1. Optional Practical Training Rules & Regulations

2. Pre-Completion OPT
Can be requested for no more than 1 year at a time (2 years max.)
May only work part-time (20 hours per week), unless requested to work during summer break (more than 20 hours)
Must report employment related to major
Must maintain F-1 status towards a degree
Pre-Completion OPT time will take away from Post-Completion OPT at half the rate
If in 2nd semester, may apply for OPT 90 days before semester ends

3. Post Completion OPT Can be requested for no more than 1 year
Must be in final semester of completing degree or certificate
Must work more than 20 hours per week after approved and report employment related to major
Need to submit copy of petition to graduate signed by counselor

4. What is needed to Apply
Log into GPS account to create OPT Request (Answer questionnaire, upload copy of petition to graduate, read Learning Content)
Complete the I-765 Form application
Collect clear photocopies of all previous I-20s
Clear photocopies of your passport, visa, and your most recent I-94 arrival/departure record
Take 2 passport photos
Previous Employment Authorization Documents (If necessary)
$410 fee to “Department of Homeland Security”
Complete form G-1145 to receive E-Notifications of Application

5. After Documents are Collected
Schedule appointment with Drew Gephart, International Services Manger, by ing The earliest you may apply is 90 days before your program ends. Please bring all documentation and a new OPT I-20 will be created for you to to USCIS. Students who are finishing program this semester can apply February 25, 2019.

6. After you Apply/Approval Process
Receive a Receipt (I-797) in 2-3 weeks
Check status of application online using receipt # (I-765 status)
Receive Employment Authorization Document/Approval Notice (2-3 months)
Upload a copy of your EAD card, I-797C, Notice of Action (Receipt) to the Documents Center in your GPS OPT Record
Receive Social Security Card if you don’t have one already

7. Employment Requirements
SEVP Portal Account
May not begin work until the date on the EAD Card
Report your employment related to your course of study within 10 days of being hired in the SEVP Portal
Not permitted to be out of employment for more than 90 total days during your approved OPT period
Post-Completion: Must work more than 20 hours per week (may include multiple jobs if necessary)
Receive a new I-20 with Approved I-20/Updated Employment

8. Travel while on OPT
It is not advisable to travel outside of the U.S. while your OPT authorization is pending or if you have been authorized for OPT but do not have a job to begin/resume
Please check with a DSO before traveling while on OPT.
If you do travel…
Need I-20 signed for travel, EAD Card and letter of employment (recommended)

9. When OPT is completed 60 day grace period once OPT End Date is reached
Transfer out to another school, must begin new program within 5 months of OPT End Date
Return to Peralta Colleges for next available term – Need to apply for a new program with a new Student Education Plan
Return to home country prior to end of 60 day grace period

10. Curricular Practical Training
CPT
Curricular Practical Training

11. What benefits does CPT provide?
Work Off-Campus
In your Field of Study (Academic Program)
Part-Time or Full-Time
20 hours or less = Part-Time
21 hours or more = Full-Time
No Government Application
No CPT Application Fee
Must Enroll in COPED Course

12. Field of Study
CPT allows you to work in the major area listed on your I-20
If your Program Major is Cosmetology can you work at Starbucks?
If your Program Major is Computer and Information Science can you work for Uber?
If your Program Major is Business can you work at a restaurant?
Depends on your job description

13. CPT Employment Letter
To apply for CPT, please provide a letter from your potential employer with the following information:
Company Name
Company Contact Information
Company Location
Job Description
Hours Per Week
Part-Time or Full-Time
Start Date and End Date
Provide on Company Letterhead

14. Requirements
Completed one academic year studying full time in a SEVIS approved school
Full-Time Enrollment (Minimum 12 units)
No Reduced Course Load during CPT semester
Complete CPT Application through GPS
Provide Letter of Employment to International Office
Upload Letter to GPS
Enroll in a Cooperative Work Experience Education (COPED)
COPED 450 (General Work Experience)
COPED 451 (Occupational Work Experience)
COPED (Program Specific Work Experience)
EX: Paralegal Studies, Biotechnology, Security Administration, Multimedia

15. What is COPED? Cooperative Work Experience Education 1-3 unit course
Supervised employment to assist in acquiring desirable work habits and attitudes, increase educational motivation, and develop improved human relations skills. Employment need not be related to educational or occupational goals.
Requires Course Orientation with Instructor
1-3 unit course
Each unit requires a minimum of 10 working hours, Ex:
1 unit, students must work at least 10 hours
2 units, students must work at least 20 hours
3 units, students must work at least 30 hours
HOWEVER, with only 1 unit, students can work up to 40+ hours

16. Limitations of CPT
Students may only work during their COPED course session
EX: COPED 450 for the Spring 2019 semester
Starts January 22, 2019
Ends May 24, 2019
Students may only work during that time period
The next session starts June 19, 2019 for summer
No paid employment can occur from May 25 – June 18, 2019

17. Impact of CPT on OPT Full-Time CPT Part Time CPT
After 365 days of Full-Time CPT students are ineligible for OPT
364 days is ok, 365 days cancels OPT
Part Time CPT
No Limit to Number of Semesters
Does not impact OPT
Student can only enroll in each COPED course 3 times max
There are at least 2 different COPED types (6 semesters of CPT available)

18. Applying for the SSN Proof of Fulltime Enrollment SS-5 Form
Passport and I-94
Form I-20
Letter of Support from DSO

19. Applying for the SSN Proof of Fulltime Enrollment SS-5 Form
Passport and I-94
Form I-20
Letter of Support from DSO

20. Applying for the SSN

21. Economic Hardship
When an unforeseen, severe economic hardship occurs, students may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) from the US Government
Economic Hardship allows off-campus work in any job for one year
The student is not required to have a job offer before applying
Students may reapply every year
Economic hardship permission does not affect OPT

22. Economic Hardship Part-Time Employment Off-Campus
No more than twenty hours a week when school is in session
Full-time during holidays or school vacation.
Must have been in F-1 status for one full academic year
Must be in good academic standing employment
Employment authorization is automatically terminated whenever the student fails to maintain status.

23. How is an Economic Hardship defined?
Other employment opportunities are not available
Other employment opportunities are insufficient
Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student
substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate
Inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs
Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support
Unusually high and unexpected medical bills
Other substantial and unexpected expenses.

24. Qualifications for Economic Hardship:
The student has been in F-1 status for one full academic year;
The student is in good standing as a student and is carrying a full course of study
The student has demonstrated that acceptance of employment will not interfere with the student's carrying a full course of study
The student has demonstrated that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.

25. Application Process for Economic Hardship
Schedule an appointment with an International Advisor, and bring the documents listed in Documentation Needed to Apply to your appointment.
The International Advisor will review your documents.
The International Advisor will send your request to SEVIS electronically, and generate a new SEVIS I-20. The recommendation will be written on page 3 of the new I-20.
The International Office will notify you when your new SEVIS I-20 is available.
Sign your name on the I-20 immediately.
Send your request to USCIS. Refer to Submitting Your Severe Economic Hardship Request Application to USCIS below.

26. Application Process for Economic Hardship
Prepare and submit the following list of items to USCIS:
A copy of the new SEVIS I-20 with employment recommendation
Copies of your previous I-20(s)
Copy of  Form I-94 
Copy of passport biographical information page
Copy of your F-1 visa page
Form I-765
$410 check to USCIS
Two full-face passport style photos.
The personal statement along with any other supporting documents
(Standard Processing Time is 90 days)

27. On Campus Employment Create a resume
Apply to any Student Service Office on Campus
Ask to meet Hiring Manager
Request a business card
Regularly follow up with the office
Call, , visit in-person
Offer to volunteer or intern if no paid positions are available

28. Resume Examples
Name
Contact Information
Education Background
Employment History
Volunteer Experience
Leadership Positions
Outstanding Awards
Relevant job skills, tech knowledge, etc

29. Creative Resumes are Remembered Resumes

30. Where to Find Employment on Campus
Office of International Education
Financial Aid
Admissions and Records
Health Center
Wellness Center
Cafeteria
Library
Counseling Center
Cashier’s Offices
Teachers Assistant
Learning Resource Center
Safety Aides
Tutoring Center

31. Where to Find Off-Campus Employment
WayUp
Indeed
Glassdoor
Linkd In
Career Builder
Monster
Craigslist