Optional Practical Training (OPT)

In order to be eligible for OPT, you must meet certain requirements. To determine your eligibility, schedule an appointment with your International Student Advisor (ISA) by calling (434) 592-4118 or email mystatus@liberty.edu.

Pre-completion OPT

• Students must have completed one full academic year before applying.
• You may apply up to 90 days before the desired work start date.
• You must be completing your qualifying degree (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate).
• Your passport must be valid to receive any kind of work authorization.

Post-completion OPT

• You may apply 90 days before and up to 60 days after your degree is conferred. The application process can take 90 days to process, so plan ahead!
• You must be completing your qualifying degree (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate).
• Students must be completing their program of study during the semester in which they apply for OPT.
• A specific job offer is not required.
• OPT cannot be extended beyond 12 months total. All OPT must be used by 14 months after graduation.
• Students who begin a new program of study are not eligible to apply for OPT.
• Your passport must be valid to receive any kind of work authorization.
• You must have completed a full academic year on your current SEVIS I-20.

Please note, directions provided by the ISC are meant to help you in completing your application but should not be considered legal advice. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ultimately provides the decision on your OPT application. It is your responsibility, as the OPT applicant, to ensure that your OPT application is accurate and complete before you submit it to the US government. Incomplete applications could result in a delay in processing time or denial. Liberty University, in no event, will be responsible for any delay, denial, or mistake on your OPT application.

• Follow our instructions to complete the I-765 Form online (PDF): Post-completion OPT (c)(3)(B) eligibility category.
• Follow our instructions to complete the I-765 Form by mail (PDF) if you wish to complete the I-765 form and mail it physically.

In addition, we recommend reviewing our OPT I-765 Visual Guide (PDF).

The International Student Center (ISC) has now partnered with eShipGlobal. eShipGlobal is an online service that allows students to easily pay for Express Mail with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover cards only). You must use the website provided below. Do not go through the DHL, FedEx, or UPS website directly.

To pay for Express Mail delivery through eShipGlobal, follow these instructions:

1. Register for an eShipGlobal account or login with your email and password.
2. Click the OPT Application icon and confirm the Senders and appropriate Receivers address.
3. Enter Liberty University.
4. Select a preferred method of delivery and click continue.
5. Select a method of payment (i.e. Credit/Debit Card or PayPal), enter payment information, and click Confirm Payment.
6. You have successfully created an order.
7. Schedule a pickup to your home by clicking Schedule Pickup and confirming your pickup address or drop off the package at the nearest carrier location.
8. Once your package has been picked up, you can track it through your EShipGlobal account and mobile app.

Questions?

Please contact eShipGlobal Customer Support directly regarding any and all questions, or for any assistance required. eShipGlobal’s Support Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CST) via email, phone, or live chat.

• Email: studentsupport@eshipglobal.com
• Phone: (800) 816-1615 or (972) 518-1775 (for U.S. or Canadian callers); 001-972-518-1775 (for International callers)
• Chat online with a live representative

You may also refer to eShipGlobal’s FAQ page for “Frequently Asked Questions” and answers.

On or shortly after the start of your OPT, you should receive an email with instructions on creating an account in the SEVP Portal. This email will come from do-not-reply.sevp@ice.dhs.gov. If you do not see this email, please contact our office.

You must find employment or a volunteer position within 90 days of the start date of your OPT. If you plan to apply for a change of status while on OPT, you must maintain active F-1 status. Violating the terms of your F-1 status may affect your change of status application. Any of the following changes must be reported through the SEVP portal within 10 days of the event:

• Change of name, personal address, phone, and email contact information
• Employer name, address, and EIN (not required but highly recommended), or any volunteering position information
• Termination/change of employment

Can I enroll in online classes while on OPT?
OPT is automatically terminated if a student enrolls in courses at another educational level. This includes part-time or full-time, online or residential courses.

What if my EAD card is lost or contains incorrect information?
We recommend that you contact USCIS immediately at (800) 375-5283. You can also find more information on the USCIS website.

Can I travel while on OPT?
F-1 Regulations allow students participating in OPT to travel abroad, but there may be additional risks and/or additional documentation to prepare. Liberty University is unable to guarantee that students will be granted admission by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon return to the U.S. or that the Consulate will renew an F-1 visa at a consulate abroad. Although not common, there are reports of students on OPT having problems at ports of entry as well as being denied visas or experiencing significant visa delays. The decision to travel abroad must be made by the individual student with an understanding of the preparations that should be made and the risks involved. If travel must be done while on OPT, F-1 regulations require that the student present the following documents to CBP upon re-entry:

• Passport valid at least 6 months into the future from the date of re-entry
• Valid F-1 Visa stamp
• I-20 containing the OPT recommendation and a travel signature less than 6 months old and unexpired EAD work permit
• Proof the student is returning to resume employment is needed. This can be in the form of a job offer letter or a letter written on letterhead from the student’s supervisor confirming employment. However, a paystub or other documentation showing intent to return to work may be sufficient for a CBP officer.

What if I can’t find a job?
Unemployment is allowed while you are on post-completion OPT. However, you may not exceed more than 90 days of unemployment. Unemployment rules do not apply for pre-completion OPT.

What counts as time unemployed?
Each day (including weekends) during the period when OPT authorization begins and ends, that the student does not have qualifying employment, counts as a day of unemployment. Authorization begins on the employment start date shown on the student’s EAD card. Vacation does not count towards your unemployment days.

Can I still have my International Student Health Insurance while on OPT?
Although you are not automatically enrolled in the policy, you can contact the International Student Center at isc@liberty.edu to sign up. You must complete an enrollment form and pay via check, money order, or credit card.

What is the minimum amount of hours I am required to work each week?
Students are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. You may work for two employers to meet the 20 hour requirement.

Does my employer have to be in the E-Verify program during my 12-month standard OPT period?
No. However, to be eligible for the 24-month STEM extension your employer is required to be an E-Verify employer.

Do I need to continue to update my personal address while on OPT?
Yes, you must continue to report your address inside the U.S. Your address is where you physically live and cannot be a P.O. Box or your company’s address.

What type of work is allowed on standard post-completion OPT and which documents should I have to prove employment?
You are allowed to work in a paid or unpaid/volunteer position that relates to your most recent major of study. You may also work for a company or be self-employed. If you choose to be self-employed, be sure to record all hours of work and follow the regulations on the Internal Revenue Services website for self-employment.

My employer has asked me to take a business trip outside the U.S. What do I report?
You are not required to change employment information (i.e. the address) if you take a business trip outside the U.S. Remember, bring all required travel documents for the re-entry process.

I work in one location, but my employer’s office is in another location. What should I report?
Report the address of the location where you are working.

Can I apply for a change of status while on OPT?
Yes, we advise you to speak with an immigration attorney about your options for staying in the U.S. after OPT. Feel free to contact Arthur Serratelli.

I am applying for a change of status while on OPT, can I travel outside the U.S.?
Students who have/will apply for a change of status to H1B, permanent resident or any other immigration status, should speak with their immigration lawyer prior to making travel plans. Students utilizing the Cap-Gap extension should not travel abroad during the period of time between the end of the EAD and the start of the H1B unless they are eligible to return to the U.S. with the H1B visa stamp.

What is the 24 month STEM OPT Extension?
To find out more information on the STEM extension, visit the STEM OPT Extension page.

What is the H-1B Cap Gap extension?
See more information on the H-1B Cap Gap Extension