability and plan to attend it.

Your application should include copies of:

• Copies of all prior I-20s
• Copies of your passport biographical and U.S. visa pages
• Print out of your most recent I-94 Entry Record 
• Copies of any other immigration documents you have (including I-797, Approval Notices, prior EAD cards etc)

• All pages should be 8 ½ x 11 paper.
• All pages should be single sided.
• You should not include any staples.

Yes, this should be listed on your I-765 in question #11 and you should include a copy of the card in your application.

Contact our office or the ISS team at your prior school and try to collect a copy of the missing I-20.

Our office cannot make copies of your documents. However, you can use the Engineering Design center, Duke’s in the Business School or the copying machines in the library (which accept Flex).

You can mail your application up to 90 days before your program end date

You can confirm the correct filing location here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses

We recommend that you use a courier service like FedEx. In most cases, 2 day delivery is sufficient. This should cost about $15

We don’t recommend it and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agrees with us. If your case is approved while you’re outside the U.S. you will need to have the EAD card in your hand to get back in the U.S. Also if USCIS needs extra documents to approve your case and issues a Request for Evidence (RFE)

https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel

Within a few weeks of filing, you would have gotten a receipt notice in the upper left corner there is a receipt number (it usually looks like WAC-16-XXX-XXXXX). You can use this number to check the status of your case and sign up for case alerts on the USCIS website.

https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/

Current processing times can be found on the USCIS case processing times website. If your case has been pending for longer, please contact ISS. Do not call USCIS directly.

When you have valid EAD card in your hand.

No. You need to have a valid EAD Card in hand to start working.

Unfortunately, there is no way for us to update your start date once the application has been filed. It’s important that you use your filing date, processing time and requested start date to communicate proactively with employers about when you will likely be able to start working.

No.  You need to have a valid EAD Card in hand to start working.

Please contact ISS. Please provide a copy of your receipt notice. Do not call USCIS directly.

As you know from attending an OPT Workshop, you should NEVER EVER contact USCIS directly! This will delay the processing of your case. If you have questions, please contact ISS.

USCIS is moving cases around to different offices to manage their workload in advance of the new STEM OPT regulation. This is normal and nothing to be worried about. We do not think this will delay any applications and expect cases to be approved within 90 days.

Please contact ISS and include a scanned copy of the RFE in your email. Do not respond to this notice without contacting our team for guidance.

When you have your EAD card in your hand and it has a valid start date.

No. Your card must be valid for you to start working.

Please immediately contact ISS clearly outlining the error. We will work with you to get this fixed as fast as possible. Do not contact USCIS directly.

Check your card for typographical errors. If there are not errors, upload a copy of your card and report your employment to our office via our OPT Updates section.

No. The EAD Card is what proves you are allowed to work. The I-20 does not have to be updated each time you change jobs. However, you do need to report your employment to the OPT Reporting Portal so we can update your SEVIS records.

For students in post-completion OPT, we recommend collecting a new I-20 for a few reasons:

• To get the updated version of the I-20
• When you apply for STEM OPT
• If you need proof of continued status for Cap Gap 
• If you are planning to apply for a new visa stamp

You can travel as long as you have all the required documents. It is recommended that you have a job, but it is not required. If you do not have a job, you should be prepared to answer questions about your travel outside the U.S. and you should understand how much unemployment time is left in your record.

We don’t recommend it and ICE agrees with us. If your case is approved while you’re outside the U.S. you will need to have the EAD card in your hand to get back in the U.S. Also if USCIS needs extra documents to approve your case and issues a Request for Evidence (RFE)

Most likely yes. To get back in the U.S. you will need to carry the required documents.

When you are properly maintaining your status and have all of the required documents. It is recommended that you have a job, but it is not required.

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa stamp
• Valid EAD card
• Valid I-20 with
• Valid travel signature (these are only valid for 6 months)

We recommend that you have employment reported into SEVIS and that you carry proof of employment (such as paystubs, your offer letter or an employment verification letter)

Maybe.  You should have the newest version of the I-20 form and your I-20 should have a valid travel signature.

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2015/06/coming-soon-a-redesigned-form-i-20

Maybe. Travel signatures are valid for 6 months while in post-completion OPT.

6 months.

Contact ISS for an appointment.

4-6 weeks before your planned travel.

If you have all the required documents, no!

If you are missing any documents, you should make an appointment to collect a travel signature or meet with an Advisor.

Report all employment to our OPT Reporting Portal. We use this to keep your SEVIS record up to date.

Report all employment to our OPT Reporting Portal. We use this to keep your SEVIS record up to date.

• Final day of work in current job
• New job
• Change of work address
• Company changes name

Just the information requested in the OPT Reporting Portal (start and end dates, job title, hours per week, employer name and address etc). We do not need a copy of your offer letter.

• Starting or ending a job.
• Taking a new job.
• Leaving an old job.
• Changes to your employer’s name or address.

Yes.  You are required to notify our office every time you have any change in employment.

Yes, but all employment must be reported via our OPT Reporting Portal.

Your job duties should be related to the content of the classes and degree. If you have questions, you should contact ISS to request an advising appointment.

• Jobs that are related to your field of study.
• You can work full or part time.
• You can work for short or long duration.
• You most likely cannot work in an unpaid job or internship.

Yes. You may work part-time. You need to work at least 20 hours per week to be considered “employed” for OPT purposes.

You can only accept an unpaid position if the lack of payment does not violate U.S. Labor Laws. Generally speaking if you’re doing work that benefits a for-profit company in any way, your work should be compensated.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has a convenient 6 point test to help you determine if the position you are offered is allowed to be unpaid or if payment is required.

Remember, it is illegal for international students to accept employment that violates U.S. labor laws.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf

20 hours per week.

From the day that your OPT EAD card is valid, you have 90 days to find a job. If you’re having a hard time, please contact our office.

90 days.

On the day that your OPT EAD Card becomes valid.

Unemployment is calculated from the day that you stop working to the day that you start a new job. Weekends count.