OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary authorization for employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s
academic program and level of study. The work done does not count towards course credit; therefore, it is the
student’s option to apply. OPT may be used during a degree program as well as after completion of course
requirements. The application process takes approximately three months for both initial applications and renewals.
To be eligible for Optional Practical Training
 The student must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year preceding the OPT application.
 The student must be in valid F-1 status at the time of application.
 The student must be in the last 90 days of his academic program.
 If applying for OPT based on graduation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must receive your
OPT application BEFORE the end of your official 60-day grace period. Please apply early!
 Students are STRONGLY encouraged to attend an Employment Workshop prior to applying.
Types of OPT Authorization
 Pre-Completion: Part-time, prior to course completion, part-time or full-time after course completion but
before completion of thesis or dissertation
 Post-Completion: Full-time, following completion of studies
 STEM Extension: Full-time, on-time 17 month extension of a post completion OPT.
o Must apply during your last 120 days of Post-completion OPT
o Degree must be in qualifying major from the fields of Science, Engineering, Technology, or
Mathematics
o Must work for an E-Verify Employer
o See additional STEM handout
Dates of OPT Authorization
The OPT card (also known as EAD or employment authorization document) is approved for a specific beginning and
ending date. You are required to submit a “preferred” beginning and end date for your OPT card. These dates must be
given to the immigration advisor at the time of application. Please have these dates ready to give to the advisor. If
you are unsure, you may discuss this with the advisor at the time of application.
Travel on OPT
Traveling outside of the U.S. after applying for OPT but prior to receiving work authorization is strongly discouraged.
Attempting to enter the U.S. without proof of employment may result in denial. When traveling outside of the US
following OPT approval, the following documents are required:
 Valid Passport
 Valid F-1 Visa
 Valid EAD card
 I-20 signed for travel within the past 6 months
 Employment letter (stating start dates, hours, and duties)
International Student Services, University of Illinois at Springfield, HRB 52, Springfield, IL 62703
iss@uis.edu (217) 206-6678
Application Process
Bring the following to the International Office
 Typed Form I-765 (Attached or http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.pdf). The address entered in section 3
of the form should be either the address where you will be living when the application is approved or our office
address, if you don’t know there you will be living. The F-1 OPT code for section 16 is ( c )(3)(C ).
 Typed form G-1145 (http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/g-1145.pdf) if you would like enotification that your application has been received.
 Copies of all original Form I-20s, passport, Form I-94 and copies of any previous EADs (work cards)
 Check or money order for $380 made payable to: Department of Homeland Security
 Two recent, passport-style photos on white background. The photos must be 2 x 2 inches; the images must
be 1 inch from the hair to the chin and 1.25 inch from eye height to the bottom of the photo. Your name
and I-94 number must be printed in pencil on the back of the photos. For an example photo, see
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/m-603.pdf
 Completed Academic Advisement form (attached). If you are double-majoring, please be sure to bring a
form for each major.
An Immigration Advisor will review your documentation and recommend authorization for a period of up to one
year. The Office of International Student Services will return your application to you to be mailed to U.S. Citizenship &
Immigration and Services for processing.
After Applying for OPT
Within two weeks of applying, you should receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) which includes a filing number and
status information. This number can be used to check your application status online at the USCIS website.
Approximately 90 days after USCIS receives your application, you should receive an approval message on the
website. Allow for approximately 3 weeks for the card to be mailed. If your card will be mailed to our office, we will
contact you by email when your card arrives. You may only begin working after you have received your card AND your
start date has been reached.
Reporting Requirements
While you are not required to have a job offer to apply for OPT, you are only allowed 90 days of unemployment once
the card has started. In order to keep track of these days you are required to report your employment to the Office of
International Studies. You must email iss@uis.edu within 10 days of your employment change. Please send the
following information:
 Your full name Your SEVIS number (N000######)
 Your complete address
 The name of your employer
 The complete address of your employer
 Your Start date
 Your Supervisor’s name and contact information
International Student Services, University of Illinois at Springfield, HRB 52, Springfield, IL 62703
iss@uis.edu (217) 206-6678
Academic Advisor’s Form for Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work authorization allowing F-1 international students the opportunity
for practical work experience in their field of study. As part of the application process the Academic Advisor,
Department Chair, or Thesis Advisor, must provide the following information to the Office of International Student
Services:
Student’s name: __________________________________________ UIN: __________________________________
Student’s major: _________________________________________________________________________________
Expected Graduation Date: ________________________________________________________________________
Expected Date of Thesis/Dissertation/Project Completion (when different from above) ________________________
________________________________
Academic Advisor’s name (print)
_____________________________
Department
___________________________________________________________________________
Advisor’s E-mail & Phone
___________________________________________________________________________
Advisor’s Signature
Date
Student: Please indicate the specific date
on which you would like your OPT to
begin:
Month
Day
Year
Student Signature
International Student Services, University of Illinois at Springfield, HRB 52, Springfield, IL 62703
iss@uis.edu (217) 206-6678