Employment Workshop ppt August 2014
Employment Workshop
For international students
2014-2015
Employability depends on your immigration status ----
What is your status?
(not – what is your visa)
NEVER work without immigration authorization – unauthorized employment can not be fixed in immigration
What is volunteering?
F-1s
On campus – up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks
Off campus due to severe economic hardship – after one academic year, doesn’t happen much any more *
Curricular Practical Training – after one academic year, must be for academic credit **
•
•
Special Student Relief – right now, only Syria
Employment with an International Organization – mostly in
Washington, D.C.
Optional Practical Training and STEM *
Available after 1 full academic year in program
Usually available only after 1 full academic year in program
Non-SEVIS employment issues
Apply for Social Security Number
Complete an I-9 – proof of identity and proof of work permission
Taxes
Money withheld from every paycheck (some pay checks are $0!)
Amount depends on tax treaty
All international people must complete tax forms and mail to Internal Revenue Service by April 15 even if they did not make any money
Generally, students receive some of the money back that was previously withheld.
OPT and STEM –
most common at UIS
12 months full-time per level of study
STEM – 17 months, once per lifetime
Job directly related to major and appropriate for level of study
Pre-OPT is subtracted from Post-OPT
STEM fields eligible for 17-month extension and must be with an eVerify employer
Work permission has specific start and end dates indicated on EAD card
Can not be unemployed more than 90 days during regular
OPT and no more than 30 additional days during STEM
Must report address and employment information to UIS within 10 days (AR-11)
OPT/STEM application process
Read the OPT handout (and STEM handout)
http://www.uis.edu/internationalstudentservices/wp
-content/uploads/sites/95/2014/03/OPT-formpdf.pdf
Attend an employment workshop
Prepare all documents
Advisor’s form
I-765
G-1145
Make an appointment with ISS – receive new I-20
Mail application within 30 days
Can apply before getting a job offer
Advisor’s Form
Student
Name, UIN, SEVIS ID, Major, expected graduation date
Requested beginning and ending date
Must be within the 60 days following graduation
Advisor, Department Chair, etc.
Certify the student’s information regarding major and graduation date
Name, signature, email, etc.
Determining what start date to request
Usual issues
Do you already have a job offer?
Monday, 1 st or 15 th of the month
Must be between graduation day and 60 days later
Won’t get EAD card until at least 90 days after application is mailed
And can’t begin working until you have the card
90 days before graduation
Post Completion OPT Timeline
150 day application time
60 days after graduation
– start date on card
~~Actual work start date~~~~~~~~~~~
- No more than 90 days unemployment after start date on card
Graduation date
60 days after graduation
G-1145 – e-Notification of
Application/Petition Acceptance
Name
Email address
Telephone number
I-765 – Application for Employment
Authorization – Type this!!!!!!!!!!!
Permission to accept employment
1. Name (family name in CAPS) (First) (Middle)
2. Other names
3. U.S. Mailing Address – sometimes changes SEVIS address, must be where you plan to be living in 90 days, some people use our office, use correct zip code!
4. Country of Citizenship/Nationality
5. Place of Birth
6. Date of Birth
8. Marital Status
7. Gender
9. Social Security Number – if you have one
10. Alien Registration Number or I-94 Number
11. Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS?
I-765 continued
11 continued – which USCIS office, dates and results
12. Date of last entry to the U.S.
13. Place of last entry to the U.S.
14. Status of Last Entry
15. Current Immigration Status
16. Eligibility Category: pre(c)(3)(A), post(c)(3)(B), STEM
(c)(3)(C)
17. required information for STEM
Degree
Employer’s name in E-Verify system
E-Verify number
Signature, telephone number and date
Application materials & order
Check for $380 made out to Dept. of Homeland
Security
Two recent photos with name and I-94 written on back (not more than 1 month ago)
G-1145
I-765
Copy of new I-20 from ISS office requesting OPT dates
– make sure you have signed the bottom on the first page
Copy of previous I-20, passport, visa and I-94
Address to mail application depends on where you live
Read our handout for specific information or check online at www.uscis.gov/i-765
Regular mail to PO Boxes in Phoenix, AZ or Dallas,
TX
Express mail to physical addresses in Phoenix, AZ or Lewisville, TX
Application Timeline - OPT
Eligible to apply from 90 before graduation up to 60 days after graduation
Must mail application within 30 days of new I-20 being generated with requested OPT dates
Students will receive a receipt notice by email, text or regular mail indicating their receipt number
Students can track progress of their petition with the receipt number
Processing of EADs usually takes 90 days
Can not begin employment until card is received and the start date on the card has arrived
Differences for STEM application
Eligible to apply up to 120 before end of OPT
Application must include evidence of degree completion
Application must include evidence that first 12 months of
OPT were conducted appropriately – directly related to major, appropriate for level of study, no more than 90 days of unemployment
This means include copies of job offer letters, pay stubs, etc.
Can extend I-9 with EAD – or for 180 days with receipt notice
Additional OPT Issues
Employment Reports within 10 days
Your name and physical address – AR-11 and UIS
Job title and start date
Company name and address
Supervisor’s name and contact information
Requesting a STEM extension I-20 – email and employer report
L-1s and jobs outside the U.S.
Cap Gap and H-1s
Travel before, during and after OPT/STEM
