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OPT Workshop

O ffice for I nternational S tudents and S cholars. www.isp.msu.edu/oiss. OPT Workshop. OPT Definition Eligibility Ready to Begin? Checking your I-20 Filling Out the Forms Student Status Form I-765 Photos. Obtaining an I-20 Walk-in Checklist Mailing to USCIS Expedited OPT

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OPT Workshop

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  1. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss OPT Workshop

  2. OPT Definition Eligibility Ready to Begin? Checking your I-20 Filling Out the Forms Student Status Form I-765 Photos Obtaining an I-20 Walk-in Checklist Mailing to USCIS Expedited OPT Traveling on OPT Other Important Information FAQ Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Agenda Download an OPT Application Packet at: http://www.oiss.msu.edu/documents/students/opt.pdf

  3. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss OPT Definition: • OPT: Optional Practical TrainingA practical work experience in your field of study, usually after completion of a degree, for a maximum of one year.

  4. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Eligibility • To be eligible for OPT you must: • Have been enrolled as a full-time student in the previous 9 months before applying and be in status. • In most cases, be in your last semester of study. • Have a valid passport. • Be present in the U.S. for the previous 9 months before applying unless you are enrolled in a study abroad program.

  5. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Ready to Begin? • Have in front of you the following: • OPT packet • I-20 • Passport • I-94 card (small white card in your passport)

  6. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Checking your I-20 • Make sure your I-20 is valid by verifying that your end date in section #5 is after your expected degree completion date.

  7. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Filling out the forms • In this presentation, we will guide you through each form in an effort to answer questions that you might have. • If you still have questions after viewing the entire presentation, please speak with an advisor in OISS.

  8. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Verification by Advisor/Major Professor • Take the Student Status Form to your Academic Advisor (undergraduates) or to your Major Professor or Graduate Advisor (graduate students). • Your advisor can also download the form at: http://www.oiss.msu.edu/documents/students/opt.pdf (The advisor form is page 7 of the OPT packet)

  9. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Sample I-765 FormThe next several slides will assist you when filling out this form.

  10. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Forms – I-765 • Check : “I am applying for:  Permission to accept employment” • #2: Complete this ONLY if you have used another name, such as a maiden name.

  11. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Forms – I-765 • #3: Make sure you put an address where you will be at 4 - 5 months from now. • We encourage you to use the OISS address. 103 International Center, East Lansing, MI 48824. • We will notify you by email when OISS receives correspondence from USCIS. If you use your home address and then move, the post office will not forward mail from the federal government. This could delay your OPT start date.

  12. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Forms – I-765 • #10: Please write your I-94 number: the 11-digit number at the top of the card. • If there are 2 sets of numbers, use the set that has not been crossed out. • If you changed your status in the U.S., your I-94 card is at the bottom of your I-797 approval notice.

  13. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Forms – I-765 • #11: Check “no”, unless you have applied for Economic Hardship, Off-Campus Special Student Relief, a previous OPT or J-2 work permission ** CPT is not considered work permission for the purposes of this question.

  14. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Forms – I-765 • #12 and #13 : This is the last time you entered the U.S. and the location (city, state) of where you entered. (The information is stamped on your I-94 in red. DO NOT include trips to Canada unless you received a new I-94 card).

  15. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Forms – I-765 • #14: For most people the answer is: “Student”. If you are unsure or if you have changed your status within the U.S., please ask an OISS advisor. • #15: Your immigration status is: F-1 student.

  16. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Forms – I-765 • We have already filled in #16 for you. It should read (c) (3) (i). • Sign your name, put your current telephone number and the date (month/day/year).

  17. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss OPT Photos • All photos must be of only the applicant and must be identical. • All photos must meet the specifications for full frontal/passport photos and must be no more than 30 days old when an application is filed. • Do NOT cut the pictures! • Print your name and SEVIS number (10-digit number beginning with N) in pencil on the back of each photo.

  18. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss OPT Photos Photo example:

  19. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss OPT Photos • Where to Get the Photos We recommend: Instructional Media Center (IMC)Room 233, Communication Arts Building Corner of Wilson and Red Cedar Roads. Call 353-8670 to schedule an appointment. Appointment hours are Monday-Friday between 1:45p.m. and 4 p.m. If you are a member of AAA, you may be eligible for free photos. Please check with AAA for more information.

  20. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Obtaining an OPT I-20 • Bring your completed “Student Status Form” and your completed I-765 form and ALL ITMES ON THE CHECKLIST to OISS during walk-in hours, Monday-Friday, 1:00-3:00pm. • OISS will review your forms and process a new I-20 containing your OPT dates. You will be notified by email when your I-20 has been processed, usually the next business day. • At that time you will pick up your I-20, sign it and then photocopy it. Add the photocopy to your OPT packet and mail it out. KEEP THE NEW ORIGINAL I-20. • Please complete the following OPT checklist before meeting with a walk-in advisor.

  21. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Walk-in checklist: • 2 photos • $340.00 Check payable to “Department of Homeland Security” (no abbreviations) drawn from a U.S. bank. • Copies of: • Passport page showing BOTH the expiration date and your photo. • U.S. Visa page. • Front and Back of the I-94 card. (It should be dark enough to show the red stamp on the front of it). • All I-20s showing previous CPT approval(s), if any. • It is also a good idea to bring your Passport, I-94 card and any other original documents with you to your appointment.

  22. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss You will mail the following to USCIS: • Form I-765. • A copy of your I-20 with the OPT endorsement on the 2nd page. • The copy of both sides of your I-94 card. • The copies of the picture page/expiration date of your passport and US visa page. • Two photos taken according to the directions provided (Using pencil, lightly print your name and SEVIS ID # on the back of each photo). • $340 check or money order made payable to “Department of Homeland Security” (from a U.S. bank) • All I-20s showing previous CPT approval(s), if any.

  23. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Instructions for mailing • You will be sending your OPT application to USCIS (after OISS has processed it) by “certified” and “return receipt” mail through a U.S. Post Office. • The reason you are sending it this way is to receive a receipt informing you that it was delivered to USCIS and is not lost in the mail. • OISS will give you a pre-addressed envelope to mail the application. If you choose to send the application yourself, please send it to the following address: USCIS, Nebraska Service Center 850 S Street PO Box 87765 Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

  24. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Expedited OPT • If you have a job offer, you are eligible to expedite your OPT application. Processing time for expedited OPT is approximately 1 to 2 months, but there is no guarantee on processing time. • You must have a letter of offer from your employer which states the title and description of your position, and the company’s address and contact information. • An advisor in OISS can provide you with the address for the USCIS. You will express mail your application and the job offer letter to the USCIS.

  25. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Traveling while on OPT • Once you have completed your studies, you should NOT leave the U.S. until the EAD has been issued. You will need the EAD, an endorsed I-20 (signed by OISS for travel), and a valid U.S. F-1 student visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. • You should always carry your EAD, proof of your current OPT position (employer letter), and your endorsed I-20 while traveling.

  26. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Traveling while on OPT

  27. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Other important information • USCIS will send a “Notice of Action” receipt form usually within a month of receiving your application for OPT. • You MUST submit a photocopy of your EAD to OISS. USCIS REQUIRES that a copy of this document be kept in your file. • You will still need your I-20 signed for travel every six months.

  28. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Other important information • You now have 2 choices once you have completed this ONLINE Workshop. • Come to an OPT Workshop and ask any questions you may have. Please check our calendar of events for scheduled OPT sessions:http://oiss.isp.msu.edu/events/ OR • Stop in during walk-in hours to have your OPT processed by OISS.

  29. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Frequently asked questions: • How far in advance should I apply for OPT? • You should apply about 3 to 4 months before completion of studies, so that you can begin work soon after completion. • I’m doing a double major, which major can I do OPT in? • Please see an advisor in OISS if this situation applies to you.

  30. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Frequently asked questions: • What kind of job can I take while on OPT? • You MUST work in your field of study. • Examples: • If you have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, the job you hold must be in or closely related to Chemistry. • You obtained a BA in Communications, you CANNOT work waiting tables. • It is key that you are able to demonstrate how your degree is related to your employment.

  31. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Frequently asked questions: • What is my immigration status while I am on OPT? • OPT is a benefit of being an F-1 student. Therefore, while you are on OPT you are still an F-1 student and are still subject to the rules and regulations pertaining to your F-1 status. In the eyes of immigration, your intent is to return home after you complete your studies and OPT. You still must have your I-20 signed for travel. • Please see http://www.oiss.msu.edu/documents/students/while_opt.pdf for a list of your responsibilities while you are on OPT.

  32. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Frequently asked questions: • Can I travel while I wait to get the EAD card? • OISS does NOT recommend that you travel in the period after graduating and BEFORE you receive your EAD. • Can I travel while on OPT? • See slides # 26 & 27 • Can I have more than one year of OPT? • You receive one year of OPT after each degree level completed.

  33. Office for International Students and Scholars www.isp.msu.edu/oiss Thank you for visiting the online OPT slide show. Please contact OISS if you have any questions. You can download an OPT Application Packet at: http://www.oiss.msu.edu/documents/students/opt.pdf

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