OPT and CPT –
What’s it all about?
Work Options for F-1 Visa
Students
• Work on campus
• Off campus work for severe economic
necessity
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Note: For all classes of employment, except on
campus, student must have been enrolled for a
full academic year to be eligible.
Curricular Practical Training
• By definition, the internship or working
experience must have an educational or
curricular purpose. It must be “an integral part of
the student’s program”.
• Must be related to major. Not minor.
• Whether paid or unpaid, student must register
for credit. For example:
ACCTG 380 Internship
• 1, 2, or 4 hours
• On-the-job learning experience in government or industry. The plan
must be presented for departmental approval before the experience
begins. (Note: Those students with less than a 2.50 GPA in the major
must have departmental approval before interviewing.)
What is Illegal Work?
• More than you might think! All of these paid
activities are considered illegal work.
– Babysitting
– Paid performances, music accompanying
– House sitting
– Dog walking
– Cooking or catering
– Tutoring (paid by someone other than Luther)
Optional Practical Training
• F-1 Students are allowed one full year of OPT
per educational level, i.e. Associate degree,
Bachelor’s, etc.
• OPT can be used before completion of degree
or post-completion.
• Must be related to student’s major.
• Employment may be with a company, selfemployment, musical gigs, contract work,
etc.(keep records!).
CPT – How to Apply
• Visit the Career Center, both virtually and in
person to find the internship you’re looking for!
• Attend Career Fairs
• Once you’ve found an internship, pick up
internship paperwork from Career Center and
check with your department for approval for 1-4
credits.
• Get department’s signature on the internship,
and return forms to Career Center
• Visit your DSO for CPT approval on your I-20 and
then you’re okay to do your internship!
OPT How to Apply
• Have a conversation with your DSO about a
timeline. Your OPT application should be
submitted relative to your date of graduation,
whether you have a job or not, plans to leave
the country, plans for graduate school, driver’s
license renewal date, and other
considerations.
Post-Completion or Pre-Completion?
• Pre-Completion OPT is possible, but limits
you to 20 hours per week while taking
classes, and cuts down or eliminates your
post-completion time. (better to use CPT)
• F-1 Students are eligible for 12 full months of
OPT per educational level: Associate Degree,
Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD.
• Post –Completion OPT must occur during the
14 months immediately after graduation.
OPT When to Apply
When can I apply for post-completion OPT?
How do I Choose a start date? Apply 90 days before your start date.
No Job?
OPT When to Apply
Have a job?
Processing time is up to 90 days. With a job offer letter, can request to expedite
application.
OPT When to Apply
What if I have trouble finding a job?
OPT – How to Apply
• Download form I-765 and instructions for the
Diversity Center Website, or pick up a packet in the
LDC.
http://reason.luther.edu/diversity/internationalinfo/current
students/opt/
• Return forms, check or money order, passport photos to
your DSO. Bring along current passport, I-94, visa and all I20s you’ve been issued.
• DSO will enter OPT application into SEVIS, after a brief
“interview” to determine start dates and other information.
You will be issued a new I-20 with OPT application.
• DSO will include a cover letter and help you assemble your
application packet for mailing to the USCIS in Nebraska.
What Happens Next?
• In 10-14 days, a receipt will be sent to the address
on the application. (usually the LDC)
• The receipt will contain an LIN number (case
number) and indicate a webpage where you can
check the status of your application.
• Do not lose this receipt!
• In some cases, instead of a receipt, you might
receive a “Request for Evidence”, indicating some
piece of information is missing.
Already Have a Job?
• If you have a job offer when you apply for
OPT, you can include a copy of the offer and
request that USCIS expedite your application.
This may shorten the processing time, but it’s
unclear by how much.
• If you receive an offer, after submitting your
application, your DSO can fax a copy of the
offer, along with a copy of your OPT receipt
to the USCIS Service Center.
Once You Get the EAD
• Work cannot be started before the “valid from”
date on the Employment Authorization
Document. (EAD)
•
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=338ce8ba05b33310VgnVCM100000082ca60aR
CRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
Employer Sponsorship
• Some employers hire F-1 students on OPT with the
intention of sponsoring them for a H-1B working
visa. (Or they discover they like your work after you
begin at the company)
• H-1B petitions are usually submitted in April of each
year, and accepted until the cap is reached.
• The adjudication of those petitions isn’t done until
late summer, early fall, and the H-1B visas go into
effect on October 1.
Cap-Gap Allowance
Where does that leave you?
Your OPT runs out in June, but your H-1B isn’t
approved until October. Help!!
That’s where Cap-Gap comes in!
H-1B petition
OPT ends
April 1, 2013
June 15,
2013
H-1B approved
or denied,
Oct. 1, 2013
OPT Before Grad School
• Some students will work under OPT for the
summer before graduate school. (Luther
campus work ends at Commencement)
OPT commences June 1, 2013
Grad school commences
Sept. 1, 2103 (OPT ends
when SEVIS record is
transferred to graduate
school)
What Else Should I Know
About OPT?
• During the 12 month period of OPT, you are allowed a
maximum of 90 days of unemployment. This may be
a cumulative total of more than one period of
unemployment.
• It costs $380 to submit your application.
• While on OPT, you are required to notify your DSO of
your personal address and the name and address of
your employer.
• It can take up to 90 days to process the application
• The onus is on you to prove that your work is related
to your academic major.
17 Month STEM Extension
What are STEM fields of study?
• S – Science
• T – Technology
• E – Engineering
• M – Mathematics
At Luther, these majors include:
Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Math,
Math & Statistics, Physics
You are eligible to apply for 17 additional months of OPT, providing
your employer is an e-Verify employer. You must apply before the
end of your current OPT employment. The application process is the
same as OPT.
Wrap Up
• When in doubt, don’t rely on the wisdom of
your friends, go to your DSO!
• Begin the process early enough, so that you
can begin working when you need to.
• Don’t come rushing in at the last minute!
• Ask lots of questions!!!!