OPT Rules

OPT Extension

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Students with degrees in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will first apply for the regular 12 month period of OPT.

Then, once you have begun your first 12 months of OPT, if you meet the criteria as mentioned by the USCIS (see new immigration rules and regulations), you can apply for your 17 month OPT extension. You must file before your current OPT expires, however those students that have filed a timely application will be permitted to continue employment while extension application is pending until a final decision or 180 days, whichever comes first. The earliest you can file for the STEM extension is 120 days before your current OPT expires.

(source USCIS)

Post-completion OPT

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An F-1 student may be authorized to participate in post-completion OPT(general OPT) upon completion of studies.

The post-completion OPT must be directly related to the student’s course of study.In general the Post-completion OPT period is of 12 months span for all the eligible candidates when applied for the first time. But in addition to this period another 17 months extension period is given to students enrolled only in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields. This 17 months extension period is termed as STEM extension or OPT extension. For acquiring STEM extension you need to apply again, 180 days before the completion of 12 months period.

Pre-completion OPT

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An F-1 student may be authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT after he/she has been enrolled for one full academic year. The pre-completion OPT must be directly related to the student’s course of study. Students authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT must work part-time while school is in session. They may work full time when school is not in session.

Application process for OPT

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The student must apply for optional post-completion practical training from ninety days before until 60 days after the of completion of study. Completion of study generally means the last day of the term in which the student is completing the course of study. The student may apply for optional post-completion practical training without a job offer.

Application Process for OPT(Both Pre-OPT and Post-OPT)

To apply for optional practical training, a student must present the following to the International Services Office:

1) Academic Advisor Recommendation Form:

This form should be completed by your academic advisor. Click here to download .
(Depends on the University you are studying)

2) Records Office Verification form:(Depends on the university you are studying)

3) Completed Form I-538

4) Completed Form I-765

i) Download instructions to complete form I-765
ii) Download form I-765

5) All original I-20's a student has from the start of the course at UNH.

6) Passport and I-94 card

7) Two color photos. Click here for photograph specifications

8) A check or money order of $340 made payable to "U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services"

9) The completed package after thorough verification should be sent to the USCIS address specified in I-765 instructions form(varies depending on the region you are located).