Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work experience in the student’s field of study, usually performed after a student's degree completion. Standard OPT is up to 12 months full time. For a student whose area of study is in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) an additional 24 months is possible. The STEM degree list is available at www.ice.gov/SEVIS/Stemlist.htm.

OPT can be Pre-Completion OPT or Post-Completion. Pre-Completion OPT reduces the amount of time available for Post-Completion OPT. Full-time Pre-Completion OPT will be deducted from the 12 months standard. Part-time Pre-Completion OPT (less than 20 hours per week) is deducted at one half the rate of full-time OPT. For example, two months of part-time OPT equals one month of full-time OPT.

A student may apply for Post-Completion OPT up to 90 days before degree completion or up to 60 days after degree completion. More information is available at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. You will need to schedule a meeting with Kenneth Felts to prepare and submit the OPT application, which will be mailed to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Typically, it takes two to three months after the application is received for USCIS approval of an OPT request. It can be denied. The student applying for OPT is not allowed to work until he or she receives the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which will list a start date.