Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to a student’s major field of study, used following completion of an academic degree program. OPT is granted for 12 months for each degree level. Students on post-completion OPT are limited to 90 days of unemployment. Students with certain majors may be eligible for an additional 24 month STEM extension of post-completion OPT.
MassArt's International Student Advisor must recommend OPT for the student in order to apply. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will provide final approval and issue an (Employment Authorization Document) EAD. The applicant must have an EAD card before they can begin OPT employment.
To qualify for the Post-Completion OPT, individuals must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must have completed one full academic year of full-time study in F-1 status
- Employment must be in the student’s major field of study
- Must have fully completed (or will complete prior to when OPT begins) all required coursework for your degree at MassArt
- Must not have not used 12 months or more of full-time CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
OPT applications must be received by USCIS no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after the student’s date of degree completion.
Disclaimer: Please note, these directions are meant to help you in completing your application but should not be considered legal advice. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ultimately provides the decision on your OPT application. It is your responsibility, as the OPT applicant, to ensure that your OPT application is accurate and complete before you submit it to USCIS. Incomplete applications could result in a delay in processing time or denial. MassArt shall not be held liable for any delay, denial, or mistake on your OPT application.
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We recommend you begin preparing OPT documents and request an OPT Recommended I-20 from us approximately 3 months prior to your MassArt program completion date.
- Your International Student Advisor (ISA) can review your documents and recommend you for Post-Completion OPT no earlier than 90 days prior to your program completion date.
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You cannot submit your application for Post-Completion OPT to USCIS without a recommendation from your International Student Advisor; this includes a new I-20 with the recommendation stated on the second page.
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Post-Completion OPT start dates are chosen by you when you send your documents to your ISA for review and recommendation; start can be between 1-60 days after your program completion date.
- Travel outside the U.S. while your EAD is pending is not recommended