New Mexico State University

What is OPT? 

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined by US Citizenship  &  Immigration Services (USCIS) as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the F-1 student’s major area of   study   at their current educational  l evel.” OPT can be authorized at the following times:   

• 90 days prior to the semester of graduation or within 60 days after your graduation.   OR  
•   After completion of the course of study .  OR 
• After completion of all course requirements for the degree, excluding thesis or equivalent, if the student is in a Master’s, or Doctoral degree program . (The student will need to finish thesis/dissertation at least 90 days prior to OPT completion, to be eligible for STEM OPT)  

Basic Eligibility Requirements to apply for OPT: 

• The student has been in valid F-1 status for a minimum of one academic year by the start of the  request ed  practical training period.
• OPT can be requested for a maximum of 12 months for each academic level completed.
• Students must not have engaged in  off-campus  Curricular Practical Training  (CPT)   full-time   (20 hour s  or more per week) for more than 12 months.  
• If  the student   already  had OPT at the same educational level .
• If  the student  previously had an OPT at a  higher  educational  level,   then  the student   is  not eligible for OPT at  a  lower level.  Example: If  a student  had OPT at  m aster ’ s  level ,  the student   is  NOT eligible to apply for OPT at  b achelor ’ s  Level.  However ,   the student  will be eligible to apply for OPT at  d octorate   level.  

NMSU ISSS OPT Process:

• ISSS staff members are changing the way ISSS reviews OPT applications. Now, ISSS will offer three workshops throughout the semester. Students who want help with completing the OPT process need to attend one of the three OPT workshops.

• Each session will have a brief presentation and a workshop. During the workshop, you—the OPT applicant—will have the opportunity for ISSS staff members to review your documents and assist you with completing part or all of your online OPT application. DO NOT BEGIN your online OPT application until you are in, or have attended an OPT workshop. The workshops will be the only place ISSS staff members will review your documents. Individual reviews of documents and online Zooms of corrected documents will not occur.

• You will have time during the workshop to begin working on your online application.

• The workshop may last from one and a half to two and a half hours. Please plan accordingly.

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

• For each workshop, you are expected to bring:
  • Personal fully charged laptop
  • Completed OPT Request Form signed by yourself and advisor
  • Completed and signed Form I-765
  • Latest I-94 and travel history (2 separate documents available from the same site)
  • Copies of all passports used while studying at the current degree level
  • Copies of all visas obtained while studying at the current degree level
  • Any previous EAD cards obtained while on F-1 status at any university
  • Any previous OPT or CPT I-20s
  • One current passport-style picture taken within the last 2 months.

Required Application Documents  

* **** Your online application must be submitted within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issue date.  

1. OPT Request Form :  The OPT request form will have to be completed by your academic  advisor. I t is very import an t that this form includes the student's Academic Advisor's approval .   OPT Request Forms submitted without the Acad em ic Advisor approval will not be considered for processing and will delay the  application  process .  This form is for  the Office of International Student and Scholar Services  ( ISSS )  use only and is not uploaded to USCIS online application . Here is the link to the  application  click here
   
2. Form I-765 ,   Application for  Employment Authorization :   Please check the USCIS website for the latest and most current I-765 Form:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-765   . This  is a “ PDF  fillable” form on the USCIS website. Download and fill out the PDF to the best of your ability. Save a copy and email it along with the other documents. Please be sure to use Adobe Acrobat to open and fill out the PDF. If you do not use Adobe Acrobat, the document will come to us blank and will delay our ability to review your documents. If you do not have the free version of Adobe Acrobat, please us this link to download it - https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html  
   • Application for Employment Authorization   Item #2 7 (Page 3 of the application) :  Pre-Completion OPT =  ( c )(3) (A) Post-Completion OPT= ( c ) (3) (B) STEM Extension= ( c )(3)(C)
3. Electronic copy (PDF) of  visa and passport identification page .   I nclud e  a  copy  of  your  expir ed passport if your valid visa is in the expired passport.
4. Electronic copy (PDF) of  Form I-94   Departure Record  and travel History.   https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home  
5. One electronic   color passport-style photographs.   Passport style photograph guidelines can be found at the Department of State – Please know that you do not need to send these photos to ISSS for document review, but you will need them for the online application form.  website:   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html  
   
   
6. OPT  I-20  (with OPT endorsement on  P age 2). This will be issued after the  above  required documents are submitted to  I SSS and we have gone over the documents in a Zoom Document Review .  The  new I-20  should be  uploaded to the online applicaiton form.  Do not submit your online application without the OPT I-20. If you do, your application will be denied and you will lose your application fee!  
7. If applicable :  Electronic copies (PDS) of all previous Employment Authorization Documents   (EADs) ,  previously used SEVIS receipt numbers ,  and any previously authorized CPT or OPT.  

Important Information: 

Your online application must be submitted within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issue date.   

You may submit the application as early as 90 days prior to the completion of studies or graduation date. The deadline for submission of your OPT application  is   within 60 days of  your program completion date. After submitting your online application, you will receive an email notification to let you know that you applicaiton and documents have been received. You are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible to avoid delays.   

Employment can start only after the EAD has been received from USCIS and on or after the OPT start date on the EAD. Engaging in work prior to the start date on the EAD is a violation of status and will result in the termination of the student's SEVIS record and loss of OPT privileges. The student will have to leave the U.S. immediately. 

There are two methods of checking the status of your application, using the Notice of Action receipt number assigned to your application:  

• The USCIS online case status service, https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do for current processing dates and status of your case; or  
• The USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283

The starting date of your Optional Practical Training will be: (1) the OPT date indicated on your I-20, or (2) the date the application is process by USCIS – whichever is later.   

OPT must be completed by the 14th month following your graduation. You cannot extend or renew OPT beyond the 12 - month limit unless you qualify for a STEM or H-1B Cap-Gap extension. You do not need an offer of employment in order to apply for Optional Practical Training. Eligibility for an additional OPT authorization in the future is limited to F-1 students completing another academic program at a higher level. For example, you may be eligible for OPT following a bachelor’s degree and again following the completion of a master’s program.  

Next Steps   After Submitting Your OPT Online Application : 

1. Student should receive a Receipt Notice to the address indicated in the I-7 97 A  Form .   
2. After your OPT is approved ,  you will receive a n  EAD card from USCIS. Please  email   opt/stemopt@nmsu.edu  a copy of your EAD card to obtain a new I-20 reflecting OPT “ Approval status ” on the 2 nd  page of your I-20.  
3. You will receive  an  email  from USCIS requiring you  to create a Portal  Account. Follow the instructions to   c reate your  account and  password. Please update your employment details, U.S address ,  and email within 10 business days.  
4. Email  opt/stemopt@nmsu.edu  the following information to get an updated I-20 reflecting your current employer on 2 nd  page of your I-20:  
   • Explain how employment is related to student's course of  study.    
   • Employer Name   
   • Employer  EIN   ( h ighly   r ecommended )  
   • Job Title  
   • Start Date  and End Date ,  if applicable.  
   • Full-Time / Part-Time   
   • Supervisor’s Last Name, First name, Phone  Number,  and Email  

Employment while on OPT: 

* 20 hours or more per week on OPT is considered full-time. Less than 20 hours is considered part-time on OPT.  

* Employment must be appropriate to the degree earned in college and in the area of study.  

Types of activity that constitute employment while on  OPT.   

• Regular paid employment in a position directly related to the student’s program of study and  level.  
• Students may work for multiple employers,  as long as  it is  directly related  to the student’s program of  study.  
• Payment by multiple short-term multiple employers.  
• Work for hire (Contractual work)  
• Self-employed business owner  
• Employment through a recruiting agency  
• Volunteers or unpaid interns  

Frequently Asked Questions: Post-Completion OPT