OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING

Application Workshop

Felicia Welch, Associate Director

International Students & Scholars Office

What is Optional Practical Training?

• OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a 12-month Work Authorization in the United States.

• OPT allows you to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a real-world environment.

• OPT employment must be related to your program of study.

• You are granted OPT following the completion of your academic program.

How Am I Eligible for OPT?

• Maintain continuous legal F-1 status for a minimum of two consecutive full-time terms

• Do not engage in any unauthorized employment

• Successfully complete your academic program of study

Eligibility Application Standards

• Minimum 3.0 GPA

• Petitioned to graduate

• Not committed an honor code violation in final term

• No previous period of OPT at the Masters’ level

• Will not drop classes to add an internship or to delay graduation

• If not enrolled in 1st module, will remain in US to complete 2nd module on ground

How Does It Work?

• Student either attends an OPT Workshop or review materials on MTB

• Complete, print, and submit required documents with check or money order for $380.00 and, 2 passport photos to the Thunderbird Student Support Center - 1st floor Herberger

• Advisor checks eligibility and recommends you for OPT to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and processes a new I-20

• Come to TSSC when contacted to sign new I-20 and mail application to the Phoenix USCIS Lockbox location within 30 days of advisor’s recommendation note in the I-20

How Does It Work?

• The Phoenix USCIS Lockbox receives the application packet and notifies the student

• Data is collected and forwarded to the California Service Center (CSC)

• CSC reviews and approves, or denies application. If approved, issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD - aka “OPT card”).

• EAD is mailed to Thunderbird. TSSC receptionist notifies the student of the EAD’s arrival

• Student may pick up the EAD, or authorize a friend to pick up, or have it sent to an address within the US

What Is Needed to Apply?

• Completed in BLUE INK • Student Information /Pre-Application Checklist; • Important Document Information form, • Form G-1145, and the • Form I-765

• Copies of pages 1 & 3 of all I-20s issued from Thunderbird and previous schools attended

• Start and End dates for OPT employment

Determining OPT Dates

• Can choose a start date that is within the 60 days grace period after graduation

• OPT period is 12 months minus 1 day

• Be certain of the dates as they will appear on the EAD• Example:

• December 2013 Graduates• Graduation is December 13, 2013• Select any start date between December 16, 2013 and February 11, 2014

What Is Needed to Apply?

• Two (2) immigration-specified photographs

Picture size 2” by 2”

• Valid passport

• Copy of front and back of I-94 card if you still have a card

• Or, print out of the I-94 number from www.cbp.gov/i94

• Check or money order for the $380.00 payable to the Department of Homeland Security

Top of hair to chin 1” – 1-3/8”

Signing the Form I-765Must be signed in BLUE INK

Acceptable

Unacceptable

When Can I Apply?OPT APPLICATION DEADLINES

Fall 2013 & Winterim 2014 Graduates

Program Completion: 1st Module (October 18, 2013)Apply July 22 through November 1, 2013

Select OPT Start date between: 10/21/2013 to 12/17/2013

Program Completion: 2nd Module (December 13, 2013)Apply September 16 through December 13, 2013

Select OPT Start date between: 12/16/2013 to 02/11/2014

Program Completion: Winterim 2014 (January 24, 2014)Apply October 28, 2013 through February 7, 2014

Select OPT Start date between: 01/27/2014 to 03/25/2014

What Will CSC-USCIS Do?

• Takes approximately 90 days for CSC to process application

• USCIS will either approve or deny the OPT request

• Mail Notice of Action (NOA) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to Thunderbird, or a denial letter if request is denied

• There are no appeal process for denied OPT, but you may apply again before the 60 days grace period ends

OPT Processing Timeline

Types of Employment Allowed

All OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program (Global Management).

• Multiple employers – Work for more than 1 employer

• Work for hire (1099 Employment/Consulting) – Must prove evidence showing duration of the contract period and the name and address of the contracting entity.

• Self-employed business owner - Must prove you have proper business licenses and actively engaged in a business related to your degree

Types of Employment Allowed

All OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program (Global Management).

• Employment through an agency or consulting firm – Student must provide evidence they worked at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency

• Paid employment - Standard, full-time employment

• Unpaid employment – Volunteer or unpaid intern. Work must be at least 20 hours per week and the student’s employer must verify the student worked the number of hours worked.

Can I Travel?

• You may travel abroad and re-enter the U.S. after you receive the EAD.

• You should not travel outside of the U.S. during the period after your graduation and before receiving your EAD. By doing so, you could forfeit your request for OPT.

• Warning! Customs Agents at the Port of Entry have the right to deny you re-entry into the U.S. if you are not employed during OPT.

What Documents Do I Need for Travel?

• Present these items at the Port of Entry:• Valid Passport• Valid F-1 visa stamp• I-20 signed by International Student Services within the

last 6 months• EAD card • Letter from current employer

Maintaining F-1 Visa Status

• Students must report their new living address to International Student Services within 10 days of moving.

• Students must report their employer name and address to International Student Services within 10 days of accepting employment.

• Students on approved OPT cannot accumulate 90 or more days of unemployment.

• Students must file federal, state and local income taxes during the period they were present and worked in the US

Maintaining F-1 Visa Status

• Students who accumulate more than the 90 days of unemployment are out of legal F-1 visa status.

• Students who are out of legal status must leave the U.S. immediately.

• There is no grace period for violating a visa status.

• Those failing to leave the U.S. in a timely manner risk possible deportation.

For more information go to the Optional Practical Training page at the International Student Information

site on MTB.

Upcoming H-1B PresentationU.S. Visa Options for Foreign Students after Graduation

Tuesday, October 22 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This workshop is recommended for international students who want to remain in the U.S. and continue working after completing a period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation and eventually become a Permanent Resident of the US. Participants will get an overview of the H-1B, L-1, TN, EB visas and Green Card.

Location TBD – Check CMC Newsletters for details