Optional Practical TrainingInformation Session

International Student & Scholar ServicesCenter for International Studies

Eligibility for OPTEligible:

A F-1 student who has been in lawful full-time status for one academic year

A job offer is not required at the time of application

We recommend you submit your application 90 days before you want to start working on OPT. USCIS must receive your OPT application before the last day of your 60-day grace period.

Not eligible:

Students in an intensive English-language or certificate program

If you have exceeded 12 months of full-time CPT during this program level

What is OPT?OPT is…

Full time work authorization after completion of all degree requirements

12 months full-time per program level

Must apply for OPT by the end of your 60-day grace period Your grace period lasts for 60 days after your program end date. Please apply

no later than 10 days before your grace period ends.

Must begin OPT by the end of your 60-day grace period

Must complete all practical training within a 14-month period following completion of program (i.e., 60-day grace period plus 12 months OPT = 14 months maximum)

Applying: General Information“When should I apply?”

We recommend you submit your application 90 days before you want to start working on OPT. Post-completion OPT forms must be received at USCIS by the end of your 60-day grace period. You may apply up to 90 days before your program end date.*If you wait until the end of your grace period to apply for OPT, it may affect your 90 days of unemployment. Additionally, you may not

receive an entire year of OPT authorization.

“Can I expedite my OPT application?”If your OPT start date is greater than 2-3 months away, this is not necessary due to regular processing times with USCIS. If your OPT start date is less than 3 months away, you must include a job offer letter with your application.Note: Expediting OPT is not guaranteed and there is no timeline of when your OPT application will be processed.

“What happens if I don't receive my Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by end of the grace period?”This is ok, you will still be in status as long as you have applied for OPT. You just cannot start working until you receive your EAD.

“What happens if I don't receive my EAD by start date of OPT?”You must wait to begin working until you receive your EAD.

Applying: Choosing OPT DatesExample: Graduating in Spring 2015

90 days 60 day grace period

2/7/2015 5/8/2015 7/7/2015 Earliest date to apply End of semester Last date to start OPT Earliest date to start OPT is 5/9/2015

End date is 12 months after start date (ex: 5/9/2015 to 5/8/2016)

You will receive an additional 60-day grace period after the end of your OPT (each grace period is independent). You cannot work during your grace periods.

Due to application processing times, you should try to submit your OPT application approximately 90 days before your intended OPT start date.

Applying: Required Documents Student Optional Practical Training Form Completion of Academic Program Form G-1145 form: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-1145.pdf I-765 form: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf Copies of current:

I-20 Biographical page of your passport (color copy) I-94 card or I-94 print out https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

All previous I-20’s from all schools attended 2 passport size photographs $380.00 check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Previous EADs and copy of I-20s issued when requesting employment authorization

(if applicable) Student Health Insurance Petition for Refund (if applicable) Make a copy of your application packet for your records prior to submitting

application.

Center for International Studies, Lawrence Hall 101, 720 Fourth Ave South, St Cloud, MN 56301

Phone: 320-308-4287 / Fax: 320-308-4223 / Email: isss@stcloudstate.edu 9/2010

Advisor’s Recommendation for

Optional Practical Training

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT:

Last Name ____________________________________ First Name ____________________________________

Student ID # __________________________________ SEVIS ID# ____________________________________

Major ________________________________________ Degree Level: ___ Undergraduate ___ Graduate

Email (non-SCSU): _________________________________________ Phone # _________________________

Current Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

OPT requested to last from ________________________ to _________________________

BEGIN (MM/DD/YEAR) END (MM/DD/YEAR)

[ ] Pre-completion (OPT before completion of coursework) OR

[ ] Post-completion (completed degree or done with coursework and still doing thesis)

By signing below, I authorize CIS to open my mail coming from the United States Citizenship and Immigration

Services (USCIS) Service Center in reference to my application for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

____________________________________________ __________________________

(Signature of Student) (Date Signed)

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT’S ACADEMIC ADVISOR:

Please verify the student’s eligibility by checking the appropriate statement:

____ Undergraduates: This student is expected to graduate at the end of the current term. In addition to major

requirements, the student will have met the general requirements for a bachelor’s degree as listed in the

SCSU undergraduate bulletin.

If the student is graduating in summer, indicate the expected date of completion: ___________________

____ Graduates: This student will have completed all degree requirements (excluding thesis or equivalent) in

his/her program of study by the start of the OPT period listed above. In addition, the student is expected

to complete the thesis/dissertation requirement by the end of the OPT period.

By signing below, I indicate that I have verified the student’s eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

and that the aforementioned information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

____________________________________________ __________________________

(Signature of Academic Advisor) (Date Signed)

____________________________________________ __________________________

(Name – Please Print) (Phone)

____________________________________________

(Academic Department)

Office use only

Initial________

Date_________

ISRS________

SEVIS_______

√DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE!

SURNAME, Given Namec/o Center for Intl. Studies

St. Cloud MN 56301IndiaMumbai Maharashtra India05/25/1982 √

√ 012-34-5678I-94#: Include all 11 digits√

Check if previously had OPT

Lincoln, NE 2/5/06-2/4/07

Granted (attach previous EAD copy)

08/25/2008

Minneapolis/St. PaulF-1 StudentF-1 Student

C 3 B

Date stamp of entry on I-94 card

(123) 456-7890 01/15/2009

DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE!

720 4th Ave S. LH101

Sign in blue ink between the lines (signature should not touch lines)

Make sure this box is checked.

Applying: Payment Information May be a personal check, money order or bank check ($380.00) If you are using a friend’s check, write your name and I-94 number on the check in

the "memo/for" section. Sign the front of the check only, not the back.

Online payments to USCIS: CIS does NOT recommend using the "online payment”

due to the delay you may encounter because of "onsite" biometric exams that are required in-person.

U. S. Department of Homeland Security

Sign Name Here

$380.00Three hundred eighty dollars and 00/100

Applying: PhotographsRequirements Must be taken within past 30 days Cannot be same photo as in passport or visa White background Must be US passport size, not your home country passport size Write your name & I-94 number on the back of each photo in pencil

Well-Composed Photos:

Drop-Off Procedures

The student should drop off or mail their application packet to the Center for International Studies for review.

Center for International Studies, LH 101720 4th Avenue SouthSt. Cloud, MN 56301

An advisor in the Center for International Studies will: Review the application packet Request employment authorization in SEVIS Email the student to notify them that their application packet has been processed

The student should return to the Center for International Studies to: Sign (in blue ink) two sets of their new I-20 (one original to keep and one original to submit to

USCIS)

Mailing Procedures The Center for International Studies will mail the OPT application to USCIS.

However: The Center for International Studies will no longer mail Optional Practical

Training (OPT) applications to USCIS within the last 2 weeks of the students’ 60 day grace period.

Students submitting an Optional Practical Training (OPT) application to USCIS within the last 2 weeks of their 60 day grace period must chose to either send their application to USCIS themselves or pay for the Center for International Studies to send their application to USCIS on their behalf (please speak to the Center for International Studies front desk for associated costs).

All Optional Practical Training applications submitted during the last 2 weeks of the 60 day grace period MUST be mailed through an overnight/express service to ensure arrival at USCIS prior to the end of the 60 day grace period.

USCIS Authorization You will receive a receipt notice within 3-4 weeks; may track status online at www.uscis.gov

Applications are adjudicated by USCIS within 3-4 months

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS

You should not start working until you receive the EAD and/or until the date on the EAD. IMPORTANT: CHECK YOUR EAD CARD FOR ERRORS IN YOUR NAME, OPT DATES, etc.

If your OPT has been approved online for more than 3 weeks but you have not received your EAD card, contact CIS

If you do not yet have one, you can apply for a Social Security Number once the date of the EAD is valid/effective

EAD is valid for 12 months maximum

Please keep in mind that the processing time might take longer depending on USCIS and the date of application. Late spring and summer months are usually very busy.

Working During OPTStarting work and unemployment periods: You may not begin working until you have received your EAD and the validity date is in effect Employment must be related to your program of study (major) Unemployment: You may not exceed 90 days of unemployment during your 12 months of

OPT. Volunteering in your field of study for 20 hours/week or more may count as employment

for this purpose. Volunteer work must be related to your program of study.

Changing employers while on OPT: This is fine as long as the new employment continues to be directly related to your field of

study and commensurate with educational level. You must update your employer information on the CIS website for each employer (name and address) that you work for within 10 days of your start date.

Working for more than 1 employer: This is fine as long as all positions are related to your major field of study. You must notify CIS

of each employer (name and address).

Taxes and Health Insurance on OPTTaxes Question: “Can taxes be taken out of my weekly paycheck?”

Answer: Students are exempted from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes during the first 5 years in the U.S.A. These taxes should not be withheld from the student’s pay while she/he maintains F-1 status. After 5 years students become “residents” for tax purposes only and are subject to paying all taxes.

F-1 students are still subject to paying all federal, state, and local taxes as listed in your paychecks.

Health Insurance You are not required to purchase the MnSCU Health Insurance while on OPT. If you don’t have insurance and something occurs, you

will be responsible for all medical and/or dental bills while on OPT. Under no circumstances is St. Cloud State University liable for any medical and/or dental bills that you incur while on OPT.

You may purchase the MnSCU health Insurance while on OPT if you will be registered for at least one credit. Dependents are only eligible for health insurance if you are enrolled in at least one SCSU credit while on OPT.

Health insurance refund: If you are graduating in December, you may apply for a refund of the remaining months of coverage if you choose to no longer use SCSU’s insurance.

The Health Insurance Refund form can be found on the CIS website at: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/internationalstudents/students/documents/HealthInsuranceRefund.pdf

Maintaining Status on OPTGeneral On-campus employment is terminated upon completion of degree requirements. You are eligible for another 12 months of OPT once you complete your next degree level. Employment is not permitted during either grace period. Starting a new degree program: your OPT is automatically terminated when you transfer F-1 status to another

school, or begin a new full-time academic program. Taking part-time classes: This is fine as long as you are non-degree seeking, part-time and are at your current

level of study.

Travel on OPT It is ok to travel after your OPT application is sent, however, return to the U.S. before your term ends and carry

proof of enrollment. Traveling outside the U.S. after the term has ended but before you receive your OPT card is not recommended

without evidence to support your travel and employment plans. To re-enter the U.S. while on OPT, you must have an I-20 recently signed for travel, a valid F-1 visa, and an EAD

card. It is also strongly recommended that you carry proof of U.S. employment (job offer letter or most recent pay stub).

Traveling on an expired visa is ok only if returning to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands within 30 days. Otherwise, travel is not recommended on an expired visa.

While on OPT, notify CIS… If you change your address, name, or email If you transfer to another degree program. Transfer of a SEVIS record to a new

school/program will terminate your OPT. If you plan to leave the country and plan not to return. If you change your immigration status (i.e. to H-1B). Fax change of status approval

notice to CIS at 320-308-4223. If you plan to take classes while on OPT. Non-degree classes are okay, however if

you wish to start a degree program, you should transfer completely to that degree and obtain new I-20 which will cancel your OPT.

Any changes in employer. Must report name and address of employer upon starting work.

Any periods of unemployment while on OPTNote: In order to maintain legal F-1 status, you cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days total during this 12 month period.

OPT Checklist Student Optional Practical Training Form Completion of Academic Program Form Original, signed Form I-765 Original, signed Form G-1145 Copies of current and all previous forms I-20 (pages 1 & 3) Two (2) U.S. style passport style photos

Write your I-94 card number on the back Photos must be taken within 30 days of filing your application

Copies of current I-94 card or print out Copy of valid passport (biographical and extension pages) (color copy) Application fee: $380 (cost subject to change without notice)

Money order is recommended, but you may use a personal check. Make payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”

Copies of all previous Employment Authorization Documents (front and back, if applicable) Student Health Insurance Petition for Refund (if applicable)

Any Questions?