Optional Practical Training

You must work in a job directly related to your field of study. You need to be able to provide an explanation of how the new position is related to the field you studied.

Students can apply for OPT prior to receiving a job offer. Processing times are lengthy. We encourage students to apply as early as possible.

Students must have their Employment Authorization Document (OPT card) in hand on the first day of employment and cannot start employment before the start date approved by USCIS.

Maintaining valid F-1 status during Post-Completion OPT is dependent upon maintaining your employment. You are limited to a total of 90 days of unemployment during the 12 month OPT period.

STEM students with a STEM OPT Extension may accumulate up to 120 days of unemployment.

Your status is dependent upon employment. You will violate your F-1 status if you are unemployed for more than the 90-day limit.

If you have not found employment, you should plan which option you will take next:

• Depart from the United States while still in valid status.
• Further your education in a new program.
• Take other action to maintain your immigration status in the U.S.

You can travel, but there are risks involved. Travel while OPT is pending should be undertaken with caution.

ISSS cannot guarantee re-entry to the United States (U.S). Admission to the U.S. is up to the discretion of the Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry.

Before your program end date on your I-20, you are still considered a student. We recommend traveling with:

1. Valid F-1 visa.
2. Valid passport (valid at least 6 months into the future from date of re-entry).
3. Most recent I-20 with valid travel signature (less than 12 months old at time of re-entry).
   

After your program end date, we recommend traveling with:

1. Valid passport (valid at least 6 months into the future from date of re-entry).
2. Valid F-1 visa.
3. Most recent OPT I-20 with valid travel signature (less than 6 months old at time of re-entry).
4. I-797 Receipt notice.

Keep in mind while traveling with a pending application:

• You will need to have someone closely monitor your mail.
• If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, those typically require immediate attention, and it may be difficult for you to respond from outside of the U.S.
• If your application is rejected or denied after your program end date you will not be able to reenter or reapply.
• If your application is approved while outside of the US, you will need your EAD to reenter.
• If your F-1 visa is expired, you will need your EAD to reapply for an F-1 visa.

You are eligible to remain in the U.S. until USCIS decides on your case. If your case is pending, you are considered to be "maintaining status."

Remember, you are not eligible to conduct any practical training or employment after your program end date, and while your OPT is pending, until you have the EAD in your possession and your selected start date has arrived. This includes attending work related orientations or volunteering for your employer or professor.

Submit the "OPT Request" in the ISSS portal. Then, our office will adjust the end date on your I-20 and the ISSS portal.

Our advisors do not assist with filling out the I-765 as they are not experts in the form. However, they can advise on other parts of the OPT process. 

I-765 resources:

• I-765 Instruction pdf
• USCIS Webinar & Q/A Session

If your start date has passed, and USCIS has not yet decided on your case, you are still eligible to remain the US. However, you will not be eligible to work until USCIS approval.

You must request a replacement by filing Form I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may file online or by mail, depending on your eligibility and preference.

Required Documents

• Copy of your original I-765 approval notice (Form I-797).
• Copy of your damaged EAD (if applicable).
• Copy of your passport, visa and I-94.
• Two passport-style photos.
• Filing fee.

Important: A replacement EAD does not extend your OPT period—it only replaces the physical card.

Current regulations allow certain F-1 students with pending or approved H-1B petitions to remain in F-1 status during what’s known as the Cap-Gap period. The Cap-Gap extension bridges the time between the end of your F-1 status and the start of your H-1B employment, preventing a disruption in legal status for eligible students.

You can apply by filling out the OPT Cap-Gap Extension Request in the ISSS portal.

While on OPT, you are still an F-1 student and are required to keep in contact with the ISSS team regarding changes of address and employment information. You can report updates through the ISSS portal.

Your OPT employment authorization ends once your SEVIS record is transferred to another university or when you begin a new program of study at CMU.