How to Apply for OPT in 2020 — Checklist for International Students

How to apply for OPT in 2020? To be clear, your college's international student office will always have the latest information. But today, I want to share what I wish I had known!

In this video, I walk you through the complete checklist of every document and cost you need to prepare for before you can even submit the application for post-completion Optional Practical Training.

Even if you'll only be applying for OPT one or two years from now — and even if you're not sure whether you even want to apply for OPT yet — it's important to take note of everything you need as early as possible so that you can have enough time to get it done.

For example, did you know it costs $550 to apply for OPT? Finding out about this only two months before I needed to apply added so much necessary stress to my senior year, which is already a very stressful time. If I had learned how to apply for OPT much earlier, I could have saved myself a lot of time and money. I could have been much more prepared for the OPT application process.

Are you thinking about working in the US after graduation? Is there anything you still don't know about the OPT application process? Let me know in the comments below.

While I can answer your questions as best as possible based on my experience, I recommend that you reach out to your school's international student office to confirm that you have all the right information you need. They are the best source.

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ACRONYMS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
• OPT — Optional Practical Training
• EAD — Employment Authorization Document
• USCIS — United States Citizenship for Immigration Services

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SAY HI ON INSTAGRAM:
@alexxhemmer

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WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:
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SOUND CREDITS:

[alexandra-zillennial]

*IMPORTANT:* Always double-check everything with your school's international student office!

Also, remember that there are two types of OPT you can apply for:
• *Pre-Completion OPT* — Used while you're still a student. Some people use this for internships if their school doesn't have CPT
• *Post-Completion OPT* — Used after you've graduated already.

The checklist in this video is mainly based on *post-completion OPT*

FINALLY, this video is just a checklist of all the documents and costs you need to prepare for. If you want me to film a part 2 where I talk about *when* the best time to submit the application is, comment below!

[varma_s]

Thank you for the quality information, Alex! And yes, we would like you to make a part 2 discussing the best time to apply for OPT.

[randyessikpe]

I am watching this exactly a year after this post was first published. Its been very helpful Alex. Thank you so much.

[周英傑-rd]

How come you don't get more views. This is sooo important

[moinabyssinia]

Excellent video - thank you for sharing!
I liked how you emphasized even the smallest details

[AdrianeLealFilenga]

Thank you for the video! Your English is perfect, I would never tell you're an international student! Congratulations

[malhk]

So glad I found your channel, Alex. Thanks for the information

[wanjanjama]

Thank you for making this! This was very informative and insightful! Super helpful!

[duongminh]

Thank you for your sharping. It really helps.

[mirabeltamukong]

I just love you. My first time coming across you. I am preparing to apply for my OPT extension and was looking up stuff.

[dicheng]

Thank you ALEX, I am about to apply for my OPT and this video is helpful !!

[shashwat]

I think you just need to have the photo copy of your opt recommended
i-20, not every I-20 you've ever had. Thank you for the help though.

[camilavasquez]

How can I check and make sure how many I20 I had since I started as international students in USA? There is any website where I’m able to check that, what you recommended to make sure I don’t miss any of my I20. Please help 🙏🙏

[devaVMT]

Forensic opt jobs in usa please update

[gilmara]

Thank you so much for all the information 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[yerusalemchurch]

Hi Alex. Thank you so much for this video. But I had a question about the I20s.I don't know if you came as a high school student or just college student, but if you came as a high school student or changed colleges, did you submit the i20s from that school only, or did you submit all the i20s from all the schools you went in the US. Thank you so much for your time.

[karlatinaa]

Hi Alex!! I hope you are well, your video helped me a lot, thanks for the guide, I am finishing my Master's next semester and the truth is that initially before I started studying I had no idea that it was possible to work as an international student after finishing my studies. I’m about to start the process and I would like you to maybe make a video or give us more detail about your experience in the search “the adventure” of finding a new job, maybe you can give us some tips! Thank you in advance 😉

[mohammadfoadalmrazeg]

Hi, Alex, I am a mechanical engineer from Jordan is it worth applying to this program?
and if it is how can I apply and what should I do?

[jvblanc]

Thank you Alex! Your channel is my new DSO now 😂🤭. The DSO in our school did not even mention that there is a fee. I only found out about the $410 on my own.. Will definitely recommend your channel during international student orientation 👏

[luisenriquepeinadomarmol]

What kind of schools, colleges or institutions, give opt?