Optional Practical Training For F-1 Students Only

Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization is granted by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services upon receipt and review of applications filed by the student and recommendation made by the International Student Advisor.

You must attend an OPT Session if you are interested in working part-time off-campus during the Spring or Fall semesters, or if you are graduating at the end of the semester.

OPT Session

During OPT Part 1 Session, you will learn more about the rules regarding OPT and receive an OPT application packet. Students who are considering pre-graduation OPT or post-graduation OPT must attend one OPT Part 1 session. The OPT processing time at the California Service Center will take about 90 days to process and approve OPT applications. It is, therefore, in your best interest to sign up for any of the earlier Part 1 sessions and not delay applying for OPT.

OPT Session Part 1	All OPT Part 1 Session will be held at UH–242. Sign-ups for the session will begin at least 2 weeks prior to session date.
OPT Session Part 2	You can request an appointment for Part 2 only AFTER you have attended Part 1 and have submitted a complete OPT Request Packet to the International Education and Exchange Office in person.

Upcoming OPT Part 1 session:

`

Date	Time	Location
Friday, February 17	1 to 3pm	UH-242
Thursday, February 23	1 to 3pm	UH-242
Monday, February 27	1 to 3pm	UH-242
Friday, March 9	1 to 3pm	UH-242
Tuesday, March 20	1 to 3pm	UH-242
Friday, April 6	1 to 3pm	UH-242
Monday, April 16	1 to 3pm	UH-242
Monday, May 7	1 to 3pm	UH-242

Sign-up for OPT Part 1

OPT Part 1 Session will be open for sign-up two weeks prior to session date.

OPT Extensions for Students in STEM Majors

F-1 student who completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a STEM field and are currently on approved post-completion OPT may apply for an additional 17 months of OPT, if they have a job or job offer from an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program. Please contact the IEE to confirm if your degree is included in the OPT Extension STEM majors' list.

If you meet the criteria and wish to apply for the OPT STEM Extension, then you must do the following:

1. Prepare all items on the Checklist for OPT STEM Extension Application.
2. Submit your Checklist Items to the International Education and Exchange Office.
3. Schedule an appointment with an International Education and Exchange Advisor to pick up your new OPT STEM Extension I-20 and your OPT STEM Extension application packet. You are responsible for mailing your Application Packet to the USCIS Service Center.

Cap-Gap Extensions

The cap-gap extension is a period in which an eligible F-1 student can request an extension to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 status and the start of H-1B status. This extension can extend the student's OPT work authorization and/or stay in the U.S., depending on when the H-1B petition was filed. The cap-gap extension is reflected on the I-20.

In order to request an extension of OPT work authorization and extend stay in U.S., F-1 students must:

1. Have a valid OPT
2. Have an H-1B receipt (show that the H-1B petition has been filed)
3. Be eligible to start work October 1st

In order to request to extend stay in the U.S., F-1 students must:

1. Be within the 60 Day Grace Period after OPT has ended
2. Have an H1-B receipt
3. Be eligible to start work October 1st

Application for Cap Gap Extensions

If you wish to request the Cap-Gap Extension please contact the International Education and Exchange Office for an appointment with an advisor. Before the appointment, please submit via fax copies of the following documents:

• Copy of current OPT EAD
• Copy of Notice Receipt (evidence of H1B petition filed)

Contact Information: +1 (657) 278-2787 +1 (657) 278-7292 ieoffice@fullerton.edu

Revised — October 2011

Back to top