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OPT Application Information

Definition of “Post Completion Optional Practical Training”

The Post Completion Optional Practical Training is designed to provide an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in your chosen profession. Its purpose is to complement your academic work. The work may be full-time and may occur anywhere in the United States.

Student Eligibility Requirements

The work should be directly related to your major field of study and it should be appropriate for someone with your level of education. You do not need to have a specific job offer to apply for post completion optional practical training. To be eligible to apply for post completion practical training, you should have been enrolled full-time, be on the University graduation list, be an F-1 student,.

PASSPORT MUST BE VALID AT LEAST 6 MONTHS INTO THE FUTURE AT THE TIME OF FILING

Application Deadline

You should apply through the University International Office no more than up to 90 days before your graduation date. Application must be mailed at least one week before graduation. No applications are processed after graduation date.

Application and Authorization Procedure

If the international student advisor (DSO) recommends that you be allowed to participate in post completion optional practical training, an application for an “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD) should be mailed to the TSC office having jurisdiction over the place you are living at that time.

Authorization may not be rescinded or deferred. Once authorization to engage in post completion optical practical training is granted, and the EAD is issued. This means that after post completion optical practical training is authorized by the TSC, inability to find an appropriate job, or loss of a job offer may reduce the time you have available for work.

Actual Date Practical Training Employment May Begin

You may begin work only after: (1) you have obtained an EAD card from the TSC and (2) from the starting date established on the EAD card. Do not go past the end date. (3) All requirements for the program of study have been met.

Travel Outside the United States 8 C.F.R. 214.2 (f) (13)

Be sure to consult with the International Office when contemplating travel outside the United States and reentry to continue post completion practical training. An F-1 student who has an unexpired EAD card issued for post completion optional practical training, and who is otherwise admissible, may return to the United States to resume employment after a period of temporary absence.

Reentry provisions of the regulations require a student in post completion optional practical training to present (1) SEVIS I-20 ID endorsed for reentry by the DSO within the last six months, (2) the “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD), and a letter of release from your employer for travel. It is good to ask the International Office for a status letter also. Students who do not meet these requirements may not be allowed to reenter the United States after travel.

Employment Eligibility Verification

When you start work, you and your employer should complete a form entitled “Employment Eligibility Verification” (Form I-9), which the employer retains.

Tax Concerns

In general, F-1 students who have been in the United States less than five years are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. Your earnings are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Please go to www.utexas.edu/international/ltaxes (University of Texas tax website) to obtain information on how to file your taxes. Students must file a tax return on or before April 15 of each year even if you do not have a job.

Termination

The practical training automatically terminates when the student transfers to another school, begins study at another educational level, or the end date is reached.

OPT Applicatin Information

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