Optional Practical Training (OPT) Kandy Turner, International Student Services

What is OPT? Optional Practical Training A benefit of F-1 status that allows 12 months of practical experience related to your field of study per degree level. After you have completed 2 semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall) Have not completed 12 months of full time CPT

Work on OPT 20 hours per week (minimum for Post Completion) Paid or unpaid Related to your major The major from the degree you just completed Do you hire people with my degree to do this job? Does your department agree the job is relevant May change jobs as long as the new job is related to your major

Types of OPT Pre-Completion Post-Completion STEM (Sc, Tech, Eng, Math) Extension Cap-Gap Automatic Extension (change of Status from F-1 to H-1B)

Pre vs. Post Completion OPT PRE-COMPLETION Before program completion Only if can’t do CPT Do not shorten I-20 ON I-765: (c) (3) (A) Unemployment not counted Part time work (FT summer) Cannot apply for STEM or Cap Gap May extend program POST-COMPLETION After graduation or program of study OPT begins after end date ON I-765: (c) (3) (B) Unemployment is counted Can work full time Can apply for Stem and Cap Gap Cannot extend program

Caveat: Thesis If you are done with all your requirements except a thesis, dissertation, or monograph you can do either Pre or Post Completion OPT. Talk to ISS about which option is best for you.

Recap: When is OPT Available? Pre-Completion During summer vacation Part-time while school is in session After all degree requirements but thesis Post-Completion After completion of program

Applying for Post-Completion OPT

When should I apply for OPT? Application window: From 90 days before completion date until 60 days after completion date it must be received by immigration by the 60th day Don’t delay because you’ll lose OPT time your start date must be no later than the 60th day after graduation, but you cannot work until you have your card in hand, and OPT can take 90 days to process—Plan accordingly

When Does OPT Start? Your end date is automatically calculated You pick your start date when you apply 60 day window (grace period) start counting from day after program completion pick any day in the 60 day window—you are in status during the time between end of program and OPT start date Your end date is automatically calculated Once your dates are chosen they are basically locked in

Post Completion OPT Timeline APPLY: 90 days before-60 days Graduation OPT is for 1 year, for example Jan 1st- Dec 31st Grace period: 60 days after OPT ends You are still eligible for a grace period of 60 days after OPT is over, even if you use all 60 days before OPT starts

OPT Application Process Complete Required Documentation and Bring to ISS Get New I-20 from ISS Apply to USCIS Provide ISS with EAD copy and complete the OPT Update Form

ISS OPT Application OPT application: CampusCruiser → @Widener → Committees → International Student Services → Work Documents → OPT Application Your academic advisor must complete the Advisor’s Recommendation You must sign the Contract Bring these documents plus all the documents from the next few slides to ISS for review

Application: Payment and Photos Put the following 2 items in an envelope and print your name and I-94 number on the envelope: Check/Money Order for $410 made payable to US Dept of Homeland Security Two recent passport photos Print name and I-94 number on back of photos in pencil (write over scotch tape)

Application: Forms G-1145: I-765: Allows your application to be electronically receipted Do this to ensure you are updated promptly about your application Should be typed I-765: Very important form! See the sample version in the application for instructions on how to complete this form

Complete box 17 only for STEM Form I-765 Permission to accept for Pre and Post Renewal for STEM Does not include CPT or on-campus work C3A Pre C3B Post C3C STEM

Form I-765 Don’t forget to Sign!

Application: Photocopies All I-20s including OPT I-20 (will receive from ISS) Any previous EADs (OPT cards) Biographical page(s) of passport Most recent visa I-94 card

How to Apply ISS will review your application, issue a new I-20, and provide you with mailing information Schedule an appointment with ISS after you have a complete packet A complete packet includes: Adviser’s Recommendation, Contract, Check, Pictures, G-1145, I-765, and Photocopies of Passport, Visa, I-94 and all I-20s (see previous slides for details)

How to Apply Cont. You must mail in your application within 30 days or your OPT will be denied Mailing instructions will be provided at your appointment with ISS Send your package via traceable mail Expect the process to take 90 days The EAD will be mailed to the address on the I-765 Please inform ISS immediately if you move as this could cause a problem with your EAD

After Mailing Your Application If you get a request for evidence, contact ISS immediately If the process takes more than 90 days, contact ISS immediately When your OPT is approved, provide ISS with a copy of your EAD via email Complete OPT Employer Update Form whenever: your address changes your employer changes you become employed or you become unemployed

Employment Conditions

Employment Reporting Immigration requires that you report to us: your address your employer’s name and address any time spent unemployed DHS WILL auto-terminate your immigration status: if you do not report your information if you are unemployed for more than 90 days There is a 90 day unemployment limit during Post Completion OPT which begins on the OPT start date Update us using the OPT Employer Update Form: CampusCruiser → @Widener → Committees → International Student Services → Work Documents → OPT Employer Update Form

If You Don’t Find a Job in Time Go home or transfer to a new school before the 90th day because your record will auto-terminate on day 91 Email ISS before the 90th day that you are going home and will not complete your OPT or complete the transfer paperwork It is better to have your immigration record completed than terminated because a termination may cause you problems should you want to return to the US in the future

Types of Employment Allowed Paid employment with one or more than one employer Work through an Employment Agency Short-term multiple employers (performing artists, “gigs”): maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration Work for hire (contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship): provide the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company. Self-employed business owner: requires proper business licenses Unpaid employment (volunteers or unpaid interns): as long as this does not violate any labor laws. ALL: 20+ hours per week, related to degree program

Career Services Go see them! Don’t wait until you are applying for OPT– go see them months or even years before then Do an internship first? Located on 14th St. by the Pineapple House They offer: one-on-one counseling sessions     walk-in hours     skills workshops     employer panels     general and specialized career fairs and more!

OPT Extensions: STEM & Cap Gap

STEM Extension Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree in: Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify (an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States) Environmental Science, Computer Science and Information Systems, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and all Engineering

STEM OPT 24 month extension of OPT (must be on OPT to be eligible) Previous STEM degrees are eligible: US, accredited and SEVP-certified schools past 10 yrs I-20 and transcript required Employers must create a formal training program to be documented on Form I-983 Kept on file with ISS Eligible for one additional STEM OPT after higher degree level in STEM field

STEM Extension Rules No more than 150 days of unemployment during total 36 months (OPT plus STEM) Continue employment up to 180 days while waiting for new EAD (OPT card) Must complete OPT Update Form whenever something changes and every 6 months for STEM validation Government WILL terminate un-validated records Must complete Evaluation section of I-983 yearly and at the end of your employment with a company

STEM OPT Timeline APPLY: 90-30 days before Post Completion OPT expires STEM OPT begins the day after OPT ends (No grace period) Grace period: 60 days after STEM OPT ends

Applying for STEM OPT The application process for STEM is basically the same as the process for Post Completion OPT You need to pay the fee and provide all the documents again Include a copy of your EAD (OPT card) Slight changes on the I-765: Renewal and C3C CampusCruiser → @Widener → Committees → International Student Services → Work Documents → STEM OPT Application

Cap-Gap Occurs when F-1 status expires and H1-b application is pending Automatic extension of OPT up to September 30th if H1-b is approved Contact ISS for new I-20 Must stop working if H1-b is denied or withdrawn

A Few Other Details

Travel While on OPT Carry all usual documents, plus EAD and employment information Must continue to send I-20 to ISS for travel signatures Travel signature are only valid for 6 months on OPT Once EAD has been approved, the rules state you must have employment to re-enter the U.S. Carry job offer letter or pay stub If no job, show evidence of job applications, but no guarantee of reentry without a job

Canceling OPT Difficult and requires immediate cancellation before start date If your EAD has already been issued, you cannot cancel OPT If you choose not to use your OPT, you have lost it at that degree level

Contact Information Kandy K. Turner, Director UC 2nd Floor 610-499-4498 kkturner@widener.edu www.widener.edu/iss CampusCruiser → @Widener → Committees → International Student Services Questions?