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Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training After Graduation

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 students to gain temporary employment experience after completing their academic program. OPT employment must be directly related to the student’s major field of study. 

CSUSB supports post-completion OPT. Students who want to apply for OPT must first complete the required OPT process with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). After ISSS confirms eligibility and recommends OPT, the student applies to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for employment authorization. 

You may not begin working until USCIS has approved your OPT and your authorized employment period has started. 

 
Start With the OPT Info Session

The OPT Info Session is the first step in the CSUSB post-completion OPT process. 

To access the Info Session, you must have a current graduation check confirming that you are scheduled to graduate that term. 

Complete the OPT Info Session and submit the required information through the Coyote International Portal. ISSS will review your responses and confirm whether you may proceed with the OPT process. 

Once ISSS approves you to proceed, the Initial OPT request will become available to you in the Coyote International Portal. 

Coyote International Portal

OPT Eligibility

To be considered for post-completion OPT through CSUSB, you must: 

  • Be maintaining active F-1 status; 
  • Have been in active F-1 status for at least one academic year; 
  • Have a current graduation check confirming that you are scheduled to graduate that term; 
  • Plan to use OPT for employment directly related to your major field of study. 

Your eligibility may also be affected by your immigration history or previous use of practical training. 

Complete the OPT Info Session through the Coyote International Portal to begin the required ISSS review. 

F-1 and J-1 students may be eligible for on-campus employment. 

Graduation Requirement Check

Applying for OPT 

After ISSS reviews your Info Session responses and confirms that you may continue, complete the OPT application process carefully and follow the instructions provided through the Coyote International Portal. 

  1. Submit the Initial OPT request. Complete the Initial OPT request in the Coyote International Portal and provide the required information. 
  1. Wait for ISSS review. ISSS will review your request and determine whether an OPT recommendation can be made in SEVIS. 
  1. Receive your OPT-recommended Form I-20. If your request is approved, ISSS will provide a new Form I-20 showing the OPT recommendation. 
  1. Apply to USCIS. Follow the instructions provided by ISSS to submit your OPT application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 
  1. Monitor your application. USCIS, not CSUSB, makes the final decision on your OPT application. 

Submitting the CSUSB process or receiving an OPT recommendation from ISSS does not authorize you to begin working.

Portal request: 04A Info Session – OPT

Portal request: 04B Initial OPT I-20 Recommendation

 
Do Not Work Until You Are Authorized

An OPT recommendation from ISSS does not give you permission to work. 

You may begin OPT employment only after: 

  • USCIS has approved your OPT application; 
  • You have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD); and 
  • The employment start date listed on your EAD has arrived. 

Do not begin employment before you are authorized, even if you have already received an OPT-recommended Form I-20 or your USCIS application is pending. 

Working During OPT

Once your authorized OPT period begins, your employment must be directly related to your major field of study. 

While on post-completion OPT: 

  • Keep accurate information about your employment; 
  • Report required employment and personal information changes; 
  • Keep track of any periods when you are not employed; and 
  • Do not exceed the allowed period of unemployment. 

Students on standard post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment during their authorized OPT period. Unemployment days can accumulate across different periods without employment. 

If you are unsure whether employment is related to your major or whether an activity qualifies as employment for OPT purposes, contact ISSS before relying on that activity to maintain your OPT. 

Report Employment and Changes

Keeping your information current is an important responsibility while you are on OPT. 

Report required changes to your employment, address, and other information using the processes described on the OPT & STEM OPT Reporting page. 

When available, you should enter eligible updates yourself. If an update cannot be completed by you, follow the instructions on the reporting page to submit the appropriate service request to ISSS. 

 

Considering STEM OPT?

Some students who complete an eligible degree may qualify for an additional period of employment authorization through the STEM OPT extension. 

STEM OPT has separate eligibility, employer, application, and reporting requirements. If you are considering STEM OPT, review the dedicated STEM OPT Extension page before your standard post-completion OPT ends. 

STEM OPT Extension

Questions About OPT?

If you have questions about your OPT eligibility or the CSUSB OPT process, contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). 

For individual OPT requests and case-specific information, use the Coyote International Portal. 

Coyote International Portal