OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) for F-1 STUDENTS

OPT is temporary employment authorization allowing F-1 students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study. OPT is most often awarded upon completion of an academic degree, for a 12-month period. However, OPT may be requested on a pre-completion basis. The OPT application is a two-step process; the first requires an application to the IO, and the second the completed application must be submitted to USCIS.

The following are points to remember when considering OPT:

  • A total of twelve months is available per academic level (i.e. bachelors, master, etc.)
  • An offer of employment is not required to submit the application for OPT.
  • The program end-date is the last day of the final quarter you will be registered as a student at Northwestern.
  • Any pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the twelve months allocated. Part-time OPT (20 hours per week) will be deducted at half the full-time rate.
  • Post-completion OPT is awarded on a full-time basis only.

All students interested in applying for OPT are encouraged to attend an OPT workshop. To view the workshop schedule, click here.

For information on overseas travel while on OPT, click here.

Eligibility for OPT
Conditions of OPT
When to Apply?
Reporting Requirements
OPT Listserv
Important OPT Documents
OPT STEM Extension Information
H-1B Cap-Gap Provisions

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • In lawful full-time F-1 status for full academic year.
  • Good academic standing with the university.
  • Training must be related to the student's major area of studies.

Conditions

The following conditions apply to OPT:

  • Students are limited to one 12-month period of OPT per educational level. 
  • You may apply for OPT without a job offer*. 
  • You may NOT pursue a new “course of study” while on OPT.
  • Students CANNOT begin employment until receipt of the EAD card, and are permitted to work ONLY during the period specified on the card. 

*Even if you have not yet secured employment at the time of application, your intention in applying for Post-Completion OPT is to be employed in your field of study. Once you receive employment authorization, USCIS considers it a violation if you neither start or actively seek employment.

When to Apply?

F-1 students may apply for post-completion OPT no earlier than 90-days before the I-20 expiration date and no later than 60-days after the I-20 expiration date. The application must be properly filed with the correct USCIS Service Center within 30-days of the date the Designated School Official (i.e. your international student advisor) recommends the OPT in SEVIS. You must mail your application as soon as possible after receiving the new I-20's from the International Office, but no earlier than 90-days before the expiration date listed on the I-20.

If you would like to submit your application to the USCIS Service Center as early as possible, thus increasing your chances of receiving the EAD card in a timely manner, refer to the OPT Timeline below. Otherwise, completed applications may take 3-5 business days to process at the IO.

USCIS may take 3-4 months to process OPT applications, regardless of when the application was received. Plan ahead and attend an OPT workshop for more information.

Post-Completion OPT Reporting Requirements

Students are required to report the following to the IO:

  1. Students are required to submit a copy of their EAD card to the IO upon receipt.
  2. Students are required to subscribe to the Post-Completion OPT Listserv.
  3. Students are required to report the following within 10 days of the event:
    1. Change in name; 
    2. Change in Address;
    3. Change in Employer;
    4. Interruption of Employment;
    5. Permanent Departure from the U.S. during OPT; or
    6. Change of Immigration Status.

To report on the items listed above, students should complete the Post-Completion OPT Reporting Survey. This online tool is a quick and easy way to maintain your OPT responsibilities.

Post-Completion OPT Reporting Survey

Post-Completion OPT Listserv

To keep Northwestern students updated, the IO has created a Post-Completion OPT listserv. This monthly e-newsletter will be sent to all students who have applied and been granted OPT. Information pertaining to required reporting, extension details, and H-1B Cap-Gap issues will be covered. 

To subscribe, send an email to: listserv@listserv.it.northwestern.edu

Leave the subject blank. In the body of the message, write: subscribe listname firstname lastname. (listserv name: postcompletionopt)

Ex. subscribe postcompletionopt nick seamons

Important OPT Documents  

OPT Timeline (PDF)
This document provides guidance regarding: when to apply, determining a start-date, and the estimated processing time of your application at USCIS.

OPT Instructions & Checklists (PDF)
This document provides application instructions and requirements.

OPT Academic Advisor Form (PDF)
To be completed by the student and the Academic Advisor or Dean. Refer to the OPT Instructions & Checklists document above for application information.

OPT Form I-765
This government form must accompany your OPT application. It can be accessed directly via the USCIS website, under the Immigration Forms heading.

OPT Form I-765 IO Instructions (PDF)
Refer to these instructions when completing the I-765.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
12-month OPT FAQ's.

OPT STEM Extension Information

In April, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released changes to F-1 OPT rules. The new rules, effective April 8, 2008, will affect all F-1 students currently on OPT and all future applicants of OPT. Students in certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields may be eligible to extend their OPT authorization from 12- to 29-months, based on a 17-month extension.

The new rules also involve more strict reporting requirements for all students on OPT and allowed periods of unemployment (see Reporting Requirements above).

To learn more about the F-1 OPT STEM Extension, refer to the IO's STEM Extension Information and Application Materials.

OPT STEM Extension Employer Compliance Form

H-1B CAP-GAP Provisions

"Cap-Gap" refers to the period of time between the official end-date listed on the OPT EAD card and the official date an F-1 student on OPT can assume H-1B status. The most common situation occurs when a student’s OPT ends in the spring or early summer, and his or her F-1 status expires 60-days after that, leaving a gap of several months before the individual’s H-1B status begins on October 1.

Under the new rule, the cap gap extension is the period in which an eligible F-1 student’s status is automatically extended to bridge the gap in employment between the end of F-1 status (OPT end-date) and start of H-1B status. The student must not have violated the terms or conditions of his or her F-1 status. 

To qualify for the "H-1B cap-gap extension" the student must be the beneficiary of an H-1B petition that:

  • has been timely filed;
  • requests an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year; and
  • requests a change of status.  

H-1B Cap-Gap Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

For more information, please contact your International Student Advisor.