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International Student and Scholar Services

OPT for Employers

What is OPT?

OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. It is a type of work authorization for F-1 students who have finished their degree program and were enrolled full-time for two consecutive semesters immediately preceding OPT.

A student’s position on OPT must be directly related to their field of study, commensurate with their level of study, and at least 20 hours/week.

OPT is authorized by ISSS for 1 year from the chosen start date or adjudication date, whichever is later.

Student’s Role

  • It is the student’s responsibility to determine if they are eligible for OPT
  • It is the student’s responsibility to apply for OPT on time through USCIS
  • The student must report any changes in employment or personal contact information to ISSS through the ISSS Portal within 10 days
  • The student must ensure the work being performed is related to their field of study.

Employer’s Role

  • There is no cost to you as an employer, and the OPT application is entirely the responsibility of the student
  • Students do not need an offer letter to apply for OPT
  • Full-time work is permitted; unpaid work is permitted if it is not in violation of labor laws

Timing Considerations

  • ISSS needs 10 business days to process the student’s OPT recommendation I-20.
  • Students can apply through USCIS up to 90 days before their graduation date.
  • OPT is authorized through USCIS; see USCIS Processing Times for estimates.
  • Students cannot begin work until their EAD card is in their hand and the start date has been reached.
  • Any work outside the approved OPT dates is unauthorized and could affect the student’s legal status.

Hiring Paperwork

  • Employers should request a copy of the student’s OPT EAD Card for I-9 purposes.
  • Employers can refer to the F-1 Students section of the I-9 Handbook for Employers for instructions on how to complete the Form I-9 for an F-1 student on OPT.
  • The OPT employment end date listed on the EAD card is the date their OPT employment authorization expires.
  • F-1 students who have been in the U.S. for less than five years are generally exempt from FICA (Social Security and Medicare) tax withholdings on their wages.

Additional Resources