IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Harrisburg University and International Student Office have no influence over USCIS, the final arbiter of OPT applications. HU and ISO provide no guarantees that your OPT application will be approved. The OPT application is considered your own application. Any communication from USCIS regarding your OPT application status will be sent directly to you. 


1. Review the OPT Overview and Eligibility article to be sure you are eligible to apply for Post-Completion OPT.


2. Review your most current I-20 form to determine if you are within 90 days of the program end date. ISO cannot issue you an OPT Recommendation I-20 prior to the start of your final semester or further than 90 days in advance from your program end date.


3. When you are ready to submit your request, login to the Terra Dotta System and navigate to the Request Center to find the OPT Recommendation Request. We recommend that students access Terra Dotta through a desktop/laptop device, as mobile compatibility is limited. 


4. Review the I-20 you receive from ISO and verify the correct start date is listed for your OPT Recommendation. Once you submit your application to USCIS, you cannot change the recommended start date of your OPT.


5. Submit your application to USCIS within 30 days of the date listed on the OPT recommendation I-20.



Note: At the time of receiving your I-20, you will be given instructions for completing the application process either online or through the mail. ISO cannot advise on the method of delivery you should send your application. If you submit an OPT application to USCIS without an I-20 recommending OPT, your application will be rejected.



Travel with pending OPT:

  • Travelling outside of the US while your OPT application is pending is not advisable. This departure from the United States constitutes abandonment of your request. Therefore, making you not eligible for the immigration benefit. USCIS may request more information (RFE) while you are abroad. This information can only be sent to a US address and if you are abroad, you will likely miss an important deadline
  • If your OPT is approved while you are outside of the US, you would need to show your EAD card upon re-entry. Your EAD card can only be sent to a US address.
  • It is not an option to exit the US and re-enter as a tourist if your OPT has not yet been approved. This will violate your F-1 status, and you will lose your OPT benefit.