Office of Visa & Immigration Service AdvisingRegular Optional Practical Training (OPT)
What is OPT?
There are two types of OPT. This page discusses Regular OPT; for information about STEM OPT, please click here. Regular OPT is temporary employment authorized by Immigration for F-1 visa holders for 12 months. It must be directly related to your major and gives you a chance to put your classroom knowledge into real world practice.

Required OPT Workshop
Watch Presentation Recording View Presentation SlidesAfter watching the video: Please email intlstu@odu.edu, letting us know you have watched it in its entirety and understood it, or with any questions
OPT WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONOPT Application Review
- Email your completed OPT application packet to intlstu@odu.edu or bring your OPT application to the appointment.
- Be sure that you have already reviewed the online OPT workshop video.
OPT Forms
USCIS announced that Optional Practical Training applications (Regular and STEM OPT) can be submitted online via myaccount.uscis.gov.
You will receive the receipt notice immediately; however, the processing time for EAD cards will not change. USCIS will continue to receive and process paper OPT and STEM OPT applications.
NOTE:
- You will still be required email your application to our office at intlstu@odu.edu to review and generate the OPT I-20. You will have to save/download a completed I-765 form to send to our office for review.
- SUBMITTING AN OPT /STEM OPT APPLICATION WITHOUT AN I-20 FROM ODU WILL RESULT IN APPLICATION REJECTION OR DENIAL.
- The online filing requires the same documentation—it will be uploaded to the USCIS portal. The OPT I-20 will have to be signed, scanned and uploaded. Electronic signatures on I-20s are not accepted.
Application Checklist:
- OPT Request Form and responsibilities sheet (submitted to the VISA office but not to USCIS)
- Online I-765 form AFTER creating myaccount.uscis.gov and select FILE A FORM ONLINE.
- OPT I-20 issued by ODU, signed with ink. No electronic signatures.
- Copies of biographical information page(s) from your passport
- Copy of most recent visa stamp
- I-94 arrival record OR I-94 card (from a pre-May 2013 entry)
- Copies of any previous EADs
- Two passport-style photos. Photos must be JPG, JPEG or PNG.
- Payment Options: credit/debit/online checking account. You will know when you payment is accepted immediately.
- See the OPT Online example to make sure you properly prepare your application
Application Checklist:
- OPT Request Form and responsibilities sheet
- I-765 form (version 8/25/2020)
- Copies of biographical information page(s) from your passport
- Copy of most recent visa stamp
- I-94 arrival record OR I-94 card (from a pre-May 2013 entry)
- Copies of any previous EADs
- Personal or cashier's check for $410 made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Your SEVIS ID number and "OPT" must be in the bottom left section
- If your name and full address are not on the check, please write them in
- A money order is not acceptable OR Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, with $410 as the authorized payment amount
- Two passport-style photos (be sure to save your receipt in case USCIS returns your application because the pictures don't meet requirements)
- Complete G-1145 form (E-notification for application/petition acceptance)—optional
- See the OPT example to make sure you properly prepare your application
Application for Regular OPT
Fill out online first, then print and sign.
OPT SAMPLE ONLINE Application
Use this as a guide for filling out the application.
OPT SAMPLE PAPER Application
Use this as a guide for filling out the application.
OPT Employment Update Form
Submit any time there is a change in your employment.