An international student is eligible to apply for 可选实践培训 (OPT) after being in full time F-1 status for one academic year. 可选实践培训 can be of two types: pre-completion 可选实践培训 and post-completion 可选实践培训.

Pre-completion 可选实践培训: 学生 who wish to apply for pre-completion 可选实践培训 may do so after one full academic year of being in full-time F-1 status and 90 days before they fulfill the one academic year requirement. The students can work 20 hours per week part-time. During vacations and other official school breaks, F-1 students who have an authorization for a pre-completion 可选实践培训 can work full time.

Post-completion 可选实践培训: 学生 who wish to apply for post-completion 可选实践培训 may do so after one full academic year of being in full-time F-1 status, 90 days before they fulfill the one academic year requirement, and no later than 60 days after program end date.

可选实践培训 Application Steps

1. Discuss eligibility with the International 学生 服务 Coordinator.

2. Submit with the following documents:

   1. New I-20 with original signatures (DSO and student)
   2. I-765表格和费用
   3. A copy of form I-94 (front and back)
   4. A copy of passport showing the picture, name and date of birth; a visa issued by a foreign consulate
   5. Two identical color photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of application. Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name on the back of the photo. The photo requirements include:
      • Printed on photo quality paper.
      • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
      • Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (between 25 and 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
      • Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.
      • Your head must not have any hat, 帽, or other item on it unless you are wearing a head covering as required by a religious order of which you are a member.

3. E-file or send the 可选实践培训 packet to the following address. Make sure that the form and the address are current at www.美国入籍与移民服务局.政府.

   对你.S. 邮政服务:
   美国入籍与移民服务局
   P.O. 21281箱
   凤凰城，AZ 85036

   For Express mail and courier deliveries:
   美国入籍与移民服务局
   经办人:《超能
   1820 E. 天港环城S
   100套房
   凤凰城，AZ 85034

4. One of three things may happen after you file your 可选实践培训 packet.

   1. 请求被批准. If the request for 可选实践培训 is approved, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document in the mail and start employment.

   2. Request for more information. In case 美国入籍与移民服务局 needs more information on the case, they will send a request for evidence (RFE).

   3. 请求被拒绝. If the request for 可选实践培训 is denied, the 美国入籍与移民服务局 will send the student a letter explaining the reason for 可选实践培训 ineligibility. There is no formal appeal for a denial, but the student can file the motion to reopen or reconsider the decision if there is a valid reason.