International Student and Scholar Services Vanderbilt University F-1 OPT Session International Student and Scholar Services Vanderbilt University

OPT (Optional Practical Training) What is OPT? Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students for employment directly related to the major area of study. Standard (initial) 12 month period of OPT per higher degree level. STEM Extension OPT maybe possible for some students. The Standard 12 month OPT period can be divided into 2 types, Pre-Completion and Post-Completion. Pre-Completion OPT is any OPT used before degree completion and typically part-time Part-time OPT is deducted from the 12-month limit at 50% Post-Completion OPT is any OPT used after degree completion and is ONLY full-time

CPT vs OPT CPT OPT Job Required to apply Yes No Appointment with ISA needed Processing Time 2-3 business days Average of 3 Months Application Fee None $380 Authorized by ISSS, ISA USCIS - Immigration Form of Authorization I-20 page 3 EAD Card Hours per week PT while classes are in session, FT while classes are on official break USE OF FT CPT FOR 12 MONTHS = NO OPT Pre-Completion: PT while classes are in session, FT while classes are on official break Post-Completion: FT only Maximum Duration 12 Months Full-time per degree level (higher degree) Extension Possible Maybe

Am I eligible to apply for OPT? To be eligible for Standard OPT you must: HAVE maintained legal F-1 status for at least 9 consecutive months or one full academic year. NOT have used full-time CPT for 12 months or more.

Standard Limitations Post-Completion OPT Start date must fall within 60 days of program completion (this is not necessarily the same date as the graduation ceremony) While on full-time Post-Completion OPT, you may enroll in classes that are “incidental” to the employment; Do not begin a new degree program on OPT. Unemployment Limit of 90 days starting from OPT start date

Unemployment Restriction During Standard Post-Completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any Standard Post-Completion OPT. For Standard Post-Completion OPT, the employment does NOT have to be paid employment as long as there is no violation of labor laws, but must be at least 20 hours a week. self-employed short-term multiple employers including performance majors with regular “gigs” interning or volunteering in a position directly related to the academic field work for hire (contractual relationship) employment through an agency

Employment Notification Requirement In all circumstances of employment you must: Work at least 20 hours a week Be in a job that is related to your degree program Inform ISSS of employment by completing the online OPT Employer Information Form Maintain evidence of all employment and be prepared to provide the information to DHS if requested. Provide evidence showing duration of employment Name and address of employer If Self-employed have proper business licenses

Explanation of Terms Degree Completion: date you complete all degree requirements, not necessarily graduation ceremony. For Doctorate students could be dissertation submission date. Latest date possible is last day of semester (December 17, 2010 or May 13, 2011) Employment directly related to the major area of study: Immigration recommends that you maintain evidence (for each job) of position held, proof of duration, job title, contact information of supervisor/manager, and description of work.

OPT Timeline

Application Process You can apply up to 90 days prior to degree completion, and within the 60 day grace period following degree completion. OPT Application Form OPT Form I-765 2 Passport-Style Photos G-1145 Form $380 Personal Check payable to Department of Homeland Security Copy of I-94 card (front and back) Copy of Passport I.D. page(s) including expiration date Copy of Visa Stamp Copy of all previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD cards) Submit your OPT packet with an International Student Adviser (ISA) during walk-in hours. The adviser will review your application with you and answer any questions you have. Your OPT I-20 will be processed within 2 business days. Once your I-20 is process, your adviser will contact you via e-mail to pick up your finalized OPT during walk-in hours. It is recommended that you keep all I-20s together at all times. I-20s show your F-1 Status history. You should keep the most current I-20 on top and it is the only one that needs to be signed for travel.

I-20

Receipt Notice

EAD (OPT Approval)

Changes to Standard OPT Changes to the OPT start and end dates are not easily made. Please be certain of your anticipated employment start and end dates prior to scheduling your appointment with your International Student Adviser. Changes may delay receipt of the EAD. Cancellation of the OPT Application Must be submitted prior to issuance of the EAD Application fee will not be returned Job change is possible Standard OPT is not employer specific. STEM 17 month Extension for students completing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

STEM 17 Month Extension Eligibility Must be: Currently engaged in the Standard Post-Completion OPT Must have: Completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in a STEM field. Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Have a job or job offer from an E-Verify Employer Job must: Be traditional paid employment at least 20hrs/week Approval: extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization, and ends 17 months later.

STEM Extension Limitations May not: Accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 29-month OPT period. You can: Change employers, but the new employer must also be an E-Verify Employer You cannot: Travel while STEM extension is pending Employer must: E-Verify employers must notify ISSS when employment is terminated via online form. You must: submit validation report every 6 months starting from the STEM extension online via http://www.vanderbilt.edu/isss/OPTEmployerInfo.html

OPT Processing Times Processing Times and how to check your case status: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp SRC Employment Authorization Document EAD card from USCIS When you pick up your OPT card at ISSS you will need to provide a non-Vanderbilt e-mail address

OPT and Travel Recommended Travel Not Recommended Travel Before the expiration of your I-20, with I-20 travel signature After I-20 has expired and with OPT Receipt Notice, I-20 signed for travel, valid visa, passport. With EAD, signed I-20 for travel, valid visa, passport, letter from employer. Not Recommended Travel The period after your I-20 has expired and before you receive the OPT Receipt Notice. Anytime during OPT and you do not have employment. While STEM Extension is pending

While on OPT While you are on OPT you are still considered an F-1 Vanderbilt student. Therefore you must: Notify ISSS of any address change via the online Change of Address Form Have your I-20 signed for travel by ISSS Report employment information (name, address, interruption of employment) and changes to employment to ISSS, OPT Employer Information Form. STEM Extension students must complete this form every 6 months.

Life after OPT Within 60 days after completing OPT, you must do one of the following: Depart the U.S. Apply for change of status in the U.S. Transfer to another institution or begin another F-1 program at Vanderbilt. You cannot work during the grace period.

What about an H-1B H-1B cap-gap extension of D/S and work authorization until October 1. Duration of status and work authorization will be extended for a student on OPT, who is the beneficiary of a timely filed H-1B petition requesting an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year. The extension of duration of status and work authorization would automatically terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition filed on the student's behalf. ISSS advises students regarding F-1 and visa matters including processing for the cap-gap extension. You will need to consult your current employer or an Immigration Attorney regarding H-1B matters.

F-2 Dependents Please request a new I-20 for dependents when applying for OPT and after OPT is approved. F-2 dependents are not allowed to work either on-campus or off-campus under any circumstance! F-2 dependents are not allowed to enroll for a full-time degree program of study until change of status application is approved by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) office.

FAQ Do I need a job offer to apply for standard OPT? What if my degree completion date is delayed? Where can I work? Can I change jobs while on OPT? Can I have more than one job while on OPT? Once OPT is authorized by USCIS, can it be canceled? Where can I get assistance in finding a job? http://www.vanderbilt.edu/career/ Career Planning Guide – Chapter 8 – Job Search for International Students

Questions? Office Hours Monday – Friday: 8:00-5:00 Walk-in Hours Monday – Friday: 10am – Noon and 1:30-3:30 Student Life Center 310 25th Avenue South, Suite 103 Phone: 615-322-2753 Fax: 615-343-7799 E-mail: isss@vanderbilt.edu Website: www.vanderbilt.edu/isss