Get the free Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist - hamline

A checklist and application form for F-1 visa holders applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including required documents and application details.

How to fill out optional practical training opt

How to fill out Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist

1. Obtain the OPT application form from the USCIS website or your school's international office.
2. Complete the form with accurate personal information and details about your program of study.
3. Gather necessary supporting documents, including your I-20 form, passport copy, and previous employment authorization documents if applicable.
4. Pay the required application fee, which can be done through a check or credit card.
5. Prepare a cover letter if required, explaining your application and attaching it to your submission.
6. Make copies of all documents for your records.
7. Send the completed application package to the appropriate USCIS service center based on your state of residence.
8. Keep track of your application status using the USCIS online tools.

Who needs Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist?

1. International students holding an F-1 visa who wish to work in the United States after completing their studies.
2. Students who have maintained their F-1 status and wish to gain practical experience in their field of study.
3. Individuals seeking to extend their stay in the U.S. for work purposes connected to their academic program.

People Also Ask about

Should I apply for CPT or OPT?

CPT is authorization to work when you're in university. OPT is after you finish your degree. OPT rules are all the same for everybody , CPT depends upon your university.

What documents are needed for OPT application?

A student must complete all practical training within a 14-month period following the completion of study. An F-1 student may be authorized up to 12 months of practical training, and becomes eligible for another 12 months of practical training when they change to a higher educational level.

What is the 14 month rule for OPT?

Generally, your CPT will not affect OPT if CPT is authorized for less than 12 months of full-time work (i.e., more than 20 hours per week). If your full-time CPT duration is 12 months, you will not be able to apply for OPT. However, part-time CPT (20 hours per week or fewer) will not be deducted from OPT.

Is there a grace period for CPT to OPT?

If you maintain your F-1 status throughout your OPT period, complete your OPT, and do not exceed your unemployment time, you are entitled to a 60 day grace period starting on the employment end date.

Can I apply OPT without CPT?

You are allowed a 60-day grace period following your OPT expiration date to leave the United States, change your visa status, or transfer your F-1 record to a new school or program. In some cases, you may want to pursue these options before the end of your OPT.

Can I apply for OPT without CPT?

Yes, you can. However, remember that if you work for 12 months on full-time CPT, you will not be able to apply for OPT. Part-time CPT will not affect your eligibility for OPT, even if you work for more than 12 months.

Can I apply for a CPT after an OPT?

CPT must be an integral part of the new degree program's established curriculum. Therefore, students who transfer to USC upon completion of OPT/STEM OPT or during a period of OPT/STEM OPT at previous school must wait at least one semester to apply for CPT at USC.

For pdfFiller’s FAQs

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist is a document that guides students in the United States on the process of applying for OPT, which allows them to work in their field of study for a specified period after completing their degree.

Who is required to file Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist?

International students on F-1 visas who have completed at least one academic year of study and wish to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study are required to file the Optional Practical Training Application/Checklist.

How to fill out Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist?

To fill out the OPT Application/Checklist, students must provide personal information, details about their academic program, select the requested OPT dates, and submit the completed Form I-765 along with necessary documents to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What is the purpose of Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist?

The purpose of the OPT Application/Checklist is to outline the steps and requirements necessary for international students to apply for work authorization in the U.S. under OPT, enabling them to gain relevant work experience in their fields.

What information must be reported on Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application/Checklist?

The OPT Application/Checklist must include the applicant's personal information, academic details, requested OPT dates, and any previous OPT employment information, along with supporting documents such as Form I-20 and proof of enrollment.