POST COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
Post completion practical training is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual
employment experience in the United States in your chosen profession for a maximum of one year.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible to apply for post completion practical training you must have been in lawful F-1
student status for at least one year. The application must be submitted to the USCIS before the end of
the 60 day grace period after graduation, but it is recommended that applications are submitted before
graduation. Once you find a job, the work must be directly related to your major field of study and must
be full time occurring anywhere in the United States.
Application and Authorization Procedures
The following documents need to be brought to the International Center in the Elliott Student Union 302:
• Optional Practical Training Request Form (found below)
• Copies of all your I-20s that match the SEVIS number on your Visa (This number is found at the
upper right hand corner of an I-20 and always starts with the letter N)
• One Form I-765, filled out (typed) and signed in BLUE ink. Do not include the date when signing
this form.
• Check or Money Order for $380 made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Two U.S. Passport photographs which must follow the guidelines posted here:
http://goo.gl/HdWZsg
(Passport photos from another country are not acceptable and will at the very least delay
processing time at USCIS. Also, make sure there are no dates printed on the back of your
photos)
• I-94 printout
• A copy of your Visa
• A copy of the Information page of your passport (the page with your picture on it)
• A printout of your Unofficial Transcript (this can be found in MyCentral, by clicking on the Student
Services tab, on the right side of the page under the heading UCM Student Records)
Application Deadline
You may file an application as early as 90 days before completing your program of study, but your
application must be at the USCIS in Lincoln Nebraska by the end of the 60 day grace period after
graduation. The application must be approved by the International Center and then submitted to the
USCIS Northern Service Center in Lincoln Nebraska. The processing of the application and the creation
of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) typically takes 10-16 weeks, so you are encouraged to
apply as early as possible before an employment start date. You cannot begin work until you have
received the EAD card and the date on the card has commenced.
Recommendation by the International Center
The Director or Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services will prepare a new I-20 for you
to sign. You will be notified by email when the new I-20 is ready to be signed. Your new I-20 will be
created through the SEVIS system and will be marked to show the recommended work period, but you
may not begin employment until you receive the photo EAD card from USCIS.
Authorization by USCIS
Your permission to begin post completion training is not finalized until you receive the EAD from USCIS.
The USCIS work permission on the EAD card will begin either on the date you requested (and
recommended by the International Center) or on the date that the EAD card is issued, whichever date is
later.
Making a Decision to Participate in Post Completion Practical Training
One twelve month period of post completion practical training is currently available after your first degree
and a second year is available after a higher degree completed in the United States. You may also be
eligible for 17 month extension of your OPT if you are in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or
Mathematics program (see USCIS requirements).
The other fact to keep in mind is that it is not possible to rescind or cancel post completion practical
training once it has been granted by USCIS. Therefore, unexpected delays in completing degree
requirements, inability to find a job or loss of a job may result in the loss of eligible time to work.
Obtaining a new I-20 for a new degree program will automatically cancel or end authorized post
completion practical training.
Employer Requirements and Reporting
You do not need to have a job offer when you apply and you may change jobs during the
authorized work period. However, you must report your employer name and address to the
International Center during your OPT period within 10 days of obtaining, ending, or changing
employment. Students may be considered out of status if total unemployment time during the
authorized 12 month OPT period exceeds 90 days.
Travel Outside the United States
In order for students authorized for post completion practical training to re-enter the U.S. the student must
show a valid F-1 visa in the passport, a new I-20 for travel, EAD card authorizing employment, and an
employment letter. Students may find it difficult to obtain a new F-1 visa in the passport if they have
completed their studies and wish to return only for the work experience.
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING REQUEST
PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY AND PRINT CLEARLY
1. Name:______________________________________________________________
Student Number: _____________________________________________________
U.S. Street Address: __________________________________________________
City, State, Zip:_______________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________________________
Email address: _______________________________________________________
2. Date first entered the U.S. or became F-1: _________________________________
3. Date last entered the U.S.: _____________________________________________
4. Level of education (Masters or Bachelors): _________________________________
5. Major field of study: ___________________________________________________
6. Previously approved Curricular Practical Training (CPT/internship) periods:
___________________________________________________________________
7. Previously approved post completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) periods:
___________________________________________________________________
8. Expected date of graduation: ____________________________________________
9. Desired beginning date of employment after graduation: ___________________
Signature of student: _____________________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________________________________
1/29/15