- Eligibility
- Applying for OPT
- Employment Authorization Document
- When You May Begin Working
- Traveling outside of the U.S. while on OPT
- After OPT
To be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), you must:
1. Have been in full-time student status for one academic year
2. Hold a valid F1 visa status at the time of application
3. Intend on working in a job position that is directly related to your major field of study
If you have had any violations of your F1 visa status, you may be ineligible to apply for OPT. Violations include, but are not limited to, failure to maintain full-time enrollment while you are in the U.S. (unless you were authorized for a reduced course load), unauthorized withdrawal from classes during your program of study, failure to extend your I-20 and participating in unauthorized employment.
When to Apply
Students may apply for OPT no more than 90 days before they complete their program of study. You may apply after you have completed your program, within the 60 days grace period. The ISS office strongly suggests that you apply during your last semester of study before finishing your degree.
How to Apply
To apply for OPT the student must bring the following to the ISS office:
- A completed I-765 form (For assistance with this form, click here. Please use blue pen to sign)
- An official transcript from VIU
- 2 photographs
- A completed OPT Request formby the academic advisor
- $380 application fee made payable to “U.S Department of Homeland Security” (NOTE: Do NOT use the initials USDHS” or “DHS”)
- Previous I-20s
- Copy of your I-94 departure record
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your visa pages
- Previous EAD card if applicable
When applying for OPT, the student may select an OPT start date. The student has a window of up to 60 days after the completion of their academic program. This 60-day period is consistent with a student’s grace period during which the visa status remains valid.
Employment Authorization Document Card (EAD Card)
Once your OPT is approved by USCIS, you will receive a small photo identification card called an Employment Authorization Document Card (EAD). This card will state the type and length of time for the authorized employment. When you receive this card, please make sure to check that the information is correct. If there are any errors, you must return the card as soon as possible.
Students may NOT begin working before they receive their EAD card from USCIS. Working before you are authorized to do so constitutes illegal employment that will jeopardize your legal status in the United States.
NOTE: You may ONLY begin working upon the date stated on your EAD card. If you begin working before this date, you will be illegally working and this too will jeopardize your legal status in the United States.
Traveling Outside of the U.S. While on OPT
Traveling Before Your OPT is Granted
Students who have submitted their application for OPT must NOT travel outside of the U.S. while they are waiting for their EAD card. If they leave the U.S., they will lose their F1 visa status and their OPT application will be canceled.
Traveling After Your OPT is Granted
Students who have been granted OPT, and have their EAD card, may travel outside of the U.S. However, the following documents will be needed to re-enter the U.S.:
- I-20 form that is signed by the ISS office for travel
- EAD card
- A letter from the employer indicating that the student has a job, or a job offer, in the field of study and will return to the company to be employed
- A valid passport
- A valid F1 visa
Upon completion of your OPT, you are granted a 60 day grace period as indicated on your EAD card. You may not work during this time. You must notify the ISS office if you plan to leave the U.S. or plan to transfer to another program after your OPT. You can do this by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visiting the ISS Office.
