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International Student and Scholar Services

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of temporary employment authorization for F-1 students which allows them to gain practical experience in their field. Post-Completion OPT occurs after a student has finished their degree program. A student approved for Post-Completion OPT is authorized to work in the U.S. in a job directly related to their field of study for up to 12 months. F-1 students can apply for OPT following each higher degree.

Read more employment-relared questions on the employment under OPT FAQ page

How do I Apply for OPT?

You will need to follow some steps to apply for your OPT, such as submit a OPT Request, create a USCIS online accountand, and more.

Am I Eligible for Post-Completion OPT?

If all of the below statements are TRUE, then you are eligible to apply for OPT:

  • I am completing my degree or have only thesis remaining.
  • I am in good academic standing.
  • I have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (fall and spring) immediately preceding my degree completion.
  • I have maintained my F-1 status.
  • I have NOT been approved for 12 months or more of full-time CPT.
  • I have NOT been approved for OPT in the past for the same current degree level or a higher degree level.
  • I will apply for OPT within the deadlines - no more than 90 days before my graduation date and no more than 60 days after my graduation date.

  • While Your Application is Pending

    While pending, you can stay in the U.S. awaiting adjudication. If your application is adjudicated before the requested start date, your EAD card should reflect your chosen date.

    Learn more about pending applications

  • Job Requirements and Unemployment While on OPT

    To qualify for employment on OPT, students must have their EAD card and meet certain conditions.

    Read more about job requirements

  • Reporting Requirements

    Though you may no longer be an ISU student, you are still in F-1 student status while on OPT and continue to have requirements to report information to ISSS. You must report any changes in your personal.

    Learn more about reporting requirements

  • Cap Gap Extension

    "Cap Gap" is a term used to describe the "gap" between the end of OPT/STEM Extension and the beginning of H-1B status with an employer subject to the H-1B "cap".

    Am I eligible for a Cap Cap Extension?

  • Toward the End of OPT

    Students who are STEM-eligible can apply for STEM Extension OPT up to 90 days prior to the end date of their Post-Completion OPT. See our STEM Extension page for further details and to determine your eligibility.

    Learn more about STEM

  • Travel on OPT

    Traveling outside of the U.S. prior to receiving work authorization is strongly discouraged. Attempting to enter the U.S. without proof of employment may result in denial.

    Read more about travel on OPT

Students on OPT FAQ

When should I start applying for OPT?

You can apply up to 90 days before your program end date as listed on your I-20. USCIS processing time can take between 1-4 months for OPT approval. The earlier you can apply the better. You can still apply early even if you want your OPT to start later. There is a very useful Planning Tool for Post-Completion OPT located on the Study in the States website, which can help you determine your filing deadlines. More information about how to apply for OPT can be found here. 

What if I am pursuing more than one degree? Can I apply for OPT for both?

You are only eligible to apply for OPT once per degree level. If you are pursuing more than one degree at the same level (Ex: two master’s degrees), whether you can apply for OPT based upon both degrees depends on the timing of when you complete each degree.

If you graduate from both programs simultaneously, then your OPT employment can be based upon either degree.

If you finish one degree program before the other, you will need to decide at the time of completing your first program if you want to apply for OPT based upon that degree or wait to apply for OPT upon completion of your second degree. You can only apply for OPT up to 60 days after your graduation date.

Does unemployment start calculating if my OPT application is still pending but I have reached my requested start date?
Unemployment on OPT starts accruing after you are approved for OPT based upon the start date listed on your work authorization (EAD) card. If your application is still pending, unemployment is not being calculated, even if you have reached your requested start date. The start date you request when applying for OPT is not guaranteed. If your application is still pending past your requested start date, USCIS will adjust the start date upon approval.

Can I travel internationally while my OPT application is pending?

Traveling outside of the U.S. prior to receiving work authorization is strongly discouraged. Attempting to enter the U.S. without proof of employment may result in denial.

More information about travel on OPT can found on the ISSS Travel on OPT webpage.

How do I access the ISSS Portal and update my contact information while on OPT?

After you graduate, you will receive an email from ISSS notifying you to setup your new "non-integrated" ISSS Portal account. This email will be sent to the personal (non-ilstu) email you provided on the OPT Request you submitted to ISSS. You will access the ISSS Portal by clicking on the Alumni Login. Your personal email address will become your username and you will create your own password.

You will no longer go through Central Login to access the portal.

Personal Contact Information Updates

You should report any updates to your personal contact information in your SEVP Portal  within ten days of the change. Submit a Request Inquiry in the ISSS Portal to alert us that you have updated your address. Please allow ten business days for ISSS to update your ISSS Portal with your new contact information.

If, after ten business days, you do not see the change reflected in your ISSS Portal, please submit a Post-Completion Student Help Ticket.

Changing your Email Address

You should report a change to your email address by following these steps:

STEP 1: Submit a Post-Completion Student Help Ticket with your new email address.
STEP 2: ISSS will update your email address in the ISSS Portal and you will receive an automatic email with temporary login credentials.
STEP 3: Click on the link in the email to log in to the ISSS Portal. Your new username for the ISSS Portal will be your updated email address and you will create your own password.
STEP 4: ISSS will update your email address in SEVIS and you will receive an automatic email from SEVP with temporary login credentials.
STEP 5: Log in to the SEVP Portal with your new email address and temporary password.

How do I report that I got a new job while on OPT?

You should report each of your OPT employers by following these steps:

STEP 1: Submit an OPT Relationship to Major Request in the ISSS Portal (one request for each new employer).
STEP 2: Login to the SEVP Portal and add your employment information.

For additional information, see the SEVP Portal Help page on Study in the States

More information about OPT reporting can be found on the ISSS OPT Reporting Requirements webpage.

What documents should I take with me when travelling abroad on OPT?

When traveling outside of the U.S. following OPT approval, the following documents are required:

  • Valid Passport
  • Valid F-1 Visa
  • I-94 Printout marked D/S
  • Valid EAD card
  • I-20 with a valid DSO travel signature on page 2 (the signature is only valid for 6 months from the date it was signed)
  • Employment letter (stating: start dates, hours, and duties)