Overview of OPT

• Have a current, valid I-20, reflecting your current field of study and education level.

• Have a valid, unexpired passport.

• Have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring) immediately prior to finishing your degree and applying for OPT.*

• Have had less than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

• For undergraduate and master’s non-thesis-option students: Be within 90 days of completing your degree requirements (i.e., within 90 days of the end of the semester during which you will graduate).

• For master’s thesis-option and doctoral students: Be within 90 days of completing your course requirements (do not need to be finished defending and depositing).

• Have not previously had OPT authorized at the same degree level (e.g., if you are completing a second master’s degree and had previously been authorized for OPT after your first master’s, you would not be eligible for OPT again until you completed a higher degree level ).

• File Form I-765 while in the United States. 

* Undergraduate students: In your last semester you may register part-time, but you must be in at least one class in which you are required to be physically present on campus. In other words, enrolling in only online courses in your last semester is not allowed by USCIS. You do not need to request a Reduced Course Load.

*Graduate students: If this is your final semester and you are registered for less than a full time course-load, you must submit a Reduced Course Load (RCL) E-Form before you attend the OPT follow-up session (even if summer is your final semester).  If you have already submitted the RCL E-form for the current semester to ISS, no further action is required. If you have not yet submitted your RCL E-form to ISS, you need to do so by logging in to MyISS portal and selecting the appropriate RCL eform under the "F-1 and J-1 student services" category.

Step 1: Learn about OPT at a Virtual Drop In (optional)

If you have any doubts about your eligibility or when to apply for OPT, please discuss these questions with ISS before you begin the application process. Contact our office according to the information on Contact Student Services.

Step 2: Discuss your Plans with your Academic Contact

You must discuss your plans for graduation/course completion and OPT application with your academic department before proceeding with an OPT application. It is vital that you do not apply for OPT until your program completion date is certain. Who the correct departmental contact is varies by department: it could be your academic advisor, major professor, department head, or dean. Contact your academic department for instructions.

Step 3: Complete the "Post-Completion OPT Recommendation I-20 Request" E-form Group

Access e-forms at MyISS>F-1 Optional Practical Training>Post-Completion OPT Recommendation I-20 Request

IMPORTANT: You must file Form I-765 while in the United States. You must have an I-20 showing OPT requested on page 2 before submitting the I-765 either online or by mail.

1. Complete the “OPT Online Workshop and Quiz” to ensure you understand essential information about OPT.

2. Complete the “OPT Application Document Instructions” e-form. You will receive detailed information on how to prepare the required documents for your application to send to USCIS. Be sure you have access to a scanner and printer before you start this e-form, as you will be scanning and printing documents. Keep the documents in a safe place until you are ready to send your application. You will prepare the following documents:

   1. Filing Fee - You may pay by check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card.

      • If using credit card and filing by mail, you must also include Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.) If filing online, this form is not needed.

      • Check the Filing Fee section for the current fee for the I-765.

   2. 2 passport-sized photos (taken within 30 days and never used for any other purpose) in a small plastic bag. Write your name, birthdate, and I-94 in ballpoint pen on the back of each photo.

   3. I-765 form, signed and dated. Details on accessing the USCIS Instructions and a guide prepared by ISS can be found in the e-form. You must have an I-20 showing OPT requested on page 2 before submitting the I-765 either online or by mail.

   4. Photocopy of valid, unexpired passport biographical page

   5. Photocopy of F-1 visa (all students except Canadian citizens)

   6. Front and back of I-94 OR printout of your most recent electronic I-94 (print by visiting www.cbp.gov/I94)

   7. Photocopy of any I-20s showing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization on page 2. If you have not had CPT, you do not need to include I-20 photocopies of other past I-20s.

   8. Photocopy of any previous EAD cards (if you have been previously authorized for OPT or economic hardship)

   9. Photocopy of your job offer letter (optional and only if you have one)

   10. If filing by mail, completed Form G-1145 (optional but recommended). If filing online, this form is not needed.

3. Complete the “OPT Statement of Understanding” e-form, in which you will determine if you are within the right timeframe to apply for OPT and better understand what your responsibilities are under OPT.

4. Complete the “OPT Application Document and Information Verification” e-form, in which you will specify your requested OPT dates, upload required documentation, and enter information about your academic program and departmental contact. Be sure you have scanned copies of the following documents before you begin this e-form, as you will upload them in the e-form. Files must be saved as valid PDF or image files (JPG, GIF, PNG, or BMP):

   1. I-765 form, completed and signed (You must have an I-20 showing OPT requested on page 2 before submitting the I-765 either online or by mail.)

   2. Valid, unexpired passport biographical page

   3. Front and back of I-94 OR printout of your most recent electronic I-94 (print by visiting www.cbp.gov/I94)

   4. Optional: if your current I-20 does not reflect your current education level, please follow instructions on Change of Education Level.

When you submit this final OPT eform, the departmental contact you entered will be notified and required to fill in their portion of the e-form in regards to your application. You will receive email notification once s/he has submitted their part.

Once the academic contact has completed their part, your application will be forwarded to ISS for processing. ISS processing time may take up to 10 business days from the date we receive all required e-forms and documents.

Important note: You cannot change your requested OPT dates after you submit your e-form to ISS.

CAUTION: The OPT application is a step-by-step process in which multiple people are involved. For this reason, it is extremely important to submit your OPT application well in advance so that everyone has time to complete their portion. To be fair to all students, ISS processes all requests within 10 business days and cannot accommodate expedite requests. The priority deadline for submission to request an OPT I-20 is 21 days before your 60-day grace period end. ISS cannot guarantee that you will meet your submission deadline if you request your OPT I-20 any later than this.

Do not work on campus past the program end date on your I-20, and do not work again in any capacity, paid or unpaid, until you receive work authorization from USCIS.

Step 4: Receive your I-20 with OPT Recommendation from ISS

OPT is recommended by ISS if eligibility requirements are met, and your Immigration Counselor will create a new I-20 reflecting the recommendation. Ultimately, however, OPT is authorized (or denied) by USCIS in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

ISS will contact you via email once a new I-20 has been created and is ready to pick up. ISS processing time will take a maximum of 10 business days, but you should wait for an email. The email will give you final instructions for assembling and sending your OPT application packet.

When you receive your I-20, sign it by hand. Then make a photocopy of the signed I-20. You will KEEP your original I-20 and include the photocopy in your application packet.

Step 5: Assemble, double-check, and submit your completed application to USCIS

Filing I-765 by Mail

Your final instructions for preparing and sending your OPT application packet to mail, as well as extremely important information to remember while you are on OPT are found OPT I-765 Mailing Instructions. Please bookmark this page and/or download a PDF of the document and keep it with all your important documents.

Filing I-765 Online

Please review USCIS I-765 site for instructions to file online. If you have any questions, please contact USCIS. You may also share your online application with an ISS student counselor during a WebEx Dropin session if you have specific questions.

IMPORTANT: You must file Form I-765 while in the United States. You must have an I-20 showing OPT requested on page 2 before submitting the I-765 either online or by mail.

Follow instructions for submitting the I-765. Double-check all documents: remember that it is your responsibility to ensure the application is correct and complete.

Do not delay in sending your application, as it is very time-sensitive. If using mail, ISS recommends you send your application packet via USPS and use tracking to monitor when your packet is received by USCIS.

We highly recommend photocopying your complete application packet before you send it, and keep the photocopies for your records.

Extremely Important Notes on When to Send your Application to USCIS:

USCIS must receive your I-765 application:

• After you have received an I-20 showing OPT requested on page 2
  
  • USCIS instructions also state that you must be inside the US when you file

• No earlier than 90 days before your program end date

  • Do not send your application packet any earlier than 91 days before your program end date, as sometimes even 2-day mail can arrive in 1 day. Your application will be automatically denied if it arrives too early. Check your program end date on the front page of your I-20.

• No later than the last working day on or before the 60^th day of your grace period

  • Your grace period begins on the day after your program end date, found on the front page of your I-20.

• Within 30 days of the OPT recommendation date

  • You can find this date next to the ISS staff signature on the first page. This is the date the I-20 was created and OPT recommended.

Updates While OPT is Pending:

Employment Information:

Employment information is not required for the OPT application, and cannot be reported until you are on your approved period of OPT. The OPT Reporting e-form only becomes visible in myISS once you are on your approved period of OPT.  Once your OPT begins, all employment related changes must be reported through myISS within 10 calendar days of the change.

Personal Information: 

You are required to report personal information changes, such as a change of address, while your OPT application is pending. Please report biographical changes in myISS under "Biographical Information" and address changes under "F-1 and J-1 Student Services – Address Update (U.S. Residential)".  All personal information changes MUST be reported within 10 calendar days of the change.

OPT-Related Documents:

You may wish to upload copies of your receipt notice, approval notice, EAD card, or job offer letter. The "Upload an OPT-Related Document" will be available to you while your OPT application is pending and also once you are on your approved period of OPT. Note that this e-form is NOT meant for you to upload any OPT application documents, Social Security cards, or credit cards.

Respond to a Request for Evidence:

If USCIS sends you a Request for Evidence (RFE), you may upload it in the "Respond to a Request for Evidence" e-form so that ISS may assist you with it. This e-form will be available to you while your OPT application is pending and also once you are on your approved period of OPT.

Updates While on Approved Period of OPT:

Once you are on your approved period of OPT, you will use the "OPT Reporting" e-form group in the "F-1 Optional Practical Training" category to report any changes to personal and employment information within 10 calendar days of the change. You must inform ISS each and every time your information changes. Also use this e-form to periodically validate information while on OPT. This e-form may also be used to request a new travel signature or reprinted I-20 while on OPT.

There are 5 e-forms in the OPT Reporting e-form group. Regardless of what you need to report, you must go through each one sequentially so that ISS can collect enough data to fully submit a report. Use the following e-forms to report:

Report OPT Employment Information  

• Starting employment with new employer
• Employer name change
• Work location change
• Supervisor change
• Job title and job description change
• Changes in full-time vs part-time employment

Report Employment End Date

• Report the end date of employment 

Travel Signature/Reprint Request on OPT

• Indicate if you would like an I-20 printed after filling out e-forms to update information
• And/or to request a travel signature
  • NOTE: when requesting a travel signature, please ensure that you have already reported your employment information here. If in doubt, please report the information again, and we will check your record to ensure up-to-date information.  

Personal Information on OPT

• Legal name
• Living address 
• Phone number
• Email

Submit your OPT Report to ISS

• To submit your request fully to ISS, you must submit this last e-form in the group. If you do not submit this e-form, ISS will not be notified of any of your update requests. You will receive an email confirmation once you have successfully submitted the e-form group.

Note on Address Updates:

Please note that updating your residential address has no connection to the EAD card mailing address. If you need to update the EAD card mailing address, contact the USCIS National Service Center. To avoid unnecessary complications and problems, ISS recommends you file your OPT application with a requested EAD card mailing address that will remain valid for at least four months. Please see this USCIS notice regarding addresses on OPT applications: https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-begin-using-more-secure-mail-delivery-service 

Updates if Ending OPT:

Use the "Report No Longer on OPT" e-form if you are ending your period of OPT for any reason, including changes of visa status, transferring to a new school, starting a new degree program, or departing the U.S. before the end of your OPT.

Report No Longer On OPT

• Change in visa status, including approval of H1-B petition, other approval of adjustment of status, or any other change in immigration status. You must submit proof of approval for any change in status.
• Transfer to another school to start a new degree program
• Change to a new degree program at Purdue University
• Permanent departure from the U.S. before the end of your OPT if you decide to end your work early and forfeit the remainder of your OPT

How to Log In to myISS:

If you still have an active Purdue student account:

1. Go to MyISS
2. Log in with "Full Client Services for Students & Scholars" by clicking the blue login button in the left box on the main page. 
3. Enter your Purdue Career Account ID and password.
4. Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
5. Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.

If you are no longer enrolled or engaged in activity at Purdue:

1. Go to MyISS
2. Log in with "Limited Services for Students & Scholars" by clicking "Limited Services" in the right box on the main page.
3. First time users:
   • If it is your first time accessing myISS, you will need to request a PIN. Click the "E-mail me my Limited Access PIN" button.
   • Enter your PUID. USE ONLY ONE OF THE LEADING ZEROS. Do not enter dashes. You will enter a 9-digit number. Ex. 012345678
   • An email with the PIN will be sent to the email address Purdue ISS has on file for you. Be sure to check your spam folder. Contact ISS if you do not receive an email - we may not have a valid email address on file for you. Keep record of your PIN!
   • After you have received the PIN, navigate back to the Login page, enter your PUID (ONLY 9 DIGITS - DO NOT ENTER THE FIRST ZERO), your date of birth, and the PIN.
   • Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
   • Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.
4. Returning users:
   • Enter your PUID (ONLY 9 DIGITS - DO NOT ENTER THE FIRST ZERO), your date of birth, and the PIN.
   • Expand the appropriate section on the left-hand side of the screen.
   • Click the appropriate link and follow instructions in the e-form.

Overview of H-1B Cap-Gap

H-1B is a work visa that is sponsored by an employer. The H-1B cap is the limit on the number of H-1Bs allowed each year. The cap does not apply to all H-1B visas. You must discuss with your employer and/or immigration attorney whether your H-1B petition is subject to the cap.

The period of time when an F-1 student’s status and work authorization expire through the start date of their approved H-1B employment period is known as the "cap-gap”. The H-1B cap-gap extension allows certain students with pending or approved cap-subject H-1B petitions to remain in the U.S. in F-1 status until the start date of their approved H-1B employment period, even if the OPT authorization and/or F-1 grace period would have otherwise expired before October 1.

Who is Eligible for the H-1B Cap Gap Extension

You are eligible for the cap gap extension if both:

• Your employer files a cap-subject H-1B petition for you on or after April 1 and requests a change of status to H-1B to begin October 1.
• You are within your OPT authorization period or 60-day grace period following the OPT expiration when your employer submits the H-1B petition on your behalf.

If your OPT authorization is still valid when your employer submits your cap-subject H-1B petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your OPT authorization will be extended. You can continue working in F-1 status through the extension date.

If your OPT authorization is expired but you are in your 60-day grace period when your employer submits your H-1B petition to USCIS, your F-1 status is extended. You cannot work but you can remain in the U.S. through the extension date.

Extension Dates

The length of your extension depends on the status of your H-1B application:

• Filed: If your H-1B petition is properly filed (but not yet receipted or approved), your OPT authorization is extended to June 1. If your OPT authorization already expired but you were in your 60-day grace period at the time of filing, your F-1 status is extended to June 1.
• Selected for receipting: If your H-1B petition is selected for receipting, your OPT authorization is extended to September 30. If your OPT authorization already expired but you were in your 60-day grace period at the time of filing, your F-1 status is extended to September 30.
• Approved: If your H-1B petition is approved, your OPT authorization is extended to September 30. If your OPT authorization already expired but you were in your 60-day grace period at the time of filing, your F-1 status is extended to September 30. 

How to Request the H-1B Cap-Gap Extension

The cap gap extension of F-1 status automatically begins when your employer submits the H-1B petition to USCIS.

Important note: ISS cannot and will not check your SEVIS record for H1-B application updates. Only your employer can provide accurate, official updates regarding your H1-B application.

Students are strongly encouraged to stay in close communication with their petitioning employer during the cap-gap extension period for status updates on the H-1B petition processing. 

To obtain your Cap-Gap I-20:

1. Log into myISS at MyISS. Read the instructions for how to log in.
2. Click on the F-1 Optional Practical Training section.
3. Update any information you need to in the "OPT Reporting" e-form groups.
4. After you've updated your information, click on the "Request H-1B Cap-Gap Extension I-20" e-form. Follow the instructions in the form to select the situation that applies to you and upload the required documentation (see below). 

If your H-1B petition is:

• Filed:
  • If your original OPT authorization is valid through June 1, do not request a new I-20 based on H-1B filing only: wait instead for the receipt or approval notice.
  • If your original OPT will expire before June 1, submit a copy of the petition and FedEx, UPS, or USPS Express/certified mail receipt to ISS.
• Selected for receipting:
  • Submit a copy of the I-797 Notice of Action Receipt Notice to ISS.
• Approved:
  • Submit a copy of your I-797 Approval Notice to ISS.

ISS will print an I-20 for you that indicates the extension of your F-1 status and (if eligible) extension of your OPT employment authorization. The cap-gap extension benefit is automatic, so you can continue working (if eligible) and remain in the U.S. while waiting for your new I-20.

Travel during H-1B Cap-Gap Extension

After an H-1B petition for a change of status is filed, consult your employer's immigration attorney about all international travel, whether or not your EAD is expired.

• If your EAD is expired, you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.
• You must consult your employer's attorney about whether and when you may be eligible to re-enter the US in H-1B status.

Denied H-1B Petitions

If USCIS denies, rejects, or revokes an H-1B petition filed on behalf of an F-1 student covered by the automatic cap-gap extension, the student will have the standard 60-day grace period (from the notification date of the denial, rejection, or revocation of the petition) before he or she is required to depart the U.S., change degree level, transfer to another SEVIS approved school, or change status as long as the student has not otherwise violated status. The student cannot (1) leave and re-enter the U.S. during this time and (2) cannot work.

For denied cases: It should be noted that the 60-day grace period does not apply to an F-1 student whose accompanying change of status request is denied due to discovery of a status violation. Such a student in any event is not eligible for the automatic cap-gap extension. Similarly, the 60-day grace period would not apply to the case of a student whose petition was revoked based on a finding of fraud or misrepresentation discovered following approval. In both of these instances, the student would be required to leave the United States immediately.