F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit for which international students on F-1 visas are eligible. It enables a student to work for any employer in the United States as long as the work is related to their studies. Most take advantage of this benefit after they complete their degree. All students are eligible for one year of OPT.

UMB is not the immigration sponsor of employees on OPT, unless they earned their degree at UMB. F-1 students on OPT remain under the immigration sponsorship of the university where they earned their degree while on OPT.

Individuals who have this work authorization will present an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card for their I-9.

Students who earn at least a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields are eligible for an extension of OPT. Under current regulations, F-1students are eligible for a 24-month extension, totaling three years of OPT work authorization. OPT authorization is used to pursue full-time employment after graduating from a US university.

If an employee approaches you for assistance with the extension application, email ois-info@umaryland.edu to request assistance.

Supervisor's Role

The international employee's supervisor is responsible for the following:

• Signs the I-983 Training Plan and provides a fully signed copy to the department's HR representative for placement in the personnel file.
• Monitors any material changes to the terms and conditions of employment AND adjusts the I-983 Training Plan and provides an updated copy to the employee and department HR.
• Within five business days, reports termination of employment to the "Designated School Official" named on page 1 of the I-983.

What are material changes?

• Any reduction in compensation
• Any change in hours worked per week
• Changes to job duties, locations of employment, or any other information collected on prior I-983.

Resources

• Department of Homeland Security's website on Employers and the Form I-983.