Optional Practical Training Frequently Asked Questions

USCIS accepts premium processing applications/requests with the filling of the Form I-765 for the OPT employment authorization application. Premium processing Form I-907 is filed at the same time you file form I-765 and the additional fee is $1,685. The premium processing timeframe is 30 calendar days after USCIS receives all necessary documentation. USCIS accepts both online and paper filings of Form I-907.

Premium processing can be applied for at the same time the I-765 is filed but can also be added later by returning to the USCIS account.

Please note that the 30-day window starts when you properly file the Form I-907 and pay the premium processing fee. Be aware that this does not include the time it takes to produce and deliver your EAD card.

To request premium processing on a pending OPT application that you have previously filed online:

1. Go to USCIS My Account
2. Choose “File a Form Online”
3. Choose “I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service” in the drop down menu under “Select the form you want to file online.”
4. Click “Start Form”
5. Your pending OPT case should display under “Add Premium Processing to a Case.”

For more information, see the USCIS article, How Do I Request Premium Processing?

It is possible to update your mailing address with USCIS after applying for OPT. However, we have found that changes to the mailing address while the application is pending can cause EAD delivery problems. We recommend that you determine the best mailing address at the time you file for OPT.

Changing your mailing address in eServices does not change where your EAD is sent by USCIS.

If you do need to report a change to your mailing address, be aware that it takes 2 to 3 weeks for USCIS to process the change. To make the change, go to How to Change Your Address.

Be sure to validate that you have the correct address by entering your address in the USPS verification site

You will need the Receipt Number and the date of your I-765 application. Carefully follow the instructions. Remember that you must keep your physical address up to date in eServices. This is an immigration requirement.

If you want to travel while your OPT application is pending and you haven’t yet reached your completion date, then you are fine to travel.

In other words, if you still haven’t finished your degree at Metro State, as indicated on your I-20, then travel is the same as it has been; you’ll need to bring with you the same documents we normally recommend you have with you when you travel.

• Your passport (valid for six months from the date of your re-entry)
• A signed I-20 (remember that each travel signature is valid for only 6 months during the period of OPT)
• A valid F-1 visa stamp

For a full list of documents needed for reentry into the U.S., please review Traveling as an International Student.

We don’t recommend you travel outside of the U.S. after you finish your degree unless you have your OPT approved, the EAD card, and a job offer letter. If you will need to renew the F-1 visa in your passport while you travel, please review the information on how to renew your visa.

Once your OPT begins (see the start date as listed on your EAD) you have a total of 90 days of unemployment during your OPT.

If you cannot find a job within 90 days of the start of your OPT, then you must make plans to depart the U.S. immediately or change to some other status in the U.S.

Keep in mind that the 90 days of unemployment is for the entire OPT period. This means that if you use up 60 days of unemployment time looking for a job in the beginning, you only have 30 days of unemployment time for the remainder of your OPT period.

Your job should be directly related to your Metro State major.

In other words, you must be able to make a strong connection between your job and what you studied at Metro State. If you can’t make that connection, then you should not be working at that job for OPT.

Often a job posting or advertisement will include the kinds of degrees the employer believes will be well suited to the advertised position. Having a copy of that job ad is helpful for your documentation that the job is connected to what you studied. You can also get a letter from your job supervisor indicating how your degree is essential for your position. It helps to keep copies of these documents so that if the U.S. government ever wanted to see proof of how you were keeping your status legal while on OPT, you would have easy and ready proof to provide to them.

OPT is not linked to one employer; this means that you can have more than one employer while on OPT as long as every job you have is directly related to your major.

Each employer needs to be entered in your SEVP Portal.

No. OPT is not employer specific. You do not need a job to apply for OPT. You will not include any information about your employer in your OPT application.

There is no limit as to how many hours you can work.

Students participating in OPT may work remotely as long as they continue to comply with F-1 requirements on OPT.

If your card was lost or stolen while you are on OPT, you will need to apply for a replacement card.

Replace an EAD card.

U.S. government regulations state that OPT employment is automatically terminated when a student transfers to another school or begins study at another educational level. Only recreational or avocational classes are permissible while on OPT.

If you are authorized for OPT and wish to take a class or two, there should not be a problem with this, provided that you do not begin a program of study.

If you begin study at another education level, your OPT authorization is terminated with the notification of a new degree program in the SEVIS or with a transfer of your SEVIS record to another institution.

If you are having issues with your EAD being lost or misdirected, consider completing this USCIS case assistance request form.

If the card is lost, and USCIS cannot simply resend it to you, then you will have to apply for a replacement card. Review the process to replace your EAD card if you need to apply to replace your card.

As long as you worked and did not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment while on OPT, you can stay in the U.S. for up to 60 days after completing your OPT.

You may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern. This unpaid experience must also be in your major field of study. You should keep records from your employer that you volunteered at least 21 hours per week during the period of employment.

You must be careful not to “volunteer” without pay in positions that U.S. citizens would be paid for. This rule is designed to protect you, the employer, and other workers. The U.S. Department of Labor provides information on the Fair Labor Standards Act on its website.

Yes, you must pay state and federal income taxes.

Most large cities will have tax assistance services to help you with this process. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an example of such assistance. When dealing with a tax service center, ensure that the tax consultant classifies you properly as a resident or non-resident for tax filing purposes (different from immigration status).

If you have been in the U.S. for fewer than five years, you may be exempt from social security taxes.

As long as you follow the instructions exactly and submit your application in a timely manner, it is extremely unlikely your application will be rejected.

The most common reasons we see for rejections are:

• applying too early (more than 90 days before the end date)
• applying too late (too close to the end of the 60-day grace period)
• application being received more than 30 days after the ISS signature date on page 1 of the I-20

Outside of these reasons, it is extremely uncommon for applications to be rejected.

A Request for Evidence (RFE) is what USCIS will send if they require additional information to process your request.

If you forget to sign something or do not include a required document, it is more likely you will receive an RFE than a rejection.

Although responding to RFEs usually results in an approval, RFE can cause long application delays.

The best way to avoid receiving an RFE is to make sure you are following all of the detailed application directions exactly.

Yes. As long as the service center receipts your application (not just receives) before the last day of your Grace Period, you can stay in the U.S. until your OPT is approved.

Your EAD should say ‘Not Valid for Re-entry.”

The statement means that the EAD document alone is not sufficient for re-entry.

The EAD work authorization card does not replace your visa and other immigration and travel documents. You need the EAD in addition to your regular travel documents (I-20 with travel signature—signatures are only valid for 6 months while on OPT, passport valid at least 6 months into the future, valid visa, etc).

You can begin working once you receive your EAD and the start date on the card has been reached.

It is your responsibility to have a job that is relevant to your major or field of study. You are the sole person who can make the determination of whether or not your job is directly related, as you are responsible for your maintaining your immigration status and facing any consequences arising from status violations.

"Directly related" means that you are using the skills and knowledge you developed in your major/degree program in the job you are doing and your job is appropriate for your level of education.

Once you receive your EAD, make a copy or scan of it and keep it for your records.

You do not need to provide ISS with a copy of your EAD.

However, you should review the information on your card to ensure everything is listed correctly.