Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization for which F-1 students may qualify. OPT employment must be related to the F-1 student’s major (s).  Unlike Curricular Practical Training (CPT), the work done does not count towards course credit. OPT employment may be completed either during one’s degree program or after completion of degree requirements. 

Pre-Completion OPT: Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorized before the completion of a student's program of study. It is seldom used because Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is more advantageous. 

Post-Completion OPT: Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorized to begin after a student's successful completion of studies and program end date. 


Prerequisites and Eligibility: 

• You must have been enrolled in full-time status for one academic year preceding the OPT application
• You must be in valid F-1 status at the time of application.
• If you are applying for OPT based on graduation, USCIS must receive your OPT application within 60 days after your official completion/graduation date. You may apply any time within 90 days prior to your completion/graduation date.
• A student may be approved for up to a total of 12 months of OPT.
• A STEM Extension allows qualifying STEM majors to receive an additional 24-month extension (for a total of 36 months), if the employer is E-Verified.
• Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT for every degree level that they complete.

Job Offers and Unemployment:
It is not necessary to have an offer of employment to apply for OPT.  However, while on OPT, you have to be working or actively looking for a job. Being unemployed for over 90 (cumulative) days while on OPT may jeopardize your F-1 status.  Periods of up to 10 days between the end of one job and beginning of the next job are NOT included in the calculation for time spent unemployed.  

Timeline for filing and receiving approvals: 
The application process takes approximately 2-3 months from the time the application is mailed.  (This is for both initial applications and renewals.)  However, if there are any complications with the application, it may take longer. For current USCIS processing times, please check the USCIS website.
 

• For Spring graduates: Plan to apply between February - April
• For Fall graduates: Plan to apply between September - November

For all other information related to OPT and travel, please read the OPT Information Presentation. For information about updating your information during OPT, please read the Reporting Requirements. 

How do I start my OPT application? 

Step 1: Login to your ISSS application on this site and verify that all your documents (Passport, Visa, I-94, I-20) are current.

Step 2: Read, fill out, and sign the OPT Reporting Requirements and Application Filing Responsibilities then upload the signed agreement to your ISSS application. Select the Documents tab and the ISSS OPT Docs option under Upload New Documents.

Step 3: Email ISSS (isss@trinity.edu) after finishing steps 1 and 2. Use subject line: “OPT Application.”

Step 4: Your file/records will be reviewed and if everything is correct, ISSS will provide you with an updated I-20 for your OPT application.  Your new I-20 will be uploaded to your ISSS application.

Step 5: Follow the OPT Online Filing Instructions to file your OPT online.

Step 6: Upload your OPT Approval Notice and EAD Card to the ISSS application. Select the Documents tab and the ISSS OPT Docs option under Upload New Documents. Email ISSS (isss@trinity.edu) after finishing the upload. Use subject line: “OPT Approval Documents Received”.


NOTE: Please schedule an appointment with ISSS (isss@trinity.edu) if you have additional questions on the filing process.