OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)?

  • have been in full time student status for at least one full academic year
  • be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application
  • intend to work in a position directly related to your major field of study

As of January 1, 2003, an F-1 student may become eligible for another 12 months of Optional Practical Training when he or she moves to a higher educational level. This benefits, for example, a student who has used 12 months of optional training after completing a bachelor’s degree and is now completing a masters or PhD program.

 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AUTHORIZATION FOR OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) AND WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

Authorization for Optional Practical Training is granted by the Immigration Service and can take several months to obtain. You must apply for optional practical training before the end of the semester. You will no longer have a sixty-day grace period after you graduate to apply.  You will need to receive the employment authorization card by the end of the semester.

 

DO I NEED TO HAVE A JOB TO APPLY FOR OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)?

You do not need to have a job offer before applying for Optional Practical Training.

 

HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED?

You will receive from a small identification card, called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This card will state the type and length of the period of employment authorized. When you receive this card, check to make certain all the information is correct.

 

CAN I BEGIN WORKING BEFORE I RECEIVE THE EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT?

No, you are NOT allowed to begin employment before you receive your EAD from INS.  Working before practical training has been authorized by the Immigration Service constitutes illegal employment that will jeopardize your legal status in the U.S.

 

For further information, contact the University of Utah International Center.