Student Information: Optional Practical Training (OPT)

F-1 Practical Training After Graduation

International Students who have been studying for at least one full academic year and are graduating at the end of the semester are eligible to apply for Post‑Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The OPT authorization, if granted by USCIS, will allow students to engage in employment for a maximum of 12 months. The OPT employment has to be related to your major area of study and commensurate with your educational level. However, you are not required to have a job offer to apply.

The application process will take at least 90 days in USCIS. If you plan to travel abroad after graduation, you are urged to apply as early as possible to ensure that you will get the employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS office before leaving the United States. You will not be allowed to reenter the U.S. without an EAD.  The USCIS regulations state that if you leave the country prior to receiving your EAD card, your petition is considered to be abandoned. Once you apply for the EAD card, you must remain in the United States until you receive it! The Office of International Services cannot send EAD cards to students overseas.

Students who do not plan to travel abroad immediately after graduation must apply before the completion of a degree program. The deadline is the degree conferral date. For graduate students writing thesis or dissertation, the deadline for OPT application is the date your professor or department deems that you complete your program.

All international students who will be applying for the Post‑Completion Optional Practical are encouraged to attend one of the Practical Training Information and Application Workshop sessions to be offered by the Office of International Services at the beginning of each semester. The workshop will provide information about immigration regulations and application procedures, as well as how to contact the Career Services for job search. Check your SLU email account for time and location of the workshops.

Employment Options for F-1 Students

Four types of employment authorization are available to International Students.  Please stop by the Office of International Services to discuss any of the following options:

1. On-Campus Employment
This employment includes assistantships as well as jobs in Saint Louis University colleges/schools, departments, libraries, etc.  Employment is limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week (including assistantship) during normal academic semesters and 40 hours per week during the summer, winter and spring breaks.  Upon graduation, students are no longer eligible for work without authorization from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service). 

2. Off-Campus Employment
This type of authorization permits students to engage in any kinds of off-campus work which is not related to field of study, such as odd jobs in banks, computer companies, factories, restaurants, etc.  Students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and must prove to the satisfaction of USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control.  If granted by USCIS, employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, full time during the summer, winter and spring breaks.  The work authorization is granted one year at a time or until a student completes his/her study.  Please note that processing time at USCIS is approximately three months. 

3. Curricular Practical Training
This employment includes various kinds of off-campus work such as an internship, practicum or cooperative education program.  The training MUST be an integral part of the established curriculum for the student’s program as stated in the degree requirements listed in the University catalog.  Most students will not be eligible for this training until he/her has maintained full-time status for at least one academic year.  Please note the following three situations: 

• If the practical training is not for academic credits, it MUST be a required part of the curriculum for all students.

• Practical training that is for academic credits may be required or optional.  That is to say, if the student’s major does not require the practical training but a particular course or curricular track within the program does require it, permission may be authorized. 

• Internship which is offered under cooperative agreements between an employer and the university through a university cooperative education office.  

4. Optional Practical Training
This type of authorization permits up to 12 months of employment off-campus for the purpose of obtaining additional training and experience which is to be DIRECTLY related to a student’s major area of study.   Eligibility begins only after the student has maintained full-time status for at least one academic year.   Please note that processing time at USCIS is approximately three months. 

• Pre-Completion Practical Training: part-time employment limited to 20 hours per week during the normal academic semester while the student maintains a full-time course load (12 hours) OR full/part-time employment during the summer term.  Any authorization granted during Pre-completion will be deducted from the total 12 months of eligibility.  

• Post-Completion Practical Training:  work authorization granted after completion of all course studies for full/part-time employment.  Post-completion Practical Training is granted for a period of up to 12 months minus any period of time authorized during Pre-Completion Practical Training.
   

J-1 Academic Training After Graduation

J‑1 students who will be applying for Post‑Completion Academic Training must see a foreign student advisor in the Office of International Services. The deadline for the application for Academic Training is 30 days after graduation (Please check with us from time to time for new regulations regarding application deadline). J‑1 students are required to have a job offer to apply. However, the applications will be handled within a few days after received by the Office of International Services.