OPT - Optional Practical Training

• Must have maintained full-time enrollment for at least one academic year prior to OPT.
• Full-time CPT (more than 20 hours/week) for 12 months at the same level (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) cancels eligibility for OPT.
  • This includes any CPT done at your level at a school other than Concordia.
• You can apply for OPT 90 days before your program completion date and up to 60 days after it.
  • Late applications will be denied. Ie. USCIS cannot receive your OPT application on the 61st day after your program completion date.

• OPT can be work, an internship, or volunteering. It must be related to your major or program.
• OPT must be full-time (more than 20 hours per week)
• OPT must be completed within the 14-months following the completion of study.
  • Your program completion date will be the end date on your OPT I-20.
  • The OPT start date must be on or after (within 60 days) your program completion date. You choose your OPT start date.
    • If USCIS approves your OPT application after the start date you provided, the OPT start date on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be changed to the later date on which OPT was approved.
  • OPT is authorized for the dates on your EAD. The latest expiration date possible is 14 months after your program end date.
    • You must present your EAD to your employer before beginning work. You may not work or volunteer until you have the EAD in hand.
  • Typical USCIS processing time is 2 to 4 months. Apply early!
• USCIS must receive your application no later than 30 days after the OPT request was processed in SEVIS. Late applications will be denied. 
• You have 90 days from the start date on your EAD to find employment.
  • Report OPT Employment information, changes to your address, and changes to your phone number in the SEVP Portal within 10 business days. ISS does not update these for post-completion OPT students. ​
  • If you do not report your employer information or you are unemployed for 90 days while on OPT, you must depart the US immediately.
• If you requested your Social Security Card with your I-765 and did not receive it, apply for a card at the Social Security Administration Office directly.
• If your OPT employer changes, report the new information in the SEVP Portal so your SEVIS record can be updated.
• If your OPT is denied, please contact ISS for more information.
• Students are eligible for the 60-day grace period at the end of OPT. This time may be used to transfer to a new school or depart the US.
• Students do not receive an additional grace period after the denial of an OPT application (post-completion or STEM).
  • The grace period allowed to the student would be the grace period from the end of the program, if the student is denied a post-completion OPT, or the end of the post-completion OPT, if the student is denied a STEM extension.
• If your OPT employer does not provide health insurance, you may purchase your own plan. CSP does not enroll OPT students in health insurance.
  • If you would like to use CSP's health insurance partner, LewerMark, you may view their OPT eligible plan here. 
  • There is an icon for OPT/OPT STEM students to select for more information.
  • Please contact Matt Lewer at mjlewer@lewer.com with any questions about OPT plans.
• Pre-completion OPT vs post-completion OPT
  • Pre-completion OPT is only authorized in extremely rare cases.
  • Pre-completion OPT will only be authorized when undergraduate students have an eligible training opportunity and no CPT course available in their program.
  • A student who still has coursework remaining to complete his or her educational objective or degree program is limited to 20 hours per week of pre-completion optional practical training while school is in session.
    • Such a student can, however, apply for full-time authorization during his or her annual vacation, and during other official school breaks.
  • Talk to your immigration advisor for more information.

• Contact ISS for a new OPT I-20 if you cannot meet this timeline.

• Information about Fees: Form I-765 filing fee
• ​"When you file your form online, the system will guide you through the process of paying your fees with a credit, debit, or pre-paid card. Bank account withdrawals are also available when paying online. Once you are ready to submit your form, the system will automatically direct you to the secure Department of Treasury site, pay.gov, to pay your fees online"
• Before submitting your online application, feel free to download the summary of your I-765 Form and send it to your Immigration Advisor for review.  
• The code for post-completion OPT is (c)(3)(B)
• A passport photo (ie. Not the same as your current passport or visa.)
• A signed I-20 with OPT recommendation (No older than 30 days from the day you received the OPT I-20!)
• Most recent I-94 form
  • Click on "Get Most Recent I-94" to look up your form
• Copy of passport bio page, F-1 visa
• Copy of state driver’s license, state ID, student ID, and any previous EADs (if applicable)