F-1 Optional Practical Training

Step 1 – Attend a mandatory OPT Workshop hosted by OIS

During this two hour workshop, OIS Advisors explain post-completion OPT in detail, including:

• Eligibility requirements
• How to identify your “program end date”
• Timeline for applying for post-completion OPT
• Application documents
• Next steps
• Travel

We recommend that you attend an OPT Workshop sometime during your final two semesters of study. You must attend the whole workshop in order to receive the application materials and move forward in the process. If after attending a workshop you have questions about your situation, feel free to make an appointment with an OIS Advisor.

Time: OPT Workshops are offered approximately twice per month. Check the workshop calendar early to find a time that works best for you.

• View upcoming OPT Workshops

If you submitted your USCIS OPT Application online, you will automatically receive your I-797C Receipt Notice electronically and then a paper copy via mail four to six weeks later. If you submitted a paper application (including Form G-1145) by mail to a USCIS lockbox, you will receive an email or text notification from USCIS one to two weeks from the date your application is received and the paper I-797C Receipt Notice will follow two to four weeks later. Your I-797C will contact a 13 character receipt number that will allow you to track your case status with USCIS online.

Review your I-797C Receipt Notice carefully and maintain it for your records. If you find any errors on the document, contact OIS immediately for instructions on how to request corrections.

If you do not receive the paper I-797C by mail within four to six weeks, it could indicate that there is a problem with your mailing address. Please contact OIS for guidance.

In rare cases, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) in response to an OPT application. Typically this means that they have a question about your application or need more information; it does not constitute a denial. The RFE document will contain details on what information is needed and a date by which you must reply. RFEs require a response and are time-sensitive. If you receive an RFE in response to your OPT application, please notify an OIS advisor immediately for guidance.

International travel while the OPT application is pending can carry more risk than when you were simply an enrolled student. You will need to balance those risks against your personal need for travel and make the best decision for your situation. Generally speaking, there are fewer risks when traveling within the U.S.

Travel before your I-20 program completion date

If your OPT application is pending but you plan to leave and return to the U.S. before the program completion date listed on your I-20, there is little concern as you are still considered a student upon your return. Carry your valid passport, valid F-1 visa, and I-20 with travel signature less than six months old on the date of your return.

Travel after your I-20 program completion date

If your OPT application is pending and you plan to leave and return to the U.S. after the program completion date listed on your I-20 it is strongly advised that you only do so if you have the approved EAD in hand. If you are outside the U.S while the EAD is pending, you cannot respond quickly to an RFE and will have no basis to re-enter the U.S. should the application be denied.

If you find that you need to update your OPT application, contact an OIS advisor as soon as possible. It is very difficult to withdraw an OPT application after it is submitted to USCIS, and impossible after it is approved.

Mailing issues are one of the biggest causes for OPT EAD delivery delays. For this reason, when applying for OPT, we strongly encourage you to identify a reliable mailing address that will not change for at least six months after the date you submit your application to USCIS. If you absolutely must change your mailing address, you can update your contact information with USCIS online.

Congratulations! Your EAD has arrived. Review the card carefully to ensure that all information is correct, including your name, personal information, and employment authorization start and end date. Contact an OIS advisor immediately if you find any errors.

Next, log into myOIS and submit the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) E-Form. You can also utilize the corresponding e-forms to submit any changes in your name, address, or employment status.

• log into myOIS

During your OPT authorization period (dates listed on your OPT EAD), there is a regulatory requirement for you to participate in training. This is also referred to as the OPT work requirement. It is important to know what conditions need to be met in order for you to be considered employed as there is a limit to the number of days you can be unemployed.

Determining appropriate employment for OPT

To be considered employed while on OPT, your employment status must meet the following three requirements:

• Job type – Your job type must be appropriate for OPT.
  • Regular paid employment.
  • Multiple short-term employers (gigs).
  • Work for hire / Staffing Agency (1099 contractor).
  • Self-employment with the appropriate license.
  • Volunteer or unpaid employment that does not violate labor laws.
• Job duties – Your job duties must be related to your major.
  • Job duties must be directly related to the major area of study listed on the I-20 used to apply for OPT.
  • There is no list of approved jobs for each major; you will need to use your best judgment.
  • Request documentation from your employer if the connection between job and major is not evident from the job title.
• Work hours – Your work hours must exceed the minimum of 20 hours per week.
  • One job at 20 or more hours per week.
  • Multiple jobs adding up to at least 20 hours per week.
  • Jobs with a variable schedule must add up to an average of 20 hours per week within the month.
  • Working fewer than 20 hours per week is considered unemployed.

Please note that while cannabis is legal in Illinois it is still considered an illegal substance at the federal level. Working in the cannabis industry while on OPT could jeopardize your immigration status or ability to remain in or re-enter the U.S.

90 day limit on unemployment

You are limited to 90 total days of unemployment throughout your 12 months of post-completion OPT.

• If your employment status does not meet the above requirements, you are considered to be unemployed.
• You must begin counting days of unemployment on the start date listed on your EAD.
• Unemployment days are cumulative and counted as calendar days, not business days.
• Vacation days or time off approved by your employer do not count as unemployment.
• Working below 20 hours per week counts as unemployment.
• You are considered to be unemployed until you have directly reported your employment to OIS.

If you are nearing 90 days of unemployment while on post-completion OPT, contact an OIS advisor for guidance as you must leave the U.S., transfer your SEVIS record to another school, or change your immigration status before the 90th day.

Throughout your 12 months of post-completion OPT, you are required to keep your SEVIS record up-to-date and report significant changes in personal and employment information to OIS. Report changes in myOIS within ten days.

Changes to report while on OPT

Log into myOIS and utilize the appropriate e-form to report the following:

• Receipt of an employment authorization document (EAD) from USCIS.
• Change of name.
• Change of address, phone, or email.
• Change in employment status or information.

Defining a change in employment status

Changes in employment status can include:

• Starting a new job.
• Leaving a job.
• Starting a second, third, or fourth job.
• Change in employer name, supervisor, or address of employment.
• Change in work hours that results in unemployment (i.e. fewer than 20 hours per week).

Using myOIS as alumni

How you access the myOIS immigration portal will change after you graduate from UIC.

• Full Client Services – Utilize this link to log into myOIS as long as your UIC NetID and password are active.
• Limited Client Services – Utilize this link to log into myOIS after your UIC NetID and password are deactivated. You will need your UIN, date of birth, and PIN.

• Log into myOIS

The SEVP Portal

The Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) launched the SEVP Portal in 2018 to serve and gather information from F-1 students on OPT. You will receive an email from SEVP on the first day of your approved period of post-completion OPT that includes a link and instructions on creating your SEVP Portal account.

You may utilize the SEVP Portal to review your OPT employment and contact information but do not edit the portal. You should only use myOIS to report changes in your personal and employment information. An OIS advisor will then update your SEVIS record and those changes will be reflected in your SEVP Portal within two to three business days.

The decision to travel internationally while on OPT can be complicated and each situation is unique. As a reminder, international travel after your I-20 program completion date but before receiving your EAD can carry significant risk (see above) and is generally not advised. International travel with your OPT EAD in hand can be more straightforward. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Carry appropriate documents – Carry your passport (valid for six months beyond your date of re-entry to the U.S.), valid F-1 visa, Form I-20 with travel signature less than six months old, OPT EAD, and job offer/confirmation letter (if available).
• Know your employment status – Attempting to re-enter the U.S. on F-1 OPT without a job or a strong job prospect can carry risk. Additionally, you should know how many days of unemployment you have used and be able to document that number. The CBP officer may question your eligibility to enter the U.S. if your intention or ability to engage in F-1 OPT is not clear.
• Only enter using an F-1 visa – You must enter the U.S. in F-1 status to continue participating in OPT. If you enter the U.S. using a different visa, such as a tourist visa, your F-1 status and OPT ends.
• Research a visa renewal in advance – If your F-1 visa has expired and you will need to renew it before returning to the U.S. to resume OPT, research your options and consult with an OIS advisor prior to departure.
• Use caution with a pending change of status case – OIS can only advise you on your F-1 status. If you have filed an H-1B application or are pending any other change of status, consult with your employer or the attorney who assisted you in filing the case to confirm how international travel may impact the outcome.

STEM Extension

If you completed a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math, you may be eligible to extend your OPT for an additional 24 months through the STEM OPT Extension. You must apply for the STEM OPT Extension with USCIS before the end date of your 12-month period of post-completion OPT, and it is advisable to begin the process four months before your current EAD expires.

H-1 Cap Gap Extension

If you have a receipted or approved H-1B application, you may be eligible to extend your current period of post-completion OPT to cover any gaps in employment authorization. Please contact OIS for guidance.

Please note that OIS advisors cannot check the status of your H-1B application. Check your case status with USCIS or consult the employer or attorney that helped file your case.

If your plan is to begin a new academic program in the U.S., you must update your SEVIS record and Form I-20 accordingly. Please note that pursuing a full-time academic program during your approved period of post-completion OPT effectively ends your work authorization. If you choose to begin studies after your OPT ends, you must update your I-20 before the end of your 60-day grace period following your OPT end date.

Change your education level at UIC

If you will pursue a new program at UIC, please submit a Change of Education Level request to OIS.

Transfer your SEVIS record to a new school

If you have been admitted to an academic program at a new school, you must Request an F-1 SEVIS Transfer Out.

If you will depart the U.S. or change to a different immigration status, please notify OIS by submitting a status update e-form so that we may appropriately end your F-1 status.