Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is intended to provide students in F-1 status with practical experience and training that is in a field directly related to their major area of study, during or after the completion of their program. You are permitted to work for a maximum of 12 months at each higher education level you pursue in the United States.
Pre Completion OPT
Pre Completion OPT (part-time) takes place while school is in session. You may not exceed 20 hours of work per week during this authorization period and you must maintain a full course load to remain in valid F-1 student status. You may work up to 40 hours per week during scheduled school breaks. Pre completion OPT will be accumulated at half the rate as post completion OPT (6 months of part-time OPT is equivalent to 3 months of full-time OPT). Meaning, you will still have 9 months available to you of post completion OPT. Separate applications are necessary for pre completion and post completion OPT. You must file an application for post completion if your OPT is to extend past your program completion date or if you wish to continue OPT for the remainder of the 12 month period.
Graduate students:
Are able to file for full-time pre completion OPT if they have completed all program requirements except for the thesis. You are not subject to the unemployment provisions during your pre completion OPT period and are able to file for a program extension, if necessary, to complete your graduation requirements. However, you may not apply for the STEM extension or the H-1B Cap Gap extension.
Post Completion OPT
Post completion OPT is always defined as full-time employment. It takes place after the completion of your program of study. You are expected to work for more than 20 hours a week while authorized, or be searching for employment during a time period that does not exceed 90 days after your EAD card start date. You may apply for OPT up to 90 days prior to program completion and no later than 60 days after program completion. OPT may be authorized for 12 months, and must be completed within 14 months after your program completion date. Later applications may affect the actual time you have to complete your employment authorization. We recommend that you do not wait until your 60 day grace period has come to an end to file your application. OPT must be recommended by International Student Services before you may apply for authorization from USCIS. Only after you have received your EAD card from USCIS may you begin to work. Any work prior to approval will violate your F-1 status.
Eligibility
You are eligible for OPT if you have been enrolled at SUNY Maritime College for at least one full-time academic year. If you have previously been authorized for CPT and have completed more than 364 days of full-time CPT employment, you will not be eligible for approval of OPT.
You do not need to have a job offer in order to apply for Optional Practical Training. You will have the opportunity to seek employment anywhere within the United States, with any employer, that is directly related to the major area of your field of study during your pending authorization period. You will be allowed up to 90 total days of unemployment if needed, once the start date on your EAD (Employment Authorization Document) Card has arrived. Please note that you are limited to only 90 days of unemployment, and you will not be granted any more time to find employment after the limit has been reached. There will be no additional 60 day grace period for those who have reached their 90 day limitation of unemployment, so plan accordingly.
Additionally, you are expected to have maintained your student status. International Student Services will review your academic, judicial, and SEVIS record to make sure you have acted in accordance. Also, the international student advisor will note if you have scheduled appointments appropriately during your academic career. This reflects your ability to maintain status while authorized for OPT.
