Office of International Programs
Union East Rm. 203 www.sa.utep.edu/oip oip@utep.edu
(915)747-5664

F-1 / F-3 students may work off campus in one of 3 ways:
1)
2)
3)
Curricular Practical Training
Economic Hardship
Optional Practical Training

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
 OPT is “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.”
 Employment is authorized for up to 12 months after studies are completed (*longer if eligible for 17-month extension)

 12 months of OPT is available for each degree level completed, provided you move from lower to higher degrees
 Current policy: students in certificate programs may also apply for OPT

 Have valid F-1 / F-3 student status at the time of application
 Be a current UTEP student
 Have been enrolled full time or equivalent for one academic year at the time you would begin OPT.
 What is considered full-time?


 Undergraduates: 12 hours / term
 Graduates (Master’s / Doctoral): 9 hours / term OR thesis OR dissertation
 ATCP, Certificate programs: 9 hours
 Part-time Border Commuters (Mexicans only): 1 academic course per term, renew I-20s on time
 Last term: reduced course load permission

 Must be enrolled in at least one course in last term
 Must have less than 12 months of previous full-time
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for current level of study.
 Will complete all coursework by the end of the current term

 Allows employment on a full-time basis


Also, you must work at least 20 hours / week to maintain your status
You may work an unlimited number of hours


You can use your OPT anywhere in the U.S.—Do not use it in Mexico
Note: F-3 students are restricted to living in Mexico & commuting to the US on OPT
 Unpaid employment (volunteering) is permitted where it does not violate labor laws

 Unlike CPT, you do not need to have a job offer before applying for OPT
 OPT can begin up to 2 months after the program end date.
 If you have a job offer already, this will help you choose your start date
 If you have no offer, or need a little extra time for thesis or dissertation, choose a later start date

 Applying for OPT may result in a change to your I-20 expiration date (officially called your “program end date”)


New date will reflect graduating term (write this down!):


Summer 2013 graduates: Aug 6, 2013
Fall 2013 graduates: Dec 13, 2013
Exceptions: completing thesis / dissertation in the middle of a term (can use earlier date)

 You are NOT authorized to work between your program end date and the start of OPT
 It is recommended to apply for OPT BEFORE you complete your program
 You may apply up to 90 days before completion
 You may also apply up to 60 days after program completion (but you may not be given a full 12 months of OPT)

 Summer 2013 graduates: Aug 7, 2013 – Oct 5, 2013
 Fall 2013 graduates: Dec 14, 2013 – Feb 11, 2014
 These dates are dictated by the regulatory requirement that OPT must end no more than 14 months after degree completion.

 Summer 2013 graduates: May 8, 2013
 Fall 2013 graduates: Sept 14, 2013
(These are the earliest dates you may mail your applications to US CIS; can submit paperwork to OIP
1-2 weeks prior to these dates)

 You can only have a maximum of 90 cumulative days of unemployment (throughout the entire year)
 You should be actively looking for a job!
 Report all employment / unemployment to OIP within 10 days of a change & every 6 months
 Don’t forget that volunteer work can count to maintain your immigration status

Jul 16 : deadline for Spring
Last
Semester of
Program
Feb 16: earliest you can mail app to US CIS (90 days before)
Program end date 5/17/2013
‘13 grads to have application at US CIS; latest date to start
OPT clock
Graduation
Jan Feb
US CIS processing
Mar Apr
Feb 1, 2013:
Student turns in app to
OIP ; chooses Jun
15 start date
Feb 8:
Packet ready to mail
Feb 16: student applies at earliest date; mails packet
Average 2 months processing time – receive card
May Jun Jul Aug
Possible OPT start dates:
5/18/2013 –
7/16/2013
3 months processing time
- receive card
June 15, 2013: Start working when you have the card in your possession

OPT Timeline – Spring Graduates
If you apply late
Last
Semester of
Program
Feb 16: earliest you can mail app to US CIS (90 days before)
Program end date 5/17/2013
July 16: deadline for
Spring ‘13 grads to have application at US CIS; latest date to start
OPT clock
Graduation-may not work yet!
US CIS processing
Jan Feb
Mar Apr
June 1, 2013:
Student turns in app to
OIP ; chooses July
10 start date
May Jun Jul
Possible OPT start dates:
5/18/2013 -7/16/2013
Jun 8:
Packet ready to mail
Average 2 months
(Aug) processing time
– receive card
Aug Sept
3 months (Sept) processing time
- receive card

Oct 5: deadline for
Last
Semester of
Program
May 8: earliest you can mail app to US CIS (90 days before)
Program end date 8/6/2013
Summer ‘13 grads to have application at US CIS; latest date to start
OPT clock
Graduation
Apr May
US CIS processing
Jun Jul
May 1, 2013:
Student turns in app to
OIP ; chooses
Sept 15 start date
May 8:
Packet ready to mail
May 8: student applies at earliest date; mails packet
Average 2 months processing time – receive card
Aug Sept Oct Nov
Possible OPT start dates:
8/7/2013 –
10/5/2013
3 months processing time
- receive card
Sept 15, 2013: Start working when you have the card in your possession

OPT Timeline – Summer Graduates
If you apply late
Last
Semester of
Program
May 8: earliest you can mail app to US CIS (90 days before)
Program end date 8/6/2013
Oct 5: deadline for
Summer ‘13 grads to have application at US CIS; latest date to start
OPT clock
Graduation-may not work yet!
US CIS processing
Apr May
Jun Jul
Sept 1, 2013:
Student turns in app to
OIP ; chooses Oct
5 start date
Aug Sept Oct
Possible OPT start dates:
8/7/2013 - 10/5/2013
Sept 8:
Packet ready to mail
Average 2 months
(Nov) processing time
– receive card
Nov Dec
3 months (Dec) processing time
- receive card

Feb 11, 2014 : deadline for
Last
Semester of
Program
Sept 14, 2013: earliest you can mail app to US CIS (90 days before)
Program end date 12/13/2013
Fall ‘13 grads to have application at US CIS; latest date to start
OPT clock
Graduation
Aug Sept
US CIS processing
Oct Nov
Sept 1, 2013:
Student turns in app to
OIP ; chooses Jan
15, 2014 start date
Sept 8:
Packet ready to mail
Sept 14: student applies at earliest date; mails packet
Average 2 months processing time – receive card
Dec Jan Feb Mar
Possible OPT start dates:
12/14/13 –
02/11/2014
3 months processing time
- receive card
Jan 15, 2014: Start working when you have the card in your possession

OPT Timeline – Fall Graduates
If you apply late
Last
Semester of
Program
Sept 14, 2013: earliest you can mail app to US CIS (90 days before)
Program end date 12/13/2013
Feb 11, 2014 : deadline for
Fall ‘13 grads to have application at US CIS; latest date to start
OPT clock
Graduation-may not work yet!
US CIS processing
Aug Sept
Oct Nov
Jan 10, 2014:
Student turns in app to
OIP ; chooses Feb
11, 2014 start date
Dec Jan Feb
Jan 18:
Packet ready to mail
Possible OPT start dates:
12/14/2013 –
02/11/2014
Average 2 months
( Mar ) processing time
– receive card
Mar Apr
3 months
( April ) processing time
- receive card

 Apply for graduation (must be in Goldmine)
 Complete the OPT request form:
 Start / end dates
 Turn in application to OIP

 Complete Form I-765
( http://sa.utep.edu/oip/files/2013/06/4476_001.pdf
)
 Complete Form G-1145
( http://sa.utep.edu/oip/files/2013/06/g-1145.pdf
)
 Instructions to follow!   

START
HERE
SHOULD MATCH PASSPORT
YOUR VALID U.S. MAILING ADDRESS
MONTH/DAY/YEAR
If you do not have a SSN, leave section blank
USE I-94 #
Refers only to form, not to CPT or On-Campus Employment
NEVER FILLED OUT I-765, MARK HERE
ALREADY HAD OPT,
MARK HERE
CONT. #11
CONT. #11
DATE ON I-94
LAST CITY WHERE YOU ENTERED THE U.S.
STUDENT
STUDENT
C 3 B
N/A – Only for
OPT Extensions
YOUR SIGNATURE
N/A
YOUR PHONE NUMBER DATE

YOUR LAST NAME YOUR FIRST NAME
Your e-mail address (UTEP or other)
YOUR MIDDLE NAME
YOUR U.S. CELL PHONE NUMBER

 5 business days later, you will receive an e-mail from an advisor at OIP advising you whether or not you are eligible for OPT
 If you are, prepare the following:
 Check or money order for $380 payable to “Department of Homeland Security”
 2 U.S. sized passport photos (2” x 2”); write your name and I-94# on the back

 Return to OIP to review & sign your new I-20 and pick up the mailing instructions for your OPT packet
 Then, you will:
 Make copies of new I-20, I-94 front & back, visa & passport (bio page only)
 Attach original signed I-765, G-1145, photos & your payment of $380

 Mail your application to US CIS, using a traceable method
 If using US Postal service, use certif ied mail with return receipt
 Courier mail carriers (DHL, FedEx, etc.)

 Your OPT application must be received at the US CIS processing center NO LATER THAN:
 Oct 5, 2013 – Summer 2013 graduates
 Feb 11, 2014 – Fall 2013 graduates
 What does this mean?....

1. You must apply to the Office of International Programs
FIRST before you can mail your OPT application to US
CIS
2. You must allow AT LEAST one week for OIP to process your new I-20...PLUS, time for your OPT application to get from El Paso to Dallas, TX

Sept 20, 2013 - OIP deadline for summer 2013 graduates
Jan 28, 2014 – OIP deadline for fall 2013 graduates

 Application received at lockbox facility; application is reviewed; checked for all documentation
 If something was not right with the application, a letter & your application will be returned within one week
 It is VERY IMPORTANT that your documents are received by US CIS within 30 days of the date
printed on the I-20; if you will be unable to do so, please see an advisor at OIP for further assistance

 If G-1145 was filed, student is notified
 Application forwarded to Texas Service Center
 Student will receive a “Notice of Action” in two to four weeks

 Application assigned to an officer for review and decision
 If approved, work permit is created (called
Employment Authorization Document, or “EAD” card)
 Card mailed to I-765 address
 Average processing time is currently approx. 2 months
 DO NOT begin to work until you have the card, on the start date (the date may have changed from the one you requested).

 It is okay to travel within the U.S.
 VERY IMPORTANT: Are you not graduating as expected? Please see an advisor at OIP.
 After the last day of finals in your graduating semester, it is NOT okay to work, not even on campus

 OPT card arrives to address on I-765
 Contact OIP for the OPT Notification Form or print it from our website ( www.sa.utep.edu/oip )
 This form must be submitted to OIP in compliance with federal regulations; for reporting employment

 Official names: Employment Authorization
Document, EAD, Form I-766
 Notation on OPT card – “not valid for reentry”
 Is on every OPT card issued; means card by itself is not sufficient to reenter US; must have valid passport, visa &
I-20 to enter
 May reenter with card provided student has a job in the US
 http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm

 Ask yourself: “Have I finished my degree?”
 If YES, then proceed to use your OPT to the full extent 
 If NO, then follow the instructions on the next slide…



 If you have reached 90 days of unemployment:


You may not use your OPT permit to accept any offers of employment. The card is no longer valid.
Your choices may include:
 Beginning another academic program which starts within 5 months (must have I-20 by 90 th day)



Applying to change your visa status
Returning to your home country immediately
You do not have a 60 day grace period

How to Calculate OPT Unemployment
Example 1 http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html
Unemployed from Jan 15 to Apr 15
Last day of
OPT on EAD
Jan 14, 2015
Jan Feb Mar
Apr
May Jun Jul
Aug
Jan 15, 2014:
Start date on
EAD card & no job
(unemployed)
Apr 15 last (90 th day) of permitted unemployment
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan

How to Calculate OPT Unemployment
Example 2 http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html
Last day of
OPT on EAD
Jan 14, 2015
Jan Feb Mar Apr
Jan 15, 2014:
Start date on
EAD card and first day of Job A
May
May 15:
Jun Jul
Aug
Sept Oct Nov Dec
How many days of unemployment are still available?
Jan
Answer: 90 Days
End of Job A

How to Calculate OPT Unemployment
Example 3 http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html
Unemployed Mar 31 to May 1st
Unemployed July 31 st to Aug 14 th
Unemployed Oct 1 st to Nov 12 th
Last day of
OPT on EAD
Jan 14, 2015
Jan Feb Mar
Jan 15, 2014:
Start date on
EAD card and first day of Job A
Apr
May Jun Jul
90 – 32=
58 days of unemployment
Mar 30:
End of Job A
May 2 nd:
Start of Job
B
Aug
58– 15=
43 days of unemployment
Jul 30 th :
End of Job
B
C
Sept
Aug 15:
Start of Job
Oct
Sept 30 th
End of Job
C
Nov
43– 43=
0 more days of unemployment
Dec Jan
Nov 12 th Last
(90 th day of
Permitted unemployment)

 Check your visa!!! :
 If you are going to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean islands, you can re-enter the U.S. with an expired F-1 / F-
3 visa as long as your trip is 30 days or less (automatic visa revalidation)
 Exception: students from Iran, Syria, Sudan, North Korea or
Cuba
 If you are going to another country, you MUST have an unexpired F-1 / F-3 visa to re-enter the U.S.

 When reentering the U.S.:
 You are still a student!!! If asked by an immigration official, remember that you are on practical training , and not “going to work.”
 The law requires proof that you are returning for purposes of practical training; therefore, you will need a job offer letter , copies of pay stubs , etc.
 It is not recommended to exit the U.S. after you have obtained your OPT card without such proof

 You can work as much as you like
 You can work at multiple jobs, but each job must be related to the degree you just completed at UTEP
 You can change jobs / companies

 If you are Mexican, it is fine to live in Mexico and cross for work in the U.S.
 If you have an F-3 visa OR applied for OPT with a parttime Border Commuter I-20, you must reside in
Mexico during your OPT
 Remember, you may only work in jobs related to the degree you just received

 Some graduate students wish to use the first part of their OPT to finish out their last month of a TA / RA appointment
 i.e. Fall graduate:

 program end date 12/13/2013, TA appointment is through
12/31/2013 if OPT approved by 12/14/2013 with start date of 12/14/2013, student may work from 12/14/2013 to 12/31/2013 as RA / TA
 This is okay as long as RA/TA is major-related

 Yes, you may use your OPT to work at UTEP as long as the employment is directly related to your degree and you meet HR employment policies for employment
 You need to be hired into a regular staff / faculty position at UTEP OR be a volunteer

 Duration of status: “grace period” is 60 days after program end date AND end of OPT
 Beginning an academic program at another level automatically cancels any remaining OPT
 Mexican students: do not use the OPT solely to live in the US; you must be working in US as well

 Students on OPT must now REPORT their employer / employer address to OIP
 Every 6 months, must confirm their employment with
OIP
 Must continue to report changes in residential address within 10 days of the change

 Must have a STEM degree to qualify
 ONE-TIME extension of 17 months
 OPT extension allows more chances to apply for H-1b
 Allows U.S. employers to continue to hire skilled workers in fields with a shortage / in demand (science, technology, engineering & mathematics)
 Certificate programs = not eligible

 Must be on 1 st 12 months of OPT to apply
 May apply up to 120 days prior to expiration of current
OPT
 Must reapply for OPT through OIP and pay the fee a second time ($380)
 Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify program
( www.uscis.gov/E-Verify )
 Employer must report if student leaves job

 Student must report employment to OIP
 Student must apply for the extension prior to the
EXPIRATION DATE of the OPT EAD card
 Student allowed to keep working up to 180 days with old EAD until extension application is approved
 If extension is denied, then employment stops & 60day grace period begins

 If you are out of town:
 Contact OIP, request OPT extension application & instructions e-mailed to you


Submit application to OIP via scan / e-mail
Wait 5 business days


OIP advisor will e-mail you scans of your new I-20, for your review
Once you confirm documents are correct, OIP advisor will mail the documents to you OR you can send a friend
/ signed letter to pick up for you

 NAFTA / TN visa (“Trade National” visa):






For Mexicans & Canadians
Must have job offer to apply
*Select occupations*
Currently granted for 1 year, renewable
Non-immigrant visa
For info and job list, see www.travel.state.gov
The Office of International Programs is not able to provide formal advising in regards to work visas. This information is to provide a general orientation to work options in the U.S.


:



Employer sponsors student & pays fees
Filing period: starts April 1 st of each year (private); anytime of year for public institutions
Status / approval date begins Oct 1 st for private companies, on approval date for public institutions
 Must show student has skills that are hard to find among U.S. workforce
 Granted for 3 years, renewable another 3
 Cap (private sector employment only): 65,000 per year; addt’l 20,000 adv. degrees

 What is it? A way to bridge gap between end of OPT & start of H-1b status on Oct 1
 Only for students who are petitioned for H-1b for private sector employers
 Due to timing issues, only relevant for spring and summer graduates OR fall graduates applying for H-1b during OPT extension period

 Students whose employers file the H-1b petition & request change of status on April 1 st and have an
RECEIPTED petition:
 Have maintained F-1 / F-3 status
 Can keep working between end of OPT and Oct 1 st
 Should request an updated I-20 from OIP
 This applies to any major
 If H-1b petition denied, then student must stop working once OPT ends & 60-day grace period begins

What documents do you submit to OIP to apply for the OPT recommendation?

Only the OPT application form, nothing else!!!

For further information:
Ph (915) 747-5664
Union East building, 2 nd floor www.sa.utep.edu/oip oip@utep.edu
Revised 7/24/2013