Optional Practical Training (OPT) gives F-1 students 12 months of "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study" [8 CFR § 214.2(f)(10)(ii)]. OPT is available to F-1 students who have been in full-time student status for at least one academic year in the United States. OPT does not require a job offer. A student may be eligible for a new 12-month period after completing a new degree program at a higher education level.

Important: OPT is not an entitlement but a benefit that is granted at the discretion of USCIS after a thorough review of your application.

To help you plan your OPT application timeline, start date, and end date, please use our downloadable tool. This tool is provided as a reference only.

Quick Facts about OPT

• OPT work authorization is available for 12 months.
• Students can apply for Pre-Completion OPT during their studies (part-time employment only) or Post-Completion OPT based on a completed degree (full-time employment).
• You must be in the United States to apply for OPT.
• A job offer is not required for OPT application.
• Students may accrue up to 90 unemployment days in total during post-completion OPT.
• Employment on OPT must be directly related to the student's major field of study and commensurate with the degree level.
• Employment on OPT can be paid or unpaid.
• Learn more by taking the OPT Tutorial Canvas Course (required in order to apply for OPT)

I-20 End Date Options

OPT for Undergraduates and Non-Thesis Graduate Students

The program end date on your OPT I-20 will be a university-approved date for your final registered semester, i.e., the semester when you complete your degree requirements. The program completion dates for the academic terms are:
• Spring term: Saturday of Commencement, as listed on the Rice Academic Calendar (https://registrar.rice.edu/calendars)
• Summer term: August 31st
• Fall term: December 30th

OPT for Thesis/Dissertation Graduate Students

Doctoral and Thesis-Masters students have several options for their I-20 program end date for the purpose of applying for OPT. Make sure to read through the information below carefully so that you understand all the particulars of each option.

Please note that on-campus employment work authorization, including eligibility to receive a stipend, ends on the program end date selected. This means that if you choose to apply for OPT based on a mid-semester defense date, you will not be eligible to receive your stipend for the full semester.

Option 1: Thesis/dissertation defense date – In order to qualify for this option, students must be registered for the semester in which they defend. If you intend to defend during the first week of the semester and will not register for that term, you must use Option 3 and the end date of the prior term when you were last registered.

Option 2: Thesis/dissertation submission date – This option is only available if you 1) submit in the same term when you defend and 2) are registered for that term. The submission date is the latest end date you can select if you submit mid-term, you cannot choose Option 3 for the semester in which you submit if you submit earlier than Monday of the last week of classes.

Option 3: End of the final registered semester – This option is only available if you 1) are registered for the full term selected and 2) do not submit your thesis/dissertation prior to the last week of classes for that semester (i.e., the submission deadline for graduation). The latest semester that you can choose is the semester in which you defend. However, if you submit your thesis/dissertation earlier than Monday of the last week of classes you cannot choose this option.

The program completion dates based on the final registered semester for the academic terms are:
• Spring term: Saturday of Commencement, as listed on the Rice Academic Calendar (https://registrar.rice.edu/calendars)
• Summer term: August 31st
• Fall term: December 30th

In sum, your options are:
1) Defense date if you register for that term. If you defend at the beginning of the term and do not register for the semester, you must choose the end of the previous term.
2) Submission date or the end date of the term in which you defend, whichever is earlier.

Additional I-20 End Date FAQs for Thesis/Dissertation Graduate Students

Before reading these additional FAQs, please make sure to carefully read through the "OPT for Thesis/Dissertation Graduate Students" section above!

During the process, students are required to submit their thesis multiple times, including before and after the defense. When talking about thesis/dissertation submission, which submission do you mean?
When referring to thesis/dissertation submission, we mean the final submission of the final version.

Am I required to defend and submit my final thesis in the same term?
No. Rice gives you six months from your defense date to submit your final thesis, but for OPT purposes, your I-20 end date should be in the term when you defend (either Option 1 or Option 3 listed in the section above). There is no immigration concern with you submitting your thesis while already on OPT.
For more information on academic deadlines, please see https://graduate.rice.edu/academics/candidacy-defense-thesis-submission/thesis-submission.

What if I have applied for post-completion OPT based on my defense date, and then my defense (or submission) is moved to a later date?
That is okay, but please note that once your OPT is approved and starts, you are no longer maintaining your F-1 status through your studies but rather through OPT employment (see https://oiss.rice.edu/OPTcompliance for more information). This means that instead of getting to focus 100% on your defense (or submission), you may need to begin OPT employment or accrue unemployment days.

Are there any disadvantages to applying for OPT based on my defense (or early submission) date?
If you have a job offer with an early start date, being able to apply for OPT based on your defense date can be a great option. But please note that your on-campus work eligibility will end on the new end date of your I-20. This means that you are no longer eligible to receive your stipend, but also must stop rendering any services as TA/RA, etc. Discuss this carefully with your advisor because they may be counting on you for those services until the end of the semester, and you want to make sure they get plenty of notice if this were to change.

How to Request OPT I-20 from OISS

Step 1: Complete the OPT Tutorial & Review the FAQs

Please complete the OPT Tutorial Canvas Course and read through the FAQ for Students Applying for OPT below before starting the OPT application process. A copy of the OPT Canvas Tutorial completion certificate is required for OPT requests.

Step 2: Watch OPT Workshop video (optional)

For more information on OPT, please watch our virtual OPT Workshop video at http://oiss.rice.edu/studentwork.

Special note: The OPT Workshop video does not yet reflect the updated end date policy for thesis/dissertation graduate students. Updates are coming soon, but the section "I-20 End Date Options" above details the new policy.

Step 3: Make sure your address is current in ESTHER

F-1 students are required to maintain an accurate physical address (i.e., the address where they live) in SEVIS at all times, and this information is updated based on the Local Address field in your ESTHER account. This information is also required on the Form I-765 when you submit your OPT application to USCIS, and it is important that the information is correct and matches your SEVIS record.

Take a moment to verify that your physical address is correct in ESTHER now before submitting your OPT request to OISS. This will help make sure that in case updates are needed, they have been reported in your SEVIS record before we process your OPT I-20. When entering your address, please follow the formatting guidelines to ensure proper reporting in SEVIS.

Step 4: Work with your faculty advisor to complete the OPT Faculty Advisor Form

Study the I-20 end date options listed above very carefully. Graduate students completing a thesis or dissertation have more available end date options, but the selection will also affect on-campus work eligibility, eligibility to continue to receive a stipend, etc. Make sure you understand the options available to you before moving forward!

On the Faculty Advisor Form, the student completes the top section, and the Rice faculty member/advisor completes the bottom section to verify the required information.

Click here to access the Faculty Advisor Form for Undergraduates and Non-Thesis Masters students.
Click here to access the Faculty Advisor Form for Thesis Masters and Doctoral students.

Step 5: Complete your OPT request form online

The OPT request form, which includes your requested OPT dates, your preferred non-Rice email, which will be used while you are on OPT, and the OPT SOU, is available online at http://bit.ly/optrequest. In addition to completing the form, you must also upload the following documents:

1) OPT Tutorial Canvas Course Completion Certificate
2) OPT Faculty Advisor Form (make sure to use the correct form for your program: Non-Thesis Students or Thesis Students)
3) Your most recent I-94 record, available at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94

How to File Online OPT Application

Step 1: Prepare application materials

While OISS works on your new I-20 (please allow 1-2 weeks for processing), please make sure you have the remaining application items ready:

1) A passport-style photo taken within the last 6 months
2) Digital copies of your passport, most recent F-1 visa, and current I-94 record
3) Digital copy of the front and back of any previous EAD card(s), if applicable
4) Digital copies of previous CPT and OPT I-20s
5) Additional supplemental documents as appropriate

Step 2: Attend an OPT follow-up appointment with an OISS advisor

When your OPT I-20 is ready, you will be invited to schedule an OPT follow-up appointment, during which an OISS advisor will discuss the rest of the application process and maintaining your status during OPT.

Step 3: Create a USCIS Online Account

Create the USCIS Online Account at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/.

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please see https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account.

Step 4: Complete the Form I-765 online

Please note that you must complete the online application very carefully. The system allows you to submit an incomplete application without all the required evidence, which can lead to delays and additional difficulties. If you start working on your online I-765 in advance, USCIS will keep your draft for up to 30 days, allowing you to return to finish it later. Do NOT submit the payment and application until you have received the OPT recommendation I-20 from OISS and uploaded it under the Evidence section!

The guidance below is not intended to be legal advice but general suggestions for how you might proceed when completing the online I-765 application. Before completing the I-765, please also read through the official USCIS "Instructions for Form I-765" available under "Forms and Document Downloads" at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765.

If you would like to provide any additional information about your immigration history beyond what is collected as part of the standard questions, please use the Additional Information section of the Form I-765. After submitting your application, you will also have the option of uploading additional documents as unsolicited evidence (see the end of this step).

If you choose to file a paper-based application instead, please see https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 for more information.

Important update: The Social Security Administration (SSA) has halted the Enumeration Beyond Entry program, which allowed non-immigrant visa holders to request a U.S. Social Security Number and Card on the Form I-765 when applying for work authorization. Currently, the I-765 form has not yet been updated to reflect this change. However, applicants will no longer receive a Social Security number or card by requesting one on the Form I-765. Applicants who do not yet have a U.S. SSN must now visit their nearest Social Security office in person to apply for the SSN after receiving their EAD.

Complete the Form I-765 online

	Login to your USCIS Online Account and select "File a form online"
	Select the Form I-765 and click on "Start form" Read through all the provided information very carefully before proceeding to the questions.
	Although the menu on the left allows you to skip to any section of the I-765, it is recommended that you complete the form in order to ensure no responses are missed. Under eligibility category, select "c(3)(B) Student Post-Completion OPT"
	The reason for applying should be "Initial permission to accept employment" Make sure to report any previously filed I-765, if applicable.
	If a preparer or an interpreter assists you with completing the application, you must disclose it and answer additional questions regarding the preparer and/or interpreter.
	Enter your name exactly as it is listed on your Form I-20. Make sure to also report any other names you may have used, alternate spellings, and any alternate order in which your names may sometimes be listed, if applicable.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. If you use your own address for mailing, you should leave the “In care of name” field blank. If you use the address of a family member or friend, please enter their name in the "In care of name" field. You are welcome to use the OISS address for mailing purposes! Please list it as follows: OISS, Rice University 6100 Main Street MS-365 Houston, Texas 77005
	If you use a separate mailing address, i.e., an address where you do not currently physically live, you MUST report your physical address separately. This address should match what is reported as your physical address in SEVIS, so please make sure your address is current in ESTHER before submitting your OPT application.
	Please select the options that best apply to you.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. All dates should be listed in the MM/DD/YYYY format.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. If you are a citizen of more than one country, report them all by selecting "+ Add country" as needed. Your I-94 number is listed at the top of your I-94 record as “Admission (I-94) Record Number.” Your Status at last arrival is most likely F-1, so select “F-1 - F-1 - Student, Academic or Language Program” from the dropdown. Exception: If you originally entered the U.S. in a different visa status, filed and were approved by USCIS for a change of status to F-1, and have not traveled internationally since then, please make sure to select the correct status at the last arrival!
	Please make sure to respond to all questions carefully and accurately. Most F-1 students do not have a travel document, so you may leave that question blank.
	In order to qualify for OPT, your current immigration status must be F-1. Please select “F-1 - F-1 - Student, Academic or Language Program” from the dropdown. Your SEVIS Number is available at the top of your Form I-20.
	Unless you specifically have and know your A-Number and/or your USCIS Online Account Number, you may select that you do not have or know these numbers.
	Please make sure to respond to all questions accurately. If you have an SSN, you will be asked to provide it. If you do not have an SSN, you have the option of requesting a Social Security card to be issued on the Form I-765. In that case, you must give USCIS consent to disclose your information to SSA, and you will be asked a few additional questions related to the Social Security Number application.
	These additional questions only apply to students who request that a Social Security card be issued on Form I-765.
	Please read through the photo requirements carefully. Use the link to access the Department of State’s photo composition tools if you need to resize or otherwise adjust your photo to meet the requirements. Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Please upload a copy of your I-94 record (available at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94) or a copy of your USCIS I-797A Approval Notice if you have changed status to F-1 inside the U.S. and have not traveled internationally since then. Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Although the instructions for this section only request that one identity document be uploaded, we strongly recommend that you upload all of the following: 1) Passport biographical page 2) Most recent F-1 visa stamp even if it has expired (if applicable) 3) Previous EAD card(s) (if applicable) Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Please upload a copy of the SEVIS employment history document, which will be provided by OISS together with your OPT I-20. We strongly recommend that you also upload copies of all previous I-20s that contain CPT and/or OPT authorizations. Please note that in addition to uploading the supporting evidence, you must also report any previous CPT and OPT authorizations in writing in the Additional Information section. See below for more information. Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	Please upload a copy of the new OPT I-20 provided by OISS. No other I-20 copies should be uploaded in this section. Please make sure you have signed the I-20 (by hand in ink; electronic signatures from students are not accepted). The online application must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of the issue date of your OPT I-20! Pay attention to the file requirements, including accepted file formats, file names, and maximum file size.
	In addition to uploading the supporting evidence, you must also report any previous CPT authorizations in writing in the Additional Information section of the online I-765, if applicable. Please make sure to include the degree level at which the CPT was granted, as that detail is specifically listed as required in the official USCIS I-765 Instructions.
	In addition to uploading the supporting evidence, you must also report any previous OPT authorizations in writing in the Additional Information section of the online I-765, if applicable. Please make sure to include the degree level at which the OPT was granted, as that detail is specifically listed as required in the official USCIS I-765 Instructions.
	You must also report any previous SEVIS IDs in writing in the Additional Information section of the online I-765, if applicable. Visa types that have a SEVIS record are F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 and M-2.
	Please review any alerts and warnings very carefully. Although USCIS allows you to add unsolicited documents at a later stage, the application itself cannot be changed after submission.
	Please review your responses very carefully. The system allows you to submit your application without all the required documentation, and although USCIS allows you to add unsolicited documents at a later stage, submitting an incomplete application can lead to delays and additional difficulties.
	If you did not report having used an interpreter, you must attest to having read and understood every question and instructions related to the Form I-765.
	Please read the declaration very carefully and sign the online I-765 digitally by typing your full legal name where requested.
	Your OPT application will be submitted to USCIS once you have paid the application fee online. The available payment methods include a withdrawal from a U.S. checking or savings account or payment with a U.S. debit or credit card. USCIS does not accept foreign debit or credit cards. If you choose to start working on the I-765 in advance, USCIS will keep your draft for up to 30 days, allowing you to return to finish it. DO NOT SUBMIT THE PAYMENT AND APPLICATION until you have received the new OPT I-20 from OISS and uploaded it under the Evidence section (under Form I-20).
	After you submit your application, an electronic receipt notice will be immediately available under Your Cases in the Documents tab. USCIS will also mail you a hard copy receipt notice, which you should receive in a few weeks. If you wish to add additional documentation to your application, you may upload it here as unsolicited evidence.

Step 5: Respond to any requests from USCIS, if applicable

If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) for your OPT application, you will receive the notification through your USCIS Online Account. Please read through the request carefully, paying special attention to the response deadline. Contact OISS if you need any assistance, and upload your response through your USCIS Online Account as quickly as possible.

FAQ for Students Applying for OPT

When can I apply for OPT?

You may apply as early as 90 days before your program completion date. Your application must be received by USCIS no later than 60 days from your program completion date and within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issuance date.

Can I apply if I've used OPT before?

Students are eligible for OPT after each completed degree as long as the degree is at a higher education level. For example, a student who has completed a Bachelor's degree and used OPT after it can be eligible for OPT again after completing a Master's degree.

I don’t have a job offer yet, can I still apply for OPT? What start date should I ask for?

Yes, you can apply for OPT even if you don’t have a job offer! You can ask for a start date within 1-60 days after graduation, but deciding which start date to request can be a bit tricky. Ultimately, it’s your choice, but here are some pros and cons to keep in mind.

Requesting an early OPT Start Date

Pro: Assuming that your OPT has been approved, you have work authorization to start on whatever date your employer wants once you find the job.
Con: If you don’t have a job on your OPT start date, you will start accruing unemployment days. It is not an immediate concern since you can accrue up to 90 during your OPT, but it may become problematic if it takes you a bit longer to find the job.

Requesting a late OPT Start Date

Pro: You don’t have to worry about accruing unemployment days until much, much later.
Con: If you find your dream job and they want you to start quickly, you may need to convince them that you are worth waiting for since your work authorization doesn’t start until your requested OPT start date (i.e., the validity date listed on your OPT EAD), even if you receive your OPT EAD earlier.

How do I submit the OPT request to OISS?

Please submit your OPT request electronically through http://bit.ly/optrequest.

I've completed the Tutorial in Canvas but lost the certificate of completion. How can I retrieve it?

You can download the certificate of completion from your Rice Catalog "student dashboard" under the Completed tab! OISS will accept the certificate for up to one year after its date of completion. If you completed your Tutorial more than a year ago, please complete the current tutorial to get an updated certificate of completion.

1) Login to catalog.rice.edu
2) Click on your name in the top right corner and select "Student Dashboard"
3) Choose Completed courses
4) Click on "Download" to get your certificate of completion

What happens after the OPT application is submitted online/mailed to USCIS?

1) USCIS sends an I-797 Notice of Action once your application is received, usually in a few weeks. When applying online, the receipt notice is immediately available electronically as well. This notice will contain a receipt number to check the application status at https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.
2) USCIS mails your OPT EAD card, if OPT is approved. If more information is required, USCIS will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). Please continue to monitor your MyUSCIS account for any updates.

You can check the current estimated USCIS processing times at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. Below the provided estimate, you can enter your receipt date to learn the earliest date when USCIS will allow you to submit a case inquiry.

Please note that, unfortunately, the processing times listed in the MyUSCIS account have been unreliable and should, therefore, be disregarded.

What if my OPT EAD card does not arrive in time?

You are not eligible to begin employment, even unpaid until you have received the OPT EAD card and are within the validity dates indicated on the card. Please note that the Approval Notice from USCIS may not be used as work authorization, and the actual card is needed to start work!

Can I travel internationally while my OPT application is pending?

Traveling while your OPT application is pending is not recommended and should be undertaken with caution. If USCIS approves your application, you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Remember, USCIS can only send the EAD to your U.S. address. Application for F-1 visa renewal during OPT (especially while the application is still pending) can be risky.

Please speak with an OISS advisor for more information. You may also find additional information on travel and OPT at https://oiss.rice.edu/OPTcompliance.

Can my OPT application be expedited?

Possibly, as USCIS has made Premium Processing available for OPT applications. The premium processing filing fee for OPT applications is currently $1,685. The guaranteed processing time with premium processing is 30 days. To learn more, please see https://www.uscis.gov/i-907.

OISS is not able to provide detailed guidance or advise on adding Premium Processing to your OPT application, but USCIS has instructions available under the "Forms and Document Downloads" section of their Premium Processing webpage.

For information on standard processing times without premium processing, please see https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times.

FAQ for Students Currently on OPT

What are the reporting requirements on OPT?

There are several reporting requirements that apply to you while you are on OPT to ensure that you are maintaining your F-1 status:

1) Submit a copy of your EAD card to OISS as soon as it arrives at http://bit.ly/oissdocs.
2) Submit an OPT update through your SEVP Student Portal whenever there is a change in your personal information or address.
3) Submit an OPT update through your SEVP Student Portal whenever there is a change in your employment.
4) Notify OISS immediately if you change your status to a visa type other than F-1 by submitting proof of your new status at http://bit.ly/oissdocs or by emailing oiss@rice.edu.

For more information, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/OPTcompliance.

How many unemployment days are allowed during the OPT period?

Students are required to work full-time (defined as at least 20 hours per week) during the OPT period. Students are permitted a total of 90 days of unemployment during the 12 months on OPT.

Can I start my own business or work for a start-up company on OPT?

Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your major field of study and commensurate with your degree level.

Where can I learn about applying for the STEM OPT Extension?

For information on the 24-month STEM extension, important resources, such as the STEM Extension Tutorial, and instructions on how to apply, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/stem.

For more information on maintaining status while on OPT, please see the Students on OPT & STEM OPT webpage.