Post-Completion OPT

Post-Completion OPT

Post-Completion OPT

Update: Students can now file their OPT online!

OPT Videos

The below OPT videos are extremely important resources for International Students applying for OPT. Carefully watching and understanding these videos entirely is required before meeting the International Student Advisor. If you are filing online, some information on these vidoes wont apply to you. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is off-campus employment authorization that allows F-1 students to gain work experience directly related to their major field of study. Please be aware of the following conditions:

  • Your OPT employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
  • You are permitted a maximum of 12 months of full-time employment for each higher educational level you pursue in the U.S. (eg. bachelor’s or master’s degree)
  • No specific job offer is required to apply for OPT. However, you MUST find employment within 90 days of being approved for OPT to maintain legal F-1 status. 
  • You cannot begin your employment until you have received your approved EAD card.

If you have used full time CPT for one year or more, you are no longer eligible for OPT. Use of part-time CPT does not affect eligibility for OPT.

Post Completion OPT Requirements

  • Post-Completion OPT: Start date after course work completion or after degree requirement completion
  • You may work part-time or full-time after completion of course work requirements, excluding the thesis or dissertation.
  • You must work at least 20 hours per week after completion of ALL requirements for your major program of study.
  • If you decide to work all of your available 12 months of OPT time on post-completion OPT, you must request all of it at once. You cannot use it in separate periods of time.
  • 24-month extensions of post-completion OPT for certain STEM degree holders

When to Apply

For post-completion OPT, the OPT application can be filed up to 90 days before the degree completion date and up to 60 days after your program completion date. It should be received by USCIS during this time frame. It is your responsibility to plan accordingly to allow enough time for the International Center to review and submit your application to USCIS. Complete OPT applications should be submitted to USCIS no later than 30 days after the issuance of your Form I-20.

If you leave the U.S. during the 60 day grace period after completing your degree program and did not apply for OPT, your OPT eligibility will end.

Travel Warnings: Traveling abroad between the time you submit your OPT application and the time you receive the USCIS receipt notice, or if your OPT has expired and you are waiting for a STEM extension EAD could result in the loss of OPT and denial of readmission to the U.S., (2) while on post-completion OPT or an extension, regulations allow you to re-enter the U.S. to resume employment, (3) if you will need to apply for an F-1 visa to return to the U.S. while on OPT, please note that this may be a high risk visa application and the chances of denial could be greater than normal.

OPT Termination: Your OPT authorization ends when you commence another degree program, change to another status, the expiration date of your EAD, if an extension request is denied, or if on H-1B cap-gap extension – if the H-1B petition is rejected.
 

How to Apply

Students have two options to file your OPT application now, either online or by mail. You should only choose one option. If you file using both options, your application will be at risk for rejection.

ONLINE: To apply online, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 and click the “File Online” button. Please make sure to submit:

  • Original OPT Request Form ( This Form is only required by the International Center. Don't upload it online to your USCIS application) 
  • Form I-765 which can be found on the USCIS webpage (you will sign this electronically)
  • $410.00 fee payment – you will be prompted by the online portal to pay either using a credit/debit card or direct withdraw from your bank account. The payment must be from a card or bank account in your name. It cannot be from a third party.
  • Two passport size photos (see instructions for dimensions on page 25-26 of the I-765 Instructions– these must be uploaded in jpeg, jpg, or png format)
  • Photocopy of passport (This file must be submitted in a pdf, jpeg, or tif/tiff format.)
  • Photocopy of F-1 visa (This file must be submitted in a pdf, jpeg, or tif/tiff format.)
  • Copy of the most current I-94. (This file must be submitted in a pdf, jpeg, or tif/tiff format.)
  • I-20 from Rowan University with the post-completion OPT request (electronic signature from the DSO is fine in light of COVID-19 – We would recommend that you physically sign it yourself, even if you file online. This file must be submitted in a pdf, jpeg, or tif/tiff format.)

Please Note: If filing online, the G-1145 should not be completed since the online process takes the place of the G-1145’s functionality. Online applications can be paid by credit card, debit card, or direct withdrawal from a bank account – a check or money order would not be used in this instance.

 Why File Online?
There are some advantages to filing online such as instant receipt notice and saving money, time, and paper by not having to mail the application. Many students who have used it have reported it to be a user friendly experience with less room for error since the online application walks you through the process. Once the application is received, USCIS states that there is no difference in processing times for applications filed online versus those that were filed by mail.

 

BY MAIL: 

Submit the following application materials to the International Center:

  • Original OPT Request Form
  • Complete the I-765 form, which can be found on the USCIS webpage. Please read the I-765 Instructions carefully.
  • For pre-completion OPT, enter “c 3 A” under item 16.
  • For post-completion OPT, enter “c 3 B” under item 16.
  • Original Form G-1145
  • I-765 application fee: $410 check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. *If your name and current address are not on the form of payment, write them on the check/money order. Write “fee for I-765" on the memo line. Also, please write your SEVIS ID number and your phone # on the form of payment.
  • Photocopy of current Form I-94 front & back OR a print out of your electronic I-94.
  • Photocopy of passport (photo page, visa page, renewal page if original has expired, and pages showing amendments such as name changes, corrections, etc.).
  • Photocopies of any previously issued employment authorization documents (EAD cards).
  • Two U.S. passport-style photographs taken within the last 30 days (Photograph instructions are on the Form I-765 instructions under Required Documentation. note: Using pencil lightly print your name and SEVIS ID number on the back of the photo.
  • Photocopies of all application materials to be placed on file in the International Center office.
  • New I-20 issued by Rowan International Center authorizing your OPT.

Note: We recommend that students make copies of all materials for their own records.

The International advisor will review all materials in your OPT application. If you qualify for OPT, we will issue you an updated I-20 with your OPT recommendation. We will send your updated I-20 by email. All students are personally responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completion of their OPT application materials and for mailing these materials to USCIS. 

 Please click here to know the Direct Mailing Address of Form I-765.

NOTE: It may take about three months for your EAD card to be sent to your address by USCIS. It is important to take USCIS processing time into consideration when planning the date you request to begin OPT. Remember, you cannot begin to work until you have your EAD card!

OPT Employment Requirements and Reporting

You are expected to be employed in your field of study during OPT, and you are required to submit employer information to the International Center to update your SEVIS record and provide you with a new I-20. The maximum period of unemployment is 90 days.

Documenting OPT Employment: It is recommended that you keep documentation of all your employment. In the future, you may be asked to provide proof that your employment during OPT was in your field of study.

The employer offer letter needs to have the following information:

  • Description of your work and how your degree is related to the work you performed.
    * The job title
    * Number of hours per week. Is it a full time or Part time job?
    * Physical Location of the company
    * Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can get this number from your employer's HR Department. It’s a 9 digit number.
    *The duration of that position – Start and End date.
    *Contact information for your supervisor or manager

If it is not clear from the job description that the work is related to your degree, we highly recommend that you obtain a signed letter from the employer's hiring official, supervisor, or manager stating how your degree is related to the work you performed. Keep this in your personal records.

CPT Vs. OPT Summary

Please click here for a summary of the differences between CPT and OPT.