International Student Services: OPT

To be eligible for OPT, students must... 

• Be in full-time F1 status for at least one academic year.  

• Some students who have changed their visa status to F1 and who have been continuously enrolled in a full-time degree program for at least one academic year may qualify for OPT prior to spending one year in F1 status. Contact International Student Services for more information. 

• Seek employment in the major field of study listed on their current McNeese I-20. 

• Plan to complete their program of study at McNeese. 

• Be physically present in the United States at time of the application. 

• Not have used more than one year of full-time CPT during their current degree level. (Part-time doesn't count.) 

Below are some important guidelines for maintaining your F1 status during OPT:  

• Don’t start working until you have received your EAD card (work card).  

• Don’t begin employment until the date specified on your EAD card. Keep in mind that this date may be different from the recommended date on your I-20 when you applied for OPT. 

• Report any changes to your employment. 

• Report any change in your physical address. 

• Work in a position related to your field of study.  

• Work at least 20 hours per week. These hours could include a volunteer, unpaid position related to your field of study. 

• Don’t exceed the 90 days of allowable unemployment. 

• Make a plan for maintaining your status before reaching the 90-day unemployment limit. Options include re-enrolling in an academic program, but be sure to obtain a new I-20 for this program prior to reaching the 90-day unemployment limit. 

• Don’t wait too long to make other plans if you are not finding a job! Remember: volunteer work in your field will stop the unemployment clock. Report it as you would paid employment. 

OPT Reporting 

OPT participants should report all information about their employment to International Student Services via this form. 

• Upon receipt, ISS will send you an updated I-20 showing your employer's name and the city and state where your employer is located.  

• Please be advised that all the information in the form is required in SEVIS.  

• If you are changing employers, make sure to provide the last date of employment with your former employer as well as your first date of employment with your new employer. 

Students are eligible to apply for OPT as early as 90 days prior to their expected graduation date and before the end of the 60-day grace period following their graduation date.  

• Please note that the timing aligns with the date of graduation, not the program end date on your Form I-20. Program end dates will be shortened upon applying to reflect the graduation date.   

• Please bear in mind that USCIS must receive your OPT application no later than 60 days post-graduation. To meet this requirement, please request OPT early; students are encouraged to apply no later than two weeks prior to graduation.   

1. Submit the OPT Intake form.  

2. Our office will send you an I-20 recommending you for OPT.  

3. Create an USCIS Online Account. See instructions here. 

4. Submit the USCIS online application (I-765); the application will ask for your OPT I-20 and several other required documents. See instructions here. 

• Important Note: You must submit the complete online application within 30 days of the OPT I-20 issue date.  

5. You will receive notification of your application’s acceptance or denial from USCIS. If the application is accepted, you will receive a work authorization card (EAD card). If the application is denied, you will receive a notice with detailed information about the denial and next steps.