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F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL
TRAINING (OPT)
OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS
Phone: 517.353.1720 | Fax: 517.355.4657
E-mail: oiss@msu.edu | Web: www.oiss.msu.edu
What is OPT?
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. It is “temporary employment authorization directly related to the field
of study (your major)”. Typically, you are authorized for OPT for 12 months after you graduate with your degree.
F-1 Optional Practical Training Information
First:
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Read this application packet.
Attend an OPT workshop. Dates are listed at http://www.oiss.msu.edu/calendar.php
Meet with your academic advisor to complete the F-1 Student Status form (attached).
Complete the I-765 form (attached).
Second:
 Assemble all of the necessary materials for your application packet (see below).
 Make an appointment with an OPT advisor by calling OISS (517-353-1720). Bring your application packet.
 OISS will issue a new I-20 and provide you with an envelope in 2-3 business days.
Third:
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Pick up your new I-20 as soon as possible during OISS business hours (8am-5pm)
Sign the I-20 at the bottom of page 1.
Photocopy the new, signed I-20.
Add your photocopied I-20 (not the original!) to your application packet.
Mail your OPT application packet to USCIS within 30 days of the date your new I-20 was created.
Application Packet Materials
 Photocopy of your new I-20 for OPT (do not send the original). Make sure you sign the I-20 before
photocopying it.
 Completed I-765 form.
 Completed G-1145 form.
 Photocopy of the picture page and expiration date of your passport.
 Photocopy of your U.S. Visa page.
 If you have done Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in the past, you need photocopies of all old I-20s showing
past CPT authorizations.
 2 full frontal/passport-style photos (see FAQ on Page 2). Print your name and SEVIS number on the back of
each photo.
 $380 check or money order made payable to: “Department of Homeland Security” (do not abbreviate).
How to Mail Your Application Packet
 OISS will provide you with a pre-addressed envelope.
 Use either USPS Certified Mail or a courier service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.)
 USPS Certified Mail is cheaper, but slower.
 Courier service is faster by only a few days, but more expensive.
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F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
Receipt Notice
USCIS will notify you via email and/or text message within 48 hours of receiving your immigration forms. This message
is not official notice of acceptance and does not grant you any immigration status or benefit.
USCIS will send you a paper copy Receipt Notice about 6 weeks after you mail your application. It will tell you the date
your application was received and your application number. You can use the application number to check your application
status at www.uscis.gov
Note: If you receive OISS email for “document pick up,” please come in or call immediately. USCIS requests can be time
sensitive.
OPT Approval
USCIS will contact you about 90 days after your application is received. You will receive your EAD card (Employment
Authorization Document), also called an OPT card. This is your approval.
When you have your EAD card and your start date has been reached, you may begin employment.
Note: If you did not use the OISS address as your OPT mailing address, you must provide OISS with a photocopy of your
EAD card immediately after you receive it.
Where do I ask the government to send my EAD card?
You can have the USCIS send your EAD card to the OISS office at MSU by filling in the OISS office's address in
the I-765 form:
International Center
427 N. Shaw Lane, Room 105
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Important: If you prefer, you may use your own local address, but USCIS will not send your EAD card to a Post
Office Box or to an international address.
Your EAD Card
When do I need my Employment Authorization Document card?
In order to begin your employment, you must have your EAD card with you and the start date on the card
needs to be correct.
How long do I have to wait for my EAD card?
If you qualify, you will receive your EAD card about 90 days after the USCIS gets your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for OPT?
You can apply for OPT if:
 You are in F-1 visa status and have been enrolled in at least 12 credit-hours in one school year; and
 You will be completing degree requirements this semester; and
 Your proposed OPT job will be directly related to your major.
I spent one of my last two semesters outside of the United States. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, you might not be allowed to apply for OPT. Talk to an OISS advisor before applying.
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F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
When should I apply for OPT?
You should apply for OPT up to 90 days before you graduate and up to 60 days after you graduate. Although you
can file the I-765 form (OPT) after graduation, we don’t recommend waiting that long. The USCIS processing times vary
and you may lose some of your 12-month employment authorization.
How do I know if I’ve been approved?
Approximately 90 days after your application is received, you will receive your EAD card (Employment
Authorization Document), also called an OPT card. This is your approval.
When can I begin working?
Once you have your EAD card and you complete your degree requirements, you may begin employment. It is
important to know that if you do not have your documents sent to the OISS office as your mail address, you have to
provide OISS with a photocopy of your EAD card as soon as you receive it.
I need 2 passport regulation photos for my application. What does this mean?
The two photos must be of you only and be identical. The photos have to meet the specifications for full
frontal/passport photos and must be no more than 30 days old when an application is filed. See WEBSITE for the photo
rules; the place that you have them taken will know what passport photos should look like.
Where do I get the photos taken?
You have two possible options:
 On Campus: Contact University Relations, 311 Olds Hall, at 517-355-7505 or email photos@ur.msu.edu to set up
an appointment. Hours of availability are 8am-5pm.
 Off Campus: U.S. Post Office, 1140 Abbot Rd., East Lansing or
FedEx Office, 626 Michigan Ave., East Lansing
The job I am working does not offer health insurance. Is there anything I can do to get health insurance coverage
while on OPT?
If your job does not offer health insurance, you can maintain your Michigan State University health insurance
coverage by paying for more months. You can do this by contacting the MSU Benefits Office.
I’ve been approved: what are the requirements of OPT?
When does OPT start?
You have a choice of when you want your OPT to start. The earliest you can start working is the day after
completing degree requirements. The latest date you can start OPT is 60 days after the degree completion date.
Does my job have to be related to my degree?
Yes.
I don’t get paid at my job. Is that okay?
Yes. If you are working for free (such as a performance major with regular shows, an internship, or volunteering) it
would be considered employment for OPT.
How many hours a week do I have to work?
You have to work a minimum of 20 hours a week at your job and get proof of employment (like a letter from your
employer). This applies even if you are not getting paid.
Can I still keep my F-1 visa status during OPT?
Yes, you can. In order to keep F-1 visa status, you have to be employed. You cannot build up 90 day or more of
unemployment between the start date on your EAD card and beginning work. For more details, please talk to an OISS
advisor.
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F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
Do I have to report anything to OISS?
Yes, you do. You are required to report:
 The name and address of employer, and start date of employment: http://oiss.isp.msu.edu/students/employ/opt/optesf.htm
 Any change of employment (Loss of employment, change of employer, etc.): Send email to oiss@msu.edu.
 A photocopy of your EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card to OISS for your student file.
 Any change of your name or address. You can report this through the MSU Registrar’s office:
http://www.reg.msu.edu. Click on “Address Changes” and use “local address” to report your address change
Can I travel during the OPT process?
I left the United States and want to return after the program completion date that my academic advisor gave to
me during the OPT application process. What do I have to do now?
 If your OPT is pending (not yet approved), when you reenter the U.S., you will need to have:
 Valid passport
 Valid F-1 visa stamp
 I-20 with OPT recommendation and recent travel signature (within past 6 months)
 OPT proof of application (your receipt)
 If your OPT is approved, when you reenter the U.S., you will need to have:
 Valid passport
 Valid F-1 visa stamp
 I-20 with OPT recommendation and recent travel signature (within past 6 months)
 Unexpired EAD card
 Proof of employment (offer letter or employment confirmation letter from employer)
Staying in the United States
I am interested in staying and continuing to work in the United States. Can I do that?
If you were a part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics fields, you are able to apply for a 17month extension to your stay in the United States. Please look at the OPT Extension Application to find out more.
Are there other ways to stay if I am not able to apply for the 17-month extension?
 You can apply for a different visa status; OR
 You can extend your stay in the United States by continuing your education; OR
 Your employer can file an H1-B petition on your behalf.
What is the H-1B petition?
The H-1B petition is a petition to change your visa status from F-1 to H-1B.
 If your employer submits this form before the end of your OPT, your employment authorization will be extended
starting on the day after your original OPT expires and ending on September 30th. This means you can stay in the
country and continue to work during this time.
 If the form is submitted during the 60-day grace period after your OPT ends, you may stay in the country but you
will not be able to continue to work.
The H1-B petition is different from the 17-month extension, because anyone can apply for the H1-B status, but
only Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics fields can apply for the 17-month extension.
I am interested in the H-1B extension, but I want to be able to go home before the end of it. Can I leave the
country?
No. If you are staying in the United States because of the H-1B, you are not allowed to travel outside of the United
States until after this extension has expired.
How long do I have after the last day of my OPT to stay in the United States without an extension?
After the last day of your OPT, you have sixty days to leave the country.
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F-1 OPT STUDENT STATUS FORM
OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS
Phone: 517.353.1720 | Fax: 517.355.4657
E-mail: oiss@msu.edu | Web: www.oiss.msu.edu
THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT:
Family Name:
First Name:
Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy): ____/____/____
PID #: A
SEVIS ID #: N
OPT Start Date: ____/____/____
OPT End Date: ____/____/____
NOTE: The beginning date is the earliest possible date up to 60 days after program end date that student can begin
employment. The 90 days of unemployment will begin on this date. You MUST stop working on campus upon
your completion/graduation date, unless you have received your Employment Authorization
Document/card in-hand with valid start date and employment is directly related to your course of study.
 I have not engaged in unauthorized employment off-campus.
Signature of Student: ____________________________________
Date: ____/____/____
THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY ACADEMIC/GRADUATE ADVISOR OR MAJOR PROFESSOR:
Student’s Major (Field of Study):
Program Level:  Bachelors  Masters
 Doctoral  Other (Specify)
Expected Completion Date of Degree Requirements (mm/dd/yyyy): ____/____/____
Expected completion date of degree requirements will vary according to degree level and/or program track. Please refer
to the academic calendar for current information: http:/reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/Calendar/Academic.asp
Undergraduate
 Last day of
final exams in
graduating
semester **
Master’s – Thesis
 Thesis defense date *
or,
 Thesis submission
date* or,
 Last day of final
exams in graduating
semester **
Master’s –
Master’s - Other
Comprehensive Exam
 Comprehensive exam  Last day of final
date or,
exams in
graduating
 Last day of final
semester **
exams in graduating
semester **
Doctoral
 Dissertation
defense date* or,
 Dissertation
submission date*
or,
 Last day of final
exams in
graduating
semester **
*NOTE: To maintain F-1 student status, your student must continue to register full-time. Graduate students who have
completed the thesis/dissertation defense and need to continue revisions more than 30 days into the next semester
(including summer), must register for at least 1 credit to maintain status. Master’s students who wish to do this must be
eligible for a reduced course load.
**NOTE: Your student MUST be enrolled in the semester in which they graduate, including Summer.
Academic Advisor or Major Professor (printed name):
Department:
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:
Signature:
Date: ____/____/____
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