Optional Practical Training

Procedures and Details

Am I eligible?

  • You must have been a full-time student in good standing for one academic year by the time you will begin the employment.
  • You are eligible for 12 months of OPT per degree level. If you have used your 12 months of OPT in the same degree level, then you will not be eligible for an additional 12 months.
  • OPT can be done prior to the completion of your studies and/or after you have completed your studies. Any OPT done before you complete your studies (called "pre-completion OPT") can be done part-time (less than 20 hours per week) and deducted at a half-time rate or full-time (more than 20 hours per week).  Note that in most cases full-time work is not permitted while you are taking courses. Practical training done after your completion of studies (called "post-completion OPT") must be full-time.
  • You DO NOT have to have a job offer in order to apply for OPT, however keep in mind that your employment MUST be related.

When should I apply?

Students can submit their application for OPT to the Immigration Service Center up to 90 days prior to the completion of studies date and up to 60 days after the completion date.  Since it can take up to 90 days for your employment authorization to be approved, we recommend applying as early as possible.

How do I apply?

  1. Complete an OISS Application form. Choose either Pre-Completion Application Form (for work prior to completion of studies) or a Post -Completion Application Form. Be sure to answer all sections. Please be very careful choosing your dates as it is VERY difficult to change your dates prior to immigration approval and once approved, they absolutely CANNOT be changed!
  2. Complete a form I-765. Your eligibility category is (c) (3) (A) for PRE completion OPT and (c) (3) (B) for POST completion OPT.  Important! You employment card will be mailed to the address you indicate on the I-765 form and is very difficult to change.  Government mail will not be forwarded to a new address. Therefore, if your address will change in the next few months, please leave the address line blank and we will fill the OISS address for you.
  3. Submit the above documents to the front desk of the OISS no more than 120 days prior to your work start date and no later than 2 weeks prior to your completion of study (for post-completion students). 

The OISS will issue you a new I-20 form in SEVIS with a recommendation for post-completion practical training on page 3. This will take 1-2 weeks and you will recieve an email from the OISS when your I-20 is ready. You then need to mail the following items to the Immigration Service in order to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD): (a checklist will be provided with your new I-20)

  1. The original completed form I-765.
  2. A photocopy of your new SEVIS I-20 form with the OPT recommendation on page 3. Keep the original as it will serve as your new I-20 form.  Be sure to sign the bottom of the new I-20 before you make the photocopy!
  3. A photocopy of all your I-20 forms including any from previous schools.
  4. A photocopy of your I-94 form front and back (white card stapled in your passport).
  5. A photocopy of your recent visa in your passport.
  6. A photocopy of your picture/information page of your passport.
  7. A photocopy of any previous employment cards (only if you have done OPT in the past).
  8. A check or money order for $340 made out to "Department of Homeland Security"
  9. 2 U.S. passport photos. Pictures should be 2 x 2 wtih your head measuring about 1 inch.  Any place that offers a passport photo service should be aware of these specifications. Print your name lightly in PENCIL on the back of both photos.

Mail your application to:

USCIS Service Center
Vermont Service Center
Attn: I-765
75 Lower Welden St
St. Albans, VT 05479


You should send your application by "certified mail" and ask for a return receipt (or any other type of services which will give you a tracking number). It will take the Immigration Service up to 3 months to approve your application. You are not allowed to being work until your application has been approved and you have recieved your Employment Authorization Document (some employers may accept the approval notice which arrives approximately 1 to 2 weeks prior to the card).

What do I need to do once I receive the EAD?

  1. Bring or send the OISS a photocopy of the EAD and your I-20 form (can be delivered in person,mailed, scanned and emailed to bcis@bc.edu or faxed at 617-552-2190).
  2. Since you are still in F-1 student status, you are required by law to update us with any address changes  within 10 days of moving while you are in the U.S. on F-1 practical training. Please email bcis@bc.edu any time you need to update your address. 
  3. As of April 2008 you are now required to report your employer address and any change or interruption in employment immediately to the OISS.  Please note under the new regulations released April 8, 2008, all students are now required to be employed during their post-OPT period. More specifically, studetns on post completion OPT may NOT accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during the 12 months of OPT.
  4. Travel wiith the appropriate documentation.Travel outside of the U.S. after completion of studies while on POST completion OPT:  While you are taking part in post completion OPT, you are still in F-1 student status. Therefore in order to re-enter the U.S. after you have completed your studies you will need the following documentation: 1. Valid F-1 visa  in your passport  2. Employment Authorization Card 3. Job offer letter 4. I-20 form with a valid signature date within the last six months (you were given a travel signature when your OPT I-20 was created). If you do not have all of this documentation or you need to renew your visa there is additional risk with travel. Please consult the OISS before traveling.