INTERNSHIP, ACADEMIC & CURRICULAR & OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Felicia Welch, Associate Director International Students & Scholars Office

Academic Training

Academic Training - J-1 Visa Period of Academic Training (AT) is limited to the amount of time engaged in study, or up to 18 months, whichever is the lesser Can be used before or after program completion If used before program completion, must complete at least one trimester of full-time study AT is approved by the program sponsor, i.e., Thunderbird, Fulbright, Muskie, etc. Must be in good academic, honor, and immigration status Must have job offer in hand BEFORE program completion Must maintain medical insurance while you are in the US

Academic Training Paperwork needed for AT: Offer letter on company letterhead (an will suffice) Position description Employment dates, Salary Location AT recommendation letter from program sponsor Extended DS-2019 by program sponsor (must be extended before the program end date on the DS-2019) Do not need to register the internship Position may be paid or unpaid AT starts the day after program completion 30 days grace period is granted after AT is completed Cannot work during the grace period

QUESTIONS?

INTERNSHIP REGISTRATION

An internship is an academic experience outside of the classroom Internship can be paid or unpaid Only taken during the summer trimester It can be inside or outside of the US A registered internship must be taken for.33, 1.5, or 3.0 academic credits You can meet with an Academic Advisor in the CMC to determine internship credit registration An internship can be used to satisfy the 3 credit TGE requirement if the internship is not in the student’s home county Registered Internship

Registered Internship Eligibility Good academic, honor and immigration status Complete first and second trimester core courses International students must register an US internship for academic credit Must have internship offer that meets the following Job description with position responsibilities Dates of internship Full-time, 40 hours per week minimum Graduate level Related to Global Management At least 8 weeks in length (10-12 weeks preferred)

Internship Registration Must follow the steps for the internship registration on Internship Registration page on TLE Tuition for the internship is to be paid on or before the start of the trimester May need to purchase student medical insurance Students who do not register for classes have two weeks after start of term to register the internship Students must pre-pay the internship tuition and fees before the internship is registered For international students the internship must commence on or after the start of the academic term

Registered Internship Can enroll in up to 3 credits of courses while on internship Can work on campus for a maximum of 5 hours per week Must return to complete at least 3 credits after completing the internship Cannot graduate while on internship Internship paper is due 4 weeks following the start of the next trimester International students cannot be outside of the US for more than 5 months

QUESTIONS?

Practical Training

Practical Training Practical training is a benefit that allows eligible F-1 students to gain practical experience working in the United States in their field of study There are two kinds of practical training: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) A benefit to F-1 visa holders in legal status, to gain internship experience in their field of study CPT is not work authorization CPT is an academic experience that is an integral part of the student’s degree program Students must receive CPT approval before starting an US internship Students cannot “volunteer” for a position and consider it an internship CPT authorization is specific to the employer and location stated on the I-20

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Students apply for CPT (Step 6) when registering their internship on the Internship TLE page Do not begin working until the start date of the authorized CPT period, which is no earlier than the first day of the trimester of the internship Internship may not go beyond the CPT end date on the I-20 Approval is required for extending an internship beyond the CPT end date on the I-20 Contact ISSO at for extension guidelines

QUESTIONS?

Optional Practical Training

What is Optional Practical Training? OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a 12-month Work Authorization in the United States. OPT allows you to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a real-world environment. OPT employment must be related to your program of study. You are granted OPT following the completion of your academic program.

How Am I Eligible for OPT? Maintain continuous legal F-1 status for a minimum of two consecutive full-time terms Do not engage in any unauthorized employment Successfully complete your academic program of study

Eligibility Application Standards Minimum 3.0 GPA Petitioned to graduate Not committed an honor code violation in final term No previous period of OPT at the Masters’ level Will not drop classes to add an internship or to delay graduation If not enrolled in 1st module, will remain in US to complete 2 nd module on ground

How Does It Work? Student either attends an OPT Workshop or review materials on MTB Complete, print, and submit required documents with check or money order for $ and, 2 passport photos to the Thunderbird Student Support Center - 1 st floor Herberger Advisor checks eligibility and recommends you for OPT to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and processes a new I-20 Come to TSSC when contacted to sign new I-20 and mail application to the Phoenix USCIS Lockbox location within 30 days of advisor’s recommendation note in the I-20

How Does It Work? The Phoenix USCIS Lockbox receives the application packet and notifies the student Data is collected and forwarded to the California Service Center (CSC) CSC reviews and approves, or denies application. If approved, issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD - aka “OPT card”). EAD is mailed to Thunderbird. TSSC receptionist notifies the student of the EAD’s arrival Student may pick up the EAD, or authorize a friend to pick up, or have it sent to an address within the US

What Is Needed to Apply? Completed in BLUE INK Student Information /Pre-Application Checklist; Important Document Information form, Form G-1145, and the Form I-765 Copies of pages 1 & 3 of all I-20s issued from Thunderbird and previous schools attended Start and End dates for OPT employment

Determining OPT Dates Can choose a start date that is within the 60 days grace period after graduation OPT period is 12 months minus 1 day Be certain of the dates as they will appear on the EAD Example: Spring 2014 Graduates Graduation is May 9, 2014 Select any start date between May 12 and July 8, 2014

What Is Needed to Apply? Two (2) immigration-specified photographs Picture size 2” by 2” Valid passport Copy of front and back of I-94 card if you still have a card Or, print out of the I-94 number from Check or money order for the $ payable to the Department of Homeland Security Top of hair to chin 1” – 1-3/8”

Signing the Form I-765 Must be signed in BLUE INK Acceptable Unacceptable

When Can I Apply? OPT APPLICATION DEADLINES Spring 2014 Graduates Program Completion: 1 st Module (March 14, 2014) Apply December 15 through March 28, 2014 Select OPT Start date between: 03/17/2014 to 05/13/2014 Program Completion: 2 nd Module (May 9, 2014) Apply February 10 through May 23, 2014 Select OPT Start date between: 05/12/2014 to 07/08/2014

What Will CSC-USCIS Do? Takes approximately 90 days for CSC to process application USCIS will either approve or deny the OPT request Mail Notice of Action (NOA) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to Thunderbird, or a denial letter if request is denied There are no appeal process for denied OPT, but you may apply again before the 60 days grace period ends

OPT Processing Timeline

Types of Employment Allowed All OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program (Global Management). Multiple employers – Work for more than 1 employer Work for hire (1099 Employment/Consulting) – Must prove evidence showing duration of the contract period and the name and address of the contracting entity. Self-employed business owner - Must prove you have proper business licenses and actively engaged in a business related to your degree

Types of Employment Allowed All OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program (Global Management). Employment through an agency or consulting firm – Student must provide evidence they worked at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency Paid employment - Standard, full-time employment Unpaid employment – Volunteer or unpaid intern. Work must be at least 20 hours per week and the student’s employer must verify the student worked the number of hours worked.

Can I Travel? You may travel abroad and re-enter the U.S. after you receive the EAD. You should not travel outside of the U.S. during the period after your graduation and before receiving your EAD. By doing so, you could forfeit your request for OPT. Warning! Customs Agents at the Port of Entry have the right to deny you re-entry into the U.S. if you are not employed during OPT.

What Documents Do I Need for Travel? Present these items at the Port of Entry: Valid Passport Valid F-1 visa stamp I-20 signed by International Student Services within the last 6 months EAD card Letter from current employer

Maintaining F-1 Visa Status Students must report their new living address to International Student Services within 10 days of moving. Students must report their employer name and address to International Student Services within 10 days of accepting employment. Students on approved OPT cannot accumulate 90 or more days of unemployment. Students must file federal, state and local income taxes during the period they were present and worked in the US

Maintaining F-1 Visa Status Students who accumulate more than the 90 days of unemployment are out of legal F-1 visa status. Students who are out of legal status must leave the U.S. immediately. There is no grace period for violating a visa status. Those failing to leave the U.S. in a timely manner risk possible deportation. For more information go to the Optional Practical Training page at the International Student Information site on MTB.

OPT QUESTIONS?