Optional Practical Training

In order to be eligible for Post or Pre Completion OPT:

• Students must be in F1 Student status at the time of their application.
• Students must be currently enrolled in their program of study, or within 60 days of their program completion date.
• Students must have been enrolled full time for at least one academic year
  • One academic year of full time enrollment must be completed on campus, present in the US.
  • Two semesters/required terms. Summer is not considered a required term. 
• Students must complete the OPT lesson and quiz in the OGI Canvas course.
  • The certificate of having passed the OPT quiz will be required with your application. OPT workshops will still be available for students throughout the semester for additional information. 
• Students applying for post-completion OPT should meet the minimum GPA requirements for graduation:
  • 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students.
    • Please note: This minimum GPA requirement is an NJIT graduation policy, not directive from USCIS. USCIS will not approve/deny an OPT application on the basis of GPA if NJIT has qualified you for graduation. 

*IMPORTANT* If the student is authorized for CPT employment in their final semester, CPT authorization will end on the program completion date (the last day of final exams as listed on NJIT’s academic calendar), even if a later end date was previously authorized for CPT employment.

• If the student wishes to remain employed with the same employer, they may not "resume" or "continue" employment after program completion until they have received their OPT approval and EAD card.

Students applying for pre-completion OPT:

• There are no deadlines as long as you plan to start your OPT after you have completed at least 2 semesters at NJIT. Any time on pre-completion OPT is deducted from your total time of post-completion OPT. When considering pre-completion OPT, do not forget that all OPT applications must be processed by USCIS, and these applications often take 3-4 months for USCIS to process. You may not begin working until you have received approval from USCIS. Many students may qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is authorized by Career Development Services (CDS) and OGI, and does not require an application to USCIS for employment authorization. Students interested in internships/employment related to their program of study for credit prior to their graduation are advised to consult with CDS to discuss CPT before pursuing any pre-completion OPT.​

 

Students applying for post-completion OPT:

• Can apply as early as 90 days before your program end date
• Can apply up to 60 days after the program end date (before the end of your grace period). If you depart the U.S. during your grace period before sending your application to USCIS, you will no longer be eligible.

*USCIS must RECEIVE your application documents before the end of your 60 day post completion grace period. Any applications received after this date will be denied.

IMPORTANT! Your I-20 end date will be shortened to reflect the true end date of your last semester. The end date is the last day of final exams as listed on NJIT's academic calendar. If you are a PhD student who is defending your dissertation in the beginning of middle of the semester, contact your international student advisor to determine what your end date will be.

In order to be fair to all students, applications will be processed in the order received, and will not be expedited.  USCIS processing time is 3-5 months. Tips for filing forms with USCIS: https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

REMINDER: Always check the USCIS website directly for the most up-to-date I-765 form, filing fee and mailing address.

---

STEP 1: Submit the following documents to OGI. 

**​If applying for post-completion OPT, you may submit your application to OGI starting 90 days before your program end date and up to 14 days before the end of your 60 day grace period. If you depart the U.S. during your post completion grace period, before sending your application to USCIS, you will no longer be eligible for OPT.

Applications for OPT must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the issuance of your Form I-20 with OPT requested.

DO NOT submit your application to the OGI unless you are prepared to complete your application to USCIS within 30 days. 

• NJIT OPT application form. This entire form, and all required sections, must be completed before you submit this to the OGI.
  • It is your responsibility to contact your academic advisor to complete and sign the bottom half of the form before you submit it to OGI. The OGI will not accept incomplete application forms.
  • Students must indicate their REQUESTED OPT START DATE on this form.
    • The "Requested Start Date" may be any time during the 60 days following program completion, starting the day after the end of the final semester.
    • Students should carefully consider the date they wish to begin their employment based on job offers, prospects, and potential OPT processing time with USCIS.
      • The "Requested Start Date" cannot be altered once OPT applications are being reviewed. Students should carefully select their desired OPT start date and be 100% certain of their desired date prior to submitting their applications to the OGI.
• Certificate of having passed the OPT quiz in your International Student Info Canvas course. All NJIT international students interested in applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) are required to complete the OPT lesson and quiz in the OGI Canvas course. If you do not have access to the Canvas course, email global@njit.edu 
• Money order for NJIT OPT processing fee of $200, payable to New Jersey Institute of Technology.

​Please allow 7 business days to process all application requests and submissions. Students will receive their new OPT requested I-20 via email.

**In order to obtain a new I-20 with OPT recommendation, students must submit the following documents to the Office of Global Initiatives IN PERSON or BY MAIL. The OGI will no longer accept OPT applications electronically**

To submit applications:

1. When the office door is open: drop off completed applications in the office in the OPT drop box. When the office door is closed: slide them under the OGI office door. OGI is the only office in this suite so applications will certainly be received. These applications must be COMPLETE and include all required documents listed above. Documents must be completed and filled out prior to drop off, including the money order and application form. OR

2. Students may mail completed applications to the OGI directly. All applications submitted by mail must be complete and include all required documents listed above. Students may mail documents to the office using the contact information HERE.

---

STEP 2: Obtain your new I-20 from OGI. 

Once the OGI has reviewed and processed your documents, you will receive your OPT requested I-20 via email. Print and sign it for your application, and also keep a digital copy for your records. Refer to the announcement in Canvas posted on March 29, 2021 regarding emailed I-20s.

Students should review their OPT requested I-20 carefully to ensure that all information is correct prior to submitting their application to USCIS. Contact OGI immediately if there are any errors, so they may be corrected as quickly as possible.

---

STEP 3: Prepare your OPT application package and mail to USCIS or file online (refer to guidelines in Canvas if filing online). Reminder: always check the USCIS website directly for the most up to date I-765 form, filing fee and mailing address:

USCIS must receive your OPT application within 30 days of your OPT I-20 being issued or they will automatically deny your petition.

Refer to the OGI guidelines in Canvas if you are considering applying online rather than mailing your application to USCIS. Find more information about applying online on the USCIS website.

If you are applying online, refer to the online instructions from USCIS to know what documents to upload.

Please be aware:

• It is the applicant’s choice whether to file by mail or file online
• You cannot submit both applications (mail and online): you have to choose one or the other
• Applicants must create an online account with USCIS before applying online: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
• If you file by mail, you can still create an account with USCIS to track your application online: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
• If you file online, you cannot change anything in your application once you hit “submit” (for example, if you made a mistake on the I-765 form, you cannot reopen it to change your answer) – proofread very carefully before submitting online
• If you file online, you *can* save your application and revisit it before you his submit
• According to USCIS, processing times will be the same regardless of filing method; however, students who apply online will receive a receipt confirmation right away
• The online OPT/STEM extension application process is new and untested, and staff at OGI does not have experience with it. Any questions about the application process must be directed to USCIS
• USCIS provides information about filing online on their website: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online
• Students do not need to inform OGI about how they are applying (via mail or online) as the process to obtain an OPT/STEM extension I-20 remains the same regardless of filing method

 

If you are mailing your application to USCIS, assemble the supporting documents in the following order:

• The I-765 filing fee (currently $410. Determine the fee required HERE). 
  • ​Check or money order, made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
    • If sending payment by personal check, be sure check indicates account holder's’ name and address. 
• Form I-765,
  • Download our General Guidelines and read the instructions provided by USCIS. 
  • You must submit all pages of the I-765, even if they don't apply to you or are blank. 
  • Use the I-765 form directly from the USCIS website at the time when you are applying: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 
    • **DO NOT use a form that you got from any other source.  ​
• Photocopy of I-94 (both sides), or, print-out of electronic I-94.
  • You may print your I-94 at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home 
• Photocopies of visa and biographical page of your passport.
  • If you changed your status to F-1 while here in the U.S., be sure to include a photocopy of your I-797 Approval Notice from USCIS, a photocopy of your visa (even if it is not an F-1 Visa), and an official transcript from NJIT
• Copy of any previously issued EAD (if applicable)
• Two identical passport size photos (2”x2” with white background), taken recently. 
  • Your head must be bare, unless you are wearing head wear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a member. 
  • Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo.  
  • **DO NOT submit photos which you have used for any previous applications. You MUST submit new photos, or USCIS may deny your application or send you an RFE, which will delay processing of your application. 
• Original OPT Form I-20, provided by the OGI office, signed in BLUE ink by the student.
  • Students will be issued two (2) copies, one should be kept for the student's personal records, the other must be sent with the OPT application to USCIS
• Photocopies of all previous Form I-20’s, from any school in the US you have attended with your current SEVIS ID.
  • The OGI cannot provide copies of your prior Form I-20's.
    • It is the responsibility of the student to maintain their records and old documents.
    • If you have lost or misplaced some of your documents, you must submit your application to USCIS without those forms.
• Transcript from NJIT (official or unofficial).
  • If you have not yet completed your program, this transcript does not need to reflect your graduation date. 
• (Optional) Form G-1145 .Clip the completed G-1145 to the front of the application or petition you are filing.

USCIS must receive your complete application within 30 days of the day your new I-20 was issued by the OGI.  This is the date that is listed next to your DSO's name on Page 1 of the Form I-20. 

---

Additional required documentation depending on your category:

• Pre-Completion OPT--(c)(3)(A). Include evidence of having been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at NJIT. Also, include all previously used SEVIS numbers and evidence of any previously authorized CPT or OPT and academic level at which each was authorized. 
• Post-Completion OPT--(c)(3)(B). Use Part 6 of the I-765. Additional Information to provide all previously used SEVIS numbers and evidence of any previously authorized CPT or OPT and the academic level at which it was authorized.
• 24-Month Extension for STEM Students --(c)(3)(C). Include evidence that the degree that is the basis for the STEM OPT extension is in one of the degree programs currently listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. On the I-765, Part 2 Item Number 28.a. "Degree"  provide your degree level and major (for example, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science). If you are applying for a STEM OPT extension based on a previously earned STEM degree, you must also include a copy of your prior STEM degree and evidence that the institution is currently accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and certified by the SEVP. 

---

**Make a copy of your entire application package, all documents included, prior to mailing, in order to have a copy of your complete application for your records, and send all materials to USCIS with tracking information if you are mailing your application rather than applying online.**

Students may submit their application for post-completion OPT to USCIS up to 90 days prior to their program end date, and up to 60 days after the program end date (all documents must be received by USCIS before the end of the 60-day grace period). Your program end date might differ from the one currently listed on your I-20. Your true program end date will be the last day of final exams of the semester when you will graduate. Your I-20 will be shortened as needed to reflect the true end date of your program.

---

Where to send your application (always check the USCIS website directly for the correct mailing address):

If sending by mail: look on the USCIS website for the direct filing addresses for Form I-765.  Send your documents to USCIS with tracking information and/or delivery confirmation requested, and make a copy of your entire application prior to mailing to USCIS. 

If applying online: refer to the USCIS website.

Students may find additional information regarding employment issues below:

• Preventing Discrimination in the workplace
• Immigrant and employee rights
• Department of Labor Fact Sheet: Unpaid Internships under the Fair Labor Standards Act

Ph.D. Students may apply for Post Completion OPT prior to the official completion of their program of study.

Regulations will allow such students to begin Post Completion OPT, and continue to enroll in coursework in order to finalize their program requirements as necessary, as long as the student maintains OPT requirements during this time. Students will begin accruing unemployment days once their EAD start date has arrived, regardless of whether they are still completing program requirements and are enrolled in coursework.

In order to apply for post completion OPT, even if the student will continue to enroll in coursework, the Form I-20 program must be shortened to indicate program completion.

• Students may apply for post completion OPT up to 90 days prior to, or 60 days after, the program end date listed on their Form I-20.
• The OGI will use either the student’s dissertation defense date or the date the final, revised dissertation is accepted by the GSO, depending on when the student applies for OPT.
• For PhD students who apply for OPT before the dissertation defense date, the OGI will use the dissertation defense date or the last day of the current semester as the program end date on the Form I-20.
  • Doctoral students who wish to apply for OPT on any date considerably earlier (ie: more than 90 days) than the dissertation defense date must contact their international student advisor before the OPT application is submitted to discuss that possibility. 
• For PhD students who apply for OPT after the dissertation defense date, we will use the date that they submitted their final, revised dissertation to GSO, regardless of what other administrative forms are still pending submission. That is the 'last day of the program' that will be reflected on the I-20.
• Students may not hold a graduate assistantship (TA or RA) or any other on-campus job after the last day of their program as listed on their I-20. 
  • If students chose to shorten their program end date to a date in the middle of the semester, then they may not engage in any TA/RA or other on campus employment after this date.

**PhD students who apply for OPT before they have completed their dissertations are still subject to NJIT policies which include, but are not limited to, registration for dissertation credits. Students should contact the Graduate Studies Office for additional information.

If your application for post completion OPT is APPROVED by USCIS: 

• Students must follow the guidelines to maintain lawful status outlined in the Information for Maintaining Status While on OPT.

If your application for post completion OPT is DENIED by USCIS:

• If you receive your denial notice and are within 60 days of your program completion date, you may be eligible to submit a second application to USCIS. 
  • Email Global@NJIT.edu to indicate your application was denied and inquire about your eligibility to submit a new OPT application.
    • Include a copy of your denial notice, which will include the reason for the denial decision.
    • Your OGI adviser will advise you whether you are eligible to submit a new application.
•