麻豆传媒映画

• Currently in active F-1 SEVIS status and have completed or are in the process of completing a degree at 麻豆传媒映画.

• Have completed one uninterrupted academic year of study (Fall & Spring) in a full-time schedule. 

  • Change of Status - If you completed one full academic year of study in a full-time status in any other non-immigrant visa status while studying at 麻豆传媒映画, it will count towards your OPT eligibility.

  • Study Abroad - The time spent studying abroad in one of the approved 麻豆传媒映画 study abroad programs as a full-time student can count towards the one full academic year eligibility.

• All majors and degree levels (Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral) are eligible.

• Students must have completed all substantive coursework or be in the process of completing all substantive coursework requirements.

• You must be physically present in the USA when you submit your application. 

 

OPT Limitations & Ineligibilities

• Students who participated in more than 364 days of Full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are NOT eligible for OPT.

• OPT is limited to a 12-month training period for each degree level. Students become eligible for another 12 months when they begin a new degree program at a higher educational level.

 

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Graduate students who have finished all substantive coursework and have only thesis, comprehensive exams, or project requirements remaining are eligible to apply for OPT. These remaining classes are not considered substantive coursework; thus, students may begin full鈥憈ime OPT while completing these final degree requirements.

Global Campus Enrollment: Graduate students may take these classes through Global Campus, provided the option is available and their department approves it. Example: 799B and 799C classes.

Comprehensive Exams: Students who have completed all coursework except their comprehensive exams and do not intend to enroll in a comprehensive exam course in the following semester should apply for Post鈥慍ompletion OPT upon completion of all substantive courses and take the exams while on OPT.

• Students who fail the comprehensive exams just before the semester begins might be required to enroll in comprehensive exam classes in the upcoming semester. These classes are considered substantive, and students should consider the following:

• If you applied and were approved for OPT during the semester you are enrolled, you are allowed to work only a maximum of 20 hours per week until the semester ends.
  • Please note that working less than 20 hours per week may count towards your unemployment days.
     

Enroll in the required classes and apply for OPT later that semester, if possible.

 

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Students who intend to graduate in the summer must enroll in a full-time course load during that full term for it to be considered their 'final semester' rather than a summer break. Those enrolled in less than a full-time schedule must submit an Application for Reduced Course Load.

• If summer is intended to be the final semester, but the student does not enroll full-time and/or fails to submit a Reduced Course Load application, their I-20 will be shortened to reflect program completion at the end of the spring semester.
  • Summer has different end dates. Your program will be shortened to the end date of the latest class end date. Please check the for specific dates.

 

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Students should take into consideration the following factors when planning for their OPT application:

• Students can apply for OPT while looking for jobs. They do not need a job offer to apply.

• Standard Application Timeline:  The OPT I-765 Application for Employment Authorization is processed by USCIS, and adjudications can take up to 4 months. Students should plan accordingly.

• Application Timeline with Premium Processing: USCIS offers an expedited review processing time for the OPT I-765 application, which guarantees a decision (not approval) within 30 business days from the payment date of the fee.

• USCIS uses UTC zone to process all requests. 

• You must submit your I-765 Application within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issuance.

 

OPT Application Filing Period

The filing period opens 90 days before your program completion date and closes 60 days after your program completion date.

However, you must submit your I-765 application within 30 days of the issuance date of your OPT I-20.

• Fall 2025 (program end date of December 31st, 2025)
  Application period: October 2nd, 2025 - March 1st, 2026

 

 

• Spring 2026 (program end date of May 21st, 2026)
  Application period: February 20th, 2026 - July 20th, 2026

 

• Summer 2026 T1 - (program end date of August 18th, 2026)
  Application period: May 20th, 2026 - October 17th, 2026

 

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Following the steps in the order below will ensure the highest chance of approval of your OPT application. Following the steps out of order or omitting a step may result in a denial of your OPT application, with the possibility of not being able to reapply.

 

Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the OPT Regulation & Process

•  Learn , processing, and reporting requirements and . 

 

Step 2: Pay the International Student Optional Practical Training Administrative Processing Fee

• Pay the 麻豆传媒映画 $100 International Student Optional Practical Training Administrative Processing Fee.

• Save the payment receipt. You will need to attach it to the OPT I-20 Request Form.

• You may use this to access the payment site.

 

Step 3: Request your new OPT I-20 from the ISC

Request your OPT I-20 by completing the ISC's .

When completing the form, you must enter a Requested OPT Start Date. 

 Choose the OPT Start Date from the appropriate date range: 

• Summer 2025 S1/S3: (program end date July 3)
  Employment Start date range: July 4th - September 1st, 2025

• Summer 2025 T1, S2 & S4:  (program end date August 15)  
  Employment Start date range: August 16th - October 14th, 2025

 

Step 4: Complete the I-765 Form and Gather Required Documents

 Please follow the to learn how to complete your I-765 application step-by-step. Gather the following documents: 

• OPT I-20 (issued within 30 days)
• Most recent I-94
• 2 X 2 Photo
• Government-issued identity document (such as the biographical page of your passport)
• I-20s with previous CPT included (if applicable)
• I-20s with previous OPT included (if applicable)
• Previously issued EAD cards

Note: Students who received the new OPT I-20 may have an advisor review a draft of their completed Form I-765 before filing the OPT application. See an advisor during Open Advising Hours.

 

Step 5: File your Application with USCIS

USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the date your OPT I-20 was issued to you by the ISC. 

Note that USCIS will not accept applications earlier than 90 days before your program completion date or more than 60 days after your program completion date.

You must be physically present in the U.S. when filing your application.

USCIS uses UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) for the application deadline time.

Create an online account with to complete your online application for the Form I-765. 

• Collect all required documents, save them in PDF, and rename them accordingly. 

• Standard Processing: Upon completion of the I-765 form, and just before submitting your form, you will be required to pay a .
  • The standard processing time for USCIS to review and adjudicate your application can take up to 4 months.

• Premium Processing (USCIS Form I-907): If you need to receive an adjudication of your application in a shorter timeframe, you have the option to pay for . USCIS guarantees the adjudication of your application within 30 days of submission. This fee is in addition to the standard filing fee. 
  • can be paid by filing Form I-907 at the time you file your OPT I-765 application, or after filing your OPT I-765 application (while your OPT application is pending). Note that the ISC cannot contact USCIS on your behalf to inquire about expedited processing.

I-797 Notice Letter: Upon approval of your application, USCIS will send you the I-797 Notice in an email and by mail, confirming the approval of your application and the approved dates of employment. You should not start working until you receive your EAD Card.

EAD Card: After your OPT application is approved, it will take additional time (up to several weeks) for you to receive the EAD card by mail.

I-765 Application Status: You can check the status of your application through the or by logging into your USCIS account. In most cases, if your application has been approved, USCIS will list the EAD mailing tracking number under your application status. Once you have the tracking number, we recommend registering for through USPS.

It is normal for your case status to say 鈥榗ase received鈥� for most of the .

 

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Request For Evidence

If you received a notification from USCIS requesting the submission of evidence or if the application has returned, you may forward a copy of your letter or email to [email protected] to request assistance from the ISC. Don鈥檛 forget to include your name and Red ID. The USCIS notice letter will specify a deadline for your response submission.

 

Denied Applications

If your OPT application has been denied, you must act immediately, as your legal F-1 status and grace period are time-sensitive. Contact the 麻豆传媒映画 International Student Center to help you understand the denial reason and guide you through some possible options. 

• Review the Denial Notice: Carefully read the denial letter from USCIS. It will state the specific reasons for the denial (e.g., incorrect filing date, missing documents, photo issues).

• If the denial occurred within your 60-day grace period (following your program end date), you might be able to re-file a corrected application with a new I-20 from your DSO. See the 鈥淲hen to Apply for OPT鈥� section above to determine your eligibility to reapply.

• If the denial occurred after your 60-day grace period ended, you do not have an additional grace period and must explore other options to maintain legal status or depart the U.S.

 

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If you have been notified that your OPT has been approved, check your USCIS case status or your USCIS online account to confirm whether your EAD card has been issued and to obtain the USPS tracking number.

If your case status indicates that the card has been mailed but no tracking number is available, you will need to contact USCIS directly to request it. You can reach them at 1鈥�800鈥�375鈥�5283.

 

Replacement of Lost, Stolen, or Damaged EAD Card

You must submit a new OPT application and pay the USCIS I鈥�765 filing fee if you need a (for example, if the original card was lost, stolen, damaged, or contained an error made by the applicant).

You will need the following:

• New Form I鈥�765 indicating the reason for filing as 1.b 鈥� Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged employment authorization document. You must also indicate that you have previously applied for OPT or STEM OPT and list your prior receipt number. Refer to the Form I鈥�765 instructions for additional guidance.

• A personal letter explaining how your EAD card was lost, stolen, never received, or damaged. Include any supporting documentation. For a stolen card, attach a police report. If you never received the card, clearly state this in your letter.

• A copy of the OPT I鈥�20 previously issued by OISS for your original OPT or STEM OPT application. This I鈥�20 does not need to be issued within the past 30 or 60 days.

• A photo meeting USCIS requirements for the Form I鈥�765.

• The USCIS filing fee (refer to the USCIS I鈥�765 webpage for the current fee amount).

• A copy of your passport biographical page and F鈥�1 visa, if applicable.

• A copy of your most recent I鈥�94 record.

• A copy of your previous OPT/STEM OPT I鈥�797 receipt notice and a copy of your original EAD card, if available.

Important: You may be eligible to continue working after applying for a replacement EAD card. USCIS allows employees to work for up to 90 days from the date of hire if they present an official receipt notice for a replacement EAD. The ISC strongly recommends discussing this option with an immigration attorney and your employer. 

You might direct your employer to the following resources:

•  ), more specifically, on acceptable receipts.

 

EAD Card Correction due to USCIS Error

If your EAD card contains incorrect information due to a USCIS error, such as a typographical mistake in your name or an incorrect birthdate, you must return the original card so USCIS can issue a corrected version. USCIS typically processes corrected EADs within 30 to 45 days of receiving the erroneous card. If you are unsure whether the error was caused by USCIS or have questions, contact an ISC advisor.

Instructions for requesting an EAD correction due to a USCIS error
Before beginning the steps below, ensure that:

• You have made a photocopy of the EAD card.

• You have already used the EAD card for hiring, and/or SSN.

• You do not have international travel planned in the next 1 to 2 months.

To request a correction:

• Go to the USCIS e鈥憆equest page.

• Select 鈥淭ypographic Error鈥� under the Service Request section

• Complete and submit the Typographic Error e鈥慺orm

• Follow the emailed instructions to mail your EAD back to USCIS

Important: If USCIS determines that the incorrect information on your EAD card is not the result of a USCIS error, the card will be returned to you. In this situation, you must submit a new EAD application and pay the USCIS I鈥�765 filing fee again.

 

EAD Card Lost in the Mail 

If your case status or USCIS account shows that your EAD Card was mailed, but you never received it, there is a possibility that it was undeliverable or lost by USPS. 

• Card Lost in the mail by USPS: USCIS may issue a replacement card without a fee if your EAD card was lost or misdelivered by USPS. You will need to receive an official and signed letter from USPS (on company letterhead) confirming your EAD card was lost or misdelivered. 
  • Once you receive the letter from USPS, fill out the online form. You will need the receipt number.

• Case Status shows Undeliverable: This means that USPS was not able to deliver the mail and returned it to USCIS. Follow the instructions provided in your USCIS online case status to request that USCIS resend your EAD card. Ensure that the address listed in your USCIS account is accurate. If it is not, as soon as possible.

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Employment must be in a job or internship that is directly related to your major field of study on page 1 of your I-20. If the relationship between a job and your field of study is later questioned by USCIS or another U.S. agency, the burden of proof will be on you to explain the relationship.

Types of employment allowed during Post-completion OPT include:

• Paid employment: You may work part-time or full-time.

• Multiple employers: You may work for more than one employer at a time and also change employers during OPT.
  • Short-term, multiple employers: Students in a performing arts major and certain other majors may work for multiple short-term employers. Keep a list of all employment with the dates, employer name, address, the job you did, how it related to your field of study, and hours or average number of hours doing the job. This list is important in case you need to provide documentation of your OPT employment or to prove eligibility for future U.S. immigration benefits. Employment must average a minimum of 20 hours per week over the period of one month in order to not count towards your unemployment.

• Contract employment (1099 employment): This is where you perform a service based on a contractual relationship. Keep records showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.

• Self-employment: You may start a business and be self-employed if you obtain and keep records of all required business licenses for San Diego/California/U.S. Your business must be directly related to your field of study.

• Employment through an agency: You may work for an employment agency.

• Paid internship: You may do a part-time or full-time internship.

• Unpaid employment/internships/volunteer work: You may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern as long as it does not violate U.S. labor laws. At the end of your unpaid internship or volunteer work, ask the company for a letter that includes your name, the dates of your work, the job you did, and the average number of hours per week. This letter is important in case you need to provide documentation of your OPT employment or to prove eligibility for future U.S. immigration benefits. Normally, work must average a minimum of 20 hours per week over the period of one month in order to not count towards your unemployment.
  • See below to learn about unpaid employment/internships/volunteer work on Post-OPT.

These do not apply to the OPT STEM 24-Month Extension.

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Students on Post鈥慍ompletion OPT are allowed a maximum of 90 cumulative days of unemployment. This 90鈥慸ay count begins on the OPT start date approved by USCIS, as shown on your EAD card, not the recommended start date or the program end date listed on your I鈥�20.

If you accrue 90 days or more of unemployment, you will violate your F鈥�1 immigration status. You must depart the United States, transfer to another academic program, or obtain a different visa classification before reaching the 90鈥慸ay limit. There is no grace period if students surpass the 90-day employment period.

If a student works fewer than 20 hours per week, it may count as unemployment. 

Approved vacation and time off by your employer does not count as "unemployment" if you are still considered an employee of the company.

Students who work, intern, or volunteer in multiple positions and whose combined weekly hours total 20 or more will meet the minimum employment requirement and will not accrue unemployment time.

Students approved for the 24鈥憁onth STEM OPT Extension receive an additional 60 days of allowable unemployment, giving them a total of 150 days across their entire Post鈥慍ompletion OPT and STEM OPT periods.

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SEVP Student Portal

Upon approval of your Post鈥慍ompletion OPT, and after your OPT Start Date, you will receive an email from SEVP (诲辞鈥忧辞迟鈥�[email protected]) with instructions and a unique link for creating your , with the following subject line: 鈥淥ptional Practical Training Approval - the next step. Create an SEVP Portal account. Do not ignore this email.

You are required to report any updates to the items listed below in your SEVP Portal within 10 days of the change.

• Physical Address,
• Telephone number
• Email
• Employer Information
  • Change of Employer
  • Starting a new position
  • Ending an employment
  • Changing current employer information

Through your SEVP account, you will also be able to monitor your employment authorization information and unemployment days.

 

What if you miss the 10-day reporting deadline?

If you missed the 10-day deadline, the ISC can enter the new information in SEVIS for you. Complete the under the F-1 Employment section on the ISC Forms webpage. It can take up to 7 business days for your request to be processed, and you will receive an email confirmation once your request has been completed by the ISC.

Always double-check your SEVP portal information to ensure the data entered is correct. 

 

SEVP Resources:

 

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Completion of OPT Full-Term

You have a after your OPT end date to take one of the following actions:

• depart the United States,

• change your visa status, or

• transfer your F鈥�1 SEVIS record to a new school or program.

Remaining in the United States beyond the 60鈥慸ay grace period without transferring to a new program or submitting a timely Change of Status application is considered a violation of your F鈥�1 status. This can result in consequences that may affect your current or future U.S. immigration record.

If you are planning to apply for STEM OPT Extension, you should do so before the end of your Post-Completion OPT. You are not eligible to apply for STEM OPT Extension during the grace period.

 

Ending your OPT Earlier

If you want to end your Post-Completion OPT earlier than as shown on your EAD card, update the end date of employment in your or complete the

• End your OPT Early and Leave the U.S.: If you plan to return home permanently before your Post-completion OPT ends, you will need to complete the with your date of departure. To complete this form, you will need to meet with an advisor.

• Change of Status: If you have been approved for a Change of Status from F-1 to another status, either through USCIS or consular processing, you will need to complete the and upload the required documents. To complete this form, you will need to meet with an advisor.

• Transfer to Another Institution: If you are planning to shorten your OPT and transfer your SEVIS record to another institution, speak with an ISC advisor to guide you and strategize when the best time is to schedule your SEVIS transfer. 

 

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If you have graduated from a STEM Eligible program, you may apply for STEM OPT Extension 90 days prior to the end of the Post-Completion OPT. Please see our STEM OPT Extension webpage for more information.

 

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• - Complete this form if you have missed the 10-day deadline to report an update to your SEVP account for the following:
  • Update your personal information
    • Physical Address
    • Mailing Address
    • Telephone Number
    • Email

• Application for Reduced Course Load (ARCL) - If you are in your last semester and you are enrolled in less than a full-time schedule, you may be eligible for an exception to the full鈥憈ime enrollment rule. This also applies if you plan to graduate during the summer term and intend to apply for OPT. For more information, visit the ARCL webpage.

 

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Students who have been selected and are currently in pending or approved H鈥�1B status are given an automatic extension of their F鈥�1 status and work authorization until they permanently transition to the H-1B status between Oct. 1 and April 1 of the following year. This provision is known as the cap-gap extension because it 鈥渇ills the gap鈥� between the end of F-1 status and the beginning of H-1 B status for qualifying students.

Once the Change of Status information is received by SEVP, the cap-gap extension information is added to your SEVIS record, and it will show in your most recent I-20 under Change os Status/Cap-Gap Extension.

 

The cap鈥慻ap benefit applies only to students whose H鈥�1B petitions are filed as a change of status during the USCIS鈥慸esignated filing window. It does not apply if the employer files the petition under consular processing.

Your Cap-Gap Information should not change the end date of your Post-Completion OPT. If it does, contact the ISC to review your SEVIS information and potentially request a correction.

If you are eligible for the STEM OPT extension and your H鈥�1B petition remains pending as you near the end of your Post鈥慍ompletion OPT, the ISC strongly recommends applying for the STEM OPT extension. If your H鈥�1B petition is ultimately denied, having a timely and approved STEM OPT extension will allow you to continue maintaining your F鈥�1 status and work authorization.

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While health insurance is not required for students on Post-Completion OPT, the ISC highly recommends that students have health insurance coverage due to the high costs of medical care in the U.S.

 Students who have the pre-approved can purchase an OPT insurance package if they do so before their current insurance ends. To purchase, please be prepared to provide a valid EAD or I-797 USCIS Notice Receipt.

 

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Travelling outside the USA while on a pending OPT Application is not recommended. 

However, if you depart the United States while your OPT application is still pending, you must ensure that someone at the U.S. mailing address listed on your Form I鈥�765 is available and willing to receive correspondence from USCIS and forward it to you wherever you are. If your OPT is approved while you are outside the country, you must have the original EAD card in hand to re鈥慹nter; a scan or photo will not be accepted.

 For a full list of required travel documents, please refer to the Traveling Outside the U.S. page.

 

Travelling abroad with an Approved OPT Application

Once you have your EAD card, you may travel abroad and reenter the United States as long as your travel falls within the OPT validity dates listed on the card and you have not exceeded the 90鈥慸ay unemployment limit.

For a full list of required travel documents, please refer to the Traveling Outside the U.S. page.

 

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• The eligibility requirements for Pre鈥慍ompletion OPT are the same as those for Post鈥慍ompletion OPT, except for the graduation requirement. Please review the Post鈥慍ompletion OPT Eligibility and Requirements section below.

• Students authorized for Pre鈥慍ompletion OPT may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and may work full鈥憈ime during official school breaks.

• You may submit a Pre鈥慍ompletion OPT application as early as 90 days before your intended employment start date.

Important: A job offer is not required to apply for Pre鈥慍ompletion OPT. However, we strongly recommend securing one to ensure you can fully use this employment benefit, as any authorized Pre鈥慍ompletion OPT is deducted from your total 12 months of full鈥憈ime OPT eligibility, whether or not you are employed.

 

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If you have already received 1 year of part-time (20 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total time of full-time OPT still available would be reduced by 6 months, 50% of the previously authorized year at the same education level. In this scenario, you would only be entitled to a remaining period of 6 months of full-time post-completion OPT employment authorization.

If you have already received 1 year of full-time (40 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total time of full-time optional practical training still available would be reduced by 1 year, 100% of the previously authorized year at the same education level. In this scenario, you would not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization. Please see the webpage for more information.

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