Coursework Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT	Post-Completion OPT
Part-time or full-time employment	Full-time employment
No unemployment limit	Limit of 90 days unemployment for full period of OPT
Not eligible for STEM extension	Eligible for STEM extension if meets degree and E-verify requirements
Not eligible for H-1B cap-gap relief	Eligible for H-1B cap-gap relief
I-20 may be extended if meets standard extension requirements.	I-20 cannot be extended, must complete program requirements by end of OPT.
Continued enrollment in thesis/dissertation courses required.	Continued enrollment in thesis/dissertation courses required.
Total of one year of OPT per educational level	Total of one year of OPT per educational level

Apply for OPT

Eligibility

• Enrolled full time for at least one full academic year (two long semesters).
• Currently in valid F-1 status.
• Have completed all classroom coursework. Only thesis or dissertation remaining

Apply for your OPT I-20

1. Carefully review the information in the OPT Guide.
2. Attend a mandatory OPT Workshop or complete an online session via iComet.
3. Pay the $150 Practical Training Fee. Choose “Post-Completion OPT” at check-out.
4. Submit to ISSODocuments@utdallas.edu:
   • OPT Request Form
   • Practical Training Fee receipt
   • Copy of any previous EAD cards
5. ISSO will send an email to your UT Dallas email address when your OPT I-20 is ready. You will be given filing instructions with your I-20.
   • Check your new I-20 end date! You cannot lawfully work on campus after that date unless your employment is based on OPT work authorization.

Send your application to USCIS

After receiving your OPT I-20 from the ISSO, you will prepare documents for your application to USCIS. You will file your application online or mail your application packet to USCIS, who must receive within 30 days of your OPT I-20 recommendation. For more details, see the USCIS Applications webpage.

For a detailed checklist of the documents you should prepare, see our Post-Completion OPT Guide.

Tips

1. You must receive your OPT I-20 BEFORE filing your I-765 with USCIS. If you submit the I-765 before your OPT I-20 is issued, your application will be denied and your filing fee will be forfeit.
2. Compile the application, make a copy for your personal file and submit the application to USCIS. USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date you were recommended for OPT in SEVIS. If the recommendation is more than 30 days old at the time of receipting your application will be denied.
3. USCIS will provide a receipt after your submission. Check it for errors!
4. If approved, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be sent typically within 30 days (however it may take longer) to the mailing address listed on the I-765.
5. You can begin work once you receive the EAD and the start date listed on it has arrived.

Report OPT Employment

While you are on OPT, you must report any time there is a change in your information.

Within 10 days of the start of your period of OPT work authorization, you should upload a copy of your EAD card to the Post-Completion OPT Reporting Form in iComet. You must also report within 10 days of any of the following changes:

• Change in your current U.S. address
• Legal name change
• Start or end of employment
• Change of your employer’s work-site address
• Change of your employer’s name

Refer to Post-Completion OPT Reporting or Pre-Completion OPT Reporting for details, depending on what type of OPT you requested.