Optional Practical Training

At Wake Forest University PhD students or Master’s students in a thesis program who have completed all coursework but have not yet identified a dissertation defense date may apply for Pre Completion OPT.
Pre Completion OPT is not available to undergraduates or Master’s students in programs that culminate in a project or comprehensive exam.

A student who is in their final semester or has completed his/her course of study (graduated) may apply for permission to pursue post-completion OPT. Post-completion OPT authorizes the student to work full-time. Most students pursue this option. Candidates for a graduate degree who have successfully completed all course requirements but who are still working on a dissertation are eligible to submit an application for and receive a period of Post-completion OPT prior to conferment of the degree.

When to apply

F-1 students may submit a Post-completion OPT application no more than 90 days prior to the program end date listed on Form 1-20. An OPT application can also be submitted during the 60-day grace period that follows the program end date listed on Form 1-20.

Instructions

Students applying for OPT MUST request an I-20 with an OPT Recommendation by submitting an OPT Request in ISSDeacs before they apply with USCIS. If a student submits an I-765 OPT Application to USCIS without an OPT Recommendation I-20 from ISS their application will be denied and they will not be able to get a refund on their fee.

1. Log into your ISSDeacs account to view the virtual OPT Information Session.  This is a requirement and It is highly recommended that you complete your OPT Request in your ISSDeacs account before attending the session before you attend an OPT review session with an ISS advisor.
2. Start your OPT application in your ISSDeacs account.
3. Schedule an OPT review session (Group session appointments only; offered bi-weekly) with a Designated School Official (DSO): https://calendly.com/isss-appt

Once you have attended an OPT Review Session and submitted a complete OPT Request in ISSDeacs a DSO will input a recommendation into SEVIS and issue an updated I-20 for you with an OPT Recommendation on page 2. This updated I-20 is required by USCIS. Applications without this recommendation will be rejected by USCIS. When you complete your OPT request within your ISSDeacs account, you will also confirm what dates you would like for your OPT to begin and end. Be firm about these dates. Once the application is sent to USCIS, the dates requested cannot be changed.

NOTE: USCIS may take 90 days or more to adjudicate an OPT application. If you will not be at your present place of residence in 5 months time, you should plan to use a trusted friend or family member’s address in the U.S.

Receipt Notice: Once your application has been received by the USCIS, you will receive a Receipt Notice. This is a very important document that contains your application receipt number. Should your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) not arrive in a timely manner, this is the primary proof that your application was submitted to the USCIS Service Center.

On-Line Status Check: The status of your application can be checked on-line by accessing the following website: http://www.uscis.gov/tools or you can check your USCIS Online Account.

Processing Delay: If USCIS requires additional evidence or your application is returned for another reason, the processing time will be increased. For this reason, it is important that you pay attention to details when completing the application.

Note: USCIS estimated processing times do not include time to produce the card, and mail it to you.

When is OPT available?

An F-1 student is eligible to receive a total period of 12 months of OPT for each higher degree level that is completed.

Example 1:

• Student receives a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution. They are eligible for 12 months of OPT for their Bachelor’s degree.
• Student does not use the OPT period, and enrolls in a Master’s program. They receives his Master’s degree. The student will have only 12 months of OPT available as a result of their Master’s degree and cannot retrieve unused OPT from the Bachelor’s degree.

Frequently Asked Question

Why does a student only have 12 months of OPT after their Master’s if they never used the OPT period from their Bachelor’s degree?

Answer

OPT must be used AT THE TIME of the degree. To maximize their work authorization in the U.S., The student should have used their period of OPT after their Bachelors, and then completed their Master’s degree and used the additional 12 month OPT period gained. In choosing to enroll directly in a Master’s program after completing their Bachelor’s, the student forfeited their 12 month OPT period for their Bachelor’s degree.

Example 2:

• The student receives a Master’s degree from a U.S. institution.
• The student uses the 12 month OPT period following their Master’s degree.
• The student then decides to go back to school and pursue another Master’s degree.
• The student does NOT have another period of OPT available to them after their second Master’s degree.

Frequently Asked Question

Why does the student not have another period of OPT available after their second Master’s degree?

Answer

OPT is allowed once per degree level. If the student chose to pursue a Ph.D., they would again be eligible for another period of OPT.

Who is the application for the OPT adjudicated by?

Permission to participate in a Standard OPT program is granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The International Student Advisor/Designated School Official in the Center for Immigration Services & Support (ISS) MUST submit the OPT request in the SEVIS system BEFORE the application can be submitted to the USCIS.

Is a job offer required prior to applying for OPT?

No however, USCIS requires all students in a period of OPT to be employed. A student who is actively pursuing employment during the approved OPT period is considered to be in legal, F-1 status. Students are given a 90 day (3 month) unemployment period during the 12 months of approved OPT.

Can I work for multiple employers?

Students may work for as many different employers as they choose during the approved OPT period. All opportunities must directly relate back to the student’s major program of study.

What should I expect regarding OPT processing timelines?

You can look up estimated OPT processing times on this website by selecting the form I-765 Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student.

When can I start working using my OPT?

Only after the start date on the EAD card and only if you have the original EAD card in hand.

What if I want to change my OPT start date?

If you have not submitted your OPT application to USCIS then you may contact ISS via email to confirm the change to your requested OPT start date in writing. If you have submitted your OPT application to USCIS, please keep in mind that changing your OPT start date after your application has been received by USCIS, is not a simple a process of ISS issuing a new I-20. You must withdraw your OPT application and refile with a new recommendation. This may take several weeks, your fee will not be refunded, and you will have to pay the OPT fee to USCIS again when you refile

What should I tell my employer if my OPT start date is after my job offer start date?

You may share whatever information you feel is important with your employer. We recommend that you have an open conversation with your employer. You should be honest about the date USCIS received your OPT application and when you expect to receive your EAD card. Use the USCIS estimated processing time as a guide. Most employers will understand and be able to adjust your start date. It is better to have this conversation early and not wait until you are close to your employment start date. Keep your employer informed regarding your OPT processing.

Can I extend my graduation and receive CPT authorization so that I may start working sooner than my OPT start date?

No, your graduation date is not a consideration regarding the end date on your I-20. The end date on your I-20 is based on the date that you will officially complete your degree requirements. Also, CPT will not be authorized during your final semester unless it is a required part of your degree program. Please keep in mind that an extension to your I-20 end date would only be granted based on documented academic or medical reasons, not for the purposes of employment.

As a graduate student, with thesis/dissertation requirements, what date an I eligible to request my OPT to start?

Graduate students in masters or PhD programs that require thesis or dissertation, may use their defense date or graduation date as their OPT start date. Please note that any on campus employment must end on your I-20 end date. Your I-20 end will be updated to your defense date or graduation date, per your request, in order to facilitate your OPT application.

May I continue working on campus after my I-20 expires, but before I receive my EAD card?

No, all on campus employment must end on your I-20 end date. You may not begin working again until the start date on your EAD card, and only if you have received the original EAD card. This includes volunteer work as well.

Where can I obtain the most up-to-date information regarding my OPT application and processing?

The best site to visit is USCIS.gov as USCIS is the agency responsible for processing your OPT application. On the USCIS web page you will be able to check your OPT application status and find the contact information for USCIS. You can call the USCIS customer service number (1.800.375.5283) to speak to a USCIS representative about your specific application.

Employment Start Date

When you apply for OPT, you are allowed to choose the beginning date for your period of employment authorization.

Post Completion OPT: The earliest date to request is the day after program end date on the I-20 form. Exception: graduate students working on dissertations only can choose to begin OPT as soon as all course-work for the degree has been completed. The latest that you are allowed to begin a period of OPT is 60 days after the program end date listed on the Form 1-20.

Starting Employment

You are not allowed to begin employment until both of the following statements are true:

1. You have the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with you, AND
2. The start date listed on the EAD is current.

Please keep this in mind when talking with prospective employers. There are no exceptions to above.

End Date

All employment must cease on the end date listed on the EAD. The nonimmigrant may remain in the U.S. for a period of 60 days following the end date of the OPT, but no employment may be performed during this 60-day grace period, except in certain circumstances (please see the information related to “cap gap” employment).

After OPT

If you have the intention of remaining in the United States after you have completed your 12 month OPT authorization and do not want to interrupt your employment eligibility, you will need to file for a change of status prior to the end date of your OPT. For many nonimmigrants, this step involves applying for and obtaining an H-1B visa for a specialty occupation. If you plan on taking this course of action, you will need to find an employer who is willing to sponsor you.

If you apply for OPT and then decide to cancel your application, you will need to have the DSO inform the USCIS Service Center before the application is approved. Once your application is approved and production of your EAD has been ordered, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to cancel the period of OPT for which you have been approved.

To correct a mistake on your EAD you must send in a new application to USCIS.

If your forms were correct and the mistake was made by USCIS you will not pay the application fee again.

If the mistake is on the form that you provided to USCIS you must pay the application fee again to receive a corrected card.

If you lose your EAD card, you will need to re-apply for the card with USCIS by submitting the Form I-765. You will be obligated to pay the I-765 filing fee again as well.

When you receive your card from the USCIS, make sure that you retain a copy for your records.

While on OPT, you are still in F-1 status. Therefore, if you re-enter the U.S. after a temporary absence, you will need a valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport. The EAD does not take the place of the F-l visa stamp.

Documents you need to present when re-entering the U.S. while on OPT

1. Valid passport: Dated at least six months into the future at the time of re-entry
2. Valid F-l visa stamp (see note in above section about renewing the F visa stamp at a U.S. embassy/consulate)
3. Form 1-20 that has been authorized for travel on page 2 (travel signature only valid for 6 months on OPT)
4. Valid EAD
5. Letter from employer that verifies current employment status. In the absence of such a letter, you may be required to prove that you are actively seeking employment in the U.S. (i.e. invitation for interview, etc.)

Note: It is advised that you refrain from traveling if the end date on your Form 1-20 has passed and you are waiting to receive your EAD from the USCIS. Should you choose to travel outside of the U.S. while your OPT application is pending, you should have the 1-765 Receipt Notice with you when you apply for re-entry.

Exiting and re-entering the U.S. before the end date listed on the Form 1-20

Travel during this period while you have an application for OPT pending with the USCIS should not pose a risk. When re-entering, however, you are advised to have a copy of the I-765 Receipt Notice with you.

Exiting and re-entering the U.S. after the end date on the Form I-20 has passed, and the OPT application is still pending.

Once you complete your program of study, it is advised that you do not leave the country until you have the EAD in hand. If an emergency or other situation dictates that you make a departure prior to receiving your card, please consult with ISS prior to leaving. If you make a departure without your card and you do not have the card in hand when you attempt to re-enter the U.S., the Immigration Officer at the border may question your eligibility to reenter in F-1 student status since you have already completed your course of study and have no proof that you have been approved to engage in OPT.

How long can I remain outside the U.S. and still successfully re-enter during my period of OPT?

A temporary absence from the U.S. is defined as 5 months or less. However, the 90-day unemployment clock is what governs how much time you have to spend outside of the U.S.

The 90-day unemployment clock while on OPT continues counting when you are outside of the U.S. unless you fall under the exception below:

• If a student travels while employed either during a period of leave authorized by an employer or as part of their employment, the time spent outside the United States will not count as unemployment.

If you remain outside of the U.S. for a period of time that exceeds 90 days without employment, you will lose your current F -1 status along with any period of OPT that was approved prior to your departure.

Travel validation signature

The travel validation signature on page 2 of your Form I-20 is only valid for 6 months while on a period of OPT from the date it was last signed.

If you need a travel signature while on OPT, please email iss@wfu.edu.

My F-1 visa stamp is expired. What should I do?

Your F-1 visa stamp can only be renewed at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate outside of the U.S.

• If you have no plans to travel outside of the U.S. during your period of OPT, you will not need to make a specific trip to renew your F visa stamp. It may remain expired during your period of OPT
• If you do have plans to travel during your period of OPT and your F-1 visa stamp is expired, you will need to make arrangements with the U.S. embassy/consulate nearest to your travel destination to have your F-1 stamp renewed prior to re-entering the U.S.

My F-1 visa stamp is expired but I have a valid B-2 visa stamp in my passport. Can’t I just use that to re-enter the U.S.?

No. If you exit and then re-enter the U.S. in another nonimmigrant visa category, your remaining period of OPT will be cancelled immediately upon receipt of the new visa classification.

Note of caution for traveling during OPT extended periods of time.

Please be aware of the fact that a Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Officer is probably going to be suspicious of a student applying for re-entry who is not employed and has spent an extended period of time outside of the U.S. When making a re-entry to the U.S., it is strongly advised that you have a letter from your current employer that explains the details of your employment situation. If you are not employed when you make the re-entry, you will need to convince the Customs & Border Protection Officer that you are actively seeking employment (i.e. proof of pending job interviews, etc.).

USCIS has stated that being employed while on OPT is a requirement for re-entry.

For students whose primary degrees were in an approved STEM field, you may be eligible for an extension of the standard OPT.

What is cap-gap?

A “cap-gap” extension automatically extends an eligible F-1 student’s status to bridge the gap between the end of their OPT and the start of approved H-1B status. This extension allows a student to remain in the U.S. and continue working during the “gap.”

The cap-gap extension is available to students who, as of April 1, have a valid OPT EAD, or are within their 60-day grace period and have a pending or approved H-1B petition with USCIS for an October 1 start date.

The cap-gap extension will have one of two outcomes, depending on your individual situation:

• Extension of your OPT work authorization to September 30. This happens if your approved OPT end date (on your EAD card) is April 1 or later. If your H-1B is pending or approved before the expiration of your OPT end date on your EAD card, then your employment authorization is extended until September 30.

OR

• Extension of your F-1 duration of status (D/S). If your OPT employment authorization expires but your 60-day grace period ends after the expiration date, you are allowed to stay in the U.S., if you otherwise maintain your F-1 status.  Please note: this is just an extension of your status, but you are not authorized to work until the H-1B petition is approved and goes into effect on October 1. If your H-1B is pending or approved after the expiration date of your OPT end date on your EAD card, then your F-1 durations of status (D/S) is extended but you are not authorized to continue working. In this case, you will not be able to work until the H-1B petition is approved and goes into effect on October 1.

Who is eligible for the extension?

Students in all fields of study are eligible for the cap-gap extension as long as the student has not violated the terms or conditions of their F-1 status. To qualify for the extension, the student must be the beneficiary of an H-1B petition that:

1. Has been timely filed

2. Requests an employment start date of October 1

3. Requests an in-country change-of-status 

4. Is the beneficiary of a cap-subject H-1B.

How do I apply for the cap-gap extension?

There is no federal government application process for the cap-gap extension. If your H-1B petition has been approved by USCIS, your SEVIS record will automatically be updated to reflect the cap-gap extension and your work authorization or duration of status will be extended to September 30. To request an updated I-20 for “cap-gap” you must log into your ISSDeacs account, select “updated I-20” and complete the request form. You must have documentation that your H-1B petition is pending or approved to upload into the ISSDeacs request in order for ISS to issue a new I-20. You must work with your employer/sponsor for updates on your petition. ISS will not give updates to H-1B petitions not sponsored by Wake Forest.

Traveling while on cap-gap:

The risk increases for individuals on OPT if your F-1 visa has expired and a new one is required in order to reenter the U.S.  Travel during the “cap-gap” period may not be possible if your EAD card has expired.  Consult with your employer/immigration attorney if you have plans to travel outside the U.S.

Upon Request, our office will examine your student profile to determine if we possess your previous I-20s. It takes 5-10 business days from the date of submission for us to process your request. As an F-1 student, it is your responsibility to maintain all records related to your immigration status, including all issued I-20s. Per Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations, schools are only required to retain records for three years after the student ceases their studies.