Welcome to the Optional
Practical Training Workshop
Presented by
Center for International Students and Scholars
Student Center, 3rd Floor, Suite 310
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tel: 781-891-2829
OPT Overview
 Optional Practical Training is employment in your
field of study that is related to your field of study.
 Must have been a full-time student for at least one
academic year in valid F-1 status or else another
valid nonimmigrant status that permits full-time
study in the U.S.
 You are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT per
higher educational level.
 Exception: If you performed 12 months or more of full-
time CPT at this educational level, then you are not
eligible for OPT.
OPT Overview
 You do NOT need to have a job offer before you apply
for OPT.
 Once your OPT application is approved, you will
receive an Employment Authorization Document
(EAD) card from USCIS. Note that you are not able to
work until you receive this card and the start date on
the document is current (or passed).
 Once USCIS issues your EAD, the time charged against
your 12 months of OPT cannot be reduced whether you
actually work or not.
Sample EAD Card
OPT Overview
 You must hold valid F-1 status, which means you
must be physically present in the U.S. at the time of
submitting your application.
 You can apply 3 months (90 days) prior to
completion of your degree requirements.
 Completion of fall 2015 is December 22, 2015
 First date possible to submit OPT application is
September 23, 2015
 Completion of spring is May 21, 2016; first day to submit
OPT application is Feb. 23, 2016
Pre-Completion OPT (before degree
completion):
 Pre-completion OPT not used often at Bentley
 Can only be part-time (20 hrs or less/week) while
school is in session
 Can be full-time (more than 20 hours/week)
during annual vacations or breaks
 Any time used will be subtracted from the total 12
month allotment at part-time or full-time rate.
OPT Post Completion (after
completing degree)
 You can apply up until the end date of your 60 day
grace period (2 months after graduation), but you
should submit your OPT application no later than 1
month before your graduation date.
 You may only be authorized to begin work after
completion of your studies.
 You may only apply for full-time post-completion OPT
(more than 20 hours/week).
OPT Application: Documents to
Submit to CISS
$380 personal check, cashier’s check or money order payable to Department
of Homeland Security.
2 color passport style photos. Write your full name in pencil on the back of
the photos.
CISS OPT Acknowledgement Form - including your start and end dates of
requested employment.
Completed and signed Form I-765.
Completed and signed Form G-1145.
Copies of pages 1 and 3 of any and all current and previous I-20s.
Copy of your I-94 Arrival Departure Record printed from the U.S.
government website: https://i94.cbp.gov.
Copy of passport identity/expiration date page.
Copy of F-1 visa page.
Copy of any previous EAD cards.
Original Enrollment Verification Letter from Registrar.
Copies of any previous communications with USCIS.
CISS OPT Acknowledgement Form
and Your Completion of Studies Date
 Your Date of Completion is when you complete all
requirements for your degree. The Office of the Registrar can
confirm your graduation date with letter.
 Request either:
 an Enrollment Verification letter (found on the Registrar’s website) OR
 an Enrollment/Graduation letter (obtained by completing the orange
form in the Registrar’s office). This letter requires 5 business days
 DATES OF COMPLETION, BY ACADEMIC LEVEL:
 The Date of Completion for Undergraduates and Non-thesis Graduates is the
last date of the semester.
 The Date of Completion for Masters with thesis is your defense date.
 The Date of Completion for Ph.D.s is the day you deposit your dissertation to the
graduate school.
 Note: Your I-20 will be shortened to the Date of Completion that is the end of semester date per the
Registrar’s letter!
Dates of Employment: Start Date
 You must choose your preferred start date of
employment.
 For Post-Completion OPT:
You may choose any day up to the 60th day for the start date of employment.
Date of Completion of Studies
60 Days Later
 The start date of your OPT will be the date you
choose or the day USCIS issues the EAD card,
whichever is later.
Dates of Employment: End Date
 Your end date will be no later than one year (less a day)
after your start date of OPT.
Note: You may choose to apply for less than one year of
OPT.
I-765 Form
 This is a USCIS “fillable” form
 Go to http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
 Click on FORMS and scroll to I-765
 Fill form, print form, sign and date form
 Questions to Discuss:
 3. Use local address or CISS address:
1.
2.
3.
4.





LAST, first
Bentley University
175 Forest Street, STU 310
Waltham, MA 02452
12. – 15. Refer to I-94 information.
14. – 15. F-1 Student (if this is your status).
16. (c) (3) (B) for Post Completion OPT
17. – 18. Leave blank.
Certification: Remember to sign, date and include your
phone number.
Sample form I-765
Submitting Your OPT Application
to CISS for Review:
 An advisor will review your OPT application
 A new I-20, reflecting your OPT recommendation will be provided to




you with your OPT application.
You will receive an email to come to CISS and pick-up your OPT
application.
USCIS must receive your OPT packet within 30 days of the
newly issued I-20, which will reflect the OPT recommendation
on it.
A CISS administrator will have you sign and date the new I-20 and
will make 2 copies of the newly issued/signed I-20. Remember to
keep the original Form I-20. Be sure to add a copy of the newest I-20
to the OPT application you send to USCIS.
A copy of the OPT application will remain in your CISS file.
OPT Application to Submit to
USCIS
 $380 personal check
 2 color passport style photos
 Completed and signed Form I-765
 Completed and signed Form G-1145
 Copies of pages 1 and 3 of any and all previous I-20s
 Copy of your I-94 Arrival Departure Record Information
 Copy of passport identity/expiration page
 Copy of F-1 visa page
 Copy of any previous EAD cards
 Copies of any previous communications with USCIS
Mailing your Application

Make copies of everything you send to USCIS!
Send the application by “Certified Mail” and “Return
Receipt Requested”

Mail the application to be received by USCIS
within 30 days from the day your newest I-20 was
issued.


Tracking Your Application
 USCIS usually sends a receipt notice within 3-6 weeks
of their receipt of your application. If 6 weeks have
passed and you have not received the receipt notice,
contact CISS.
 With the receipt notice, you can check the status of
your application online using the EAC number:
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
 Note that you must be in possession of your EAD card
and the start date of your employment must be either
current or passed for you to be eligible to work.
 Allow 2-4 months to receive the EAD card.
90- Day Unemployment Rule
 While on OPT, if you are not employed for more than 90
days, your F-1 status ends. CISS recommends you talk to an
advisor if you are more than 2 months without
employment.
 U.S. law requires you to inform CISS of your employer.
 Remember to update CISS with any change of employer
EACH time you change your job
 Please send an email to GA_CISS@Bentley.edu and provide
the following information:



Employer Name
Address where you report to work (including zip code!)
Start date of employment
Reminders
 Once you receive your EAD, you are responsible for providing
CISS with a copy of the card. A clear fax or scan is fine.
 If you change your address while on post-completion OPT,
within 10 days fill out the “Address Update” form so that we
can update your SEVIS record. Failure to do this is a violation
of your F-1 status.
 If while on OPT, you change your status, you should provide
CISS proof of your new status.
 If while on OPT, you decide to leave the country and not
return to use your OPT, you should send CISS an e-mail
request stating that you are “completing OPT and leaving the
United States”. Your SEVIS record will be “completed” and the
date of your exit will be noted.
Canceling your Application
 Changes to your OPT Application:
 If you change your mind and decide not to send your
application, then notify CISS in writing so we may cancel
your request in the SEVIS system.
 If you change your mind AFTER you have mailed your
application, you may write to USCIS and ask them to
cancel your request for OPT, though there is no guarantee
this it will happen.
 NOTE: If you transfer or pursue another degree program, you
must stop working on the day your SEVIS record is released
to your new school or when your EAD card expires, whichever
comes FIRST.
Traveling Abroad While on OPT
 Before Degree Completion, you are able to travel abroad
without any additional concerns.
 After Degree Completion, but before you receive your EAD
card, it is possible to travel with the receipt of your application, a valid
passport and visa and an offer letter, (if you have one). (not recommended)
 After Degree Completion and when you have your EAD card,
you may leave the U.S. and re-enter in F-1 status as long as you
have:
 Valid passport
 Valid F-1 visa

If your F-1 visa will NOT be valid up0n your re-entry to the U.S., then you
must apply for a new F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Proof of
employment is preferred for you to secure your new F-1 visa.
 EAD card
 I-20 with travel signature within the last 6 months.
NOTE: Proof of employment is important. Leaving the U.S. without this
proof is risky and could jeopardize your ability to return to the U.S.
Life After OPT
 You have a 60 day grace period after the completion of
your post-completion OPT.
 If an employer files a timely H-1B application for you,
your status and employment authorization will
automatically extend. Your status and work
authorization would terminate upon the rejection,
denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition.
 You can apply for a 17 month OPT extension if your
major applies. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Where to Find OPT
Information on the CISS
Website
 Go to this URL for information about OPT:
http://www.bentley.edu/campus-life/studentdevelopment-services/international-students-andscholars/student-employment
Then go to: “OPT Application Procedures” and
Click on: “OPT Packet, Instruction and FAQs.”
Thank you !