OPT Optional Practical Training International Office Texas State University

Post-Completion OPT Full-time Work Authorization for F-1 students in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program to gain practical experience after completion of all course requirements for the degree (excluding thesis or equivalent)

What is OPT Optional Practical Training F-1 students may apply to USCIS for authorization for 12 months (24 month extension for STEM) of temporary employment for optional practical training directly related to their major area of study. Refer to the STEM list on USCIS website: https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2016/stem-list.pdf

ELIGIBILITY FOR OPT You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis (UG 12hrs/ GRAD 9hrs) for one full academic year. -One year of Consecutive enrollment (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall) If you are not enrolled full-time submit an RCL You must have maintained and be in lawful F1 status. You cannot have engaged in 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT). You must complete OPT within a 14-month period following the completion of study.

Time Table You may request your employment start date to be as early as your completion date, but no later than 60 days after the completion date Graduation 12 months of OPT (must be completed within 14 months from graduation) 90-days before graduation 60-days after graduation 14 Months Later Even if you receive your OPT card more than 60 days after your completion date, you may not continue employment beyond the 14-month limit

When & How to Apply for OPT http://www. international. txstate You may apply as early as 90 days before completion of your studies No later than 60 days after completion of studies, USCIS processing times are 3 – 5 months on average; apply early. You must make a request for OPT authorization to a Designated School Official (DSO). Visit the International Office homepage (http://www.international.txstate.edu/) to set up an appointment with an International Office Advisor after you have reviewed the OPT website. No offer of employment is required to apply for standard OPT, but you are expected to work during the OPT EAD validity period. When calculating our OPT Start Date consider when you expect to get a job and begin working. Work with Career Services for resume and interview tips. http://www.careerservices.txstate.edu/

The OPT Application Checklist Before your OPT appointment, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents: OPT Statement of Understanding signed by the student Completion of Degree form signed by an Advisor or Professor Complete the G-1145 form if you would like to be E-Notified from USCIS Valid Passport & Visa Most Recent Entry I-94 A personal check or money order for $410.00 made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” 2 Passport photos (which must meet the size requirements taken within 30 days) https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/news/picture- perfect-passport.html  Any previous EAD Card or I-797 Change of Status approval (if applicable) An electronically saved version of your I-765, with as many fields as possible completed. *If you do not have all of the required documents on the check list you will not be granted an OPT appointment. *

OPT Appointment Expectations The student will… Schedule a 1-hour OPT appointment from the International Office homepage with an International Advisor. Request an employment Start Date. Sign and keep the original OPT I-20 and a copy will be sent with your OPT application. The International Office will... Make copies of your passport, visa, I-94, CPT I-20s (if applicable) and collect your Completion of Degree form and Statement of Understanding, passport photos and personal check. Review your Academic Transcript to ensure that you have maintained your F-1 status and are eligible to apply for OPT. Review your I-765 for accuracy. Once complete, we will print the form. The Advisor will create a new OPT I-20 with your requested Start Date.

Thesis or Dissertation only students Exceptions exist for students who have only thesis/dissertation or comprehensive exams left to complete. If a student will complete their thesis/dissertation early in the semester and wants to begin their OPT prior to graduation, then the student must obtain a letter of completion from the Graduate College. If a student does not complete his or her thesis/dissertation during the 12 months of post-completion OPT... The student should prepare to change status, change education level and/or transfer, or depart the country prior to the end of the 60-day grace period.

Personal address or IO address Select 1.a. Lower case “c”, 3, B Sign your name here

OPT Application Process The International Office will offer to mail the application for you, or you can mail it yourself. Students who mail the OPT application themselves, tend to have their application lost in the mail. Receipt Notice Approval Letter EAD Card

Employment Authorization Document EAD Card Work Authorization for only between the Valid From (start date) Card Expires (end date) Must renew if lost Must renew if applying for STEM OPT Used when traveling into the US

Things to remember about OPT You may not begin working until the date indicated on the EAD Card and have the physical card in hand. During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment. You are required to report any change of name or change of address, or interruption of such employment to the DSO for the duration of the OPT. The student must make a validation report to the DSO every six months starting from the date the extension begins and ending when the student's F-1 status or OPT ends.

FAQs about travel Can I reenter if my request for OPT is pending? Yes, but traveling during this time should be undertaken with caution. USCIS may send you a request for evidence while you are away, however, so you would want to make sure you have provided a correct U.S. address both to your DSO and on the application and would be able to send in requested documents. Also, if USCIS approves your OPT application, you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Like a request for further information, USCIS can only send the EAD to your U.S. address. Things you need to travel: signed I-20, valid passport, valid visa, OPT EAD, and a letter from your employer Can I reenter if I left while on OPT? If USCIS has approved your OPT you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States, in addition to your Form I-20, valid passport and visa, and a letter of employment if you have one. If you exceed the limits on unemployment while outside the United States, you will not be eligible to re-enter the United States in F-1 status. If you have a job, you may travel and reenter to resume work at the same job or you have a written offer for another job http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel

All updates must be reported within 10 days of changing. Reporting Employment and Personal Contact Information You must report your employment and personal contact information using the SEVP Portal. All updates must be reported within 10 days of changing. http://www.international.txstate.edu/optandstemextension/opt.html

What constitutes work? Paid/ Unpaid employment Internship/externship Salary/hourly Self-employment Multiple employers OR Volunteering Unpaid employment is okay with USCIS. Volunteering (read more about volunteering vs employment here: http://www.international.txstate.edu/help/Volunteering- Versus-Employment.html)

Eligibility for a 24-Month Stem Extension http://www. international The special 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for students with a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree can be applied for if… The degree that was the basis for the student's current period of OPT is a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the degree programs on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List, published on the SEVP Web site at http://www.ice.gov/sevis. The student's employer is registered in the E-Verify program, as evidenced by either a valid E-Verify company identification number or, if the employer is using a designated agent to perform the E-Verify queries, a valid E-Verify client company identification number, and the employer is a participant in good standing in the E-Verify program, as determined by USCIS. You must apply before your current OPT expires (as early as 90 days)

What happens when I graduate? After completing your studies, you have a 60-day Grace Period to do one of the following: Apply for Optional Practical Training, OPT. Depart the US, send us your departure itinerary. Change your F-1 visa status to another status. Obtain a new I-20 by being accepted to another degree level or transfer to another institution.

More Information Please visit our website For More Information on OPT: http://www.international.txstate.edu/optandstemextension/opt.html