OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Workshop

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OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAININGWorkshop

• Clemson University
• Office of International Services

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Welcome!

• This presentation will answer many questions
  regarding OPT, including
• What is OPT
• How do I apply for OPT?
• When do I apply for OPT?
• Can I cancel/change my application?
• What about OPT extension?
• Travel on OPT
• And more

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WHAT IS OPT?

• Off campus work authorization permitting a work
  experience in your field of study at a U.S.
  company or organization.
• Employment limited to your field of study
• Maximum authorization is 12 months

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WHAT EXACTLY IS OPT?

• Xiaoyu majored in Chemistry and is hired by
  Coca-Cola to work in their Research and
  Development department.

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WHAT IS NOT OPT?

• Maria is completing a degree in Biology. She
  wants to work as a waitress.

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WHEN CAN I USE OPT?

• Pre-Completion
• During school vacations (full-time)
• During school year (part-time)
• Post-Completion
• After completion of program

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WHEN CAN I USE OPT?Masters or PhD students

• Once all coursework has been completed, students
  may concurrently work full-time on OPT while
  writing their thesis/dissertation.
• Full-time enrollment is required.
• Time spent during pre-completion OPT will be
  subtracted from the total 12 months of
  post-completion OPT.

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WHAT IS COMPLETION?(when your I-20 will expire)

• Your completion date is when your I-20 expires,
  and you have completed your program.
• Using post-completion OPT means you are FINISHED
  as a student. You are no longer eligible to
  extend your I-20. You are also ineligible to work
  in your graduate assistantship.

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WHAT IS COMPLETION?(when your I-20 will expire)

• You CANNOT work, paid or volunteer, between your
  completion date and your OPT start date.

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WHEN CAN I APPLY?

• It is recommended that you apply before your
  completion date. USCIS must receive your
  application BEFORE the end of your 60 day grace
  period.
• The earliest you can apply is 90 days before your
  completion date.
• OPT must start within 60 days of the completion
  date.

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY?

• You will receive a new I-20
• You will send the required documents to USCIS
• You receive a Notice of Action (receipt letter)
  within 2-3 weeks
• You can track your application with the receipt
  number at www.uscis.gov
• Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will
  arrive within 90 days

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WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

• Your OPT can be cancelled without losing any time
  if you have not mailed your application
• NO REFUNDS. You will lost the 380 application
  fee to USCIS
• Your OPT may be cancelled once it has begun, but
  you risk losing considerable time during the
  cancellation process
• ANY CHANGE to your OPT application is NOT
  recommended once it has been submitted
• If you start a new degree program or transfer
  your SEVIS record to a new school during your OPT
  period, this will cancel your OPT work
  authorization

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OPT Rules

• You MUST work at least 20 hours a week
• Your work MUST be in your field of study
• You cannot accrue more than 90 days of
  unemployment
• You must report changes in address, employers,
  and period of unemployment to International
  Services using the IS-150 Data Validation Form

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TRAVEL

• I-20 travel signature no more than 6 months old!
• If your application is still pending and you have
  completed your program, travel is risky
• If your application was approved and you have
• A job it is recommended that you travel with
  written support from your supervisor
• No job leaving the country is risky. Carry proof
  of your job search

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OPT ENDS?

• Extension of your OPT work authorization is
  available if you have a pending non-exempt H-1B
  petition (contact our office)
• If your degree is in Science, Technology,
  Engineering, or Math (STEM), you may qualify for
  a 17 month OPT extension (contact our office)
• You have a 60 day grace period after your OPT
  expires. You can use this time to
• Apply to change Visa status
• Prepare to leave the U.S.
• Begin a new degree program

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WHAT TO BRING TO OPT WORKSHOP

• IS-140 Form signed by both you and your academic
  advisor
• G-1145 Form (typed)
• I-765 Form (typed)
• Check made out to U.S. Department of Homeland
  Security for 380
• 2 US Passport photos (2x2) see link
• http//travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/photo
  comptemplate/photocomptemplate_5297.html
• Copies of front and back of I-94, Visa, passport
  photo and biographical page (if there is one)
• NO job offer required

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Photo Composition Template
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G-1145Form

• USCIS Website
• MUST be filled online, NOT handwritten
• NOT a required form, but we strongly recommend
  students to complete and submit with their
  application to receive confirmation of USCIS
  having received the documents

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I-765 Application Form

• MUST be filled online, NOT handwritten
• USCIS Website
• Address Make sure you use a reliable address
  where you will be in 90 days. USCIS will NOT
  forward mail! If you are unsure, use
  International Services address
• A-Number OR I-94 Number You will write your I-94
  number
• Date and Place of last entry Can be found on
  your I-94 card

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I-765 Application Form

• Manner of Entry and Current Status F-1 Student
• Pre-Completion Code (c) (3) (A)
• Post Completion Code (c) (3) (B)
• OPT Extension Code (c) (3) (C)
• Question 17 is for Extension applicants only

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Must be part of a STEM degree majorMust be
employed by an e-verify company

• POST COMPLETION OPT Extension

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For a list of STEM Degreeshttp//www.ice.gov/sev
is/stemlist.htmCan apply as early as 180 days
prior to OPT end dateRenewal of Permission to
Accept Employment16 (c) ( 3) (C)17
Complete with company information

• POST COMPLETION OPT Extension

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Waiting Game

• A watched pot never boils!

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NEED MORE HELP?

• OPT and other immigration questions can be
  emailed to is_at_clemson.edu
• Advising Hours
• Monday and Tuesday 900-1130
• Wednesday and Thursday 130-330
• Or by appointment. Please call 656-3614. Requests
  for appointments through email
• will not be considered

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OPT

• Questions?