Procedures for applying for OPT Extension
Reporting Requirements for all students on OPT (coming soon!)
OPT employment is authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for temporary directly related to a student's major area of study. It may be used before of after completion of studies. The OPT is limited to 12 months per degree level. A job offer is not required to apply for OPT.
OPT is designed for students to gain actual employment experience in their chosen profession for a maximum of one year. Practical Training must be recommended by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and approved by USCIS. When the application is approved by USCIS, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) is issued to you for the period of OPT employment.
There are different types of OPT:
Full-time Summer vacation Period Practical Training or Part-time during Academic year (work up to 20 hrs and must maintain full-time status) undergraduate & graduate.
Full-time enrollment for the preceding nine (9) months is required and the student must plan to register for the next term.
Applied for in final term prior to completion of studies, must be full-time, which is not necessarily the graduation or walking day.
A graduate student that has completed all course requirements for a degree except their thesis or alternate plan paper they can apply for post completion OPT.
The application for OPT must be submitted first to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) before sending to the USCIS. Please give yourself 90 days before completion of studies to start your application process.
You must get the complete OPT application to USCIS before your graduation date. (Example: if you graduate or complete your studies on May 9, your application should be in the U.S. mail by May 3, [we suggest March 3] and you can choose your beginning date from May 9 to July 9)
The OPT application is also available at the ISSS office during regular office hours. Please make an appointment with an advisor to discuss your OPT application, procedures and practical training plans. Kindly bring the following documents for the appointment:
If you meet all the eligibility requirements, the ISO staff will issue you a SEVIS I-20 recommending for OPT and enrolling your information in the SEVIS data-base. Then you will send the following documents (do not staple) to USCIS:
Mail to:
USCIS Office
Nebraska Service Center
850 S Street
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501-7765
For overnight delivery add 850 S Street before P.O. Box to your address.
You can only begin your employment upon receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from USCIS. It can take 60 to 90 days to receive the EAD card from BCIS Service Center, Lincoln Nebraska.
Note: If you are applying for Post completion OPT and have fewer than 60 days in applying for, you may want to write this: beginning not before dd/mm/yy and ending no.
F-1 students can apply for 12 months OPT for every level of a degree program. For bachelor's degree you can apply for 12 months OPT, for master's program , you can apply for 12 months OPT.
As long you make progress to another level, you are entitle to apply for 12 months OPT.
F-1 students are limited to one year of OPT during the student's entire stay in the U.S. as an F-1 student. For example, if the student plans to continue studying for a Master's the student may wish to use only part of their OPT, after completing their undergraduate degree and save a part of their time for after their second degree.
Once authorization for practical training is granted, it cannot be rescinded or canceled, regardless of subsequent occurrences. This means that after OPT is authorized by the USCIS, expect that delays in completing degree requirements, inability to find an appropriate job or loss of a job will result in loss of otherwise eligible time to work. Please plan ahead!
Employers may be changed after authorized employment has begun, provided the new job is directly related to the major field of study or appropriate for someone with that level of education. The USCIS NOW NEEDS to be notified of the new employment, as well as any periods of unemployment or anytime you move.
Note: To verify out about your application status, use your LIN number which you will find in your receipt and call 402-323-7830 (24 hours line) or you can check at: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
For general USCIS questions, please call 1-800-375-5283.
The applicant cannot travel outside the U.S. during the time the application for OPT is pending with USCIS.
Once the applicant has been issued the EAD, reentry provisions require:
Students who do not meet these requirements may not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. Please consult with an International advisor if planning to temporarily depart the U.S. during the authorized practical training period.
OPT checklist for after graduation reference
For more information contact:
International Center
250 Centennial Student Union
Minnesota State Universtiy, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-1281
or use our contact form.
