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OISSS > For International Students > F-1 > Post-Completion OPT Information

Post-Completion opt information

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of F-1 visa status that permits off-campus employment for the purpose of gaining practical experience in the student's major field of study as indicated on the Form I-20. Post-completion Optional Practical Training is OPT authorized to be worked after completion of the student's course of study. While the student may work for any employer in the United States, the job duties must be directly related to the student’s major area of study and commensurate with the student’s educational level.  Practical training experiences that are unpaid are also permitted within certain limitations.

Below please find instructions and application materials for post-completion OPT. If you are applying for a different type of OPT, please see the General OPT Information page.

• Eligibility Requirements
• When to Apply
• How to Apply
• USCIS Processing of the OPT Application
• Maintenance of F-1 Status for Students Engaging in OPT
• Travel Information

Eligibility Requirements for Post-Completion OPT

• The student must have been lawfully enrolled as a full-time student for at least one full academic year (9 months), and be in valid F-1 status at the time of application. In limited circumstances, authorized part-time study may count towards this eligibility requirement. This situation should be discussed with an advisor at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
  

• The student must be in good academic standing with UNC-Chapel Hill to be eligible for OPT. Students who are currently on a leave of absence or who are academically ineligible to continue their academic program are not eligible for OPT.
  

• The majority of students are limited to an aggregate of 12 months of full-time OPT per educational level, regardless of how many schools they may have attended. Students who have been authorized for 12 months of OPT at a particular educational level may become eligible for another 12 months of practical training when they change to a higher educational level. For example, students who use 12 months of OPT during a Master’s program are eligible for another 12 months of OPT if they move on to a Doctoral program, but not if they move on to a second Master’s program or Bachelor's program.  Please note: Students who have been authorized for 12 months of OPT based on terminal degrees, such as Ph.D., D.D.S., J.D., PharmD., etc. are not eligible to receive additional OPT since all terminal degrees are considered equivalent in level. Therefore students who have used 12 months of OPT based on a Ph.D. degree are not eligible to then receive 12 additional months of OPT based on a D.D.S. or J.D. degree.
  
  Students majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields may qualify for an extension of OPT beyond the 12-month limit. Please see our STEM Extension page for further details.
  

• Students who have engaged in a total of 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during a program of study are not eligible for OPT for that program.
  

• F-1 Exchange Students and other non-degree students at UNC-Chapel Hill are not eligible for OPT.

When to Apply for Post-Completion OPT

An I-20 recommending OPT is required when the application is submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). ISSS requests 2-3 weeks to review the application and issue the new Form I-20. Once the new I-20 form is signed by the student, the application is ready to be submitted to USCIS. Students may submit their post-completion OPT application to USCIS up to 90 days prior to completion of the course of study, and up to 60 days after the date of completion. Also, students may not apply for OPT more than 90 days before meeting the one full academic year enrollment requirement.  USCIS must receive the OPT application no more than 30 days after the Form I-20 recommending OPT has been issued.

We recommend that students submit completed applications to ISSS as early as possible (three to four months in advance of the intended OPT start date) as it can take this long for USCIS to reach a decision on the application. Currently, there is no option for expedited processing at USCIS for OPT. Please check current processing times for the USCIS Texas Service Center. Students may not begin employment until they have received the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and until the start date indicated on the EAD.

Students may remain lawfully in the U.S. beyond the end of the 60-day grace period if the OPT application is still pending at USCIS.

Students who wait to file their OPT application after the completion of their program must be aware that they cannot choose an OPT start date later than the last day of their 60-day grace period and could lose some of their OPT time if their application is not adjudicated quickly.  A student must apply for OPT from within the United States. If a student departs the U.S. during the 60-day grace period without having applied for OPT, the student's F-1 status ends and the student is no longer eligible for OPT.

How to Apply for Post-Completion OPT

• Forms and Documentation: Download the following PDF document to begin your application:

OPT Application Checklist of the documents to be completed before the application is submitted to ISSS. 

• Submit completed application to ISSS: Students must submit application materials to ISSS during advising hours, Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4 :00 p.m. After submission to ISSS, a Form I-20 recommending OPT will be issued and the student will be contacted via email to sign the new I-20 at ISSS. Once signed, the application is ready to mail to USCIS. 
  
  
• Mail the Application: Applications must be received by USCIS no later than 30 days after the I-20 has been issued by ISSS.
  

After students sign the new Form I-20 with the OPT recommendation, ISSS will send the completed application via regular U.S. mail to the appropriate USCIS Service Center. Students who wish to send the application themselves via express mail will be given the proper USCIS address when signing the new Form I-20.

USCIS Processing of the Post-Completion OPT Application:

• Notice of Action: USCIS will send an official Notice of Action (Receipt Notice) to ISSS approximately two to four weeks after receiving the application. This notice will confirm official receipt of the application by USCIS and indicate a case number which can be used to track the application. Students may contact ISSS 3 weeks after the application has been mailed to request a copy of the Receipt Notice.
  
  
• Request for Evidence: In the course of adjudicating the application, USCIS may send a Form I-797 “Request for Evidence” to an applicant if an item is missing, or if USCIS requires additional information before making a decision on an application. If such a letter is received, ISSS will contact the student immediately.
  
  
• Checking the Status of the OPT Application: Students may check their case status on-line at USCIS. It may take up to 90 days for USCIS to reach a decision on the case. If the application takes longer than 90 days from the date on the official Receipt Notice, students may contact ISSS to inquire about procedures to request information from the Service Center.
  
  
• Cancellation of OPT Application: Please be aware there is limited opportunity to amend or cancel applications after they have been mailed to USCIS. There is no provision for amending or canceling an OPT recommendation after adjudication. Students should carefully choose dates of employment and be certain of those dates before submitting the application to ISSS. For students who have applied for OPT to begin after completion of study, failure to complete the program of study as expected (due to an "incomplete" or failing grade, or otherwise failing to meet graduation requirements) can impact students eligibility for OPT.  Students must apply for an extension of their I-20 (prior to its expiration) if they will not complete their studies before the expiration date listed in item #5 of the current I-20.  
  
  Applications for OPT that have not yet been mailed may be cancelled or amended by contacting ISSS. Students who have a pending application for OPT (not yet approved) and who learn they may not graduate as expected, should contact ISSS immediately to determine if cancellation of their OPT is possible. All students are advised to confirm their eligibility for graduation with their academic advisor or department prior to applying for OPT, since change or cancellation of an OPT application at a later time may not be possible.
  
  
• Approval: Once the application is approved, USCIS will mail an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to ISSS. ISSS will contact students when the card arrives. Please note it can take up to two weeks for the EAD card to arrive at ISSS once the online case status at USCIS is updated to "Approved". Students may not begin employment before receiving the EAD and before the start date on the card.

Maintenance of F-1 Status for Students Engaging in OPT

• On-Campus Employment after Completion of Program: Students may not continue working on campus at UNC-Chapel Hill after the completion of their studies unless they have received an EAD and their OPT dates cover the dates of employment. Students who intend to work on campus after the end date at item #5 on their I-20 form will need to bring a letter verifying employment at UNC to ISSS for payroll purposes.
  
  
• Reporting Requirements: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires students to report changes in name or address and employment information to ISSS through the entire period of the OPT.  Failure to report properly could be considered a violation of  F-1 immigration status.
  
  
  • OPT Location/ Employer Reporting Requirement: F-1 students are required by U.S. regulations to report changes in legal name or residential address to ISSS within 10 days of the change.  This requirement extends to any authorized period of OPT.  In addition, DHS now also requires F-1 students on OPT to report to the sponsoring school their employer's name and address and their employment status (change of employers or unemployment. ISSS enters "Actively Seeking Employment" as a student's employment status when submitting the initial OPT information to SEVIS.  Therefore, within ten days of beginning employment students must report their employer information in order to avoid losing F-1 status due to excessive unemployment time. This information can be reported by any one of the following methods to ISSS, and your SEVIS record will then be updated accordingly. 
    
    Instructions on how to report address and employer information and updates:
    
    1.  Report the required information using the OPT Data Information Form
    2.  Email the required information to oisss@unc.edu with "OPT address and employer update" in the subject line.
    3.  Fax the form or a letter with the required information to ISSS: Fax Number 919-962-4282.
    4.  Write to International Student and Scholar Services with the required information: CB# 5240, Room 2004, FedEx Global Education Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.  27599-5240
    
    
• Restrictions on Unemployment: Students approved for post-completion OPT may not accrue more than an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during the entire 12-month OPT period.  Students must be engaged in at least 20 hours of employment or other OPT activity per week; periods with activity of less than 20 hours per week will be counted toward unemployment accrual.
  
  It is strongly recommended that students keep thorough and accurate records of their OPT employment in case they are ever required to show proof of their OPT activities.
  
  
• Delayed Completion of Course of Study:  For students who have applied for OPT to begin after completion of study, failure to complete the program of study as expected (due to an "incomplete" or failing grade, or otherwise failing to meet graduation requirements) can impact students’ eligibility for OPT.  Students must apply for an extension of their I-20 (prior to its expiration) if they will not complete their studies before the expiration date listed in item #5 of the current I-20.  Restrictions on unemployment will apply to students needing an extension of their I-20 due to delayed completion.  Therefore, if unemployed, students approved for post-completion OPT by USCIS will begin accruing unemployment at the start date of the EAD.  Students who have not completed their program by the end date of their EAD card will lose their F-1 status.
  
  
• Restrictions regarding OPT Employment: Students may only work after receipt of the EAD, only for the dates as specified on the EAD, only in the field of study related to the degree for which the OPT was recommended, and in a job appropriate to the level of education.  Students may work for multiple employers, and may be employed part-time (at least 20 hours per week), full-time or overtime. If a student has a variable schedule, within a month, it should average out to at least 20 hours per week. Keep in mind that OPT activity less than 20 hours per week will count toward unemployment accrual.
  
  Per the Student and Exchange Visitor Program's (SEVP) "Policy Guidance 0801-01: Updates to Post-Completion Optional Practical Training", the following types of employment are allowed during post-completion OPT:
  
  
  • Paid employment. Students may work part time (at least 20 hours per week when on post-completion OPT) or full time.
    • Multiple employers. Students may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to each individual student’s degree program and for pre-completion OPT cannot exceed the allowed per week cumulative hours.
    • Short-term multiple employers (performing artists). Students, such as musicians and other performing artists, may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). The student should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration. If requested by DHS, students should be prepared to provide evidence showing a list of all gigs.
    • Work for hire. This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. If requested by DHS, students should be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.
    • Self-employed business owner. Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed.The student should be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to his or her degree program.
    • Employment through an agency or consulting firm. Students on post-completion OPT should be able to provide evidence showing they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.
      
      
  • Unpaid employment. Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this practice does not violate any labor laws. The work should be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT. A student should be able to provide evidence, acquired from the student's employer, to verify that he or she worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.
    
    
• Beginning a new program of study: Authorization for OPT is automatically terminated if the student officially transfers to another school or begins study at another educational level.
  
  
• 60-Day Grace Period: Once students have completed their period of OPT, they are permitted to remain in the United States for up to sixty days in order to prepare for departure from the U.S. Students are not permitted to continue employment during this period. While travel within the U.S. is permitted during the grace period, departure from the country and re-entry in F-1 status is not permitted during this time. Once a student departs the U.S., the grace period is concluded.
  
  
• Change of Program Level: Students who intend to continue their education immediately following completion of OPT must obtain an I-20 for the new program of study within 60 days of the end of their OPT and must begin the new program of study within five months of the end of the OPT. If the program of study will begin more than five months after the end of the OPT, the student will need to leave the U.S. within the 60-day grace period and request a new "initial attendance" I-20 in order to re-enter to begin the new program of study.
  
  
• Change/Adjustment to another Immigration Status: Students who intend to remain in the U.S. following completion of OPT and whose primary purpose will not be full-time study may qualify to apply for a change of immigration status.

Travel Information:

Students should consult with an advisor at ISSS BEFORE traveling outside the U.S. In order to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status during OPT after completion of studies, students will need their EAD, Form I-20 with the OPT endorsement, a travel signature less than six months old signed after receiving the EAD, a valid F-1 visa, and a valid passport. Students should also carry proof of their employment or other valid OPT activity, or a job offer. Students who have not secured OPT employment in their field are advised not to travel abroad after degree completion as they may not be readmitted to the U.S. in F-1 status.

Students who are on OPT and have a pending H-1B petition should be especially careful about travel. Please see the memorandum on considerations for travel while an H-1B petition is pending at USCIS.

Note on Extended Absence from the U.S. while employed on post-completion OPT or Entry to the U.S. in a New Immigration Status: Authorization for OPT is automatically terminated if the student is physically absent from the U.S. for more than five months or if the student is admitted to the U.S. in another temporary non-immigrant status (such as entry as a B-2 visitor).