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What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study.
- Any work under OPT must be directly related to the student’s major.
- OPT is not tied to degree program requirements.
- Once used, OPT is only available again at a higher degree level. For example, if you use OPT for a master’s degree, you may get OPT again if you enroll in a doctoral degree. However, you do not get OPT again if you enroll in another master’s degree or lower level.
- While on OPT, you will remain in F-1 status.
There are three types of OPT, each with its own eligibility and reporting requirements:
Notes on Filing an Application with USCIS
Online Filing
ISS recommends online filing over paper filing, which uses traditional mailing. The filing fee for online I-765 applications is also slightly less than the paper-filing fee, and processing times seem to be faster. The following instructions relate to online filing only.
Before submitting an application to USCIS, you must submit an OPT request to ISS first in order to get the I-20 with OPT recommendation. This allows ISS to review your application materials before submission to USCIS. Without the I-20 with OPT recommendation, your I-765 application will be automatically denied and you will not be able to get a refund of the filing fee.
Premium Processing
USCIS provides "premium processing" for OPT applications. This request guarantees a decision within 30 days of the receipt date of the I-765 application. On the online form, one of the first questions will be whether an applicant wishes to file a Premium Processing request (form I-907). This requires you to pay an I-907 fee (currently $1,685) in addition to the I-765 filing fee. As an applicant, you must decide if a quick decision is worth the fee. It will depend on how early you file your application in relation to the OPT requested start date. Although you may not wish to pay for Premium Processing initially, you still have the option of requesting it later while your OPT application is pending.
Processing Times
USCIS processing times for OPT applications vary, based on changing government operations, workforce numbers, policies, etc. ISS recommends that you consider 3 months when planning your application timeline. To view USCIS posted average processing times for OPT applications, go to the USCIS Processing Times webpage. On the drop-down menu for "Form," choose "I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization." For "Form Category," choose "Based on a request for a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]." The "Field Office or Service Center" is "Service Center Operations (SCOPS)." Then click on "Get processing time" for the current information. Note that your application's actual processing time may differ from this average.
Important Reminder For Those Considering Post-Completion OPT
ISS requires you to keep your UH email account active if you are going to be on OPT. You may do this by enrolling in the UH 'Ohana Online Services. If you have not graduated yet, you may pre-enroll. If you graduated but forgot to enroll, you have a 180 day grace period in which you may enroll. Read the 'Ohana Online Services policies. Once you sign up, your UH email will remain active up to one year. You will need to renew annually, and will receive alerts to do so. If you fail to sign up or renew your UH email account in time, your account will be closed and all associated emails and stored content will be wiped.