• Seton Hall University
• Office of International Programs
• Our International Students

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work authorization available to F-1 international students. Students are eligible to apply for 12 months of OPT benefit per degree level to work on practical training directly related to students' area of study.

• What is Pre-Completion OPT? »

  Employment work authorization to work off campus before completion of your course of study (before the program end date).   Please note, this employment must be directly related to your major field of study. 

• Who is eligible? »

  You may apply to participate in pre-completion OPT after you have been enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year as an F-1 student. 

How many hours can I work while on Pre-Completion OPT?

Pre-completion OPT is limited to Part Time 20 hours per week while school is in session. You can apply for Full time Pre-Completion OPT for more than 20 hours per week during breaks and annual vacation if you register for the following semester.

OIP recommends students begin pre-completion OPT process 3 months before the employment start date. For process on how to apply, please scroll down to the “How to Apply for OPT” section.

  The time you partake in Pre-Completion OPT Pre-Completion OPT will be deducted from your available time 12 months OPT benefit. Part Time Pre-Completion OPT will be deducted at half rate from 12 months OPT. For more information, you may review the Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States: Applying for Practical Training webpage.

• What is Post-Completion OPT? »

  Post-Completion OPT allows you to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after you complete your academic program. The job must be directly related to your major field of study.

• Who is Eligible for OPT? »

  To be eligible for Post-Completion OPT, you must complete at least one full academic year (fall and spring semesters) of full-time study. You’ll also need to receive approval from your academic department, be physically present in the U.S. at the time of application and have maintained valid F-1 status throughout your program. You cannot have already used 12 months of OPT (Pre- or Post-) at the same degree level. If you used part of the 12 months during Pre-Completion OPT, you will need to apply for Post-Completion OPT with the remaining 12 months. 

• Choosing Your OPT Start Date »

  You can select your OPT start date within 60 days after your program end date. This gives you some flexibility to choose a start time that works best for your post-graduation plans.

• When can you apply for Post Completion OPT? »

  You can apply for Post-Completion OPT as early as 90 days before your program end date and within 60 days after that date. You do not need a job offer to apply. However, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must receive your application within 30 days of the date your OPT I-20 is issued. Be sure to request your OPT Recommendation I-20 from our office before submitting the I-765 application to USCIS.

How to Apply for OPT?

Step One:

• Apply for an OPT Recommendation I-20 with OIP. Log in to the International Student and Scholars Portal.
  • Please note, if you have used Pre-Completion OPT while as a student, your Post Completion end date will be different. You may use the Department of Homeland Security Study in the States Planning Tool to calculate.  Please refer to Pre-Completion Page for more information.
• Please go to OIP requests and click on the OPT Recommendation I-20 Request Form. This includes:
  • Ensuring that you have read and understand the information presented including the application procedure and length of time needed to maximize your working benefit. 
  • Choosing a Pre-Completion OPT start date and end date.  Please note, it takes approximately 3 months for a Pre-Completion I-765 appliction with USCIS to get approved.  So please take processing timeline into consideration when choosing a start date. 
  • Choosing a Post Completion OPT start date. As mentioned previously, the earliest date can be the day after your I-20 end date (the last day of finals). The latest date you can choose is 60 days from your I-20 end date. For example, if the last day of your I-20 is December 18, you can choose any start date from December 19- February 16.
  • Please note, as part of this request, you will be asked to initiate an OPT Confirmation to your Academic Advisor. To initiate confirmation, you will be asked to enter your Advisor's First & Last Name and Email Address.  If you are unsure of who your Academic Advisor is, please contact your Academic Department.

Step Two

• OIP will Create an OPT I-20. It will take 5 business days for the new I-20 to be processed.

Step Three

• Prepare your OPT application to USCIS. Do not submit I-765 OPT application to USCIS until you receive the OPT Recommendation I-20 from OIP. You will need your new I-20 with the OPT request on it.
  • Create your Online USCIS Account - See instructions here. 
  • File Form I-765 Online - See tips here.

OPT Acceptable Employment Types

All employment under Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), must be directly related to the student’s degree program. A student must work at least 20 hours per week in a qualifying position to be considered employed.

• Students may work for multiple employers, as long as each position is related to their field of study.
• Students in the performing arts—such as musicians, actors, or dancers—may engage in short-term employment with multiple employers, often referred to as "gigs." In these cases, students should maintain a detailed list of all gigs, including the dates and duration of each engagement.
• Work for hire is also permitted. This refers to contract-based employment—often called 1099 employment—where a student provides a service under a contractual agreement rather than as a traditional employee. If requested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the student must be able to show documentation of the contract period and provide the name and address of the contracting company.
• Students on OPT are also allowed to be self-employed. They may start their own business, provided they can show they possess the necessary business licenses and are actively operating the business in a way that aligns with their degree program.
• Employment obtained through a staffing or consulting agency is acceptable during post-completion OPT, as long as the student can provide evidence that they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while assigned through the agency.

Paid employment is allowed on either a part-time or full-time basis. For students on post-completion OPT, part-time work must be at least twenty hours per week.

• Unpaid employment, such as internships or volunteer roles, is also permitted— if the work does not violate labor laws. Students on post-completion OPT must work at least twenty hours per week and must be able to obtain documentation from the employer verifying the hours worked during the period of employment.

For more information on acceptable employment while on OPT, you may wish to review the Department of Homeland Security SEVP Policy Guidance for Post-Completion OPT.