Practical training is the only type of work permission available to M-1 students. It allows students to get on-the-job training that is not available in their home country. Eligible students may have up to six months of practical training after they complete their program.

While a principal designated school official (PDSO) or designated school official (DSO) recommends practical training in SEVIS, it is the student who must apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), using the Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). If the practical training is approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The student must have the EAD before starting work.

Regulations

Complex rules and guidance apply to practical training. Any practical training requests entered into SEVIS must comply with federal regulations. DSOs must understand the following regulations:

Practical Training Request Statuses

This table lists the statuses used to identify the stages of practical training requests in SEVIS:

Practical Training Process at a Glance

The practical training application process involves many players and several steps:

Key Dates

DSOs must be mindful of several key dates when entering practical training in SEVIS.

M-1 practical training applications can be difficult because the M-1 period of stay must be sufficient to cover the amount of practical training requested.

Length of Practical Training Available for a Student

M-1 students are eligible for one month of post-completion practical training for every four months of full-time study, up to a maximum of six months of practical training.

Student’s Form I-765 Filing Deadlines Once DSO Requests Practical Training in SEVIS

To recommend practical training:

1. Go to the Student Information page.

2. Click OPT Request. The OPT Employment page opens.

3. Click New OPT Request. The Add OPT Employment page opens.

4. Enter information relevant to the OPT authorization:

5. Review the information. Click either Save or Cancel:

• Save: Submits the practical training request. A message indicates that the update was successful.
• Cancel: Cancels the action and returns the user to the Student Information

6. Click either Print I-20 or Return Employment List:

• Print I-20: Prints the Form I-20 with the practical training recommendation.
• ​Return Employment List: Returns the user to the OPT Employment page. The newly added practical training employment will be on the list. 

7. Review the information on the OPT Employment page. To make changes to the existing practical training request, click Edit.
8. Click either:
   • Print I-20: Prints the Form I‑20.
   • Return: Returns the user to the Student Information page.

The practical training request can be edited while it is in Requested status. To edit a practical training request: 

1. Click OPT Request on the Student Information page. The OPT Employment page opens.

2.  Click Edit to the right of the practical training segment to be edited. The Edit OPT Employment page opens.

3. Make any necessary edits:

4. Click either Save or Cancel:
   • Save: Updates this employment request in the student’s record. A message indicates if the edit was successful.

• Click either Print the updated Form I-20 or Return to Employment List
  • Print the updated Form I-20: Prints the form.
  • Return to Employment List: Returns to the OPT Employment page.
• Cancel: Returns the user to the OPT Employment page without updating the employment segment.

A practical training request can be cancelled in SEVIS ONLY if the request status is Requested status. 

Cancel Practical Training Request in SEVIS

To cancel a practical training request:

1. Go to the Student Information page.
2. Click OPT Request from the Student Information page. The OPT Employment page opens.

3. Click Cancel Request. A Confirm Cancelation of Request page opens.

4. Click either Yes or No:

   • Yes: Cancels the practical training request. A message verifies that the update was successful.

     • Click Return to View Record to return to the Student Information page.
     • The student’s practical training status in the Student Requests section updates to Canceled.
   • No: Returns the user to the OPT Employment page without canceling the practical training request.

Withdraw Practical Training Request with USCIS

Once a practical training request status changes to Pending, the student must write USCIS to withdraw the practical training application. The request must:

• Be sent to the USCIS Service Center processing the application. The address is on the USCIS-issued Receipt Notice sent to the student. 
• Include the receipt number USCIS assigned the case when it was filed. If the practical training request has been approved, the EAD should also be returned.

While on practical training, a student is required to report to their DSO any change in their:

• Legal name
• U.S. home address while on practical training

DSOs update SEVIS to reflect the changes. 

Periods of Unemployment

M-1 regulations do not provide for any periods of unemployment.

If SEVIS does not match the status of the student’s application filed with USCIS, DSOs can ask to have the record corrected. There are two ways to correct data in a student record: