Office of International
Students & Scholars
International Center
421 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06511
USA

Phone: 203.432.2305
Fax: 203.432.7166
email: oiss@yale.edu

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

On this page:


Definition

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. Most students are eligible to apply for 12 months of OPT as associated with each new degree of a higher level. Students who have received a degree in a government-designated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program may qualify for an additional 17-month period if they have an E-Verify employer.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the initial 12 month OPT period, the student must:

  • be a full-time registered student for at least one full academic year
  • be physically present in the United States
  • be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of application
  • intend to work in a position directly related to the major field of study – No offer of employment is needed at the time of application submission


Schedule an OPT Appointment at OISS

Apply early! Immigration takes up to 90 days to process applications. Currently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) filing fee for these applications is $340.

If you are considering OPT for 2009, please schedule an appointment with an OISS adviser.

OISS offers OPT workshops between January and April. Information about registering for the OPT workshop will be available on our Web site beginning in late fall.

Forms

Pre-Completion OPT
For students who are not graduating in May 2009:

 

17-Month OPT STEM Extension
For students currently approaching the end of 12 month OPT in one of the designated STEM categories who have an E-Verify employer:

 

Post-Completion OPT
For students who are graduating in May 2009: