What is my status while on OPT?
Optional Practical Training is a benefit of the F-1 visa category for those students who meet the eligibility criteria.
You are still in F-1 status while on OPT and considered an “F-1 Student” even when you complete your Notre Dame program. During your OPT period, the University of Notre Dame is still the “sponsor” of your immigration record and you will still have full access to ISSA advising services. You should continue directing your immigration questions to our office for the duration of your OPT (and STEM OPT extension, if relevant).
I’m a spring graduate and I’m planning to travel internationally for spring break. How does this impact my OPT application?
ISSA advises applying for OPT as early as possible. For May graduates, this would be in mid-February.
There is NO impact to your OPT application if you apply for OPT in February, and travel in March for spring break. Our advice regarding international travel and the documents to carry with you for re-entry to the U.S. do not change. See our Travel page.
If you are unable to apply for OPT before your spring break travel, please note that we do not advise applying for OPT from outside of the U.S. and you should wait to apply until you return to the U.S.
What does it mean to be authorized for work?
When you apply for the OPT I-20 from ISSA, you indicate requested OPT dates. While most students who apply according to ISSA’s advised timeline will be approved for their requested dates, there are some instances where a student’s actual OPT dates (on the EAD card) will differ. Most often, this is because USCIS cannot approve the application in time for the requested start date, so they push back the start date to the day that the OPT application is approved.
The I-20 with the OPT recommendation on page 2 is not the same as being authorized for OPT. Only USCIS can authorize you for OPT and this authorization comes in the form of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which is a card you receive after your OPT application has been approved. You cannot begin working until you have the EAD card in hand and are within the authorization period listed.
I am applying for OPT and I am in a STEM-designated major. Don’t I apply for 3 years of OPT instead of 1?
Post-completion OPT (first 12 months) and the STEM OPT Extension (24 months) are two separate applications for employment authorization. All students who are eligible for OPT will only apply for the first 12 months of Post-completion OPT, regardless of their STEM eligibility.
For those students who have a STEM-designated major, you are eligible to apply for the 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT once you are within 90 days of the end of your 12 months of Post-completion OPT (as long as you meet the eligibility criteria). See more information on our STEM OPT web page.
How long do I have to find a job on OPT?
You do not need a job offer in order to apply for OPT. Many students who do not yet have employment will request the latest possible OPT authorization start date, which is 60 days following the program end date on the I-20.
From the actual OPT start date (as listed on the EAD card) students are allowed to accrue up to 90 days total of unemployment while still maintaining their F-1 status on OPT.
For May graduates, you can be searching for a job when you apply for OPT in February, and choose the latest possible OPT start date in July. From the July OPT start date, the 90 days of unemployment will begin counting, and you have until the 90th day in October before you must report employment.
Note that the kinds of employment you can have while on Post-completion OPT are quite flexible. See more information about OPT employment on our web page.
What are my responsibilities while on OPT? How different will this be from my responsibilities as a Notre Dame student?
Students authorized for OPT must continue to maintain their F-1 status.
During your Notre Dame program, this was primarily focused on your enrollment in full-time coursework. However, while on OPT, maintaining your F-1 status will be primarily focused on meeting the OPT employment requirements.
To continue maintaining your status while on OPT, you must:
-
Maintain a valid passport
-
Maintain a valid I-20
-
Use the SEVIS OPT Portal or ISSAlink to report these changes within 10 days of the change:
-
change of U.S. address
-
all employment information and changes
-
change in immigration status
-
If traveling outside the U.S.:
-
Travel signatures must be valid within six months of reentry
-
Valid F-1 visa is required for re-entry
-
Enter the U.S. in F-1 status for the duration of OPT
Can I work remotely while on OPT?
Students participating in OPT and STEM OPT may work remotely as long as they continue to comply with all other requirements of their F-1 status and OPT.
OPT is US-based work authorization for US-based employment. OPT is not appropriate in situations where you will be:
- indefinitely working remotely from outside of the U.S., OR
- physically in the U.S. working remotely for a non-U.S. based employer
For students on STEM OPT: You will need to indicate your remote work location in the “Site Address” information field on page 3 of the I-983, and this will be the employment address listed on your SEVIS record.
What are the chances that my application is denied?
ISSA cannot guarantee application approval.
We have seen applications being denied in the past for miniscule errors on the student side such as missing I-20 signatures, incomplete application forms, missing documentation etc.
What other activities are allowed during OPT? Can I take a class while on OPT?
Your OPT from Notre Dame will effectively end if you begin classes toward a degree program. In this situation, please talk to ISSA about the Transfer Out process.
You can take one-off classes (known as “incidental study”) such as a fitness class or a cooking class, or an LSAT prep class which you do not intend to transfer towards a degree program in the future.
If I am employed full-time in a position that satisfies the OPT requirements, can I pursue a side-hustle like driving for Uber?
No. All employment done while on OPT needs to be directly related to your major as listed on your I-20. You can have multiple employers while on OPT but should be prepared to explain how each position is related to the degree you earned at Notre Dame.
What is my legal status after my program end date and before my OPT authorization start date? What can I do during this time?
You are legally allowed to remain in the US in F-1 status during the time between your Notre Dame program end date and the start of your OPT. However, you cannot work during this time until the authorization start date listed on your EAD card–this includes employment with the University of Notre Dame.
If your OPT application has been approved AND you have your EAD card, you can also travel internationally during this time. Please review our Travel After Graduation page for more information.
What if I applied for OPT but I can’t graduate by the I-20 end date?
We would advise speaking with ISSA regarding your particular situation, but consider these two options:
| For PhD students who have completed their course requirements and ONLY have their dissertation defense and submission pending to complete the program: | We advise continuing with the OPT application. You are allowed to begin working full-time on OPT while you finish your dissertation requirements. |
| For other students who will need to retake a class, you can do either of the following: |
You can move forward with your OPT application and work part-time on OPT until you finish your pending coursework.
You can withdraw the pending OPT application, request an I-20 extension to a later program end date, and reapply for OPT at a later time when you will complete the program.
|
For STEM-eligible students: Your degree must have been conferred before you are eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension; you will need to submit a final transcript with your STEM OPT application.