Introduction
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit granted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) authorizing eligible F-1 students to work anywhere in the U.S. at a job directly related to their major field of study and at a level commensurate with their educational level. The process of applying for OPT requires F-1 students to request an OPT recommendation from the school that maintains their F-1 SEVIS record.
Application Process
Step 1: Complete OPT Moodle Course
Complete the OPT Moodle Course and earn at least 80% on the OPT quiz. The OPT quiz will help you learn what you need to do to maintain your F-1 status while on OPT. Take a screenshot of your quiz score when you finish the quiz or go to the grade book to take a screenshot of your score there.
Step 2: Apply for Graduation
Officially file for graduation at your undergraduate college or at the Graduate School. Verify with your undergraduate college or the Graduate School to be sure that your graduation date appears in the LSU database before applying for OPT. Applying for post-completion OPT can only be done when you are in your last semester. Make sure that you qualify for graduation and have submitted all required forms to your appropriate college or school before initiating the OPT application process. Ph.D. and Master's thesis students who are planning to finish Degree Only should have the Graduate School Degree Only approval prior to submitting their OPT request documents to ISS.
Step 3: Review Your Documents
Review your immigration documents before submitting your request for an OPT recommendation to ISS. In particular, be sure to check the following:
- Your name and date of birth should match on your passport, I-20, and I-94 card.
- The major and program level listed on your I-20 should be the same as your LSU major and OPT request.
- If you are completing several degree programs at the same time, you will be able to apply for OPT based on only one of those degrees. That major and program level should be listed on your I-20.
- Make sure the expiration date listed on your I-20 is not prior to program completion date.
- Please note that there is no need to change your I-20 expiration date if your I-20 expires after your expected completion date. We will do that for you when you apply for OPT.
- If any of the above-mentioned information is not correct, make note of the errors in the comments field when you submit your application to International Student Services.
Step 4: Submit OPT Recommendation Request
Submit your OPT recommendation request and all supporting materials to ISS via the online form. Make sure you have electronic copies of the following documents prior to submitting the form:
- Payment confirmation of the non-refundable $300 OPT Maintenance Charge. Select Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM Extension, and Post-Completion Academic Training (AT) Maintenance Charge on the payment website.
- ISS Student OPT application
- OPT student acknowledgement
- Screenshot of your OPT quiz results
Please use the online form to submit your documents; please do not email your application to ISS or submit a paper copy to the ISS office.
Note: If you have questions about OPT, please book an advising appointment or come to walk-in hours.
Step 5: Receive I-20 and Submit I-765
After ISS reviews your OPT Recommendation request, an ISS advisor will email you the I-20 with the OPT recommendation on page 2. Use this I-20 when submitting your I-765 to USCIS.
OPT Processing and Deadlines
Important Notice About I-765 Online Filing
Applying for OPT involves a request to the school that has your SEVIS record (for the OPT recommendation) and an application to USCIS for employment authorization (Form I-765). If you submit your application to USCIS too early, without our recommendation being done in SEVIS, it will be denied.
Once you pay the fee, you have submitted your application. If your application is submitted without your OPT I-20 it will likely be denied. Always remember that you have to start with International Student Services first and receive our processed documents before you file anything with USCIS.
Application Timing and Fees
It is a good idea to apply for OPT at least 90 days prior to your requested OPT start date, but no more than 90 days prior to your I-20 completion date (see below for dates). Your I-20 will be updated if your completion date is a future semester. USCIS processing time to approve OPT can be at least 90 days after submitting your application to the Service Center. Premium (expedited) processing is available. USCIS will review your application and make a decision within 30 days of the date premium processing is paid. Premium processing can be paid at any point your OPT application is pending with USCIS.
You may apply for OPT with USCIS up to 90 days before your program completion date and no later than 60 days after your program completion date (during the F-1 grace period), provided the application filed with USCIS is . . .
- Received within 30 days of the date ISS enters the OPT recommendation into SEVIS (date the new I-20 OPT recommendation is issued) and
- Received by USCIS before the end of the 60 day grace period (60 days from the completion of studies expiration date of the OPT I-20).
Currently, USCIS charges a fee for the I-765 form, which is used to apply for OPT. Please consult the I-765 page to make sure that you pay the correct and most recent fee amount. The fee may have recently changed, and an incorrect amount could result in a denial/rejection of your application.
Deadlines
It is not advisable to wait until the deadline to apply for OPT; we recommend submitting the application well before the deadline.
Please note: OPT deadlines listed on this page apply to F-1 students who have an LSU I-20 to study on the main campus. Deadlines for F-1 students in the School of Veterinary Medicine will be based on the Veterinary School’s academic calendar (not the main campus calendar). F-1 ECFVG (Veterinary School program) students are advised to consult with ISS 4-6 months before completing their program regarding their specific OPT deadlines.
Fall, Spring, or Summer Graduates Registered as Degree Only with Early Completion Date
The I-20 program completion date will be shortened to the Graduate School Degree Only application deadline for your specified term. You must be approved for a Degree Only completion in order to use Degree Only as the basis for your OPT application.
- Semester and Completion date: Graduate School deadline for term-specific, degree only completion
- Earliest date that you can apply to ISS: 90 days prior to completion date
- OPT start date range: the 60 day grace period following the completion date
- Deadline to apply for ISS OPT recommendation: at least two weeks before end of 60-day grace period that follows completion date
- Deadline for USCIS to receive complete OPT application: End of 60-day grace period
Helpful Links & Forms