Transcript Slide 1
What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training
An opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the
classroom to a practical work experience
2 Types of OPT:
Pre-completion and Post-completion
Work permit for up to one year (365 days)
Automatic benefit of your F-1 status
(assuming no previous problems with your status)
Who can apply for OPT?
Students who have been in F-1 status for at least
9 months (two semesters)
Students at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral
level
Students who are currently maintaining their
status at the time of application
Students who intend to work in their field of
study (majors only—NOT minors)
How do I apply for OPT?
Pick up an OPT application packet at the ISAO
Submit the completed application and all supporting
documents to the ISAO
ISAO will review application and create a new I-20
Mail application immediately – USCIS must receive
application within 30 days of the date on your new
I-20
When can I apply for OPT?
During the final term (semester or summer) of your
degree program
Apply no more than 90 days before your program end
date (graduation)
Apply early! – USCIS can take up to 90 days
(3 months) to process OPT applications
When can I apply for OPT?
The earliest you can apply for OPT is 90 days before
your program end date (graduation).
Date of graduation
90 days before
graduation
December 13, 2014
September 14, 2014
May 9, 2015
February 10, 2015
The ISAO’s last day to submit application for review:
For December Graduates graduates: November 28,
2014
For May Graduates: April 17, 2015
Submitting your application earlier is highly recommended – The earlier, the
better!
The OPT Application
Filing fee: $380
(a check made payable to DHS / USCIS)
2 identical passport-style photos taken recently:
must be different from passport and visa photos with full
name and I-94 number written on the back in pencil
Completed I-765 form in pen
Completed SEVIS release form
(for ISAO to make your new I-20)
Copies of ALL immigration documents
The OPT Application
Copies of ALL immigration documents:
passport (biographical data, photo & signature)
visa (most recent)
front and back of I-94 or print out of electric I-94
1st and 3rd pages of ALL previous I-20s
front and back of any previous work permits
any change of immigration status approval forms
any DS-2019s (if you have previously been a J-1
student)
SEVIS Release Form
Required Sections
I-765 Application
08/16/2008 to 08/15/2009
Top
Left
Right
08/16/2008 to 08/15/2009
Bottom
2 Identical Passport Style Photos
Photo Instructions
Subject framed with full face, front view, eyes open
Photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of
head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm)
Head centered within frame
Eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm)
from bottom of photo
Plain white or off-white background
No distracting shadows on the face or background
Natural expression
Write full name and I-94 number on the back IN
PENCIL
When should I start my OPT?
The start date is up to you, but it must be within the
60 days after graduation.
Date of graduation
60 days after graduation
December 13, 2014
February 12, 2015
May 9, 2015
July 8, 2015
The end date is a year from the start date minus a day
(Example: July 7, 2015 to July 6, 2016)
OPT Application Process & Timeline
Submit OPT application to ISAO for review and new I-20.
All documents have been submitted and questions answered.
After 3 – 5 business days:
ISAO will email you to come sign new I-20 and pick up application
packet to mail
You mail your application to USCIS
Usually about 30 days after mailing:
ISAO will receive a receipt for your application
After 1 – 3 business days:
ISAO will scan and email you a copy of your receipt
After 30 – 60 days:
ISAO will receive your EAD (employment authorization document)
After 1 – 3 business days:
ISAO will contact you to come pick up your card or send us mailing
instructions
Total processing time can be over 3 months!
The ISAO deadline to apply is two weeks before graduation!
Requirements & Responsibilities while on OPT
May not work until you have work permit card (EAD)
No more than 90 days of unemployment time
Keep track of your own unemployment time
Keep detailed records of all employment while on
OPT– especially if volunteering
Requirements & Responsibilities while on OPT
Continue to report to ISAO
address changes
phone number & email
employment information
OPT update form at http://www.truman.edu/international/currentstudents/
E-mail ISAO staff with questions: [email protected]
The 90 Day Unemployment Rule
Students cannot be unemployed more than 90 days
total while on OPT.
Unemployment time might be counted before you
start a job, after you finish a job, or in between jobs.
The unemployment count does not start until your
OPT start date. The time between graduation and
your OPT start date (if you have any) does NOT count
towards your unemployment total.
The unemployment count continues even if you leave
the US.
Traveling Outside the US while on OPT
Can be risky: talk to ISAO before planning anything!
If OPT application is pending: not recommended
If unemployed: don’t!— some border officials view
this as abandoning your OPT. It carries a degree of
risk.
If employed: it’s possible if you have everything you
need for re-entry:
Traveling Outside the US while on OPT
If employed: it’s possible if you have everything you
need for re-entry:
valid passport (valid at least 6 months into future)
valid visa
valid I-20 with a current travel signature
(within last 6 months)
valid EAD to verify OPT
proof of employment (a letter from your employer).
(You may need an explanation of your absence from work
if travel is after you have started a job.)
OPT Extensions
For STEM majors only:
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics
17 month extension after 1st year of OPT
(total of 29 months)
Apply for the extension before your OPT end date
(no more than 90 days before)
Must have a job with an E-Verify company in order to
apply for a STEM extension
Truman Majors on the STEM List
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Mathematics
Physics
Frequently Asked OPT Questions
Q. Do I have to have a job to apply for OPT ?
A. No.
Q. Can I take classes while on OPT?
A. Yes, as long as you are not considered a full-time
student.
Q. Can I have OPT more than once?
A. Yes, but you can be authorized for OPT only one time
after each degree level.
(Example: after a bachelor’s degree, again after a
master’s degree, and again after a doctoral degree)
Frequently Asked OPT Questions
Q. Can I get OPT after a second bachelor’s degree?
A. Yes, but you only get 12 months of OPT once at each
level. You may split this 12 months between two
degrees at the same educational level, but it can be
tricky. Talk to the ISAO before doing this.
Q. Can I volunteer while on OPT?
A. Yes, you can volunteer for a position in your field of
study in order to avoid being unemployed. You must
volunteer at least 20 hours per week and report all
the same information to the ISAO (job title,
supervisor, address, etc.)
Frequently Asked OPT Questions
Q. Can I work a side job (like waiting tables at a
restaurant) to earn extra money while on OPT?
A. You may work more than one job while on OPT, but
ALL jobs must be related to your field of study.
Q. Can I still work on campus while on OPT?
A. Yes, IF you have your OPT card and IF your campus
job is related to your major. Normal on-campus
employment authorization ends with your graduation.
Q. Can I get insurance through the ISAO while I’m on
OPT?
A. Yes, you need to let us know by the beginning of the
semester or summer after you graduate.
Frequently Asked OPT Questions
Q. What happens if I transfer my SEVIS record to
graduate school after applying for OPT?
A. If your OPT application has already been
approved, then your OPT is terminated.
If your OPT application is still pending, then it
will be denied (with no refund).
Q. If I apply for OPT after my master’s degree, can I
work a job related to my bachelor’s degree?
A. No (unless both degrees are in the same field).
Any jobs that you work while on OPT must be
related to your most recent field of study.
Frequently Asked OPT Questions
Q. If I am a double major can I work a job in either
field?
A. Yes! Only one major will show up on your I-20,
but you can work a job in either field.
Q. Can I change the dates of my OPT after I submit
my application to USCIS?
A. Possibly. It’s complicated, so email
[email protected] immediately if you want to do
this. If you want to change the dates because of
a job offer, include a copy of your job offer letter
in the email.
Other OPT Questions???