Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization available to international students who have been in valid F-1 status for at least two consecutive semesters and who plan to seek employment in the U.S. in their field of study.

OPT is recommended by advisors at the Washington Baptist University International Students Office, but final approval is granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

Application Deadline
The earliest you can apply for OPT is 90 days before your "completion date." The latest date the USCIS will accept your application is 60 days after your completion date. In addition, OPT applications must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of receiving an OPT I-20 from the International Office.

OPT Application Instructions are described below.

What is Your Completion Date?
For OPT purposes, this is the day you complete your final degree requirements. Check your program end date on your current I-20

Undergraduate Students-
Your completion date is considered to be the last day of final exams of the semester your degree requirements are fulfilled.

Graduate Students-
Your completion date is the day on which all degree requirements are fulfilled, such as filing your thesis or dissertation in the Graduate Division. If you do not have a research component to your degree program (such as in the MBA program or other professional schools), your completion date would be the last day of final exams of the semester your degree requirements are fulfilled.

Points To Remember
•One year of OPT is available after completing each higher level degree program.
•A job offer is not required to apply for OPT. However, once you find a job, you must   notify the International Students Office.
•Unemployment is allowed for no more than 90 days.
•The employment may occur anywhere in the U.S.
•No special permission is required to change employers or terminate your   employment. However, you must notify the International Students Office   of your unemployment and/or new employer's information.
•During the period of OPT, a student remains in F-1 status, since OPT is considered   to be part of the program of study.
•It can take the USCIS three to five months to issue the Employment Authorization   Document (EAD) that allows you to begin working on OPT. There is no way to   expedite an application. Please notify your employer that you cannot work   until you receive this.
•Once you complete your degree, you cannot work on-campus or off-campus until you   have the EAD in your possession and your chosen start date has arrived.
•Once the OPT application is submitted to the USCIS, it is very difficult   to change or cancel the application.
•Our school is not authorized to offer the new 17-month OPT; we do not offer   degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics.
•OPT is available both before and after completing the degree program.

Application Instructions

1.Complete the OPT Application form.
2.Complete the OPT Request form. You can fill out the form online, then print it out for    signature by your Academic Advisor.
   After submitting it to the International Students Office, you will receive a new OPT I     -20 in 3 business days.
3.Mail your application to USCIS (see instructions in the OPT Application Guide).