Optional Practical Training

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Optional Practical Training

• Office of International Students and Scholars/074
• University of Nevada, Reno
• 120 Fitzgerald Student Services Building
• Reno, NV. 89557
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]

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Outline

• Introduction
• What is OPT, Who can Apply, Type of Job
• Application and Employment Timeline
• When to Apply
• Application Process
• Two Ways to Apply
• Travel Issues
• Other

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Definition

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an
  opportunity to gain employment experience in your
  major field of study
• You can get OPT

• After completion of the course of study
• (full- time only)
• Full or part-time during annual vacation
• Part-time during school session

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Who can apply for OPT?

• Students who maintain and have been in F-1
  student status for at least 9 months when OPT
  begins
• If you have been authorized for one year of
  full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT),
  you are NOT eligible for OPT

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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• An integral part of an established curriculum
  such as internship or practicum for which
  academic credits are awarded

• Recommended before graduation
• No time limit for part-time CPT
• Permission granted by OISS advisor
• Requirements 9 mos. in F-1 status, advisor
  recommendation, internship credit, and job offer
  in field

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How often can you get OPT?

• At each higher educational level (i.e.
  Associates, Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate)
  students are eligible for 12 months of OPT

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What type of job can you accept?

• Job must be related to your academic field of
  study
• Job should be appropriate for a person with your
  level of education
• You DO NOT need a job offer to apply for OPT

8
When should you apply?

• Apply as early as 120 Days before OPT start date
• OPT application must be received by the
  California Service Center prior to the date of
  your program completion
• OPT must begin no later than 60 days after
  program completion date
• Note Your OPT will start on the date listed in
  your application even if you cannot complete your
  graduation requirements

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Part-Time vs. Full-Time

• Post-completion OPT is always full-time

• Pre-completion OPT used during summer
  vacation can be part or full-time
• If pre-completion OPT is part-time, the time is
  divided by half and deducted from 12 months,
  e.g. 3 months part-time equals 1.5 months
  full-time of OPT

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IMPORTANT TIMING ISSUES

• Processing time is 3-4 months for an Employment
  Authorization Document (EAD) card
• Spring/Summer tends to be peak period
• Apply as early as possible to avoid unnecessary
  delays

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There are two ways to apply

• You can e-file your application or submit all
  application materials through the mail
• E-filed I-765 will still require you to send in
  supporting documents but your application receipt
  will be dated on the day of e-file submission
• Mail Application includes the completed I-765
  plus supporting documents and the receipt notice
  will be posted 2 to 3 weeks later

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To e-file the I-765 form online

• Go to https//efiling.uscis.dhs.gov/efile/

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On-line I-765
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Read privacy policy, check box and click on Next

• elect I am a new user and you will be taken to
  the registration information page.
• Read Privacy Policy and check box below
  acknowledging that youve read it.

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starwarschewy_at_hotmail.com 12 Virginia St
Chewyser See notes
Password must be at least 8 characters first and
last alpha and must contain 1 special character
ex _at_
Chewbacca Seraphic
Reno NV
Choose hint question
USA 89559 (775) 775 -
7755 01 01 1980
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Select Next and then Check your e-mail Look for
a message from
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(No Transcript)
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(No Transcript)
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Enter Information and Select Continue Note If
you plan on moving within the next 6 months,
enter OISS address listed below as your Address
in the US OISS-UNR MS/074 Reno Nevada 89557
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Note The code for eligibility status is (c) (3)
(i) Student Valid for Practical Training.
Fill-in information and click Continue.
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YES
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NO
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(No Transcript)
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(No Transcript)
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(No Transcript)
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(No Transcript)
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Chewbacca Serafico
12 Virginia St Reno
NEVADA
89557 775 775 7755
Fill Out Information Press Submit Payment
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Print your I-765

• After submitting payment, you will be prompted to
  click the finish button. This will generate a pdf
  copy of your e-filed application print this out
  for your records
• If the pdf file is not generated, follow the
  directions for requesting a copy of the pdf and
  print out the receipt for payment

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Next, make an appointment to see an OISS advisor
and bring to the appointment the following

• Signed OPT advisor recommendation form available
  at OISS or online on OISS website
• Printed pdf application or receipt if pdf does
  not generate
• Copies of all previous I-20s
• Copy of passport bio page with unexpired date
• Copy of visa stamp
• Copy of I-94 (front and back)
• At the end of the OPT appointment you will be
  given a new OPT I-20

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Send your OPT package to

• USCIS California Service Center
• Attn E-filed I-765
• PO Box 10765
• Laguna Niguel, CA 92607
• Keep a copy of your OPT package for your records

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Photos

• You will receive an ASC biometrics appointment
  notice in 1 to 2 weeks in the mail
• Go to the local USCIS office at 1351 Corporate
  Blvd to take your digital photos.
• Take to the appointment a copy of your printed
  I-765 application, I-20 and passport

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You should receive a Notice of Action from USCIS
in one to two weeks
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To apply via mail

• Pick up OPT Handout available at OISS or online
  at OISS website and follow instructions
• Complete I-765 Form
• Take 2 Passport Photos (regular mail only)
• Make copies of all previous I-20s (except page
  2)
• Write 340 Check or Money Order payable to
  Department of Homeland Security or DHS
• Get photocopies of passport picture page,
  expiration date, visa stamp, I-94 (front and
  back)

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I-765 Form must be filled out in black ink
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I-765 Form
a
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I-765 Form
SERAFICO Chewbacca
Note Please refer to
next slide before filling in address Djibouti
Losaltos Altos Djibouti 1/1/1980
a
a
987-65-4321 123456789 01 (11 digit on I-94)
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Mailing Address

• On line 3 of I-765 write your current mailing
  address ONLY IF YOU WILL BE LIVING THERE FOR THE
  NEXT 6 MONTHS
• (If you have moved when your EAD card is
  received, your mail will NOT be forwarded, but
  rather, returned to the California Service Center
• If you plan to move within 6 months, you may use
  the OISS address
• c/o Office of International Students
  Scholars/074, Reno, NV 89557
• Note If you write the OISS address on line
  3, write your current residential address on
  line 2.

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I-765 Form
a
01/10/2003 Los Angeles, California Student
(F-1) Student (F-1)
c 3 i
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I-765 Form
Chewbacca Serafico (signature within
lines) [phone] Feb. 12, 2006
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PHOTOS

• 2 Color Passport Photos
• Print name and I-94 in pencil on the back
• Place pictures in a clear plastic ziploc bag,
  seal it and then staple plastic bag to the I-765
  application

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Check or Money Order
Chewbacca Serafico Check 12 Virginia
St Reno, NV 89557 date Pay to the
order of
dollars
for OPT
MP ROUTING NUMBER ACCOUNT NUMBER CHECK
NUMBER
340.00
Department of Homeland Security
Three hundred and forty dollars and 00/100 cents
only

• Check or money order should be made out to DHS
  or Department of Homeland Security in the
  amount of 340.

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Travel Issues

• Documents required for travel after program
  completion and after EAD card has been received
• Valid Passport, valid F-1 visa, I-20 with
  signature on p.3 no more than 6 months old, EAD
  card, letter of employment
• Student with EAD card, signed I-20, valid F-1
  visa and job or job offer should not experience
  difficulty. Otherwise, possible risk.
• Warning It may be difficult to obtain a new F-1
  visa while on OPT

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OPT and SEVIS

• During OPT you are still on the UNR OISS I-20
• Remember to get your I-20 signed by an
  international student advisor when traveling
  outside U.S.
• Remember to report your new address to the OISS
  within 10 days, when you move
• If you continue your studies after OPT, meet or
  contact an advisor to find out about transferring
  your SEVIS record

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Miscellaneous Matters

• You may legally remain in the U.S. while your OPT
  application is being processed
• You cannot work until you receive your EAD card
  and the dates are valid
• You cannot go to school full time while you are
  on OPT
• If you switch educational levels (i.e. Bachelors
  to Masters or Masters to Doctorate) you will
  lose any remaining OPT time
• You have a 60 day grace period after your EAD
  card expires to prepare to go home or transfer to
  a new academic program in the U.S.

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More miscellaneous matters

• Make sure to have health insurance coverage at
  all times
• While on OPT, if you have questions, contact the
  OISS or schedule an appointment with an advisor

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Questions? If so, attend an OPT Workshop
sponsored by OISS.