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F-1 OPT Workshop
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The Basics
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment
option available to F-1 students for employment directly
related to the major area of study.
12 month period of OPT per higher degree level.
24 month STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Math) Extension may be possible for some majors
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The Basics: OPT Eligibility
Must be in valid F-1 status and have been enrolled
full-time for one academic year (2 long semesters)
Must complete all degree requirements in the
academic program on their I-20*
NOT have used full-time CPT for 12 months or more.
Must take and pass the OPT Exam (at the end of the
presentation on our website).
*Pre-completion OPT is possible.
Application Process
Request an OPT I-20
If eligible, OIE will complete the necessary OPT recommendation in
the SEVIS system and a new SEVIS I-20 will be issued. The
completion date on your I-20 will now reflect the completion date on
your OPT I-20 request.
Your OPT recommendation, including start and end dates will be
annotated on page 2 of the new I-20.
You must file your application for OPT within 30 days of the date it is
issued and signed by the DSO. The I-20 is not valid after 30 days and
will be rejected by USCIS if you use it. You may request another I-20
after 30 days if you have not filed your OPT application.
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Application Timeline
You may apply up
to 90 days before
program
completion date*
USCIS must
receive your
application
before this day.
Send in your application
during this time period.
Program
Completion Date
90 days
Remember – it can take
USCIS up to 90 days to
process OPT applications.
*your program completion is when you have
completed all the requirements for your degree.
Your completion date may be before the original
end date on your I-20.
60 day grace
period
Request a start
date within this
time period.
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Choosing your OPT start date
Things to consider…..
You have to begin employment within 90 days of your start
date
You only get 90 days of unemployment total. The 90 days of
unemployment start on the first day of your OPT. It is not part of
your 60 day grace period at the end of your OPT.
Do you have an employer waiting to hire you? Pick an earlier
start date.
If you want a break after your studies, or need time to look for
a job, pick a later start date.
Changes to the OPT application must be submitted prior to
issuance of EAD card and application fee will not be returned.
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Application Process
The following is a list of the documents which must be
submitted to USCIS.
SEVIS 1-20 with OPT recommendation
Completed Form I-765
2 Passport-style photos (write your name on the back)
Check or money order payable to Department of
Homeland Security for $380
Copy of I-94 document
Copy of Passport identity and expiration page(s)
Copy of Visa Stamp
Copy of all previous EAD cards
G-1145 (E-Notification of Application)
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I-20 – page 1
Your
program
end date will
change
Remarks will now
be applicable to
OPT
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I-20 – page 2
OPT Employment
Recommendation
with start and end
dates.
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I-765
Note
“permission to
accept
employment” for
initial application
TWU
international
office address
here
I-94 number here;
find your electronic
record at
www.cbp.gov/I94
Have you had
an EAD card
before? Check
appropriate box
Note: c 3 B = post
completion OPT
Don’t forget to
SIGN, date,
phone #
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APPLICATION PROCESS
You will receive an email from OIE when your OPT I-20 is
ready.
Bring all of the required documents with you when you
pick up the I-20. An advisor will go over your documents
with you to ensure that it is filled out correctly.
We will give you an envelope in which you can mail the
application and documents. The envelope will have a
registered mail tracking receipt on it.
OIE will make you a copy of the entire packet (including
check or money order) for your own records.
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What happens next?
1. USCIS will send you an email confirming they have
received your application.
2. Immigration will cash your check and send you a
receipt notice.
You can now check the case status online using the SRC number at
www.uscis.gov
Normal processing time is 60-90 days
3. Once your application is processed, USCIS will send
your EAD card.
4. You may begin working on the start date but not
before.
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Receipt Notice
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EAD Card
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Maintaining status on OPT
While you are on OPT you are still an F-1 student.
Have your I-20 signed for travel by OIE
Report to OIE every 6 months
You must report to OIE any changes in:
Name
Address
Employer
Employer address
You must report any gaps in employment, and you may not be
unemployed more than 90 days total.
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Maintaining status on OPT
Work at least 20 hours a week
Be in a job that is related to your degree program
Maintain evidence of all employment and be prepared to provide
the information to DHS if requested.*
Provide evidence showing duration of employment
Name and address of employer
If self-employed have proper business licenses
*OIE will not ask for this information, but you will need it when
applying for future benefits through USCIS.
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Maintaining status on OPT
It is up to you, the student, to justify how the
job is related to your major.
Ask yourself,
“Is there a clear connection between the job
and my major?”
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Maintaining status on OPT
Types of employment:





Paid
Unpaid
Internships
Volunteer Work
Multiple Employers (Combined Hours Must Total At Least
20 Hours Per Week)
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Important Facts
Multiple factors can have an effect on travel before, during,
and after OPT
GENERALLY speaking, we do not recommend traveling out of
the country after you have applied for OPT.
If you would like to discuss your particular circumstance,
please feel free to come and talk to an international advisor.
An expired visa does not impact your status while in the U.S.
However, if you travel outside the U.S., you must renew your
visa before returning.
Do not attempt to renew your visa without a job while on OPT.
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IMPORTANT FACTS
If your OPT is approved after the 60 day grace period,
you may not receive the full 12 months of OPT.
You may not go to school to pursue a degree while on
OPT. New degrees require you to have a new I-20 and
attend school full-time. (part-time, incidental study on OPT
is fine.)
You may not accrue an aggregate (total) of more than 90
days of unemployment on OPT.
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Life after OPT
60 day grace period after completing OPT
Before the end of this grace period you must:
1.
2.
3.
Depart the U.S., or
Apply for change of status to another visa category, or
Transfer to another institution or begin another F-1 program
at TWU.
NOTE: Employment is not authorized during the 60 day grace
period.
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What about the H-1B cap gap?
H-1B cap-gap extension of F-1 status and work authorization until
October 1.
F-1 status and work authorization will be extended for a student on
OPT, who is the beneficiary of a timely filed H-1B petition
requesting an employment start date of October 1 of the following
fiscal year.
The extension of F-1 status and work authorization automatically
terminates upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B
petition filed on the student's behalf.
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OPT QUIZ
• Copy and paste this link into a new window
in your browser to take the OPT Quiz.
• All OPT applicants must pass this test in
order to request an OPT I-20.
• https://www.psychdata.com/s.asp?SID=171558