Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is full-time off-campus training that occurs after graduation.
Eligibility for OPT: Prerequisites and Limitations
- Employment is directly related to the student’s major field of study; AND
- The F-1 student has been “in lawful status” for at least one (1) academic year; AND
- Student must have graduated = completed all course requirements for the degree
- OPT application MUST be received by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) no sooner than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after the program end date stated on your I-20 or your last day of classes, whichever is sooner. Note: Currently it takes 3-4months from the date USCIS receives an application until the applicant receives the EAD card.
Review the following document and attend the OPT info session that is offered by iss@uwosh.edu once a semester if you have any questions about OPT.
Please download and follow THESE very detailed OPT Application Process STEPS! This document explains all steps as they pertain to Post Completion OPT:
STEP 1: Complete checklist and submit your complete application to the OIE or iss@uwosh.edu
STEP 2: RECEIVE a new I-20 from a DSO (Designated School Official) at the OIE
STEP 3: Sign the new I-20; make a copy of the new I-20; keep the original and send the I-20 copy along with the payment and the complete OPT application (see checklist on page 1) to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Phoenix Lockbox for adjudication.
STEP 4: Wait for positive USCIS adjudication (OPT approval notice & OPT card arrival). If OPT is approved, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be issued valid for the employment start and end dates that you request with this application.
STEP 5: Once you received the OPT card you are required to send a copy of the front and back of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD-Card) to iss@uwosh.edu
STEP 6: Ensure you comply with all post completion OPT employment limitations
STEP 7: Comply with all OPT reporting requirements!
Warnings:
The timing of completing Step 1 and Step 3 of this process is crucial to maximize your chances to be eligible for OPT!
If you plan to travel abroad during the application process or after your OPT is approved please review Bulletpoint 9 of the appendix! If you have questions or you need a travel signature please contact iss@uwosh.edu right away.
After OPT approval: you must follow Step 7 diligently in order to remain “in status.”
In addition, some students might be able to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT Extension, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Please download to verify if you meet these criteria: STEM OPT Extension Process STEPS !
Search for Employment
The Department of Homeland Security considers full-time employment under standard OPT to be 1) paid work (21+ hours per week); 2) multiple positions held simultaneously (and adding up to 21+ hours per week); or 3) volunteer or unpaid internship or practica, where this does not violate any labor laws. This does not apply for the stricter STEM OPT Extension definition of full-time OPT.
Begin your search by:
- Logging in to Titan Jobs (on-line UW Oshkosh student job search system)
- Reviewing resources on the UW Oshkosh Career Services website.
- Reviewing resources on the UW Oshkosh website for the student’s major.
- Networking with students in student organizations related to the student’s major.
- Discussing employment options with academic and faculty advisors.
Apply for Employment
You will compete for employment with other UW Oshkosh students and with other students in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and beyond. Be prepared! To apply for a job, you will probably be asked, at a minimum,
- To submit a job application, available from the employer;
- To submit a resume;
- To submit a cover letter explaining your skills & experiences;
- To submit a list of references and/or letters of recommendation;
- To interview.
To prepare your application properly, make an appointment with a UW Oshkosh Career Advisor or with your faculty advisor.
Maintain Documentation - Recommended
- USCIS and other U.S. government agencies may request documentation in the future showing evidence that all Optional Practical Training - that means every job! - you complete is directly related to your program of study. For example, you may be asked to submit this documentation if applying for a new visa for graduate school or if applying for a work visa in the U.S. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep in your files:
- Documentation from the employer stating the job title and position duties. If it is not clear from the job description that the work is related to the student's degree, obtain a signed letter from your supervisor or hiring official stating how your degree is related to the work you performed;
- Documentation from the employer giving the dates over which the position was held (for example, save both monthly and annual documents that show how much money you earned, employment letters and a copy of your resignation letter);
- Documentation showing how many hours you worked per week;
- Your direct supervisor's name, title, and contact information.
Comply with OPT Reporting Requirements
Students on OPT are required to report any change in the following information within 10 days of the change:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Interruption of Employment
- New Employment
This information can either be reported through your SEVP Student Portal or to UWO Office of International Education through the OPT Reporting Form.
A student may not be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days. Failure to report employment information counts towards your unemployment totals. You must work over 20/hrs a week in order to not count towards unemployment.
If you are on STEM OPT, you are required to submit a STEM OPT Report to OIE every 6 months, even if no employment information has changed. Please submit this report using the STEM OPT 6 Month Verification Form.
Annual Self-Evaluations consist of a submission of the STEM OPT 6 Month Verification Form AND Submission of a full completed and signed Page 5 of the I-983 Training Report.