IMPORTANT NOTICE
On Day 1 of your Approved OPT, you will receive an email from SEVP with instructions on how to create an account. This is optional. The SEVP Portal will NOT replace our student reporting requirement. We ask that ALL PSU students on OPT continue to report to PSU for all OPT reporting requirements.
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment authorization by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that allows International (F-1) students who have been enrolled for one academic year to gain practical work experience in the United States in their field of study.
PSU International Office & Career Services provides guidance to students seeking to apply for OPT. Questions about OPT application? Questions about reporting requirements? From start to end, no matter which stage of your OPT is at, we are here to help! Please make an appointment to visit the International Office or Career Services.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Tutorial
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Tutorial provides valuable information for the students regarding how to prepare your application materials for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). It is essential the student view this tutorial prior to making an appointment with International Office or Career Services.
Update: USCIS has updated the instructions and form I-765 on January 8, 2021 with additional questions. The tutorial may assist the students to navigate through most of the questions on form I-765. Please refer to the USCIS website for the latest instruction and form.
Reporting Requirements
Student's Reporting Requirements
During your OPT period, you need to update your address and employment information to Student & Career Services. If you are employed, you are required to submit your EAD card, a copy of your job offer letter and report employment information. The following information must be reported to Student & Career Services during the post-completion OPT period of authorization within 10 days of any changes:
- Your residential address
- Your phone and email address
- Employer('s) name
- Employer('s) address
- Job Title(s)
- Explanation of how your job(s) relates to your field of study at PSU
- Start and/or end dates of employment
- Any periods of unemployment
- Date of exiting the U.S. (You must provide date of exit if you decide to exit the U.S and complete your OPT status prior to the end date of your OPT)
- If your visa status changes while on OPT
You are required to update this information within 10 days of any changes. Please be reminded that the law allows you to be unemployed for 90 days total during your OPT period and you will jeopardize your status if you fail to report the information to school as we will not be able to report to the government on your behalf.
Employer's Reporting Requirements
Please request your employers to complete the Employer Survey within 30 days of your employment. Additionally, if your employment is terminated for any reason, your employer is required to notify Pacific States University Career Services within 5 days. You must inform your employer of the reporting requirements at the end of your employment. Ask them to email PSU Career Services at careerservices@psuca.edu with the following text in the subject line of the email: "OPT Employment Termination." Your name and the start and end date of the employment must be included in the email message.