Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit available to students in F-1 status so that they can gain practical experience in their major field of study. International Students and Scholars assists students with the OPT application process; however, the final authorization is processed by USCIS. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that a completed application is submitted in a timely manner to International Students and Scholars.

View the most recent OPT and STEM OPT Seminar Recordings on our YouTube channel.

OPT Fact Sheet

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training


One of the most popular training opportunities for F-1 students is post-completion optional practical training (OPT), which grants participants up to 12 months of employment authorization for the on-the-job training that relates to their degree.

OPT Timeline

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

To be eligible for OPT you must meet the following requirements:

  • You are currently an F-1 student who has maintained status.
  • You are in the U.S. in F-1 status at the time you apply for OPT. Your most recent I-94 arrival record is among the required documentation.
  • You have been enrolled as a full-time student in a SEVIS-approved school for at least one full academic year
  • Your total full-time CPT authorization does not equal or exceed one year for your current degree level
  • You have completed all coursework requirements for your degree.
  • You have not worked on post-completion OPT before at the same degree level.

OPT Steps: A step-by-step guide to obtaining Optional Practical Training

  1. Log in to your ISSLINK to access OPT request e-forms.
  2. Complete the e-forms and list your academic advisor’s information
  3. You need to complete the e-forms in ISSLINK and get verification from your academic advisor on the completion date of your program BEFORE scheduling an appointment with an International Student Advisor.

    Graduate Assistants need approval from their supervisors BEFORE scheduling an appointment with an International Student Advisor.

  4. Call ISS at 479-575-5003 to schedule an OPT consultation with an International Student Advisor after your academic advisor has approved your e-form.
    • What to expect:
      • The advising appointment is scheduled for 60 minutes.
      • You will receive a new I-20 for OPT within a week after the appointment.

DO NOT apply online with USCIS or mail the OPT application until you receive the new I-20 listing the OPT Request. (USCIS will deny applications that do not have the OPT Requested I-20)

USCIS Online Application

  • Meet with an International Student Advisor to receive a new I-20 showing Post-Completion OPT Requested.
    • Remember to sign and date the new I-20 before uploading it to the online application.
  • Once you have the OPT requested I-20, go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) I-765 website to complete the online application. USCIS APPLICATION
  • You will need to upload the Post-Completion OPT I-20, passport photo, I-94, and passport image page to the online application.
    • Passport photos are available at the Student Union ID Office. Scan photo to upload for application.
  • You will pay by credit card, debit card, or checking account information.

USCIS Paper Application

  • Meet with an International Student Advisor to receive a new I-20 showing Post-Completion OPT Requested.
    • Remember to sign and date the new I-20 before uploading it to the online application.
  • You will need paper copies of your Post-Completion OPT I-20, passport photos, I-94, and passport image page for the paper application.
    • Passport photos are available at the Student Union ID Office.
  • You will pay by personal check or money order.
  • Go to the USCIS I-765 Application website for the filing fee and mailing address. USCIS APPLICATION
  • The personal check, cashier check, or money order needs to be made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

When can I begin working?

  • You must physically have your EAD card BEFORE you begin working.
  • You can work on the dates listed on your EAD card.
  • You must end working on the end work date listed on your EAD card.

What are the types of employment?

  • Jobs must be related to your major(s) listed on your OPT Request I-20.
  • Must be full-time (over 20 hours a week) work.
  • Can be paid, unpaid, or volunteer work.
  • Can be self-employed but you must follow regulations on small business licenses.
  • Multiple jobs are allowed but must be related to your major(s).

You are allowed 90 days of unemployment while on post-completion OPT. Unemployment days begin on the OPT start date listed on your EAD card.

You will report changes in your physical address to UA Connect within ten days of any changes.

You will report changes in your job(s) to ISSLINK within ten days of any changes.

  • To report a change, log in to ISSLink and submit an OPT Report Employment E-form. You will receive a new I-20 with employment information and OPT approval.
  • We recommend that you maintain evidence for each job — of the position held, the job title, contact information for your supervisor or manager, a description of the work, and proof of the duration.
  • Go to LIVE CHAT for questions about reporting employment on OPT.

During OPT, you can NOT study toward a degree program. The study is limited to part-time non-degree classes.

At the end of your post-completion OPT, you have a 60-day grace period if you have maintained status. If you accrue more than 90 days of unemployment you do not receive the 60-day grace period and must leave the country as soon as possible after accruing 90 days of unemployment

The SEVP Portal was created by Homeland Security as a method of reporting for students who are currently approved for active post-completion OPT or the STEM OPT Extension. Once approved for OPT, you will receive a link from Do-Not-Reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov to activate your account.

The portal does NOT give you access to SEVIS. It gives you access to the portal to view your employment information only. You will NOT be able to meet all reporting requirements using the SEVP Portal. You must use ISSLink to request a new I-20, and report employment. You will use UA Connect to update your local U.S. address.

Additional resources regarding the SEVP Portal can be found on the Study in the States webpage: SEVIS and the SEVP Portal

  1. Q: Am I required to activate my portal account and report changes through the SEVP Portal?
    A: No, you are not required to use the portal and will not be able to satisfy all reporting requirements by using just the portal. You must update your current address and employment through ISS Link.
  2. Q: If I create a portal account, how does it benefit me?
    A: The SEVP Portal allows you to view the information that you have reported through ISS Link.
  3. Q: How do I request to have my account reset? How do I request to have my account unlocked?
    A: If you do not activate your portal account within 31 days of receiving the email, you will no longer be able to access your account. If you attempt to log in to your account more than 3 times with an incorrect login, you will be locked out of your account. You may request to have your account reset or unlocked on ISS Link. It may take up to 3 business days for your request to be resolved.
  4. Q: I received an email from SEVP congratulating me on the approval of my OPT application. Does this mean that I can start working since I am approved?
    A. When your application is approved by USCIS, you will receive an email from SEVP regarding your SEVP Portal account. This does NOT mean that you have permission to start working. You must wait until you have your EAD card in hand and the date on the card is valid.

Traveling on OPT can be risky as workers at U.S. Embassies and ports of entry will know about F-1 status but may not know as much about how OPT works under F-1 status. While on OPT, you must travel with the following documents to be allowed re‐entry:

  • Valid Passport
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • I-20 signed within the past six months for travel.
  • Valid EAD Card
  • Letter from your employer stating that you will return to the U.S. to resume employment on your OPT
  • Proof of COVID vaccination

In case of an emergency at the port of entry, call UAPD at 1-479-575-2222 and they will contact ISS.

During OPT, students are still eligible to apply for or renew their Arkansas driver's license. Once OPT begins you will need your EAD card in addition to your other immigration documents. Please be advised that if you move to another state, they may or may not be able to transfer your driver's license. Your SEVIS record will remain with the University of Arkansas throughout your OPT period. Another state may or may not be able to verify your status during this time.

OPT Timeline

The earliest day you can apply for OPT is 90 days before program completion > Program Completion Date

The latest day you can apply for OPT is 60 days after program completion.

OPT Start Date: During your OPT approval period, you can accumulate up to 90 days of unemployment.

OPT End Date: USCIS will not extend the OPT approval past 14 months from your conferral date.

Upon completion of OPT, you are eligible for a 60-day grace period to prepare for a new program, apply for a different status, or depart the U.S.

OPT Steps. A step-by-step guide to obtaining Optical Practical Training.

Step One: Check when you will complete your degree requirements. Best to begin application 90 days before coursework completion.

Step Two: Complete OPT E-Form in ISSLink isslink.uark.edu.

Step Three: Gather the following documents for application: U.S. style passport photo, Passport, most recent I-94. Get most recent I-94 at cbp.gov/i94.

Step Four: Meet with an ISS advisor. Schedule an appointment to get your new OPT I-20. OPT appointments can only be made by calling the ISS Front Desk.

Step Five: Submit your OPT application to USCIS by mail or online at www.uscis.gov/i-765.

Step Six: Wait for Approval. OPT processing has historically taken an average of 90 days.
To check the status of your application, go to myaccount.uscis.gov.

Step Seven: EAD Card Arrives. Pick up your EAD card at the ISS office or have it mailed to you.

Step Eight: Report Employment: Go to ISSLink and click OPT Reporting to submit your employment information.

24-Month STEM Extension


If you’ve completed your initial 12-month OPT, and your program was in a qualified STEM field, you can apply for an additional 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to your program of study.

STEM OPT Extension Steps

  • Passport data page
  • I-94 (Retrieve recent I94)
  • Passport style photo. Must be taken no more than 30 days before filing application.
  • Final transcript showing degree conferral. Obtain from Registrar's office.

You MUST obtain a new I-20 from ISS BEFORE submitting STEM OPT application to USCIS:

I-983 (Form I-983 Overview).

  • The information below will be helpful if your STEM employer is the University of Arkansas. Number of employees: 4591, NAICS code: 611310, EIN: 71-6003252, E-Verify number is 172378. For I-983 form, Section 4 should be completed and signed by your direct supervisor/department head. Section 6 must be signed by the Dean's Office (Dean, Associate Dean or Assistant Dean) for your employing department.
  • The information below will be helpful if your STEM employer is the Division of Agriculture with the University of Arkansas System: Number employees: 1106, NAICS code: 541715, EIN: 62-1712458, E-verify number is 170633. For I-983 form, Section 4 should be completed and signed by your direct supervisor/department head. Section 6 must be signed by the Dean's Office (Dean, Associate Dean or Assistant Dean) for your employing department.

STEM OPT Extension Timeline

While on STEM OPT you are granted an additional 60 days of unemployment. Any unemployment days remaining from the post-completion OPT will be added to your STEM OPT period. The total allotment of unemployment days for post-completion and STEM OPT combined is 150 days.

Once your STEM OPT extension begins you must submit the following reports in ISSLink:

Every 6 Months:6 Month Required STEM Reporting
*Failure to submit the these reports within 10 days of the reporting date is considered a failure to comply with status requirements.

After 1 Year:I-983 Self Evaluation form (Top of page 5)

After 2 Years:I-983 Self Evaluation form – Final Evaluation form (Bottom of page 5)

When Ending a STEM OPT Job: I-983 Self Evaluation form – Final Evaluation form (Bottom of page 5)

If you have just started your employment, use the Report New STEM Employer " form to report your first employer.

If you have already been employed, but have changed employers, use the "End to a STEM Employer" form and then the "Report New STEM Employer" to report changes to your employment.

Currently, use of the SEVP Portal is not mandatory. When you submit your OPT information in ISSLink, we will update your SEVIS record, and no action is needed in the SEVP Portal.

If you have maintained valid F-1 status and have complied with all STEM OPT requirements, once the STEM OPT authorization ends you have a 60-day grace period during which you may apply for a change of status, obtain a new I-20 for a new academic program, or depart the United States. If you accrue more than 150 days of unemployment (Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT extension combined) you will not receive the 60-day grace period. If you believe that you will exceed 100 days of unemployment, you should contact ISS and/or a qualified immigration attorney to discuss your options.

24-Month STEM OPT Extension Steps

Step One: Apply. Complete the STEM OPT application on ISSLink.

Step Two: Schedule. Call the ISS office to make a STEM OPT appointment with an ISS advisor.

Step Three: Upload Your I-20. ISS will email you a new STEM OPT extension I-20. Print, sign, and upload it to ISSLink.

Step Four: Submit your application to USCIS. You will receive detailed instructions during your appointment with ISS.

STEM OPT Extension Timeline

Use the end date on your EAD card to determine your OPT expiration date.
  1. The earliest day you can apply for STEM OPT extension is 90 days before OPT expires
  2. You are allowed to work up to 180 days past EAD card expiration date while your application is being processed.
  3. 12-month OPT ends (latest day USCIS will receive applications)
  4. STEM OPT Reporting: Submit a Validation Report at 6 months in ISSLink.
  5. Submit I-983 Self-Evaluation form at the end of 12 months.
  6. STEM OPT Reporting: Submit Validation Report at 18 months in ISSLink.
  7. Submit Final Evaluation form at the end of 24 months.
  8. 60-Day grace period

Things to Consider While On OPT


Report OPT:

F-1 students on an approved period of OPT are required to report changes to personal and employment information to the ISS Office within 10 days of any change. It is the student's responsibility to provide ISS with the required information so we can update SEVIS. To report a change in your information, and this is your first year on OPT, log in to ISSLink and submit a OPT Report Employment , E-Form. Once you submit this form you have completed your reporting requirement for the change in your information. A Foreign Student Advisor will update the information within our required reporting period and will email you once your report is processed. Please allow 30 days for the report to be processed by an advisor. If you have questions about filling out the form please contact a Foreign Student Advisor.


Reporting OPT for STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics)

Please refer to the bottom of the "24-Month STEM Extension " page for more information.


The SEVP Portal:

The SEVP Portal was created by Homeland Security as a method of reporting for students who are currently approved for active post-completion OPT or the STEM OPT Extension. Once you are approved for OPT, you will receive a link from Do-Not-Reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov to activate your account.

The portal does NOT give you access to SEVIS. It gives you access to the portal to view your employment information only. You will NOT be able to satisfy all reporting requirements using the SEVP Portal. Methods for requesting a new form I-20, updating your current address, and reporting employment must still be done through ISS Link. You are NOT required to use the portal and may continue updating your current address and employment through ISS Link.

Additional resources regarding the SEVP Portal can be found on the Study in the States webpage: SEVIS and the SEVP Portal

  1. Q: Am I required to activate my portal account and report changes through the SEVP Portal?
    A: No, you are not required to use the portal and will not be able to satisfy all reporting requirements by using just the portal. You must update your current address and employment through ISS Link.
  2. Q: If I create a portal account, how does it benefit me?
    A: The SEVP Portal allows you to view the information that you have reported through ISS Link.
  3. Q: How do I request to have my account reset? How do I request to have my account unlocked?
    A: If you do not activate your portal account within 31 days of receiving the email, you will no longer be able to access your account. If you attempt to log in to your account more than 3 times with an incorrect log in, you will be locked out of your account. You may request to have your account reset or unlocked on ISS Link. It may take up to 3 business days for your request to be resolved.
  4. Q: I received an email from SEVP congratulating me on the approval of my OPT application. Does this mean that I can start working since I am approved?
    A. When your application is approved by USCIS, you will receive an email from SEVP regarding your SEVP portal account. This does NOT mean that you have permission to start working. You must wait until you have your EAD card in hand and the date on the card is valid.

Studying While on OPT:

While on OPT you can enroll in courses part-time only at the degree level you have completed. If you begin classes at a higher degree level you must end OPT and receive a new I-20 to start a new degree program.


International Travel:

Travel on OPT can be risky as workers at U.S. Embassies and at ports of entry will know about F-1 status, but may not know as much about how OPT works under F-1 status. While on OPT, you must travel with the following documents to be allowed re‐entry:

  • Valid Passport
  • Valid F-1 visa
  • I-20 signed for travel within the past six months
  • Valid EAD Card
  • Letter from your employer stating that you will return to the U.S. to resume employment on your OPT

Travel during Cap Gap is not allowed. Travel while your OPT application is pending is allowed, but very risky and not advised (especially after academic completion). If you travel while your OPT is pending, you must travel with a valid passport, valid visa, I-20 signed for travel, and your OPT receipt notice. Important: If your OPT is approved while you are out of the country, you will need your EAD and employment letter in order to re-enter the U.S.


Driver's License:

During OPT students are still eligible to apply for or renew their Arkansas driver's license. Once OPT begins you will need your EAD card in addition to your other immigration documents. Please be advised that if you move to another state, they may or may not be able to transfer your driver's license. Your SEVIS record will remain with the University of Arkansas throughout your OPT period. Another state may or may not be able to verify your status during this time.


Insurance:

Students on OPT can still qualify for the same student insurance they had with the University of Arkansas. Student health insurance can be purchased through the Pat Walker Health Center for time spent on OPT. Students can also purchase their own insurance through another provider or enroll in insurance provided by an employer during OPT.


Grace period after OPT/STEM OPT:

If you have maintained valid F-1 status and have complied with all OPT requirements, once the OPT authorization ends you have a 60-day grace period during which you may apply for a change of status, obtain a new I-20 for a new academic program, or depart the United States. If you accrue more than 90 days of unemployment you do not receive the 60 grace-period and must leave the country as soon as possible after accruing 90 days of unemployment.

Pre-Completion

Pre-Completion OPT can be used prior to the completion of your academic program. Pre-completion may only be granted for part-time employment during the fall and spring semesters and full-time during summer break. Any pre-completion OPT days used will be deducted from the 12 months of standard post-completion OPT you can receive after completing your program. The standard post-completion OPT application is also used for pre-completion OPT. If you have questions regarding pre-completion OPT, contact an International Student Advisor.