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(OPT) Office of International Student & Scholar Services - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Feb 24, 2023 •210 likes •644 views

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) Office of International Student & Scholar Services OVERVIEW Northwestern University OUTLINE What is OPT? When to apply for OPT How to apply for OPT How to maintain F-1 status during OPT

  1. OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) Office of International Student & Scholar Services OVERVIEW Northwestern University

  2. OUTLINE • What is OPT? • When to apply for OPT • How to apply for OPT • How to maintain F-1 status during OPT • Travel during OPT • After OPT • Questions? FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  3. What is OPT? FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  4. WHAT IS OPT? • OPT (Optional Practical Training) is an extension of your F-1 status • OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization after graduation • No “OPT visa” - part of F-1 status FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  5. WHAT IS OPT? • Learn more about OPT on our website! • northwestern.edu/international/living- working/studentemployment/index.html FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  6. When to apply for OPT FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  7. WHEN TO APPLY FOR OPT • Plan ahead! OPT takes 1 week to process at OISS, but 4 months to process at USCIS • Determine your final quarter of enrolment at NU • This will be your program end date , as listed on your I-20 • Graduating early? We will shorten your I-20 end date • 100 days before your I-20 end date: earliest date to apply for OPT with OISS • 90 days before your I-20 end date: earliest date USCIS can receive your OPT application FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  8. CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  9. CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE Considerations: • You do not need a job (offer) to apply for OPT! • Once you choose an OPT start date, it can’t be changed • Still job searching? Choose a later start date • Traveling? Consider your travel plans • Applying late? Choose a later start date Not sure? Ask your OISS advisor/visit us during walk-in hours FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  10. CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE For PhD students: • You can apply for OPT before officially graduating (before defense and deposit) • You must complete your PhD requirements before the end of the OPT period • Once you apply for OPT, you cannot apply for an I-20 extension FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  11. TRAVEL WHILE OPT IS PENDING Always re-enter in F-1 status!!! FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  12. How to apply for OPT FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  13. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT 1. Submit OPT request via OISS Terra Dotta portal oissportal.northwestern.edu Sign in with your NetID Current students → OPT → Request (year) → Follow instructions and complete all sections FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  14. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT oissportal.northwestern.edu FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  15. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT oissportal.northwestern.edu FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  16. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT oissportal.northwestern.edu Complete all sections, then select SUBMIT FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  17. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT 2. OPT request is sent to your academic advisor* 3. Academic advisor* certifies: a. You have completed all of your course requirements b. You are going to graduate in the term you have indicated c. You are in good academic standing (no academic probation) FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  18. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT *Who is my academic advisor? a. Graduate students: program director or PI b. Undergraduates: Advisor from your major, minor or certificate program c. WCAS students: Advisor who an verify the above (major or minor), not Weinberg advisor. d. “Academic advisor” is defined as a person associated with an academic college that has advisory responsibilities and can verify your course enrolment & academic plan or degree audit. FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  19. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT 4. OISS International Student Advisor processes OPT authorization & creates new OPT I-20s (2x) This process takes 1 week While this is happening… FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  20. OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS 5. Collect all of your required OPT documents - Form G-1145 (download directly from uscis.gov) -Form I-765 (download directly from uscis.gov) • This form is 7 pages long • Please follow the sample on our website carefully • Traveling or moving? Use the OISS address as your mailing address (we’re not moving) -Copy of your first Northwestern I-20 -Copy of all CPT I-20s (from NU or other universities) -Copy of all previous OPT I-20s + EAD cards (if applicable) FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  21. OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS -Copy of your passport bio page -Copy of F-1 visa stamp (expired is OK) -I-94 record printout (retrieve yours at cbp.gov/i94) FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  22. OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS -Payment to USCIS • Current fee: $410 (verify on uscis.gov) • Payable by check or money order to U.S. Department of Homeland Security • Check MUST have name + US address (outdated address is OK) • No checks? • DO NOT use your friend’s checks! • Visit your bank or the post office to get a cashier’s check or money order FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  23. OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS -2 US passport photos Photos cannot match your passport or visa stamp photos Photos must be less than 6 months old Please do not take your own photos! Get new photos taken at CVS or Walgreens Write your name and I-94 number on the back FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  24. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT 6. Pick up new I-20s + meet with an OISS Advisor -Bring all of your OPT documents to the OISS -Pick up OPT I-20 packet -Review all of your OPT documents with an OISS Advisor -Sign your new OPT I-20s on page 1 Walk-in hours Evanston: Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm Chicago: Wednesday only 9 am-1 pm, 2-4 pm FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  25. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT 7. Mail your application to USCIS as soon as possible -Plan to go to UPS/Fedex/USPS the same day you receive your new OPT I-20s! -USCIS must receive your application within 15 days of your OISS Advisor’s signature (find this date on p.1 of your OPT I -20) -Your OPT application must be mailed from within the US FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  26. HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT 8. Wait… 2-3 weeks: Receive Receipt Notice (I-797C) and/or G-1145 email These confirmations will provide you a tracking number Track your application at uscis.gov 4 months: EAD arrives! Photocopy/take photos of both sides! Do not lose it! You must wait to start working until you receive your EAD card AND the start date on your EAD card happens FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  27. How to maintain F-1 status during OPT FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  28. APPROPRIATE EMPLOYMENT • Must be 20+ hours/week • Must be directly related to your field of study at NU • Can be paid or unpaid (including internships) • Can be work for multiple employers • Can be contract work or through an agency • Can be self-employed It is your responsibility to keep accurate records of all employment, paid or unpaid FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  29. SEVP OPT PORTAL • Once your OPT is approved, SEVP will email you a link to activate your SEVP Portal account • If you do not receive this email from SEVP, please contact your OISS Advisor directly • Link expired or account locked? Contact your OISS Advisor directly REQUIRED: • Update your US address within 10 days of moving • Update your US employment information • within 10 days of starting/stopping a job FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  30. 90 DA YS OF UNEMPLOYMENT (90/12) • You can accrue up to 90 days of unemployment during your 12 months of OPT (the 90 days are cumulative) • You do not have to use all 90 days, or use all 90 days at one time • The 90 day clock starts on your 1st day of OPT (EAD start date) If you reach 90 days, you must leave the U.S. + report this via the SEVP OPT Portal FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  31. Travel during OPT FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  32. TRAVEL SIGNATURES • During OPT, travel signatures are only valid for 6 months • Need a new travel signature? Email your OISS Advisor • We will mail you a new I-20 with a new travel signature FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  33. TRA VEL WITH APPROPRIA TE DOCUMENTS • EAD card • I-20 with valid travel signature • Valid F-1 visa stamp or plans to renew yours • Passport (valid 6+ months into the future) • Job offer letter (suggested; not required) FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  34. RENEWING F-1 VISA STAMPS DURING OPT • Possible; always a risk of delay or denial • Travel with a copy of your NU transcript, status verification letter (request in OISS Portal) and job offer letter • Talk to your supervisor! Tell them you are traveling for your visa renewal and there is a possibility of delay FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  35. After OPT FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  36. AFTER YOUR OPT END DATE • 60 day grace period to either remain/travel in the US • Or transfer to another US university FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  37. CONTINUING TO WORK IN THE US OPT STEM Extension • 24 more months of OPT! • STEM majors only + E-Verify employer required • Apply in the OISS Portal H-1B + visa + other options = employer specific • An employer must sponsor your H-1B visa • Talk to current/potential employers for more info FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

  38. FINDING A JOB/INTERNSHIP Contact your career advisor: • All students: Northwestern Career Advancement (based on your school) • McCormick students: Engineering Career Development • Medill students: Medill Career Services • Communication students: EPICS + Attend networking events, career fairs, company presentations, connect with alumni via Our Northwestern and social media and talk to your professors! FIRST UP CONSUL TANTS

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