Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Tasks:

1. Get driving license DMV Requires 6 months on the I20 to issue the license.
2. Send OPT request to your University's Internation Services
   • You get new I20 from ISSS
3. Apply with new I20 to USCIS
   • Choose a start date and schedule
     1. task to create SEVIS portal on EAD start date
     2. task to apply for OPT extension within 3 months of EAD expiry date
   • Choose a mailing address you will guranteed to be in
   • Don't use campus email for USCIS account (because campus email might expires few months after graudation)
   • Note down the Receipt number
   • Documents for upload:
     1. I94: Download from the portal again because the document has an expiry date of just 1 month written in the bottom.
     2. I20: Print your I20 with OPT authorization, and sign it using blue or black pen. Then upload the scan of the signed I20.
     3. Passport: Capture the page with photo, name, … details and capture the Visa page too.
4. Create SEVIS portal account (link emailed to you by USCIS on EAD Start date. Link expires in few days)
5. Get a job and update you info in the SEVIS portal within 10 days
6. Within 3 months before the EAD End date, apply for OPT Extension

Notes:

• You can make application for OPT 90 before, 60 days after graduation
• It can take 45-120 days to get the card
• 90 days of unemployment start on the start date printed on OPT card (which I get to choose)
• On OPT start date, you get an email to create a SEVIS portal account where you update your records
  • Don't forget to update address, name and employement changes
  • You can't update the employement after 10 days. So don't forget.

• You can apply before 90 days before expiration of OPT for extension. If the OPT expires you can't apply for extension.

  Make a remainder 120 before you OPT expiration because your office and supervisors also need to do some paperwork.

• After end of OPT you have grace period of 60 days to get into another degree seeking program or exit the country