OPT is defined in the Federal Regulations as temporary employment directly related to a student's field of study. During OPT, a student remains in F-1 status. The end result of the OPT request process is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for OPT, the student must:
- Be in legal F-1 immigration status
- Be a full-time student in a degree program for at least one academic year
- Have U-M approved health insurance
Maximum Length
- The standard OPT period is a cumulative maximum of 12 months.
- Part-time OPT is deducted from the 12-month limit at 50%.
- An F-1 may become eligible for another 12 months of OPT if he/she advances to a higher educational level.
Different Kinds of OPT and Application Timelines
To understand if you wish to pursue Pre-Completion or Post-Completion OPT, you need to first figure out your completion date.
- Definition of Completion Date
The program completion date is generally set as the day before the start of the next academic term following your final term of enrollment. For reference, here are the expected completion dates based on a student's final term of enrollment:
Final Term Completion Date Winter 2025 May 5, 2025 Spring 2025 June 25, 2025 Summer 2025 August 24, 2025 Fall 2025 December 31, 2025 Winter 2026 May 4, 2026 Note: Some professional schools, such as the U-M Law School, may follow slightly different academic calendars that result in different program end dates.
- Pre-completion OPT
Employment begins and ends before the completion of the academic program.
Earliest time to apply:
- If a student has not yet completed a full academic year: 90 days before completion of full academic year
- If student has completed a full academic year: 90 days before OPT start date
There are three types of Pre-completion OPT:
- Type A: During the student's annual vacation
- Student must intend to enroll for the next term
- OPT may be part- or full-time
- Type B: While school is in session
- Student must be enrolled full-time
- OPT may be part-time only
- Type C: After completion of all course requirements (excluding thesis/dissertation)
- After completion of all course requirements excluding thesis/dissertation
- When on Part-Time Pre-Completion OPT, student must be enrolled full-time
- Post-completion OPT
Employment begins after completion of academic program or completion of all coursework, excluding dissertation/thesis.
Timeline for Post-Completion OPT Application to be Received by USCIS:
- No more than 90 days before the program end date
- No more than 60 days after the program end date
- Within 30 days of the date the OPT I-20 is issued. You can confirm the date your OPT I-20 was issued by viewing the “DATE ISSUED” section on page 1 in the “School Attestation” box.
- USCIS uses the UTC time zone, so the deadline will be a few hours earlier than midnight in the EST time zone.
- You must be physically present inside the US in F-1 status to apply for OPT
PhD candidates who wish to request a post-completion OPT start date earlier than the standard completion date should contact an International Center advisor for guidance.
Ph.D. students who apply for Post-Completion OPT after completion of all course requirements excluding thesis/dissertation defense: Departmental policies will require enrollment in dissertation credits until the end of the semester when the dissertation/thesis is defended.
Applying for Optional Practical Training
USCIS often takes over 90 days to process OPT applications, we suggest you plan accordingly. The International Center has no influence over how quickly your OPT application is processed by USCIS. You must be physically present inside the US in F-1 status to apply for OPT. Do not attempt to apply for OPT while outside the US.
- Process for OPT Applications
- Take the OPT Certification Course (this self-enrollment course requires a U-M login). Save your Optional Practical Training (OPT) Certificate as a PDF and prepare the required documentation to request an OPT I-20 as outlined in the course.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor or Graduate Program Coordinator to request an OPT recommendation letter.
- Submit your request for an OPT I-20 via M-Passport. Log in to the M-Passport portal, click on Requests > OPT Recommendation, and follow the instructions from there.
- An International Center advisor will review your OPT I-20 request, and then send your OPT recommendation to SEVIS electronically to generate a new I-20. The OPT recommendation will be printed on page 2 of the new I-20. The processing time required to produce your new I-20 will be approximately 2 weeks. Please note that if you are completing your degree requirements earlier than indicated by the program end date on your current I-20 (page 1, item 5), then the program end date will be shortened. Remember that F-1 students are eligible to work on-campus as a benefit of status only up until the I-20 end date.
- You will receive an email notification once your new I-20 is ready. You will be able to download the I-20 from your M-Passport account at that time.
- As soon as you receive the I-20, review the information on pages 1 and 2 of the I-20. Pay particular attention to the Program of Study information on page 1 and the OPT information (including requested dates) on page 2. If everything looks accurate, add your signature and the date to the bottom of page 1 in the Student Attestation section. (If there is any concern or question about the information contained on your OPT I-20, please contact an International Center advisor.)
- Submit your complete application and required documents to USCIS. Refer to ‘Guidance for Online Completion of Form I-765 for Optional Practical Training’ or ‘Guidance for Paper-Filing of Form I-765 for Optional Practical Training’. You may choose to either submit your OPT application by filing online at the USCIS website, or by mailing a paper-based application packet to USCIS, but do not pursue both methods.
- USCIS will send you a notice of receipt of your I-765 (OPT) application. If you file your application online, you should immediately obtain confirmation of your filing and have access to receipt information. If you apply for OPT via a paper-based application, you should generally expect to have a receipt notice mailed to you approximately 3-4 weeks after your application is first received by USCIS.
- Once you have received your receipt number, you can track the status of your application using USCIS online tools such as the case status search feature.
- Once USCIS has completed their final review of your OPT application packet, they will issue a formal adjudication decision of approval or denial. Expect at least 90 days processing time, recognizing that processing times can fluctuate from student to student and year to year. Current expected I-765 processing times can be found on the USCIS website.
- If your application is approved, you should receive an EAD card in the mail from USCIS. It is the EAD card which confirms your OPT approval, helps prove your ongoing F-1 status, and allows you to begin OPT employment once you reach the “Valid From” date printed on the card.
- Documentation Needed to Request an OPT I-20
To begin your OPT I-20 request procedure, you must first complete the OPT Certification Course. Once you download your Optional Practical Training (OPT) Certificate and compile all of the required documentation for an OPT I-20, you may submit your request via M-Passport. Your OPT I-20 request packet must include the following documents:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) Certificate
- OPT recommendation letter from academic advisor or graduate program coordinator
- Instructions for the Academic Advisor - The academic advisor letter must meet these criteria:
- On U-M departmental letterhead
- Indicate the degree level at which the student will be applying for OPT
- Indicate the final term in which the student is enrolled for required credits
- Instructions for the Academic Advisor - The academic advisor letter must meet these criteria:
- Copy of Most Recent Form I-94
- Photocopy of your current I-20 form, pages 1 and 2 (do not include documents of any F-2 dependents)
- Photocopies (if applicable) of all previously issued CPT and/or OPT I-20s (all pages except instruction page)
- Photocopies (if applicable) of any previous OPT EAD cards (front and back)
- Write the degree level for which the previous OPT was granted on the copy of the EAD card (e.g. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral)
- Unofficial transcript from Wolverine Access. Please print a fresh version of your transcript rather than re-using one you printed or saved previously.
Please note that after requesting an OPT I-20 from the International Center, if you ultimately decide not to send your application to USCIS, you must contact an advisor at the International Center. If you do not notify us that you no longer intend to apply for OPT, we will be unable to adjust your SEVIS record to accurately reflect your situation. You will also continue to be billed for health insurance.
- Filing Your OPT Application Online with USCIS
USCIS encourages students to file their OPT application online.
Benefits of Online Filing:
- Immediate filing of OPT application with USCIS and issuance of I-765 receipt notice;
- Direct access to USCIS notices including, but not limited to receipt notice, requests for evidence, approval notice, etc.
- Ability to communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox
- Option to provide additional unsolicited evidence/updates to your application if necessary
- Minimizes risk of rejection of the application by vetting common reasons for rejection such as applicant’s signature and proper fee payment
- Ability to pay application fee through your bank account (ACH), debit, or credit card.
Reminders for Online Filing:
- You must be physically present in the U.S. when your OPT application is filed with USCIS.
- While filing Form I-765 online allows for immediate filing and receipt of your application, the overall processing time for the I-765 application is the same regardless of paper vs. online filing. See the USCIS website for current processing times.
- Please carefully review all answers and documentation before submitting your application to USCIS. Any amendments to the application would need to be submitted to USCIS by uploading evidence in the ‘Unsolicited evidence’ section of the ‘Documents’ tab of your USCIS online account. Additional evidence that was not requested in a request for evidence will be considered by USCIS at their discretion, and USCIS will consider the timeliness and relevance of the information when adjudicating your application.
- USCIS has the discretion to require biometrics appointments on a case-by-case basis.
Guidance for Online Completion of Form I-765 for Optional Practical Training
After You Have Applied for OPT
Recommended Steps to Minimize Complications
- After Filing the OPT Application
- USPS Informed Delivery – We recommend signing up for USPS Informed Delivery for the mailing address listed on your I-765 application in order to receive notifications of incoming mail before it is delivered. This is particularly helpful to receive advance notification of the mailing of your OPT EAD before delivery. If you have listed a friend or family member’s address for the mailing address on the I-765, please discuss with them the details of setting up a USPS Informed Delivery account.
- Monitor Your USCIS Online Account
- When You Receive Form I-797 Receipt Notice
- Be sure to keep a copy of the I-797 receipt permanently in your personal files.
- Verify that the name and mailing address are printed 100% correctly on receipt notice. If there is any error, email [email protected] for advice.
- When Case Status Online Reflects “Approved”
- Check your USCIS case status online using your I-797 receipt number at uscis.gov or through your USCIS Online Account to obtain your USPS tracking number once USCIS has mailed your EAD card.
- If someone else is receiving the EAD on your behalf, alert that person that a piece of mail should be arriving soon and to notify you as soon as it arrives. If that person will be mailing you the EAD, please be sure that they use a method of delivery that provides a tracking number.
- Take any steps possible to ensure delivery of your mail. If you live in an apartment complex, check that your name is on your mailbox. If you have roommates, alert them you are expecting something important.
- When You Receive the I-797 Approval Notice and EAD
- Make a copy of the Approval Notice and EAD (front and back) for your records
- Provide a scanned copy of your EAD card to the International Center through our M-Passport portal > Requests > OPT - Submit EAD Card.
- Remember: You are not authorized to begin employment until the start date on the EAD has been reached, even if you have the card in hand.
- If you requested an SSN as a part of your I-765 application, and you have not received your SSN within 2-3 weeks of your EAD card arriving, you should schedule an appointment with the Social Security Administration to apply for your SSN.
- To maintain compliance with F-1 regulations during OPT, you will need to understand and comply with a variety of ongoing reporting requirements.
- For a summary of post-completion OPT requirements visit: Requirements for While You are on Post-Completion OPT.
Exceptions and Problems
- If You Change Your Mind about Applying for OPT
If for any reason you decide you do not want OPT, you must take immediate action to prevent your I-765 application from being adjudicated by USCIS (i.e. approved or denied).
Write (but do NOT send!) a letter to USCIS requesting your I-765 application be withdrawn:
- Note “Re: I-765 Withdrawal” on the letter
- Include biographical information to identify yourself, including name, date of birth, and SEVIS ID number
- If you have received the Form I-797 (Receipt Notice) from USCIS, include the receipt number in your letter
- Request that the Form I-765 application for Optional Practical Training be withdrawn and include a short statement of why you are withdrawing your request
- Date and sign
- Email [email protected] with your full name, UMID, and receipt number (if applicable). Indicate that you mailed your I-765 and want to withdraw your OPT application. Attach your letter to USCIS to the e-mail and a copy of your Form I-797 Receipt Notice (if available).
An International Center advisor will review the letter and provide instructions for you to submit a withdrawal request to USCIS. When the withdrawal is successfully processed, USCIS will send a withdrawal confirmation letter to the address you listed on the I-765. Keep this letter in your records.
- If You Receive Notice from USCIS Requiring Additional Action
If any of the following happen, contact an International Center advisor immediately for advice:
- You receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) in the mail or see in Case Status Online that one was sent. In order to best advise you on the next steps, an advisor will request to see a copy of the RFE.
- You receive your I-765 application back in the mail or see in Case Status Online that it was rejected and/or returned. The International Center may need to cancel and reissue your OPT I-20 in this situation if the OPT recommendation has expired.
Either of the above are an indication that additional action is required for your OPT application. No progress will be made on your application until USCIS receives the necessary documentation from you.
The allowable time period to respond to an RFE or rejected application is limited and will be indicated on the materials from USCIS. If you fail to respond by the deadline, your application will be denied.
- If Your Application is Denied
If USCIS denies your application, they will mail you a notice of denial. This will document the reason for denial. To best assess your options, please contact an International Center advisor as soon as possible since the denial impacts your legal status in the U.S. An advisor will request to see a copy of the denial notice to best advise you on the next steps.
- If Your EAD Does Not Arrive
USCIS will send the EAD using regular, first class USPS mail. From the time Case Status Online indicates your request was approved, you should expect to wait a week or more for delivery of the EAD.
If you suspect a problem in the delivery of your EAD:
- First take any possible steps to determine whether the EAD has already been delivered to your address. Double check your stacks of mail and ask roommates, neighbors, the apartment complex manager, etc.
- Check your Case Status Online to see if there is an update regarding the status of your EAD. If not, call the USCIS customer service number and ask if your EAD was “returned undeliverable,” meaning sent back to USCIS. Keep detailed records of your conversation with the customer service agent, including the date you called, any number the agent gave you, and the advice you were given.
- Email [email protected] with a detailed account of the situation and steps you have already taken, including notes from your conversation with USCIS customer service. An advisor will respond with advice.
Please be aware there is usually little, if anything, the International Center can do to intervene in cases of an EAD not delivered. You may ultimately need to apply for a replacement of the lost card and pay the fee again.
If your EAD was returned undeliverable or lost in the mail, you can expect significant delay in obtaining the card. If you have a job offer, you may wish to speak with your employer regarding beginning employment with the receipt notice from a pending replacement EAD application with USCIS. Current I-9 employment verification policy allows individuals to begin employment with the receipt notice for the replacement application, noting that the original EAD must be presented to your employer within 90 days of presenting the receipt.
- If There is a Mistake on Your EAD
If there is any problem on your EAD, email a scanned copy of the card with a description of the exact problem (name misspelled, wrong dates, etc.) to [email protected]. An advisor will respond with advice.
- Remember, the dates on the card determine when you are authorized to work, even if they are not the dates for which you intended to apply.
- If for any reason USCIS approves the I-765 for post-completion OPT after the start date you requested, the start date should be set as the date the application was approved.