OPT Basics How to Apply When to Apply What to Expect 1
What Is OPT? O ptional P ractical T raining • Experiential learning benefit granted to F-1 students to work in their major field of study • You can apply for twelve months of OPT for each level of study (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) 2
What Is An EAD? E : Employment A : Authorization D : Document • The card you receive from USCIS when OPT is approved • Proof that you are authorized to work • Employment may begin only once • you receive the EAD and • Valid From date on the card has been reached 3
Sample EAD New Version Old Version 4
Who Is Eligible To Apply? Any F-1 student who: Has been enrolled on a full-time basis in their degree program for one academic year (Fall & Spring). Possesses a valid foreign passport and a valid USF I-20 which indicates the student's correct major and level of study. 5
Types Of OPT • Pre-Completion OPT • Post-Completion OPT (often called Standard OPT) • STEM OPT 6
Pre-Completion OPT Takes place prior to completion of program Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT • Authorized to work over 20 hours per week • Only available during annual vacation (Summer) Part-Time Pre-Completion OPT • Limited to 20 hours per week • Must be registered full-time during Fall/Spring 7
Pre-Completion OPT: Considerations [Pre-Completion + Post-Completion = 12 Months] • Any Pre-Completion granted is deducted from 12 month total of Post-Completion • Part-time authorization is deducted at ½ the time approved (Ex. 3 months part-time = 1.5 months deducted) 8
Post-Completion OPT or Standard OPT • Takes place after completion of program • Limited to a maximum of 12 months • Requires full time employment (20+ hours per week) • Must be completed within 14 months of graduation 9
Post-Completion OPT: Considerations • End date of the I-20 will be shortened • May not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment • All on-campus employment must cease by end date of shortened I-20 10
Who Is Eligible For Post-Completion OPT? • Students who will complete ALL degree requirements and are eligible to graduate • Graduate students with ONLY thesis or dissertation remaining 11
Graduate Students With Only Thesis Or Dissertation Remaining Pre-Completion OPT Post-Completion OPT Unemployment is not counted Unemployment counts May work full-time Must work full-time Cannot apply for STEM Can apply for STEM Extension extension No cap gap extension Eligible for cap gap available extension May extend program if extra Cannot extend program if do time is needed not finish thesis/dissertation by end of OPT period 12
STEM OPT (Extension) S : Science T : Technology E : Engineering M : Mathematics • Additional 24 Months of OPT for students in select STEM fields/majors • Must be on Post-Completion OPT to apply • Must be Working for an E-verify Employer • Cannot be Volunteer or Self-Employed • May only apply twice in a lifetime 13
DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2016/stem-list.pdf • Find your CIP Code on the 1 st page of your I-20 • If your CIP Code starts with 14, 26, 27, or 40, it is STEM! • You can use (CTRL F) to search the list but be sure to use all the #s ex. 11.0501 14
When Can I Apply For OPT? • Pre-Completion 90 days prior to the desired start date • no earlier than 90 days prior to having met your one full academic year • Post-Completion 90 days prior to completion of coursework or degree completion (graduation) • up to 60 days after the degree completion date • STEM Extension 90 days prior to the end of Post-Completion OPT • up to expiration date of current OPT 15
How Long Does It Take To Get…? I-20 for Application (from USF International Services) The process is broken down into 3 main e-form phases OPT Academic Confirmation – 3-5 business days OPT Packet Preparation – 5-10 business days OPT Requested Dates – 3-5 business days 15-20 business days to get I-20 for USCIS application EAD Card (from USCIS) USCIS can take 90+ days from the date they receive your application 16
How Do I Apply for OPT? Go to www.iStart.usf.edu and choose F-1 Practical Training - Apply 17
How Do I Apply for OPT? Read OPT Guide and E-Form Instructions Pass OPT Quiz with 100% Complete the remaining E-Forms 18
How Do I Apply for OPT? OPT Academic Confirmation E-Form • Undergraduates need Academic Advisor information • Graduates need Graduate Coordinator, Program Director, or Chair information 19
What Documents Do I Need? OPT Packet Preparation e-Form requires uploading scanned copies of the following: • Two new 2" x 2" passport photographs • Cashier's check or Money Order • USCIS Form I-765 • Passport Biographical Page • Visa (or I-797 Approval Notice) • I-94 • Most recent Port of Entry Stamp • Any previous EAD cards (if applicable) • CPT notated I-20s 20
Photos Obtain two new 2x2 passport photographs. Photos must not be more than 60 days old. Passport photos can be obtained at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc. Write the following on the back of the photo (gently with a pencil or felt pen): Name A# (USCIS #) or I-94# 21
Money Order/Cashier Check Payable to: US Department of Homeland Security Amount: $410.00 If application is mailed on or after Oct. 2, 2020 the fee increases to $550 22
Money Order/Cashier Check Payable to: US Department of Homeland Security Amount: $410.00 If application is mailed on or after Oct. 2, 2020 the fee increases to $550 23
Money Order/Cashier Check Payable to: US Department of Homeland Security Amount: $410.00 If application is mailed on or after Oct. 2, 2020 the fee increases to $550 24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Passport Biographical page 33
Visa 34
I-94 35
Port of Entry Stamp 36
Requesting Dates for Post-Completion OPT The OPT Requested Dates E-Form completes your submission 37
Choosing Dates For Post-Completion OPT Start date must be within 60 days from graduation End date is usually one year later For Summer 2020: For Fall 2020: Earliest Start Date: 09/01/2020 Earliest Start Date: 12/14/2020 Latest Start Date: 10/30/2020 Latest Start Date: 02/10/2021 38
Choosing Dates For Post-Completion OPT Considerations: How much time will you need for your job search? (only 90 days of unemployment allowed) Do you have an employer waiting to hire you? Do you want a break after your studies? 39
What Happens After I Submit My Post-Completion OPT Application in iStart? Office of International Services will review submitted e-forms Upon approval of each e-form you will receive email with instructions to move on to the next step. Upon approval of last e-form (OPT Requested Dates) you will receive email with instructions to pick up I-20. You will prepare and mail final application packet directly to USCIS which must arrive within 30 days from the I-20 issue date and prior to the end of your grace period 40
Preparing Your OPT Application For USCIS Cover Sheet 41
What Happens After I Mail My OPT Packet To USCIS? In 3-4 weeks you should receive a receipt notice Upload to iStart F-1 Practical Training - Apply Track the progress of your OPT on USCIS website www.USCIS.gov - click on Check your Case Status Receive EAD card Upload to iStart F-1 Practical Training -Apply 42
Informed Delivery By USPS Use this service for notifications the night before mail is delivered! If you receive a notification of delivery and the EAD card is not delivered, you can go to the Post Office before the EAD is returned to USCIS. 43
Tracking Your Application: USCIS Case Status 44
www.uscis.gov 45
Tracking Your Application: USCIS Case Status www.uscis.gov 46
Form G-1145 • Use this form to request a text message and/or email when USCIS accepts your form. 47
What Do I Need To Do While on OPT? Report any change in address within 10 days using OASIS Report employment updates within 10 days using iStart Enter information in iStart F-1 Practical Training - Report Report any changes to your name in iStart Report any changes to immigration status to International Services 48
Common Questions 49
What If I Don’t Have An SSN? You may request an SSN when applying for OPT on the I-765 application form. If Requesting SSN after OPT Approval: • Must obtain your EAD Card • Must reach “Valid From” date on EAD before requesting SSN Then take immigration documents to the SSN office • I-20 with OPT notation • EAD • I-94 Card • Passport 50
What If My Visa Is Expired? • You can still apply for OPT! • Does not impact your status in the United States • Will require renewal if traveling outside the US • Do not attempt to renew your visa while on OPT if … Have not received your EAD card You don’t have a job 51
Recommend
More recommend
