Center for International Education
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Packet
Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training, also known as OPT, is a type of employment authorization which allows F-1 students to
work off campus in a job directly related to the student’s program of study.
Overview
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual employment
experience, related to your chosen field of study, for a maximum of one year. Its purpose is to complement your
academic work during or upon completion of undergraduate, graduate and/or doctoral degree levels of education.
(ESL is NOT a level eligible for OPT)
OPT categories:
1. Post-Completion OPT: Full time employment after completion of the course of study or after completion of
all course requirements for the degree, excluding thesis or equivalent.
2. Pre-Completion OPT: Full- or part-time* employment during your annual vacation if you are enrolled and
intend to register for the next session; or Part-time employment (20 hours per week or less) while school is in
session.
* Part-time OPT (maximum of 20 hours per week) is permitted while school is in session, but students must be
registered for a full course load. A part-time OPT period is computed at half the regular full-time period. For example,
students who choose to engage in OPT while school is in session during the fall semester (4-1/2 months) would have two
months and one week deducted from the total of one year.
OPT Requirements
1. Students must complete one full academic year of study.
2. OPT employment must be DIRECTLY related to the student’s major program of study.
3. Students must submit an application for OPT no more than 90 days prior to completing the designated
program of study on the student’s I-20.
3. OPT must be requested prior to the completion of all course requirements for the degree or prior to the
completion of the course of study.
4. The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card or commonly called “OPT card” must be received and
employment CANNOT start until the date indicated on the EAD card authorizing employment.
Application Procedures
For standard post-completion OPT, the Form I-765 must be received by the USCIS Service Center no more than 90 days
prior to the Program End Date listed on the student’s I-20, and no later than 60 days after the Program End Date listed
on the student’s I-20. (see a CIE staff member for pre-completion OPT application procedures)
In addition, the Form I-765 in support of post-completion OPT must be received by the USCIS Service Center no later
than 30 days after the Designated School Official (DSO) submits the OPT recommendation to SEVIS and prepares your
new OPT I-20.
Attend the OPT workshop provided by the Center for International Education
Complete the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Form to request your OPT I-20 from the Center for
International Education (CIE).
Complete the OPT Recommendation Form and obtain signatures from the Student Records Office, your
Academic Advisor and the Business Office.
Complete the Form I-765 application – use the electronic version to TYPE your information.
Download Form I-765 here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.pdf
Download Instructions for Form I-765 here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765instr.pdf
Gather your required documents. Allow approximately 1 week to gather and organize your documents
for mailing.
You will need to obtain the following documents:
1.
Two (2) current passport size photographs of yourself.
a. Lightly print in pencil your name and your I-94 Admission Number on the back of photos and place in small
envelope.
2.
Prepare a personal check or money order for $380.00 USD, make the check / money order payable to:
US Department of Homeland Security
3.
Make a copy of your current and ALL previous I-20’s issued to you.
4.
Make one copy of your passport information and picture page.
5.
Make one copy of your F-1 Visa.
6.
Make one copy of your I-94 card (front and back on the same sheet of paper).
7.
Make one copy of your social security card.
8. Request from the Student Records Office (located in the Administration Building) a copy of your Unofficial
Transcripts
9.
Make one copy of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, if applicable.
Schedule an appointment with a member of the CIE to review your OPT materials and to collect your OPT I-20.
Mail your OPT documents through a courier service (i.e. UPS, FedEx, etc.) or USPS Certified Mail to:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
Optional Practical Training
Application Form
Applicant Information
Last Name:
First Name:
SEVIS #: N000
Current Program End Date:
Major:
CU ID #:
Email:
@
Mailing Address:
(This is where you want OPT documents delivered AFTER you leave C.U.)
Cell Phone:
Expected Graduation Date:
(mm/dd/yyyy)
/
/
OPT Information
Have you previously been authorized for OPT?
I am applying for:
(circle one)
Yes or No
From:
/
/
To:
/
/
Program Level:
Post Completion OPT
Pre Completion OPT
OPT STEM Extension
Requested OPT Start Date:
/
/
Requested OPT End Date:
/
/
Please INITIAL all boxes indicating you have read, understand, and agree to comply with all stipulation listed below:
____
I have maintained valid F-1 status since I began my studies at the Campbellsville University.
____
I understand that I must report any change to my name, residential address, or any interruption of OPT employment
within 10 days to a member of the Campbellsville University Center for International Education (CIE) staff.
____
I understand that being unemployed for more than an aggregate of 90 days during my post-completion OPT will result in
a violation of the requirements for remaining in valid F-1 status.
____
I will provide the CIE with any and all updates in my work activity and intended travel outside the United States
____
I understand that I cannot begin working until I have my EAD card in-hand and the start date is current and valid
____
I will report the name & address of my employer to CIE within 10 days of starting my employment and fulfill any and ALL
reporting requirements as required by USCIS with regard to OPT employment and/or OPT STEM Extensions
____
I must pursue employment in a job directly related to my field of study
____
I understand my responsibilities to maintain F-1 status while engaging in OPT.
____
I will contact the CIE office if I need to transfer to another institution, change my visa status, or complete my stay as an F-1
student in the United States.
____
I understand my passport must be valid at all times. I will renew my passport six (6) months prior to the expiration date
____
I will consult and notify the CIE office before any travel outside of the United States
Signature:
Date:
For CIE Office Use ONLY
Date Received:
/
/
Comments/Notes:
Received By:
OPT I-20 Completion Date:
/
/
/
/
OPT Recommendation Form
STUDENT INFORMATION – To be completed by the student
Last Name:
First Name:
CU ID #:
Major:
Level of Study (Check One):
Bachelor’s
Master’s
I am applying for (Check One):
1. Pre-completion OPT (work before graduation)
2. Post-completion OPT (work after graduation)
STUDENT RECORDS RECOMMENDATION – To be completed and signed by Student Record Office.
Has the student completed an Application for Graduation?
YES
NO
Expected date of degree completion: ___________________________________
Number of credits remaining to complete the current degree: _______________
Is the student currently enrolled in all of the remaining credits?
YES
NO
If no, what coursework remains? _________________________________________________________
Upon successful completion of current coursework - does the student fulfill all requirements for
graduation?
YES
NO
If no, what requirements remain?________________________________________________________
Student Records Staff – please sign and date:______________________________________________
ADVISOR RECOMMENDATION – To be completed and signed by the student’s Academic Advisor.
I have met with the student listed above and recommend Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the field of the student’s
study. The department feels that such practical training in the United States prior to returning home would be beneficial
to the student and is highly recommended.
To the best of my knowledge, the student fulfills all requirements for his/her degree requirements and is eligible to apply
for graduation.
Advisor’s Printed Name:
Advisor’s Phone: (270) 789 - _________________
Department:
Advisor’s E-mail:
SIGNATURE:____________________________________________
@campbellsville.edu
DATE:_______________________
BUSINESS OFFICE RECOMMENDATION – To be completed and signed by a Business Office representative
I have met with the student listed above and verify that he/she has no pending balance with Campbellsville University
and is cleared to proceed with the Application for Graduation and OPT.
Officer’s Printed Name:
Officer’s Phone: (270) 789 - _________________
SIGNATURE:____________________________________________
DATE:_______________________
Declaration Statement
USCIS Service Center
Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
To Whom It May Concern:
Copies of documents submitted with this application are exact copies of unaltered,
original documents. I understand that I may be required to submit original
documents to an USCIS official or to a U.S. Consular official at a later date.
Signature: _______________________________________________
Student’s Printed Name:
Date:
Post-completion OPT
Authorization Statement
I, the undersigned student, authorize the members of Campbellsville University’s Center
for International Education staff to receive, open and copy the authorized list of
documents (including all notifications) for the use of updating and completing my student
file.
Student’s Printed Name:
CU ID #:
Date:
/
/
Mailing Address: (where you want the EAD / OPT card or other OPT documents mailed AFTER you leave C.U.)
Student’s Signature:
Documents Authorized:
Witness’ Printed Name:
Witness’ Title:
Witness’ Signature:
Date:
/
/
STEM Extension
General Reporting and Requirements Agreement
Per USCIS regulations, STEM OPT recipients must make “validation reports” to the university
Designated School official (DSO) every six (6) month starting from the date the 17-month
extension begins and ending when either the student’s F-1 status ends, the student changes
educational levels at the same school, the student transfers to another school, or the 17-month
OPT extension ends (whichever is first). 8C.F.R. 214.2 (f)(12))ii)(B)
A sample of the required validation report is attached to this form. This report is due to the
university DSO within ten (10) business days of each report due date.
The report dues dates will be:
1. select
2. select
, select - Six (6) months after the STEM OPT employment start date
, select - 12 months after the STEM OPT employment start date
I, the undersigned student, have read, understand, and will comply with the above mentioned
general and specific reporting requirements related to my request for an OPT STEM extension.
Student’s Printed Name:
SEVIS ID #: N000
CU ID #:
Current Mailing Address:
Student’s Signature:
Date:
/
/
STEM Extension – Validation Report
Student’s Full Name:
SEVIS ID #: N000
Date:
/
/
Current Mailing / Residential Address:
Name of current employer:
Address of current employer:
Date student began working for the current employer:
/
/
Student’s Signature:
This report is due to the Campbellsville University Center for International Education (CIE)
within 10 days of each report due date, stipulated by the General Reporting and Requirements
Agreement signed by the student.
Failure to submit this validation report within 10 days of the reporting date will
result in automatic TERMINATION of the student’s F-1 status.