Optional Practical Training (OPT) - Initial Request

Eligibility Criteria:

• GPA - Meets minimum GPA requirements on the most recent transcript.
• Not currently on academic probation status.
  • Undergraduate/Bachelor's: 2.0+
  • Graduate/Master's: 3.0+
    • If a student does not currently meet minimum GPA requirements, they must wait for grades to be released at the end of the semester to apply for OPT.
• One-year full-time enrollment - Meets minimum full-time enrollment requirement of one year of enrollment within the U.S.
  
  • By the expected OPT start date, the student must have attended full-time for at least a full fall and spring semester.
    • A reduced course load for the final semester approved by International Student Service is acceptable.
  • The student must not have left the U.S. and returned on a new initial I-20 and SEVIS number within the year.
    • Recent travel is okay, as long as the same I-20 and SEVIS ID were held for a year or more.
  • In final semester of enrollment -  Students must be completing all enrollment requirements in the current semester to be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT.
    
    • Students applying for OPT must have already submitted the application for graduation.
    • Job offer not required - Students are not required to have a paid or unpaid job offer to apply for OPT. However, once approved for OPT students must begin working within their degree field within 90 days of the approved OPT start date. Work may be paid or unpaid.

OPT Dates and Deadlines

Application Deadlines: 3 months before to 2 months after program completion. Up to 90 days before and 60 days after the Thursday following finals week in the final semester of enrollment.

USCIS must not receive the application before or after the application window.

Start date: Choose a date from one week after finals week to 2 months after program completion.

OPT Dates/Semester	Fall (December completion)	Spring (May completion)	Summer (August completion)
Application dates	September 20th - February 16th	February 16th - July 13th	May 15th - October 12th
Start date options	December 20th - February 16th	May 16th - July 13th	August 15th - October 12th

 

Within 30 days of OPT I-20 issuance:

USCIS must not receive the application more than 30 days after the issue date found on the OPT I-20.

If application is not submitted to USCIS within the 30-day period, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.

If a 'rejection notice' is received from USCIS, contact isss@ucmo.edu to request an OPT I-20 cancellation and reissue.

• This is especially important if resubmission after the rejection notice will near the 30-day period from when the OPT I-20 was issued.

Health Insurance:

For information regarding enrolling in UCM Health Insurance while on OPT please go back to the forms page and select Health Insurance.