Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. You may use some or all of the available 12 months of practical training during your course of study or save the full twelve months to use after you complete your studies. Authorization for optional practical training is granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) – formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS - and can take at least 90 days and frequently up to 120 days to obtain. It is important that you apply for the authorization at the earliest possible date.
If you are completing your OPT, you must maintain your F-1 student status (OPT is not a status in and of itself). This can be confusing because in most cases the F-1 student on OPT has already graduated with their degree. Students authorized for pre-completion OPT (work permission that begins before graduation) must remember to keep a valid and unexpired I-20.
What is Different when I am “on OPT”?
An F-1 student who is completing their OPT is still required to notify the Buckman Center of changes in any information tracked in SEVIS. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- The intent to begin a new degree program
- Intent to bring dependents into the United States in an F-2 status
- Change of status from F-1 to another visa classification
- Change in local living address or permanent foreign address
- Request to obtain a travel authorization
A copy of the I-797 immigration approval notice to change status from F-1 to another visa classification should be faxed to the Buckman Center (901-843-3434) or sent to:
The Buckman Center for International Education
Rhodes College
2000 N. Parkway
Memphis, TN 38112
Once the Buckman Center has received the I-797 approval notice, we will update your status in SEVIS (immigration records system) and in the Rhodes records systems.
After your status is changed from F-1 to another visa classification you are no longer eligible for F-1 student benefits and are also no longer required to abide by F-1 immigration regulations (employment limitations, full-time enrollment, etc.). You will be held to the immigration laws related to the visa status you were authorized to change to by USCIS.
Starting a New Academic Program and Transferring to a New University or College
Immigration laws do not allow a student to have both OPT authorization and to pursue a degree objective. This means that an F-1 student cannot work with OPT authorization and also take classes toward a degree objective. An F-1 student who has been authorized for OPT and wants to begin a new degree program (either at the former school or a new school) will need to obtain a new I-20 document before beginning the new degree. At any time during the OPT period an F-1 student can apply for admission to a new degree program. Once admission is granted by the college or university, the F-1 student will need to decide when to begin classes. This is often determined by the academic calendar of the admitting institution. Communication between the student and the admissions officer is essential!
A Rhodes F-1 student who is pursuing a degree or is on OPT can transfer to another institution in the United States by following these instructions:
1. Receive full academic admission from the new school
2. Request the Buckman Center to transfer your I-20 record in SEVIS to the new school report to the new school to obtain the new I-20 (from the admissions office or the international student advisor) before beginning classes there.
Important clarificatons:
- A student authorized for OPT will have a 60 day grace period to remain in the United States once the OPT permission has expired. This means the F-1 student can legally remain in the United States to process the new I-20 required to begin a new degree. The F-1 student is NOT able to continue working or begin taking classes.
- Once a new I-20 is issued for the new degree, the OPT work permission which was authorized for the previous degree is no longer valid. For this reason, the F-1 student intending to begin a new degree will need to communicate their individual circumstances with the admissions advisor and should work with the international student advisor to determine how to take advantage of the OPT work permission and also follow the proper immigration procedures to obtain a new I-20.
- F-1 students should obtain their I-20 to start the new degree program (at Rhodes or another university) before the 60 day grace period expires. If you are authorized for OPT currently, you should request Rhodes to transfer your I-20 record in SEVIS from Rhodes to the new school during the 60 day grace period after your OPT has expired (or when you are prepared to stop your employment.)
Maintaining Medical Insurance Coverage While on OPT
If you have graduated from Rhodes and have been authorized for OPT you are no longer are required by Rhodes policy to have insurance. That being said, it is extremely important to continue to have some “medical emergency” insurance throughout your time in the United States. Medical costs in the U.S. are very high. The smallest medical/health issue can cost thousands of dollars and will cause a severe financial burden if you are without any medical insurance at all.
An F-1 student can purchase the insurance policy required for all current international students at Rhodes. The insurance coverage can be purchased on a semester basis only (August 1st -December 31st or January 1 – July 31st). Rhodes College uses service provided by HTH Worldwide.
If you would like to shop for other insurance options, you can do an online search or refer to NAFSA (Association of International Educators).
