F-1 OPT Session
International Student and Scholar Services
Vanderbilt University
OPT
(Optional Practical Training)
What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment option
available to F-1 students for employment directly related to the
major area of study.
– Standard (initial) 12 month period of OPT per higher degree
level.
– STEM Extension OPT maybe possible for some students.
The Standard 12 month OPT period can be divided into 2 types, PreCompletion and Post-Completion.
– Pre-Completion OPT is any OPT used before degree completion
and typically part-time
• Part-time OPT is deducted from the 12-month limit at 50%
– Post-Completion OPT is any OPT used after degree completion
and is ONLY full-time
CPT vs OPT
CPT
OPT
Job Required to apply
Yes
No
Appointment with ISA
needed
No
No
Processing Time
2-3 business days
Average of 3 Months
Application Fee
None
$380
Authorized by
ISSS, ISA
USCIS - Immigration
Form of Authorization
I-20 page 3
EAD Card
Hours per week
PT while classes are in session, FT
while classes are on official break
USE OF FT CPT FOR 12 MONTHS
= NO OPT
Pre-Completion: PT while classes
are in session, FT while classes are
on official break
Post-Completion: FT only
Maximum Duration
None
12 Months Full-time per degree level
(higher degree)
Extension Possible
Yes
Maybe
Am I eligible to apply for OPT?
To be eligible for Standard OPT you must:
• HAVE maintained legal F-1 status for at least 9
consecutive months or one full academic year.
• NOT have used full-time CPT for 12 months or
more.
Standard Limitations
• Post-Completion OPT
– Start date must fall within 60 days of program completion (this is not
necessarily the same date as the graduation ceremony)
– While on full-time Post-Completion OPT, you may enroll in classes that are
“incidental” to the employment; Do not begin a new degree program on
OPT.
• Unemployment Limit of 90 days starting from OPT start date
Unemployment Restriction
• During Standard Post-Completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon
employment.
– Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of
unemployment during any Standard Post-Completion OPT.
• For Standard Post-Completion OPT, the employment does NOT have to
be paid employment as long as there is no violation of labor laws, but
must be at least 20 hours a week.
– self-employed
– short-term multiple employers including performance majors with regular
“gigs”
– interning or volunteering in a position directly related to the academic field
– work for hire (contractual relationship)
– employment through an agency
Employment Notification
Requirement
In all circumstances of employment you must:
• Work at least 20 hours a week
• Be in a job that is related to your degree program
• Inform ISSS of employment by completing the online
OPT Employer Information Form
• 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
Explanation of Terms
• Degree Completion: date you complete all degree
requirements, not necessarily graduation ceremony.
– For Doctorate students could be dissertation submission date.
– Latest date possible is last day of semester (December 17, 2010 or
May 13, 2011)
• Employment directly related to the major area of study:
Immigration recommends that you maintain evidence (for
each job) of position held, proof of duration, job title, contact
information of supervisor/manager, and description of work.
OPT Timeline
Application Process
You can apply up to 90 days prior to degree completion, and within the 60 day grace
period following degree completion.
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OPT Application Form
OPT Form I-765
2 Passport-Style Photos
G-1145 Form
$380 Personal Check payable to Department of Homeland Security
Copy of I-94 card (front and back)
Copy of Passport I.D. page(s) including expiration date
Copy of Visa Stamp
Copy of all previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD cards)
Submit your OPT packet with an International Student Adviser (ISA) during walk-in
hours. The adviser will review your application with you and answer any questions
you have. Your OPT I-20 will be processed within 2 business days.
– Once your I-20 is process, your adviser will contact you via e-mail to pick up
your finalized OPT during walk-in hours.
– It is recommended that you keep all I-20s together at all times. I-20s show your
F-1 Status history. You should keep the most current I-20 on top and it is the
only one that needs to be signed for travel.
I-20
Receipt Notice
Receipt Number
SRC-06-119-00000
Received Date
August 16, 2004
Notice Date
September 10, 2004
EAD (OPT Approval)
Changes to Standard OPT
• Changes to the OPT start and end dates are not easily made.
– Please be certain of your anticipated employment start and end dates
prior to scheduling your appointment with your International Student
Adviser. Changes may delay receipt of the EAD.
• Cancellation of the OPT Application
– Must be submitted prior to issuance of the EAD
– Application fee will not be returned
• Job change is possible
– Standard OPT is not employer specific.
• STEM 17 month Extension for students completing degrees in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
STEM 17 Month Extension
Eligibility
Must be:
Currently engaged in the Standard PostCompletion OPT
Must have: Completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral
degree in a STEM field.
Science Technology Engineering Mathematics
Must have: Have a job or job offer from an E-Verify
Employer
Job must:
Be traditional paid employment at least
20hrs/week
Approval:
extension begins on the day after the expiration
of the initial post-completion OPT employment
authorization, and ends 17 months later.
STEM Extension Limitations
May not:
Accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of
unemployment during the total 29-month OPT
period.
You can:
Change employers, but the new employer must
also be an E-Verify Employer
You cannot:
Travel while STEM extension is pending
Employer
must:
You must:
E-Verify employers must notify ISSS when
employment is terminated via online form.
submit validation report every 6 months starting
from the STEM extension online via
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/isss/OPTEmployerInfo.html
OPT Processing Times
• Processing Times and how to check your case
status:
– https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
– SRC
• Employment Authorization Document
– EAD card from USCIS
• When you pick up your OPT card at ISSS you will
need to provide a non-Vanderbilt e-mail address
OPT and Travel
• Recommended Travel
– Before the expiration of your I-20, with I-20 travel signature
– After I-20 has expired and with OPT Receipt Notice, I-20 signed
for travel, valid visa, passport.
– With EAD, signed I-20 for travel, valid visa, passport, letter from
employer.
• Not Recommended Travel
– The period after your I-20 has expired and before you receive
the OPT Receipt Notice.
– Anytime during OPT and you do not have employment.
– While STEM Extension is pending
While on OPT
While you are on OPT you are still considered an F-1
Vanderbilt student.
Therefore you must:
• Notify ISSS of any address change via the online Change
of Address Form
• Have your I-20 signed for travel by ISSS
• Report employment information (name, address,
interruption of employment) and changes to employment
to ISSS, OPT Employer Information Form. STEM
Extension students must complete this form every 6
months.
Life after OPT
Within 60 days after completing OPT, you must do
one of the following:
• Depart the U.S.
• Apply for change of status in the U.S.
• Transfer to another institution or begin another F1 program at Vanderbilt.
• You cannot work during the grace period.
What about an H-1B
H-1B cap-gap extension of D/S and work authorization until October 1.
Duration of 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 duration of status and work authorization would automatically
terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition filed
on the student's behalf.
ISSS advises students regarding F-1 and visa matters including
processing for the cap-gap extension.
You will need to consult your current employer or an Immigration
Attorney regarding H-1B matters.
F-2 Dependents
• Please request a new I-20 for dependents when
applying for OPT and after OPT is approved.
• F-2 dependents are not allowed to work either oncampus or off-campus under any circumstance!
• F-2 dependents are not allowed to enroll for a fulltime degree program of study until change of
status application is approved by the United States
Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) office.
FAQ
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Do I need a job offer to apply for standard OPT?
What if my degree completion date is delayed?
Where can I work?
Can I change jobs while on OPT?
Can I have more than one job while on OPT?
Once OPT is authorized by USCIS, can it be canceled?
Where can I get assistance in finding a job?
– http://www.vanderbilt.edu/career/
– Career Planning Guide – Chapter 8 – Job Search for
International Students
Questions?
• Office Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00-5:00
• Walk-in Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – Noon and 1:30-3:30
• Student Life Center
310 25th Avenue South, Suite 103
Phone: 615-322-2753
Fax: 615-343-7799
E-mail: isss@vanderbilt.edu
Website: www.vanderbilt.edu/isss