Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training is an F-1 student benefit that allows you to work off-campus in a job related to your major. It is meant to supplement your academic experience with practical experience.

Our I-765 Filing Pages

Please note that if you are not already logged in with your UBIT on your browser our I-765 filing pages will ask you to log in. 

Not Sure Which Type of Work Authorization is Best?

Read our information comparing common F-1 off-campus employment authorizations to determine which is most appropriate for your situation. 

  • Pre-Completion OPT
    3/27/23
    Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training may be used before graduation.  It is meant to supplement your academic experience with practical experience.
  • Post-Completion OPT
    3/27/23
    Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an F-1 student benefit that allows you to work off-campus in a job related to your major.
  • Maintaining Status on Post-Completion OPT
    3/13/23
    Learn what you must do to maintain your F-1 status while you are on Post-Completion OPT.
  • Cap Gap Extension
    9/16/22
    The Cap Gap is the period after F-1 students’ OPT has expired, but before their H-1B work authorization begins on October 1. The OPT Cap Gap Extension automatically extends F-1 students’ immigration status and work authorization in order to bridge the gap between the end of their F-1 status and the start of their H-1B status.
  • OPT STEM Extension
    3/27/23
    F-1 students with STEM degrees in fields listed on the ICE STEM Designated Degree Program List may be eligible for the OPT STEM Extension.
  • Maintaining Status on OPT STEM Extension
    11/15/22
    To maintain your F-1 status while on a 24-Month OPT STEM Extension, you must satisfy a number of requirements.
  • I-765 Paper Filing with USCIS
    9/12/22
    Get details on completing the paper version of the I-765 for OPT.
  • I-765 Online Filing with USCIS
    11/11/22
    Get details on completing the online version of the I-765 for OPT.

Disclaimer

We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to in these handouts and webcasts or any associated web sites. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel or tax professional. Neither the University at Buffalo nor the Office of International Student Services is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in these materials, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.