The United States allows eligible international students and new graduates the opportunity to gain on-the-job-training that supplements knowledge gained in their studies. To participate in one of the below training opportunities, you do not need to change your nonimmigrant student status. Instead, you must work with your designated school official (DSO) and often with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure eligibility, as well as apply for and receive proper authorization for the training opportunities offered.

Practical Training for M-1 Students

M-1 students are only eligible to participate in one type of paid training with an employer, referred to as practical training. Your practical training must directly relate to your program of study, and you may only participate after your program ends. Practical training allows you to gain training experience in your vocational field.

Application Steps

1. You must follow your school’s processes to submit a practical training request to your DSO.
2. our DSO confirms your eligibility, enters the request in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), issues the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” with the practical training recommendation, and signs page one of the Form I-20.
3. You must sign page one of the Form I-20 and file the Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization."
4. You must file the Form I-765, with required fee, and supporting documents with USCIS before your Program End Date listed on your Form I-20, but not more than 90 days before the Program End Date.
5. If USCIS needs more information, you will receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), which states what information is needed and the deadline for submitting it. You must respond by the deadline. Note: If you have an application pending with USCIS and need to update your address, visit the How to Change Your Address page on USCIS.gov.
6. USCIS then makes a decision on your application. If the application is approved, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You will be granted one month of employment authorization for each four months of full-time study that you have completed. However, you may not engage in more than six months of practical training in the aggregate. You will not be granted employment authorization if you cannot complete the requested practical training within six months.
7. Once you receive the EAD, you can begin work. While on practical training, you must report any changes to your name or address to your DSO within 10 days. You must also report any employer information changes.

Application Timeline

 

• 90 days before Program End Date: This is the earliest date your DSO can recommend a request for practical training and the earliest date that you may properly file the Form I-765 with USCIS for practical training.
• Program End Date: This is the last date your DSO can recommend practical training and the last date for USCIS to receive your Form I-765.
• Day after Program End Date: This is the earliest possible requested start date for practical training.
• 30 days after Program End Date: This is the last possible requested start date for practical training. • Six months after Program End Date: This is the latest possible requested end date for practical training if you are eligible for the maximum period of M-1 practical training.

Practical Training for F-1 Students

Practical training provides F-1 international students with experience in their field of study during or upon completion of a program in the United States. USCIS authorizes some forms of practical training. F-1 students may choose from curricular practical training (CPT), optional practical training (OPT), and, if eligible, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT extension.

CPT

CPT is an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that a sponsoring employer offers through cooperative agreements with your college or university.

CPT is only available for F-1 students when it is an integral part of an established curriculum within a school. CPT can be part time or full time and is not restricted by a weekly 20-hour work limit.

Application Steps

1. You must follow your school’s processes to submit a practical training request to your DSO.
2. Your DSO confirms eligibility, authorizes CPT for a specific employer, issues and signs the Form I-20. You do not need to file Form I-765 with USCIS for this type of practical training.
3. You may begin work on or after the CPT start date listed on the Form I-20 and must maintain your status.

OPT

OPT is a form of training that directly relates to your program of study and can take place during your program of study (pre-completion) or after finishing your program of study (post-completion).

Twelve months of OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example, you may have 12 months of OPT for a bachelor’s degree and another 12 months for a master’s degree.)

• Pre-completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used before your Program End Date. It may be part-time or full-time. Pre-completion OPT may not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. NOTE: Pre-completion OPT impacts the amount of time a student is eligible for post-completion OPT at the same degree level.
• Post-completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used after your Program End Date. It must be at least 20 hours per week or full-time.

Application Steps

 

1. You must follow your school’s processes to submit a practical training request to your DSO.
2. Your DSO confirms eligibility, enters the request in SEVIS, issues and signs the Form I-20.
3. You must sign the Form I-20 and file the Form I-765 “Application for Employment Authorization”.
4. You must properly file the Form I-765, with the required fee, and supporting documents with USCIS:
   1. Pre-completion OPT: After your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record, you may file your application with USCIS up to 90 days before you complete a full academic year, as long as the requested OPT start date is after you would complete one full academic year.
   2. Post-completion OPT: You may file your application up to 90 days before you complete your degree, but no later than 60 days after you complete your degree. You also must file your post-completion OPT application within 30 days after your DSO’s OPT recommendation.
5. If USCIS needs more information, you will receive an RFE, which states what information is needed and the deadline for submitting it. You must respond by the deadline. Note: If you have an application pending with USCIS and need to update your address, visit the How to Change Your Address page on USCIS.gov.
6. USCIS then makes a decision on your application. If the application is approved, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Visit the Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students page on USCIS.gov to learn more about hour requirements for F-1 students participating in pre- or post-completion OPT.
7. Once you receive the EAD and the start date listed on the EAD arrives, you can begin work. When you are hired, you must report the employer information to your DSO or through the SEVP Portal. You must also report to your DSO or through the SEVP Portal within 10 days any changes in your name or address.

Application Timeline

• One year after full-time studies begin: This is the first date that OPT can be requested by your DSO. Exception: Pre-completion OPT can be requested earlier if you will complete one academic year before your OPT employment begins.
• 90 days before Program End Date: This is the earliest date that the Form I-765 may be properly filed with USCIS for post-completion OPT. o For post-completion OPT, you must file your Form I-765 with USCIS within 30 days after your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record.
• Program End Date: Pre-completion OPT must end no later than this date.
• 60 days after Program End Date: This is the last date your DSO can recommend post-completion OPT and the last date you may properly file the Form I-765 with USCIS. This is also the latest possible start date for post-completion OPT. Note: you may begin your pre- or post-completion OPT only after USCIS approves your Form I-765, you receive your EAD and the start date listed on the EAD arrives.
• 14 months after Program End Date: This is the date by which you must complete all post-completion OPT.

STEM OPT Extension 

STEM OPT is a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for qualifying students with STEM degrees.

Eligible F-1 students with STEM degrees from an accredited SEVP-certified college or university who finish their program of study and participate in an initial period of regular post-completion OPT (often for 12 months) have the option to apply for a STEM OPT extension. Visit the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page on USCIS.gov for eligibility requirements.

Application Steps

1. You must submit a completed Form I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students” to your DSO for every new employment/training experience you accept during your STEM OPT extension. Remember, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify for the STEM OPT extension.
2. Your DSO confirms eligibility, authorizes your STEM OPT extension, issues and signs the Form I-20.
3. You must sign the Form I-20 and the Form I-765.
4. You must properly file the Form I-765 with USCIS, with the required fee and supporting documents, after your DSO enters the recommendation for STEM OPT into your SEVIS record. You must file your application before, but may file your application up to 90 days in advance of, your current OPT EAD expires. You must file your application within 60 days after your DSO’s STEM OPT recommendation.
5. If USCIS needs more information, you will receive an RFE, which states what information is needed and the deadline for submitting it. You must respond by the deadline. Note: If you have an application pending with USCIS and need to update your address, visit the How to Change Your Address page on USCIS.gov.
6. USCIS then makes a decision on your application. If the application is approved, USCIS issues an EAD.

Once engaged in STEM OPT, remember the following requirements:

• You must report to your DSO within 10 days any changes in your name or address.
• You must also report to your DSO any employer/employment information changes. You must submit self-evaluations to your DSO at the 12-month mark from the start date of the STEM extension and at the end of any STEM OPT employment. A concluding self-evaluation occurs at the end of any period of employment, regardless of its duration; for example, 14 months.

Application Timeline

• Before Post-Completion OPT End Date: You may file the Form I-765 with USCIS to request a 24-month STEM OPT extension no more than 90 days before the current OPT expiration date.
• Post-Completion OPT End Date: This is the last date to properly file the Form I-765 with USCIS for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
• Day after Post-Completion OPT End Date: First date of employment authorization for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if USCIS received the Form I-765 before the OPT end date, even if the Form I-765 is still pending with USCIS. If you timely filed your STEM OPT extension application and your OPT period expires while your extension application is pending, your employment authorization is automatically extended for 180 days. This automatic 180-day extension ceases once USCIS adjudicates your STEM OPT extension application. Forms I-765 received on or after the post-completion OPT expiration date will be denied.