Optional Practical Training

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Optional Practical Training

• OPT for F-1 Students

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Definition of Optional Practical Training

• Optional Practical Training (OPT), allows F-1
  students to gain a maximum of 12 months of
  practical experience directly related to their
  field of study. It is considered off-campus
  employment.

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Eligibility Requirements For Optional Practical
Training

• Students may engage in OPT after being enrolled
  consistently for at least one full academic year.
  For example students who start in the Fall term
  are eligible for OPT at the end of the Spring
  term.
• Students do not need to secure employment before
  applying for OPT.

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When Can I Use Optional Practical Training?

• Pre-completion OPT
• While school is in session, provided that
  practical training does not exceed 20 hours a
  week while school is in session. Students may
  only work up to a total of 20 hours per week at
  any employment both on and off campus during the
  semester.
• During school vacations up to full time.
• After completion of all course requirements for
  the degree excluding thesis or research project
  for a graduate student in a masters, or doctoral
  degree program.
• Post-completion OPT
• After completion of the course of study.

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A total of 12 months is available for OPT per
degree level.

• Students who do Pre-completion OPT will have that
  time deducted from the 12 months available.
• For example if you apply for and receive three
  months of full time OPT during a summer session,
  you will only have nine months of post completion
  OPT available.
• Part-time OPT is always deducted from the
  available OPT at 50 of the full-time rate.
• For example, a student who works for 6 months
  part-time will have 3 months deducted from the 12
  month total OPT time (this option is not
  available for Post-completion OPT).

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Time Limits of OPT

• Your OPT ends if you transfer to another school
  or if you enroll in a new degree program.
• The 12 months of OPT are only available until 14
  months after the date of completion of a
  particular degree level.
• You can only do OPT once at each higher degree
  level

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Applying for OPT

• Timing is everything!
• Prior to end date (completion of academic
  program) (Item 5 on I-20)
• Applications should be sent ninety days before
  requested start date.
• Post completion OPT requests will only be
  processed by the ISSC within thirty days of the
  date of the program completion
• Requested start dates can be no later than two
  months after end date of completion of academic
  program.
• PRE and Post completion OPT requests have
  identical processing times.
• Pre completion is scheduled prior to end date on
  I-20 post completion is scheduled after end date.
  

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Application Deadline For Opt Post Completion Of
Studies

• We strongly recommend that you start the
  application process for OPT 90 days before you
  hope to start your employment. The regulations
  mandate that a request must be made prior to the
  completion of all course requirements for the
  degree or prior to the completion of the course
  of study.
• USCIS can take up to 90 day or more to process
  OPT and there is no way to expedite it.
• Temporary EAD cards are not available from the
  USCIS District Office if your original
  application is not adjudicated within 90 days of
  USCIS receipt.

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OPT Application Checklist

• Complete the OPT Request and Recommendation Form
  and obtain all three required signatures.
  Students who are applying for post completion OPT
  must be within thirty days of their date of
  degree completion.
• Check or money order made payable to the US
  Department of Homeland Security Be sure to verify
  the amount at prior to filing. The fee is subject
  to change. As of July 2007 it was 340. Be sure
  that your name and I-94 number are written on the
  front of the check.

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OPT Application Checklist continued

• A completed I-765 is the form required for the
  application for employment. When completing the
  I-765 be sure to use a mailing address which will
  still be valid several months in the future. You
  may use the International Student Center's
  mailing address. You can find the I-765 and the
  current fee under Immigration Forms at the
  following web site
• http//www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
• In item 16 on the form indicate the appropriate
  code by writing (c) (3) (i) F-1 Optional
  Practical Training
• There is a fill-able form available under
  e-filing. You can use this process for completing
  the form and then print a copy. However we do not
  recommend using the e-filing process at this
  time. Currently, it actually takes more time to
  process the application if you e-file.

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OPT Application Checklist continued

• Two (2) ADIT style photos.
• Two passport-style color photos with a white
  background taken no earlier than 30 days before
  submission to USCIS. They should be un-mounted,
  glossy and un-retouched. The photos should show a
  full-frontal facial position. Your head should be
  bare unless you are wearing a headdress as
  required by a religious order to which you
  belong. The photo should not be larger than 2 x 2
  inches, with the distance from the top of the
  head to just below the chin about 1 1/4 inches.
  Lightly print our name and your I-94 the back of
  each photo with a pencil.
• Photographers specification can be found
  athttp//travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/setu
  p_production.html
• Photocopy of all prior SEVIS I-20s (and pre-SEVIS
  I-20s, pages 3 4)
• Photocopy of biographical pages of current
  passport
• Photocopy of most recent visa
• Photocopy of original I-94 (front and back).
• If you bring the originals with you, the ISC
  will make a copy for your application packet

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OPT Application Checklist continued

• Some students may have the following
  requirements
• Copies of any previous Employment Authorization
  Documents (EAD cards)
• NSEERS Registrants must provide proof of
  registration (copies of front and back of I-94
  card should indicate registration and an FIN)
  and a letter from the student noting the date and
  place you initially registered.

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Make an appointment at the ISC

• When you have all the items and have followed all
  the instructions on the checklist, contact the
  ISC to request an appointment by emailing
  INTL_Office_at_umassd.edu
• Students who arrive with incomplete applications
  will have to reschedule.

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At the Appointment

• Your application packet will be reviewed.
• A new I-20 recommending the student for OPT will
  be created. A requested Start Date and End Date
  for OPT will be recorded on the I-20.
• If necessary the academic program end date on the
  I-20 will be adjusted to reflect the date that
  the advisor has reported as the date of
  completion for the student.

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Important Information

• The ISSC places a hold on the COIN account of any
  post completion OPT applicant.
• If you apply for post-completion OPT you cannot
  travel outside of the United States after the
  program end date on your I-20 and plan to return
  until you have received your EAD card and have at
  minimum a confirmed job offer . If you leave the
  country before practical training is authorized
  or pending, you forfeit your practical training
  privileges.
• If you plan to travel after OPT has been granted
  you must carry the following documents with you
  at all times if you plan to re-enter the United
  States
• I-20 ID properly endorsed within the last six
  months
• Unexpired F-1 student visa
• EAD card
• Unexpired passport
• Letter from employer confirming employment
• Your OPT employment begins and ends on the dates
  stipulated on the EAD card.
• You must not work or collect wages until your OPT
  has been granted, you have reached the start date
  on the EAD card and you have finished your degree
  program. For students who apply for post
  completion this includes this includes any
  on-campus employment after the date of degree
  completion on your I-20

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More Important Information to Report to UMass
Dartmouth ISSC

• While on OPT you are required to update your
  address with the ISSC at UMass Dartmouth within
  10 days of any move.
• You are required to report all employers and the
  employers address.
• You must inform the ISSC of any periods of
  unemployment.
• You must inform us if you change employers,
  informing us of their name and their address.
• WE must submit this information to SEVIS.
• You will not be eligible to submit an OPT
  application after you complete your degree
  program, therefore you must apply for OPT before
  completion. Completion is usually defined as the
  date that you have finished all the work, not
  necessarily the date on a diploma or the
  transcript.
• According to the new regulations a student may be
  authorized 12 months of practical training, and
  becomes eligible for another 12 months of
  practical training when he or she changes to a
  higher educational level.
• Your dependents will remain in valid status for
  the duration of your OPT.
• Your on-campus employment (unless continuing it
  on OPT) must end on the date specified as the
  academic program end date (5 on page one).
• Your OPT ends if you transfer to another school
  or if you enroll in a new degree program.

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Mail Application Packet

• Mail all of the application documents by
  certified and return receipt requested mail,
  after you have met with ISSC staff. The ISSC will
  provide you with an addressed envelope. Most
  students mail them to
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Vermont Service Center
• 75 Lower Welden St.
• Saint Albans, Vermont 05479
• Some students may need to send their
  Application to one of the other
• Service Centers if the address on their I-765 is
  in another part of the United States

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After you have mailed your OPT packet you will
receive the following documents

• Post office receipt for OPT packet.
• Notice of Action from USCIS, acknowledging the
  receipt of your money and the I-765 (OPT)
  application. You are required to provide us with
  a copy of this form.
• On rare circumstances you might receive a request
  from USCIS to submit additional evidence to
  process your OPT application. You should let
  ISSC know if you receive this blue form.
• Notice of Action from USCIS notifying you of the
  results of the application and if approved when
  you will receive the card. You are required to
  provide us with a copy of this form.
• EAD card will be sent in a different envelope.
  You are required to provide us with a copy of
  this form.

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OPT problems are

• Mailing incomplete application packets
• Applying for post completion OPT and then do not
  complete the degree program by the specified
  completion date on the I-20 and do not request a
  program extension.
• Starting post completion OPT employment without
  completing your degree.
• An OPT withdrawal request must be received by
  the VSC prior to the adjudication of the I-765
  form.
• Applications that are delayed for security
  checks.
• Moving thereby changing your mailing address
  after applying for OPT.
• Not notifying the post office at a new address
  that you will be receiving mail at the new
  address.
• Lost applications because the were sent through
  the regular mail.
• Leaving the US then attempt to return without the
  EAD card and proof of employment.

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Important Notes

• You must continue to follow F-1 regulations as
  they apply to students on OPT.
• Notify us of any change of address within ten
  days
• Employment must be in your field of study
• You may begin your employment when you have (1)
  the card in your hand (2) the start date listed
  on the card has been reached and (3) you have
  completed your degree program if it is post
  completion OPT.
• You must end your OPT employment on the date
  listed on the EAD card. Always keep your old EAD
  cards because you may be asked to provide a copy
  of it for future USCIS applications.
• When you reach the end of your OPT (post
  completion only), if you have not changed your
  visa status to another type or have not been
  admitted to another degree program you must make
  plans to leave the United States within the sixty
  days grace period.

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Processing Times and Case Status On Line

• https//egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
• Finding the Status of Your Case If you have an
  application receipt number, you can check the
  status of your case at this address.
• Obtaining a List of Processing Dates If you
  would like to see the Processing Dates for
  Applications and Petition at the Service
  Center(s) you can use the link at this address.

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Questions?