Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides students who have an F-1 visa with the opportunity for hands-on work experience complementary to their academic field of study.
A student is eligible for a maximum of 12 months of full-time OPT per academic level, with the option to extend for an additional 24 months for STEM majors. For example, a student may apply for OPT after completing a bachelor’s degree and then again after completing a master’s degree. While engaged in OPT, individuals are still considered F-1 students and must report any changes, including change in address, contact information, employer, or job title to DigiPen International Student Affairs (ISA) using the DigiPen OPT Employer Report Form.
Types of OPT
There are two types of OPT:
Pre-Completion OPT
Available to students who have maintained F1 status on DigiPen’s I-20 and studied full time for one academic year (two semesters) prior to OPT start date
Provides opportunity to work while continuing enrollment in a full course of study
During each semester, employment should not exceed 20 hours per week. You may work more hours during your annual vacation breaks, provided you are eligible and intend to register for the following semester
Every two months of part-time OPT counts as one month from the 12-month total
Students are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment within the 12-month OPT period
Post-Completion OPT
Available to students who have maintained F1 status on DigiPen’s I-20 and studied full time for one academic year (two semesters) prior to OPT start date
Provides opportunity to work for 12 months after completion of your degree program
Students must work at least 20 hours per week in a position that is directly related to their major
Only permitted once per education level (bachelor’s or master’s degree)
Students who have accrued 365 days of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT
Students are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment within the 12-month OPT period
Students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before their program end date
STEM OPT Extension
A STEM OPT extension extends employment for an additional 24 months. This is only available to students in science, technology, engineering, and math majors (animation was added to the eligibility list in 2011).*
24 additional months of employment available to STEM students who have maintained F1 status on DigiPen’s I-20 and are currently on standard OPT
Students must work at least 20 hours per week at the employer listed in the Form I-983
Students must be employed in a paid position that is directly related to their major
STEM employers must be enrolled in USCIS e-Verify program
STEM extension provides 60 days of unemployment in addition to the remaining days left over from standard OPT (possible maximum of 150 days)
Students can apply up to 90 days before their OPT end date
STEM OPT Extension requires periodic evaluations and validations
*Students in the BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation; BS in Computer Science and Game Design; BS in Computer Science; BS in Computer Science and Digital Audio; BFA in Digital Art and Animation; BA in Game Design; MFA in Digital Arts; or MS in Computer Science are eligible to apply for an OPT extension.
Attend an OPT Seminar
ISA hosts two to three OPT Seminars per semester, including every fall and spring. If you are graduating in the summer, please plan to attend one of the spring seminars. If you have any further questions, contact International Student Affairs.
OPT Application Procedures
Read all of this text before beginning the application process.
- Get a new I-20
Fill out DigiPen Employment Authorization Request Form
Send to both registrar.us@digipen.edu and dso@digipen.edu
Registrar will check your academic record, sign your form, and send the final copy to dso@digipen.edu
DSO will enter your OPT request and start date in SEVIS
A Designated School Official (DSO) will send you a new I-20 with OPT endorsement
Check your new I-20 for errors
Print, sign and date your new I-20
Note: You have 30 days from the new I-20 date to apply for OPT!
Create a USCIS account at US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Complete application materials
Fill out I-765 questions
Upload ALL required documents
New I-20 with OPT endorsement (don’t forget to sign)
Two passport-style photos
I-94 Record (click “Get Most Recent I-94/I-95” button)
Scans of passport ID page and F-1 visa page
Previous EAD card (if applicable)
Pay fee with credit/debit card
Submit and wait
No changes, corrections, or cancellations, after you submit
Takes 30 to 150 days to get approval or denial
Look for a job while you wait for a response
Check your USCIS account often
You should receive a receipt for the application and the payment
You may be scheduled for a biometrics appointment to get your official government photo taken if you have not done so in the past three years. The notice will appear in your USCIS account with the date of your appointment. Do not miss it! USCIS will provide instructions on where to go and what to bring, so be sure to read everything carefully
USCIS may ask for further documentation to adjudicate your case. Be sure to follow all instructions and contact dso@digipen.edu if you have any questions
If approved: After USCIS approves your application, they will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) within approximately two to three weeks of the approval date. The EAD is a photo-identification card that notes the start and end dates of your OPT authorization.
When you receive the EAD, please bring, mail, or fax a photocopy of the card to dso@digipen.edu
If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you need to go through the usual process to apply for one. You can apply after you receive your EAD and up to 30 days before your OPT start date
In case of denial, rejection, or Request for Evidence (RFE): Follow all instructions provided by USCIS. If you have any questions or issues, please contact ISA at dso@digipen.edu
Reminder: You must report any address changes during your OPT authorization to International Student Affairs within 10 days of your move
STEM Extension Application Process
Employment must be paid and a minimum of 20 hours per week with the employer that signs your documents. Employers must be in good standing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) E-Verify system. If your company does not have an E-Verify number, then you are not eligible for STEM OPT.
There are additional employment requirements for the STEM Extension:
Fill out Form I-983, also known as the “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students” form. This form requires students to outline learning objectives that will be achieved in their work.
Fill out the form with your supervisor and send a photocopy to dso@digipen.edu
International Student Affairs will then send you the I-20 with the OPT STEM recommendation.
Upload all required documents using your USCIS account
I-765 questions (integrated with the online system)
New I-20 with OPT STEM endorsement (don’t forget to sign)
Two passport-style photos
I-94 Record: (click “Get Most Recent I-94/I-95” button)
Scans of passport ID page and F-1 visa page
Previous EAD card (if applicable)
Pay fee with credit/debit card
Submit and wait
No changes, corrections, or cancellations, after you submit
Takes 30 to 150 days to get approval or denial
Continue working while you wait for a response, even if your OPT has expired
Check your USCIS account often
You should receive a receipt for the application and the payment
You may be scheduled for a biometrics appointment to get your official government photo taken if you have not done so in the past three years. The notice will appear in your USCIS account with the date of your appointment. Do not miss it! USCIS will provide instructions on where to go and what to bring, so be sure to read everything carefully
USCIS may ask for further documentation to adjudicate your case. Be sure to follow all instructions and contact dso@digipen.edu if you have any questions
If approved: After USCIS approves your application, they will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) within approximately two to three weeks of the approval date.
When you receive the EAD, please bring, mail, or fax a photocopy of the card to dso@digipen.edu
In case of denial, rejection, or Request for Evidence (RFE): Follow all instructions provided by USCIS. If you have any questions or issues, please contact ISA at dso@digipen.edu
Reminder: You must report any address changes during your OPT authorization to International Student Affairs within 10 days of your move
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I work?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits employment:
- During an annual vacation semester
- While registered for a full course of study (part-time work only)
- While registered for thesis or dissertation credit (after completing all course requirements)
- After completion of studies (graduation)
- After you complete one full year of courses
How many hours can I work per week on OPT?
Generally, you may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week). The only exception is for students who are registered courses during a required semester—they may only work up to 20 hours per week.
When should I apply for OPT authorization?
You may apply as early as 120 days before you complete your degree, and up to 60 days after your program end date listed on your I-20. It can take U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) three to four months to approve your application. Remember that you cannot begin employment until you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
For the STEM OPT Extension, you may apply as early as 120 days before the end of your OPT. Should you submit your OPT or STEM OPT application late, this may impact your full OPT eligibility.
I don’t have a job offer but I’m planning to work in the United States. Can I still apply for OPT?
Unlike CPT, OPT does not require you to have a job prior to applying. If you wish to work in the United States, we absolutely recommend that you apply for OPT.
How much time am I eligible to work under OPT?
USCIS allows students to work for a maximum of 12 months* at the full-time rate, per academic level (once after completion of bachelor’s degree and once after master’s degree). Part-time OPT (while registered as a student for a full-credit load) accrues at half the full-time rate. For example, for every two months you work on part-time OPT (while registered for a full course of study), you deduct one month of full-time OPT.
If you have worked under Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
- For less than 12 months full-time, you are eligible for 12 months full-time OPT
- For more than 12 months part-time, you are eligible for 12 months full-time OPT
- For more than 12 months full-time, you are not eligible for any OPT
*Students in the BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation; BS in Computer Science and Game Design; BS in Computer Science in Digital Audio; BFA in Digital Art and Animation; BA in Game Design; MFA in Digital Arts; or MS in Computer Science are eligible to apply for an OPT extension. This extends employment for an additional 24 months, for a total of up to 36 months. This is called a STEM OPT extension and is only available to students in science, technology, engineering, and math majors (animation was added to the eligibility list in 2011).
How can I get notifications regarding my OPT application status?
Check your USCIS account regularly for receipts, updates, or requests for further documentation.
What happens if I move after I submit my OPT application?
The U.S. Postal Service will not forward mail from USCIS if the address on the envelope does not match the name on the mailbox. Please contact USCIS for your options.
How long does it take to get approved for OPT?
Typically, it takes three to four months, though it could be as short as 30 days and as long as six months.
If I change my mind and decide not to work, can I cancel my OPT authorization?
The answer depends on your situation.
If you were issued a new I-20 with the OPT recommendation but have not yet mailed your application to USCIS, you must contact International Student Affairs to notify the school about your change in plans.
If you have already mailed your application to USCIS, a request can be submitted to USCIS to halt processing. Your application fee will not be returned, and we cannot guarantee that your request will be honored.
If you have received your EAD card and wish to cancel authorization, cancellation in this case is highly unlikely.
OPT applications are not meant to be cancelled! Please plan carefully and apply for OPT only if you are sure that you want to work in the U.S.
Do I need a Social Security Number to work in the U.S.?
Yes. Contact International Student Affairs for procedures and assistance or visit Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). If you already have an SSN, you don’t need to do anything further. If you do not have an SSN, you can apply after you receive your EAD and up to 30 days before your OPT start date.
When I receive my EAD card, should I give a copy to DigiPen International Student Affairs?
Yes. International Student Affairs needs a copy of your EAD card for your file.
What happens if my EAD card has incorrect information on it?
Wait to receive a job offer so you can show your EAD to your employer. Since the correction process may require you to mail your EAD card, it is better to wait until after the hiring process to send your EAD card to USCIS. Corrections may be done through the USCIS website.
Where can I work?
You may accept any job that is directly related to your field of study and appropriate for your level of education.
Is it possible to extend my practical training beyond 12 months without applying for the STEM extension?
No, you cannot extend practical training beyond the 12-month limit. However, you may qualify for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training for each degree level you complete. For example, you may qualify for 12 months of practical training after you complete your bachelor’s degree, 12 months after you complete your master’s degree, and another 12 months after you finish your doctorate degree.
What happens if I can’t find a job?
During the OPT authorization period, you should be either working in your field of study or actively seeking suitable employment. If you are unable to find a job after an aggregate of 90 days, you should make plans to go home, return to school for another degree, or change to a different immigration status.
There is no grace period once you accrue 90 days of unemployment. You must leave the United States, be issued an I-20 for a new program of study, or change to a different immigration status prior to the 90th day.
Can I leave the United States while my OPT application is being processed?
If your OPT application is pending, we do not recommend that you travel out of the country. Once your OPT has been approved and your EAD issued, you may not re-enter the United States unless you have evidence of employment. It is best to wait until you have both your EAD and a job before you leave the U.S.
Can I travel abroad and return to the United States after receiving my EAD card?
Yes, as long as you have the following documents with you.
- I-20 signed for travel by a DSO within the last six months
- EAD card
- Valid U.S. Visa
- Valid passport
- Evidence of employment in your field of study (letter of employment or a written job offer which includes specific employment dates)
Can I continue to work on OPT after my EAD card expires?
No. When your EAD card expires, you must:
- Prepare to leave the United States within 60 days, or
- Be issued an I-20 for a new program of study, or
- Change to a different immigration status.
What if I lose my EAD card?
If you lose your card, you need to apply for a replacement by completing Form I-765 again and resubmitting it with all supporting documents, including the fee, to the USCIS.