OPT Denial Rates Do OPT Denial Rates Vary By University?
Many F-1 students worry if attending a particular U.S. university might increase their chances of having their Optional Practical Training (OPT) application denied. It’s a valid concern, especially during times of heightened immigration scrutiny. However, let’s look at the facts based on how the system currently works.
The straightforward answer is: **No, there is no official, publicly available data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that shows OPT denial rates varying significantly based on the specific legitimate, SEVP-certified university a student attended.**
Key Facts About OPT Denial Rates
Here are the key points explaining why OPT denials are generally not tied to specific schools in official data:
1. Individual Adjudication
USCIS reviews and decides on Form I-765 (the OPT application) based on your individual eligibility. They assess whether you, the student, meet all requirements, followed the correct application procedures, and properly maintained your F-1 status throughout your studies. The reputation, ranking, or specific name of your SEVP-certified school is not listed as an adjudication factor for OPT eligibility.
2. No Published School-Specific Rates
Neither USCIS nor SEVP publishes statistics comparing OPT denial rates across different universities. While aggregate data on application numbers might be released, school-specific denial performance is not part of public reporting.
3. Common Denial Reasons are Applicant-Specific
Most OPT rejections (returned before processing) or denials (found ineligible after review) happen because of issues related to the individual student’s application or circumstances. Common reasons include:
- Missing critical filing deadlines (e.g., applying too late after program completion or too late after the DSO’s recommendation).
- Errors on Form I-765 (e.g., missing signature, using an old version, wrong fee).
- Failure to maintain valid F-1 status prior to applying (e.g., unauthorized work, not enrolling full-time).
- Exceeding CPT limits (12 months+ of full-time CPT) or having already received OPT at the same degree level.
- Errors made by the Designated School Official (DSO) in the I-20 recommendation or SEVIS update (e.g., wrong dates, recommendation outside allowed window).
These factors relate to the specific student’s actions and the processing of their individual case.
4. Indirect School Influence (DSO Quality)
While the university’s name isn’t a direct factor, the quality of support from the school’s International Student Office (ISO) and its DSOs can indirectly influence outcomes. A well-trained, adequately staffed, and responsive ISO/DSO team is more likely to provide accurate guidance, catch potential application errors, and process I-20 recommendations correctly and on time. This proactive support can help students *at that school* avoid common mistakes that lead to denial. Conversely, DSO errors, unresponsiveness, or lack of resources at an institution *can* contribute to individual student denials. However, this reflects the operational quality of the ISO/DSO, not an inherent denial rate officially attributed to the university itself.
5. Fraudulent Schools Exception
The significant exception involves institutions discovered to be engaging in fraud, such as : i-20 mills”, “visa mills” “pay-to-stay” schemes, or 100% online program for F-1 students. Once identified by authorities, OPT applications connected to these fraudulent schools face extreme scrutiny and are highly likely to be denied en masse. This, however, is a matter of institutional fraud, distinct from comparing denial rates among legitimate, compliant universities.
OPT application landscape
We aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of the OPT application landscape by:
- Clearly defining OPT, its various forms, eligibility requirements, and the associated Form I-765 application process.
- Identifying and analyzing the common reasons for OPT application rejections and denials, drawing upon official guidance and expert sources.
- Examining the available data landscape, including aggregate statistics and related immigration trends, to understand the broader context of OPT adjudications.
- Discussing the key factors that demonstrably influence application success, which largely transcend the specific university attended.
- Offering actionable recommendations for current and prospective OPT applicants to navigate the process effectively.
The analysis relies on information published by USCIS and SEVP, resources from university international student offices, reports from relevant policy organizations (such as NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Institute of International Education), immigration law analyses, and cautious consideration of anecdotal evidence primarily used to illustrate known issues. The objective is to equip stakeholders with a thorough understanding of the OPT application process and the factors most critical to achieving a successful outcome, while acknowledging the limitations in attributing denial rates to specific institutions based on current public data.
Understanding Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Form I-765
Navigating the U.S. immigration system requires a precise understanding of its terms and processes. For F-1 students seeking work experience, Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the associated Form I-765 are central components.
A. Defining Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is defined as temporary employment authorization granted to F-1 students that is directly related to their major area of study. Its core purpose is to provide practical, hands-on experience complementing the student’s academic coursework. It is crucial to understand that OPT is not a distinct visa category but rather a benefit derived from maintaining valid F-1 student status. Successful application for OPT results in the issuance of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) by USCIS, which is the official proof of work authorization. Employment cannot legally commence until the student possesses the EAD and the start date indicated on the card has been reached.
There are three primary types of OPT:
1. Pre-completion OPT (Eligibility Category (c)(3)(A))
This allows students to work before completing their degree program. It can be used part-time (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session or full-time during official school breaks (e.g., summer vacation). A critical point is that any time used for pre-completion OPT is deducted from the total 12-month post-completion OPT eligibility period. Part-time pre-completion OPT is deducted at a 50% rate (e.g., 4 months of part-time work deducts 2 months from the 12-month total).
2. Post-completion OPT (Eligibility Category (c)(3)(B))
This is the most common form, utilized after a student completes their program of study. Standard post-completion OPT allows for up to 12 months of work authorization. Students on post-completion OPT must work at least 20 hours per week (part-time or full-time) to maintain their status. There is a cumulative limit of 90 days of unemployment allowed during this initial 12-month period.
3. STEM OPT Extension (Eligibility Category (c)(3)(C))
F-1 students who have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields, as designated by SEVP, may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. Key requirements include that the student’s employer must be enrolled in and using the E-Verify program, and the employment must be directly related to the student’s STEM degree. The STEM OPT extension adds an additional unemployment allowance, but the total cumulative unemployment across both standard post-completion OPT and the STEM extension cannot exceed 150 days.
The structure involving the deduction of pre-completion OPT time from the post-completion allowance necessitates careful planning and accurate record-keeping. Students and their advisors must track any pre-completion OPT usage precisely to ensure the student understands their remaining eligibility for post-completion work authorization. Miscalculating this could lead to requesting more OPT time than available, potentially causing issues during adjudication or resulting in an EAD issued for a shorter duration than anticipated.
Conclusion
While anxieties about OPT denials are understandable, especially during periods of increased immigration scrutiny, the evidence indicates that **denials are overwhelmingly tied to individual applicant errors, eligibility issues, or failure to maintain status.** There is no official data suggesting that attending one legitimate, SEVP-certified university over another inherently leads to a statistically higher OPT denial rate from USCIS.
Your focus should be on meticulously maintaining your F-1 status throughout your studies, understanding OPT eligibility rules, working closely with your DSO, and submitting a complete and accurate Form I-765 application within all required deadlines.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Please consult with a qualified immigration attorney or your Designated School Official (DSO) for advice regarding your specific situation.