{"id":675,"date":"2021-09-08T13:39:37","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T13:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/international\/?page_id=675"},"modified":"2022-03-28T12:33:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T12:33:34","slug":"opt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/international\/opt\/","title":{"rendered":"Optional Practical Training (OPT)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) permit lawful F-1 students the opportunity to gain practical work experience in their field of study after completing their program of study. This experience is called Optional Practical Training (OPT). By law, OPT must be approved by International Services and submitted to USCIS within 60 days of degree program completion. F-1 visa holders become eligible for another year of OPT when they change to a higher degree level.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduating students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before the completion of their program or within 60 days after the completion of their program at WCSU. Please be aware that it takes approximately 90 days for USCIS to process an OPT application. It is illegal to begin employment before you receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD)\u00a0and you are only permitted to work within the dates specified.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After graduation and once OPT has been approved, an email will be sent to you by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) which provides a link to\u00a0<\/span>SEVP Portal Help.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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OPT Resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n