What is Optional Practical Training
(OPT)?
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
(USCIS) has created this immigration benefit
to allow individuals on an F-1 student visa to
work in a position directly related to their
degree. These positions are not part of their
academic curriculum and take place after the
student has completed his/her coursework. International Student & Employer
Students are able to work up to one year on
“Regular” OPT.
Scholar Services Information
In 2008, USCIS established a second type of Mailing Address: on Optional
1 Old Dominion University
OPT known as STEM OPT (for Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math degrees). Norfolk, VA 23529 Practical
This new OPT allows students who
Office Location:
Training
graduated with degrees in one of these areas
to work for an additional 17 months. 2101 Dragas Hall (OPT)
Phone: 757.683.4756
Fax: 757.683.6198
Can a student extend his/her OPT? Website: www.odu.edu/isss
Regular OPT authorizations are only granted E-Mail: IntlStu@odu.edu
for 12 months. If, as mentioned above, the
student majored in one of the STEM
degrees, an additional 17 months can be
authorized—allowing a total of 29 months.
Even if the student you hire is only eligible for a guide for
regular OPT, there are options for keeping
an individual employed with your company employing F-1
after the 12 months ends, as mentioned student visa
inside this brochure.
holders
Whom can I contact if our company has
any questions?
Our office is happy to answer any questions
and be a resource to you on OPT. We will
recommend you talk with an immigration
attorney for all other issues.
How do students apply for OPT? What if our company would like to
Students must attend a workshop at hire this student for permanent
employment?
ODU that explains their rights and
responsibilities with regard to OPT. The most common immigration step
After the workshop, they submit following OPT is an H-1B visa, which
EAD CARD (I-766)
paperwork to International Student & allows an individual to work at your
Scholar Services (ISSS) and, if all company up to six additional years. This
requirements are met, a new F-1 visa process is relatively simple and requires
document (I-20) is issued to show our Are students on OPT exempt from assistance from an immigration attorney
endorsement of the application. Next, being taxed? who can guide you through the
the student sends the paperwork to application. ODU policy prevents us
For more information on taxation for F-1 from recommending a lawyer, but we
Immigration and, upon approval, an
visa holders, please visit the ISSS can suggest the following when selecting
Employment Authorization Document
website at www.odu.edu/isss. From legal counsel for immigration purposes:
(EAD--also known as Form I-766) is
there, click on Off-Campus Employers
issued. In general, the application
on the left side. There, you will find a link s/he should be a member of
process takes approximately three
to a publication on the IRS website American Immigration Lawyers
months—give or take a few weeks. In
which provides complete information on Association (AILA)
order to avoid Immigration and
the taxation of nonimmigrants. s/he should have a fixed fee for
Department of Labor violations, students
may not work — even as a volunteer — services like an H-1B application (not
before they receive their EAD and/or hourly)
before the EAD start date has arrived. s/he should practice immigration law
Are students eligible to work if the
only
visa in their passport has expired?
Yes. An expired visa does not indicate a The visa change takes anywhere from
How do I validate a student’s I-9? violation of visa status; a visa is issued two to six months, depending on the
for entry purposes only. A valid EAD, a processing you choose—expedited or
Documentation used for I-9 validation
properly endorsed I-20 and a valid normal.
include the student’s passport and the
passport are the only documents
EAD card’s number and expiration date.
required to maintain status while on Here is a typical progression of
OPT. employment options for most students:
1. Regular OPT: 12 months
2. STEM OPT (if eligible): 17 months
How many hours per week can a 3. H-1B: 6 years
student work?
There is no limit to the number of hours Immigration and tax laws are subject
the student may work or the number of to change; therefore, we recommend
employers he/she may have. you stay in touch with legal counsel
who specialize in these areas of law.
I-20 FORM