Office of International Services Daniels Hall H-1B Information Session February 17,

Who Will You Find in OIS? Michael Bustle -- Director Thomas Greene - Associate Director Derrick Lovick -- Assistant Director Kelia Hubbard – Senior Student & Scholar Advisor Elizabeth Behringer – Senior Student & Scholar Advisor Nieke Ploemen-Guillory – Student & Scholar Advisor Erin Moody -- Office Manager Patrice Graham -- Advising Assistant Pascale Toussaint – Information / Admission Spec. Lauren Ball -- Programs Coordinator

Upcoming Events: Tax Seminar! To assist international students and scholars with their annual tax filing. Presented by tax experts. Friday, March 4th from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Nelson Hall Room International students and scholars must sign up in advance using OIS Online ( End of Year Party! Celebrate the end of the year with OIS! Free Food, games and lots of fun! ~ Details coming soon!

F-1 Post Completion Employment Options Optional Practical Training (OPT): –12 months of employment authorization that student may apply for pre or post completion of studies. Students file an application directly with USCIS with the assistance of OIS. Science, Tech., Eng., Mathematics (STEM) Extension: –Additional 17 months of OPT for students who complete a degree program in a STEM field and have employment with an E-verify employer. Cap Gap Extension: –The H-1B Cap Gap is an automatic extension of OPT for F-1 students who are the beneficiary of a timely filed H-1B application for change of status that will be effective October 1st. The extension is intended to bridge the gap between the students last date of OPT and the effective date of the H-1B visa.

H-1B Cap Gap Extension Only for students whose OPT will expire between April and October. If the Cap Gap is requested while the student is not on authorized OPT the students' status is extended but not the employment. Students whose H-1B has been filed by an employer not subject to the H-1B Cap (e.g. non-profit or governmental institutions) may not be deemed eligible for the Cap Gap Extension, as determined by USCIS. Travel outside the US during Cap Gap Extension period is not recommended. –USCIS may consider the student to have abandoned the change of status request, if the student departs the US prior to the change of status effective date.

Frequently Asked Questions Questions No. If your H-1B visa will become effective prior to the end of your 60 day grace period (following completion of your degree program, OPT or STEM) none of these actions are required. You may not be able to continue working after your authorized end date. It is important for students to consult their employer and OIS before making any decisions, prior to their authorized end date. Answer Do I have to apply for OPT if my employer is filing my H-1B? Do I have to apply for a STEM Extension if my employer is filing my H-1B? Do I have to apply for a Cap Gap Extension if my employer is filing my H-1B?

Frequently Asked Questions Can my employer apply for an H-1B for me while I am still a student or my OPT is still pending? –Students or their sponsors may apply for a change of status at any point during their immigration status. Be sure to notify OIS of any change in status applied on your behalf.. The important things to consider are: F-1 status will become non-valid once the new status is effective. Students may not go back to F-1 status until they have been admitted to a new full-time degree program and have regained F-1 status by making a new entry in F-1 status or being approved for a change of status back to F-1. Primary objective in the US changes. For example, an F-1 student approved for a change of status to H-1B will have a change in objective from student to employee. Can OIS provide me with a letter confirming my graduation/completion so that my employer can file my H-1B application? –OIS is not the authority on academic matters such as graduation. Students would need to request a letter from the Graduate School confirming completion of degree requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the benefit of waiting to apply for the H-1B visa (i.e. remaining on OPT and STEM Extension)? –Time to check out employer(s), see if you like it. Your status is not tied to the employer, such is the case with the H-1B visa. –Even though you are limited in unemployment days, if you lose your job you may still have time to look for another job. (be mindful of 90 day unemployment period) –If you decide to go back to school, OIS can transfer your F-1 status, there is no need to apply for a change of status. –You will still have your 60 day grace period to have time to settle your personal matters before departing the US at the end of your status. –OPT allows work for multiple employers, part-time, full-time, self-employed -- as long as all employment is in your field, total amount of employment is >20 hours (and during STEM extension, all employment with an E-verify employer).

OIS Resources for Students: Program Completion: Optional Practical Training Page: STEM Extension: Cap Gap Extension: