Practical Advice on Curricular Practical Training for F1 Students

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Practical Advice on Curricular Practical
Training for F-1 Students

• Monica Sharp, Assistant Director
• Danika Hines, International Student Advisor
• University of Oklahoma International Student
  Services
• 729 Elm Avenue, Hester Hall, Room 155
• msharp_at_ou.edu danika_at_ou.edu
• iss_at_ou.edu
• 405-325-3337
• http//www.ou.edu/intprog/iss/

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Before We Begin the Workshop

• Are all attendees in F-1 status?
• Number of OPT v. CPT attendees?
• We will review both categories first.
• Please hold your questions until the end of the
  all general information. If you have a unique
  and complicated question, wait until the end of
  the workshop to speak with an advisor.

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Important Terms

• DSO Designated School Official OU
  International Student Advisor
• USCIS US Citizenship and Immigration Service
• CPT curricular practical training
• OPT optional practical training
• EAD employment authorization document (card)

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Practical Training Two Types

• An F-1 student may wish to find an internship or
  short-term employment to gain practical
  experience in the field of study.
• To obtain permission for this type of employment
  authorization, the USCIS permits an F-1 student
  to seek authorization for practical training.

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Type 1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• Internship offered by sponsoring employers
  through agreements with the university that is
  required as an integral part of an established
  curriculum, or will count toward degree
  requirements. CPT is recommended by the academic
  advisor and authorized by the DSO.

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Curricular Practical Training What is it
exactly?

• An F-1 student may wish to find an internship to
  gain practical experience in the field of study.
• To obtain this type of employment authorization,
  the USCIS permits an F-1 student to seek
  authorization for curricular practical training.

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Curricular Practical Training
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CPT and other work authorization

• Students who use 12 full months of full-time CPT
  become ineligible for OPT under US immigration
  law
• Use of part-time CPT does not affect OPT
• Consider applying for pre-completion OPT if you
  do not qualify for CPT

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Important!

• An F-1 student with CPT cannot hold a
  concurrent, part-time, on-campus job during the
  fall and spring semesters. This includes GA
  appointments. Total number of hours worked per
  week cannot exceed twenty during the fall and
  spring semesters!

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Other considerations

• The internship must be an integral part of an
  established curriculum. This means that the
  internship is
• required for all degree candidates, or
• part of an internship course for academic credit
  towards the degree support letter from academic
  advisor required, or
• required to complete thesis/dissertation
  research results will be included in thesis or
  dissertation - support letter from academic
  advisor required, or
• Located through OU Career Services and will count
  for credit towards degree requirements - support
  letter from academic advisor required

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CPT Application Process and Deadlines

• Meet with your academic advisor. Does your
  degree program require an internship of all
  students, or will it award internship credit
  toward your degree requirements?
• If your program does not require an internship,
  or will not award credit for an internship, plan
  ahead for pre-completion OPT in your field of
  study
• Enroll in the internship course when your
  enrollment window opens, and before the add/drop
  period closes of the semester in which you wish
  to do CPT
• Gather documents and submit CPT application
  packet to OU ISS allow 10 business days for
  processing
• OU ISS WILL PROCESS NO CPT APPLICATIONS IN A
  CURRENT SEMESTER AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE ADD
  PERIOD FOR THE SEMESTER (the last day of the
  first week of the semester)

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IMPORTANT REGULATION!

• CPT employment authorization is strictly
  regulated under US federal immigration law.
  Working at your internship before the CPT start
  date on your I-20 or continuing internship
  employment (paid or unpaid) after the CPT
  authorization end date on your I-20 IS A SERIOUS
  VISA VIOLATION AND CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF YOUR
  F-1 VISA STATUS.

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Curricular Practical Training application
procedure

• Attend OU ISS CPT/OPT workshop
• Meet with your Academic Advisor request that
  s/he complete the recommendation form, and
  provide support letter, if applicable
• Obtain detailed internship offer letter (see
  template)
• Submit application to OU ISS
• Pick up CPT I-20 after you have been notified via
  email by OU ISS
• DO NOT START THE INTERNSHIP BEFORE YOU ARE
  AUTHORIZED FOR CPT!

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Deadlines and Submitting CPT Applications

• Last day to apply at OU ISS for Spring 2008 CPT
  is Friday, January 18
• Summer 2008 CPT application window is April 7
  June 6
• Submit CPT packets in person to OU ISS, Hester
  Hall Room 155.
• Call 325-3337 or email iss_at_ou.edu with questions

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Type 2Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• Temporary employment authorization granted by
  USCIS for practical training that is directly
  related to the students major area of study.
• OPT can be taken during annual summer vacation,
  part-time during regular school session, after
  completion of course requirements or after
  completion of course of study.

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Optional Practical Training
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OPT can be authorized in the following ways

• After completion of the degree program
  (undergraduates last day of semester graduate
  students defense date or last day of semester in
  which defense took place)
• After completion of all course requirements for
  the degree, excluding thesis or dissertation
  (I-20 CANNOT be extended after OPT completion
  date)
• Full-time (20 hours per week) as pre-completion
  OPT during summer break
• Part-time while school is in session (20 hours or
  less per week). Minimum enrollment requirements
  apply!

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Important!

• The USCIS will grant post-completion OPT on a
  full-time basis only.
• Post-completion OPT apply to USCIS before degree
  completion date. The latest date that
  post-completion OPT can begin is 60 days after
  degree completion date.
• NEW OPT application eligibility now begins 120
  days prior to degree completion date.

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Notes on OPT application procedure

• USCIS sends receipt notice when OPT application
  is received and in process.
• Receipt notice has number and website to track
  application status.
• You cannot begin OPT employment until you have
  the EAD and the start date is current.
• If requesting pre-completion OPT, you must not
  work until USCIS has approved your application
  processing time 100 days
• If your degree does not require that you complete
  an internship, consider pre-completion OPT and
  plan ahead!

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Note! Mailing address for EAD

• OU ISS office address is pre-filled in 3 on Form
  I-765 - address to where EAD will be sent
• ISS office will receive your receipt notice and
  EAD, notifying you to safely retrieve it
• A designated friend may also retrieve it on your
  behalf send an email to janaej_at_ou.edu we will
  verify photo ID prior to releasing your card to a
  designated party

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OPT application procedures

• Submit Academic Advisor recommendation form to
  advisor
• Complete USCIS Form I-765
• Make 2 copies of all immigration documents
  (passport bio page, visa, I-94, current and all
  prior I-20s, former EADs)
• NEW Obtain 340 check or money order processing
  fee for USCIS application
• Obtain 2 passport-size photos
• Submit complete OPT application to OU ISS make
  OPT processing appointment with OU DSO
• Meet with OU DSO to finalize OPT application
  prior to submission to USCIS

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Post-completion OPT? Determine your start date!

• You must apply for post-completion OPT before you
  graduate beginning 120 days prior to degree
  completion
• Post-completion OPT can only start after you
  graduate - 60 days following degree completion
• You will be asked to choose your preferred OPT
  start date when you submit your application to OU
  ISS

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS

• If you choose a completion date that is NOT the
  end of the regular semester, BE ADVISED THAT
• All on-campus employment will end on the date you
  choose as your completion date
• Your graduate assistant appointment will end on
  your completion date. You may not continue any
  employment, paid on unpaid, on the OU campus
  after your completion date.
• You will no longer be eligible for your tuition
  waiver as of your completion date. You may be
  required to pay back your tuition waiver.

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GRADUATE STUDENTS AND COMPLETION DATE cont.

• If your degree completion date is mid-semester,
  you are
• Not eligible for on-campus employment
• Not eligible to continue graduate assistant
  appointments
• Not eligible for tuition waiver
• The only way to avoid these complications is to
  SELECT THE PROGRAM COMPLETION DATE THAT IS THE
  END OF THE SEMESTER.

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IMPORTANT REGULATION!

• OPT employment authorization is strictly
  regulated under US federal immigration law.
  Working before the OPT start date on your EAD IS
  A SERIOUS VISA VIOLATION AND CAN RESULT IN A LOSS
  OF YOUR F-1 VISA STATUS.

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OPT Application Deadlines

• You must submit your application via US mail to
  USCIS no less than seven days prior to your
  degree completion date
• Undergrads Spring 2008 deadline for processing
  appointment with OU ISS is May 2 for a May 9
  degree completion date
• Grad students Spring 2008 deadline for
  processing appointment with OU ISS is May 2 for a
  May 9 degree completion date, or seven days prior
  to defense date. You must choose a date it
  cannot be changed!
• OU ISS cannot process any OPT I-20s for Spring
  2008 graduates after May 2, 2008!

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I get more OPT at a later date?
• Can my OPT be cancelled?
• Can I study while on OPT?
• Can I change employers during OPT?
• Can I travel out of the US while on OPT?
• Do I get a grace period after OPT?
• We will now cover these questions in depth

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FAQ 1 Can I get more OPT at a later date?

• F-1 students may apply for 12 full months of
  full-time OPT per degree provided that subsequent
  degrees are each at a higher degree level.

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FAQ 2 Can I withdraw my OPT application?

• It is extraordinarily difficult to change the
  start date of the OPT application once it has
  been submitted. Cancellation of all or part of a
  period of OPT once the EAD card has been issued
  is also difficult.
• If you wish to withdraw your OPT application,
  your I-20 must be extended to a new program
  completion date. It can take over a month to
  resolve your on-campus employment and status
  issues.
• You will also pay the OPT application fee again
  if you apply in the future.
• Due to F-1 status issues and cost to student, we
  recommend you choose a firm degree completion
  date and OPT start date.

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FAQ 3 Can I study while on OPT?

• US federal immigration law states that while you
  are on full-time, post-completion OPT, you may
  not begin study toward a new degree program and
  keep your OPT. The start date of your new I-20
  for a new degree program will end your OPT work
  authorization.
• You may finish remaining requirements, such as a
  thesis or dissertation, for a current degree
  program. If you did not complete a required
  course in your final semester of your degree
  program, you may complete a course.
• Do not take course credit toward a new degree

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FAQ 4Can I change employers during OPT?

• A student may work for more than one employer
  and/or change employers during the period of
  authorized OPT, but ALL employment must be
  directly related to the field of study on the
  I-20.

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FAQ 5 Can I travel out of the US while on OPT?

• OPT F-1 status.
• Travel abroad with I-20 signed for travel by OU
  DSO, EAD card, a valid F-1 visa, employment
  confirmation letter.
• You may depart the US before receiving the EAD.
  However, you must have the EAD, a valid F-1 visa,
  and proof of your employment to reenter the US.
• The USCIS has advised that students may reenter
  the US with the OPT receipt notice if they have
  not yet received the EAD not recommended!
• It is not impossible, but may be more difficult,
  to renew an F-1 visa while on OPT.

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FAQ 6Do I get a grace period after I complete
OPT?

• F-1 students have a 60-day grace period
  following the completion date of OPT. The time
  your OPT application was pending does NOT count
  against the grace period. You may change
  immigration status during the grace period,
  obtain an I-20 for a new degree program, or
  depart the US. You are NOT work-authorized
  during the grace period.

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APPOINTMENTS
You MUST submit your OPT application packet prior
to your processing appointment with a DSO. Go to
OU ISS office, Hester Hall Room 155 to submit an
OPT application packet and set an OPT processing
appointment.