Optional practical training (OPT) is available to students in F-1 status who are lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis and have been so for at least one full academic year. An eligible F-1 student may request OPT in order to be employed in a position which is directly related to the major area of study. A total of twelve (12) months of OPT is available for qualified students to use after each degree level completion as an F-1 student.

The immigration office in Lincoln, Nebraska must grant an employment authorization document (EAD) before a student may commence employment. Check with the Center for International Programs about the current processing time for EAD's.

How to Apply for OPT

In order to apply for optional practical training, you must be able to respond, "Yes," to the following questions:

1. Is your I-20 current? Does it reflect your current field of study and educational level?
2. Do you have a valid, unexpired passport?
3. Is this your first time applying for OPT?
4. Have you had less than 12 months of full-time curricular practical training (CPT)?
5. Have you been a full-time student for one full academic year?
6. Have you been full-time as an F-1 student every semester you attended Ball State? (Note: For undergraduate students, you need to complete 12 credit hours. For graduate students, you need to complete 9 credit hours if you do not have a graduate assistantship and 6 credit hours if you have an assistantship that semester.)

If you answered "no" to any of the above questions you will need to speak with an immigration counselor in the Center for International Programs by phone (285-5422) or during walk-in hours.

If you answered "yes" to all the questions, you will need to complete the online workshop at our link here. All of the OPT forms are available online and may be downloaded from the web. See below for links to the forms needed. Please note that the government form I-765 may be completed online if you have Adobe Acrobat.

At the end of the online workshop, you must sign up for an OPT follow-up session. During the OPT follow-up session you may turn in your completed paperwork and ask individual questions of the ISS immigration counselor. Please allow 3 working days for ISS to process your OPT paperwork. You will be given a pick-up slip for your OPT paperwork when you turn it in during this session. It is your responsibility to mail your application to CIS. Mailing instructions will be given to you at the time you pick up your OPT application.

Forms needed for OPT online workshop:

1. OPT Fact Sheet
2. Optional Practical Training certification form to be completed by Academic Advisor, Department Head, or Dean
3. CIS Form I-765 (link to official immigration Web site)
4. ISS Instructions for completing Form I-765