Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT)is a temporary employment authorization for eligible F-1 students to gain off-campus experience directly related to their major.

• Eligible F-1 students may receive up to 12 months of OPT for each higher degree level completed in the U.S.
• Approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Typical processing time: 90–120 days. Premium Processing is available
• After approval, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). EAD is your official work permit in the U.S. 

You may be eligible to participate in OPT in two different ways:

• Part-time: Less than 20 hours per week 
• Full-time: More than 20 hours per week

Pre-Completion OPT (Pre-OPT)

Eligibility Category: (c)(3)(A)
Description: Employment before program completion.

• Part-time while school is in session; full-time during annual vacation periods (e.g., summer).
• Any time used is deducted from the 12-month OPT limit (e.g., 2 months of part-time OPT = 1 month of full-time OPT).
• May apply up to 90 days before the requested OPT start date.
• Not subject to the 90-day unemployment limit.

Post-Completion OPT (Post-OPT)

Eligibility Category: (c)(3)(B)
Description: Employment after program completion.

• Full-time employment only.
• OPT must begin within 60 days of the program completion date.
• For SF State students, the program completion date is typically the date grades become available, as published by the Registrar.
• Graduate students may apply if only the culminating experience remains; however, on-campus employment is not permitted during post-completion OPT.
• Employment reporting through the SEVP Portal is required.
• Subject to the 90-day unemployment limit.

• Be in valid F-1 status at the time of application.
• Be physically present in the United States when you apply.
• Have a valid passport that remains valid throughout your OPT period.
• Have completed at least one full academic year (two consecutive semesters) of full-time study in the U.S, or have approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) or Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) status. 
  Note: Summer and Winter sessions do not count toward this requirement.
• Not have used more than 12 months of full-time OPT at your current degree level.
• Not have completed more than 365 days of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT). 

Employment must relate to the major 

• All OPT employment must be directly related to your major field of study (not minor).
• You can hold more than one job during OPT, as long as each is related to your major.
• You are responsible for explaining and documenting how your job connects to your major.
• If the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) questions your employment later, you must be able to prove the connection.
• F-1 advisors can’t confirm whether a specific job qualifies, since they’re not experts in your academic field.   

Types of employment that are allowed 

• Paid employment: Part-time or full-time paid work is allowed.
• Multiple employers: You may work for more than one employer if all jobs are related to your major.
• Short-term gigs (for artists/performers): You may take multiple short-term jobs (e.g., performances, freelance gigs). Keep a record of each job’s dates, duration, and employer.
• Work for hire (independent contractor/1099): You can work as a contractor. Keep contracts, company contact info, and dates of each project.
• Self-employed business owner: You can start your own business and work full-time. You must have proper licenses and show that the work is related to your major.
• Employment through an agency: You may work through staffing or temp agencies. Keep evidence you worked at least 20 hours per week.
• Unpaid or volunteer work: You may volunteer or intern (without pay) as long as this does not violate labor laws and you work at least 20 hours per week. Obtain a verification letter from your supervisor. 

Employment that are not allowed 

• Employment that is not directly related to your major field of study.
• On-campus employment after the I-20 program end date, including for graduate students on OPT who are still completing culminating experience requirement.

Post-OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment. You may not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during your OPT authorization period. 

Unemployment counts from the EAD “Valid From” date whenever no job is reported in the SEVP Portal—not from the application date, requested start date, finals, I-20 end date, while pending, or before the EAD start date.  

STEM major students: reaching 90+ days on Post-OPT violates F-1 status, and makes you ineligible for STEM OPT extension.

Unemployment days DOES NOT begin

• On the day you submit your OPT application
• On your requested OPT start date
• On your I-20 program end date
• While your OPT application is pending with USCIS
• During the period between OPT approval and the EAD "Valid From" date

Important: Even if your post-OPT application is approved, unemployment days do not count until the EAD start date printed on your card.

What counts as unemployment

Any day without qualifying employment after your EAD start date may count as unemployment including:

• Days when no employment is reported in the SEVP Portal
• Days between jobs
• Days between receiving a job offer and your actual employment start date
• Days when you are employed but fail to properly report your employment information in the SEVP Portal

Remember: Failure to report employment does not stop the unemployment clock. Unreported employment may still be counted as unemployment in your SEVIS record.

Example

EAD "Valid From" Date: August 1
The date you start working: August 20

Because you were not employed from August 1 through August 19, you have used 19 days of unemployment.

This Pre-Completion OPT FAQ (Microsoft Word, 27KB) answers common questions about Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (Pre-OPT), including eligibility, work hour limits, processing times, and how to apply. 

Please read through it carefully, as it also covers how Pre-OPT may affect the length of your post-completion OPT. If you have questions not covered here, contact an F-1 advisor at f1@sfsu.edu.

Below is a general timeline outlining the major phases of the OPT process. Processing times vary and are determined by USCIS. Approval timelines are not guaranteed by F-1 advisors.

Phase 1: Preparing OPT request

• Review the OPT resources and complete the OPT quiz.
• Download and complete the OPT Authorization Request Form.
  • Pre-Completion OPT: Select "Pre-Completion OPT" and choose Part-Time or Full-Time.
  • Post-Completion OPT: Select "Post-Completion OPT" and indicate your preferred OPT start date.
• Email the OPT Authorization Request Form to your Academic Advisor or Graduate Advisor for signature, verifying your expected program completion semester.

Phase 2: Submitting OPT request

• Email the signed OPT Authorization Request Form to f1@sfsu.edu.
• An F-1 advisor will issue an I-20 with the appropriate OPT recommendation within 10 business days.
• Once you receive the new I-20, file Form I-765 online within 30 days of the date we recommended OPT on your I-20. You will need to create a USCIS account and upload the I-20 containing your OPT recommendation.

Phase 3: After filing with USCIS

• A digital receipt notice (Form I-797) will be issued shortly after submission.
• Track your case status.
• Attend your biometric services appointment (if required by USCIS).
• Once approved, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be mailed to you.

USCIS processing times are approximate and subject to change.

Phase 4: Once OPT Is approved

• Do not begin working until both of the following are true:
  • You have received your physical EAD; and
  • The start date on your EAD has arrived.
• If you do not yet have a Social Security Number (SSN), you may apply in person at a local Social Security Administration office on or after your EAD start date.

Additional Requirements for Pre-Completion OPT

• Work only within the authorized dates and hours listed on your EAD.
• Continue to maintain full-time enrollment unless otherwise authorized.
• Time used for Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from your 12 months of total OPT eligibility.

Additional Requirements for Post-Completion OPT

• Watch for a SEVP Portal activation email from SEVP.
• Create and activate your SEVP Portal account.
• Report employment information in the SEVP Portal within 10 days of beginning employment.
• If you are unemployed, unemployment days begin counting from your approved OPT start date.
• If eligible, apply for a STEM OPT Extension up to 90 days before your OPT end date.

Phase 5: End of OPT authorization

Pre-Completion OPT

• Pre-Completion OPT automatically ends on the EAD end date.
• There is no separate grace period associated solely with the end of Pre-Completion OPT.
• You must continue to maintain valid F-1 status.

Post-Completion OPT

• After your OPT end date, you enter a 60-day grace period.
• During this period, you may:
  • Prepare to depart the United States; or
  • Transfer your SEVIS record to another U.S. institution.
• Your F-1 status at SFSU will be considered completed at the end of the grace period.

• Review the OPT resources above carefully. Understand the OPT responsibilities
• Complete the mandatory OPT quiz.
  • The purpose of the quiz is to test students' knowledge of OPT and remind students of their responsibilities.
  • There is no minimum score requirement

• Download the OPT Authorization Request form (PDF, 170KB)
• Fill out all required sections.
• For the “Academic Information” section:
  • Undergraduate Students: Obtain a signature from your major advisor in your academic department.
    For Business majors, please obtain your signature from the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC).
  • Graduate Students: Obtain a signature from your Graduate Coordinator.

• Email the signed OPT Authorization Request Form to f1@sfsu.edu.
• An F-1 advisor will review your request. If you are eligible for OPT, you will receive an updated I-20 with the OPT recommendation printed on page 2 within 10 business days.

Please note:

• Post-completion OPT applicants only: Your I-20 program end date will be shortened to reflect your program completion.
• The CIP code on your I-20 reflects your major, not your concentration.
  • For example, a Business student with a Marketing concentration may see "Business Administration, General" listed as the CIP code description on the I-20, while "Marketing" appears in the Major 1 field.

You may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online with USCIS to apply for a Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(B) or a Pre-Completion OPT (C)(3)(A).

Tips before filing 

• Use your personal email address (not your SFSU email) when creating a USCIS online account, since SFSU accounts are deactivated about a year after graduation.
• Review the Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Instructions (link to Google Slides). 

Additional Resources

• USCIS Form I-765
• How to Create a USCIS Online Account | USCIS
• Tips for Filing Forms Online | USCIS

Photos and Biometric Services Appointment

• USCIS announced on December 12, 2025, that it will no longer accept self‑submitted photos for immigration benefit requests, including Form I-765 filed through the online.
• Although the online system still allows applicants to upload their own photos, USCIS will not use them, and you should expect to receive a Biometrics Services Appointment Notice instead.
• You must attend the appointment and follow all instructions to avoid delays or denial
• For preparation, review the USCIS biometrics appointment guidance: Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment | USCIS
• This policy change is outlined in USCIS Policy Alert PA-2025-29 and the December 12, 2025 USCIS news release stating that only photos taken by USCIS or other authorized entities will be used.

Premium Processing (Optional)

• USCIS offers Request for Premium Processing Service | USCIS for an additional fee.
• This guarantees action on your case within the timeframe listed in USCIS Premium Processing Information. 

SFSU student accounts are deactivated about one year after graduation. Therefore, we strongly advise you to update your “preferred email” in the Student Center to a personal email address.

• The “Preferred Email” in your SFSU student center is linked to your SEVIS record and is where SEVP will send important reminders and SEVP Portal login instructions. 
• Once your preferred email is updated, SEVP will send account creation link to your personal email, so check your personal email regularly after graduation. 

Please check the status of your application regularly. If USCIS needs more information, they will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). This does not mean your Form I-765 is denied. It just requires additional documents. Submit your response electronically through your USCIS online account. You must respond by the USCIS deadline, or your application will be denied. Receiving an RFE may delay processing.

• If your Form I-765 is rejected, it means it was not filed properly and does not establish a filing date. Contact us immediately for guidance.
• If your Form I-765 is denied, it means your OPT has not been approved. Contact us immediately for next steps. 

• You may receive a biometric services appointment notice.
• Biometric appointments will be scheduled at the Application Support Center (ASC) closest to your address. During the appointment, USCIS will collect the your biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) to verify the your identity.
• To prepare for the appointment, review: Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment | USCIS
• If you need to reschedule your current ASC Biometrics Appointment, you may log in to your USCIS online account to use the online Self-Rescheduling tool or go to my.uscis.gov/appointmentscheduler-appointment/ca/en. You will be able to change the date, time, and the location of the appointment.

Please Note: The Self-Rescheduling tool cannot be used to reschedule an appointment that has already been rescheduled two or more times, is within 12 hours, or has already passed.

if you are on post-completion OPT, you are not required to buy SFSU pre-approved insurance.  However, you may choose to enroll within 30 days after their current plan ends. For example: If your coverage ends August 9, you must purchase new insurance by September 8. 

• To Purchase OPT Insurance: Go to United HealthCare's student portal.
• Follow the step-by-step instructions (Word, 64KB).

After your EAD start date, you’ll receive a SEVP Portal login email from SEVP. Create your SEVP Portal account as soon as you receive the email (the link expires).  

If not received within a week, email f1@sfsu.edu with: 

• Your full name and SFSU ID
• Request to “Send SEVP login email after OPT start date.” 

The SEVP Portal is an online system where you can report your OPT employment, address, and phone number directly to SEVP. Unemployment days are automatically tracked based on what you report. 

Sample statement for reporting: 

My major is (MAJOR), concentration in (CONCENTRATION). My job is directly related to my major because I will work an average of (NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK) as a (JOB TITLE) at a (COMPANY TITLE), where I will (JOB DUTIES). On a daily basis, I use the knowledge I gained in my (MAJOR COURSE TITLES). My duties directly utilize the skills and knowledge I acquired from my coursework and degree at SFSU. 

After updating your information in the SEVP Portal, you may request an updated I-20 that includes your employer details on page 2.

USCIS will mail your EAD card to the mailing address you provided on Form I-765. You may begin working only on or after the “Valid From” date listed on your EAD and must have the card in hand.  

If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you must apply for one in person at your local Social Security Administration office on or after your EAD start date.

Please follow the instructions on the SSA website: Request a Social Security number | SSA.

Lost EADOption 1 – Check with USCIS 

• Verify your mailing address in your online I-765 account.
• Submit an inquiry using the USCIS Self-Service Tool.
• If USPS returns your card, USCIS will reissue it to your updated address.
• Allow 21 days for USPS to return the card and another 30 days for reissuance before following up.
• If still not received, request proof from USCIS and contact the CIS Ombudsman for assistance. 

You cannot work during this time. 

Option 2 - Request a Replacement

• File a new Form I-765 with the filing fee for a replacement EAD.
• Include copies of your I-797 approval notice and I-20 showing the original OPT recommendation.
• You’ll receive a new I-797 receipt; you may work up to 90 days with this receipt while waiting for the new card (USCIS I-9 guidance). 

Ensure your mailing address accepts first-class mail and your name or c/o contact is correctly listed. 

In all cases, the student’s address must be able to accept mail categorized as “first-class or higher”; students must be listed as physically residing there with USPS or have indicated the person living at the residence in the c/o mailing address on the I-765.

Mistakes may include name, birthday, start and/or end date. A typical error is an EAD end date that exceeds 12 months, or that ends more than the regulatory OPT completion limit of 14 months beyond the student’s program end date. Students should review dates for accuracy and correct any errors, even if the error appears to grant more than the regulatory permissible amount of time.

Option 1: USCIS Error

1. Student may submit a service request via the USCIS' website. No new I-765 or fee is required. Must return the incorrect EAD to USCIS services center. 

Option 2: Applicant Error

1. File a new I-765 application with the filing fee. Include an Explanation letter and a copy of incorrect EAD
2. A new I-20 is not required since OPT is already approved. 

If the student has an offer of employment, they may be able to complete the I-9 requirements with the incorrect EAD, depending on the specific error (such as birth date) and the requirements of the employer. If so, they can work while waiting for the replacement EAD if they can complete the I-9 process before returning the EAD.

While you are on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, please update your U.S. mailing address in two portals: the SEVP Portal and the SFSU Student Center.

To update your mailing address in the SEVP Portal:

Log in to the portal and follow the on-screen instructions.

To update your mailing address in the SFSU Student Center:

• Step 1: Log in to the Student Center and scroll down to the “Personal Information” section. Click “Mailing Address” to update your U.S. mailing address, or “Home Phone” to update your U.S. phone number.
• Step 2: Click “Edit” and enter your current U.S. mailing address or U.S. phone number. Be sure to click “OK” first and then click “Save.”

• If you do not exceed 90 days of unemployment, you have a 60 day grace period after the “Valid Until” date on your EAD. During this period, you must leave the U.S. or transfer to another school to continue your F-1 status.  
• You will lose access to the SEVP Portal shortly after your EAD end date. We recommend taking screenshots and saving records of your employment history and SEVP reporting for your own reference. 
• If you are applying for STEM OPT extension, your SEVP portal will remain active.

• If you plan to pursue another program of study at SFSU, you must request a change of education level I-20 from the admission offices.
• If you wish to pursue study at a different U.S. institution, follow the I-20 Transfer procedures instruction and request your SEVIS record/I-20 to be transferred to your new school.

Undergraduate students

If your graduation plans change after submitting your OPT application, contact an F-1 international student advisor immediately. In some cases, it may be possible to withdraw your OPT application.

Graduate students

If you have completed all required coursework and are only working on completing the culminating experience course, you may work under post-completion OPT while completing the culminating experience course.

Do not enroll in any academic courses: You can only take recreational/avocational classes (Yoga or Wine tasting classes…etc) while on post-OPT. 

If you plan to take academic courses or obtain a higher degree, your must request your SEVIS record to be transferred to your new schools. Your OPT will end on the date we transfer your SEVIS record out. 

No.  If your OPT application hasn't been approved, this means you do not have any authorization to work in the U.S.  

Do not start working before you have the EAD in your hands.

Yes. If you are on the post-completion OPT, make sure to report your new employer at SEVP Portal.

No. 

When recommending post-completion OPT, we shorten the I-20 program end date to reflect the your degree program completion. You can not pursue on-campus employment beyond the I-20 end date.

STEM major students may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Plan and apply 90 days before their OPT end date.