OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Workshop

1. OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAININGWorkshop Clemson University Office of International Services

2. Welcome! This presentation will answer many questions regarding OPT, including: What is OPT How do I apply for OPT? When do I apply for OPT? Can I cancel/change my application? What about OPT extension? Travel on OPT Unless specified otherwise, all information in this presentation refers to post-completion OPT.

3. WHAT IS OPT? Off campus work authorization permitting a work experience in your field of study at a U.S. company or organization. Employment limited to your field of study Maximum authorization for Initial Post Completion OPT is 12 months per academic level Example: If you are applying for OPT now on the basis of your Bachelor’s degree, if you later obtain a Master’s degree, you will be eligible to apply for another 12 months of OPT on the basis of the Master’s degree.

4. WHAT EXACTLY IS OPT? Sarah majored in Chemistry and is hired by Coca-Cola to work in their Research and Development department.

5. WHAT IS NOT OPT? Maria is completing a degree in Biology. She wants to work as a waitress.

6. Eligibility You are eligible for OPT if: You are an F-1 student in good standing who has been enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year (9 months) Your proposed employment will be directly related to your major field of study : You do NOT have to have a job offer to apply for OPT!

7. Who is NOT Eligible? You are NOT eligible to apply for OPT if… • You used 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • You have NOT been enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year (without RCL approval) • You are ‘out of status’ (violated your immigration status) • Common reasons for students to become “out of status”: • Failure to pursue a full course of study (i.e. 9/12) • Failure to follow immigration transfer procedures when changing schools • Working without proper authorization

8. WHAT IS COMPLETION?(when your I-20 will expire) Your completion date is when your I-20 expires, and you have completed your program. Using Post-Completion OPT means you are FINISHED as a student. You are no longer eligible to extend your I-20. You are also ineligible to work in your graduate assistantship.

9. WHAT TO BRING TO OPT WORKSHOP IS-140 Form signed by both you and your academic advisor G-1145 Form (typed) I-765 Form (typed) 2 US Passport photos (2x2) see next slide Copies of: front and back of I-94 card OR a printout of the electronic I-94 card, Copies of: front and back of I-94 card OR a printout of the electronic I-94 card, Visa, passport photo and biographical page (if there is one) Copies of all I-20s with prior CPT or OPT requests/approvals NO job offer required

10. Three Types of OPT Pre-completion OPT Post-completion OPT 17-month OPT Extension

11. Pre-completion OPT • OPT authorized for work before completion date • Graduate students who have completed all coursework and have only thesis or equivalent remaining can apply for full-time pre-completion OPT and work full-time throughout the academic year • Note: If OPT employment is to continue after program completion, a separate I-765 application must be filed for post-completion OPT • Undergraduate students can only work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during official school breaks • Not subject to unemployment rules • Eligibility code (c ) (3) (A) on I-765 question #16

12. Post-completion OPT • OPT authorized for work after the student’s program completion date • Graduate students: • Thesis-pending graduate students who have completed all coursework may apply for post-completion OPT. • I-20 program end date cannot be extended if student cannot complete program by the anticipated program end date. • Student must complete program by the OPT expiration date.

13. Post-completion OPT • Undergraduate students: • I-20 must be extended if degree requirements cannot be completed as planned. Notify the IS Office immediately. • OPT employment is limited to part-time until program completion. • ALL Students • Maximum 90 calendar days of unemployment. • Eligibility code (c ) (3) (B) on I-765 question #16

14. 17-month OPT Extension • One-time, 17-month extension of post-completion OPT, for a total of 29 months of OPT (can only be used ONCE over the course of ALL levels) • Eligibility criteria: • Earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. in a CU major that is STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) eligible. For list of eligible CU majors visit http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list.pdf • Employer is E-Verify-registered

15. 17-month OPT Extension Maximum unemployment during 29 months of OPT is an additional 30 days added to what is left from your Initial OPT Employer must be E-Verify-registered during entire 17 months of OPT extension Eligibility code (C) (3) (C) on I-765 question #16; also complete #17

16. Application Timelines • Pre-Completion: • May apply up to 90 days prior to anticipated employment start date and after completing a full academic year • Post-Completion: • May apply up to 90 days prior to and within 60 days of your completion date • OPT Extension: • May apply up to 120 days prior to end of post-completion OPT Applying too early may result in application denial and fee payment for new application

17. OPT Rules You MUST work at least 20 hours a week Your work MUST be in your field of study You cannot accrue more than 90 days of unemployment You must report changes in address, employers, and period of unemployment to International Services using the IS-150 Data Validation Form

18. Eligible OPT Employment Paid or unpaid employment Minimum of 20 hours per week You MUST WAIT for your OPT start date on your EAD card before beginning any job, paid or volunteer

19. Unemployment on OPT Unemployment is counted from approved OPT start date (refer to dates on EAD card) Unemployed = you do not have eligible OPT employment Maximum unemployment is 90 calendar days No 60-day grace period if 90 days of unemployment is reached; must leave the U.S. immediately

20. Unemployment Suggestions • Keep track of unemployment days • Remember to report employment changes within 10 days by submitting the IS-150 Data Validation Form to OIS • Always request an employment verification letter from employer even if unpaid, with the following: • Position title and description • Dates of employment • Number of hours per week employed • Supervisor’s name and contact information

21. WHEN CAN I APPLY? It is recommended that you apply before your completion date. USCIS must receive your application BEFORE the end of your 60 day grace period. The earliest you can apply is 90 days before your completion date. OPT must start within 60 days of the completion date.

22. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY? You will receive a new I-20 You will send the required documents to USCIS You receive an I-797 Notice of Action (receipt letter) within 2-3 weeks You can track your application with the receipt number at: www.uscis.gov Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will arrive within 90 days

23. G-1145Form USCIS Website MUST be filled online, NOT handwritten NOT a required form, but strongly recommended to receive confirmation of USCIS having received the documents

25. I-765 Application Form MUST be filled online, NOT handwritten USCIS Website Renewal of Permission to Accept Employment #3. Address: Make sure you use a reliable address where you will be in 90 days. USCIS will NOT forward mail! If you are unsure, use International Services address #10. A-Number OR I-94 Number: You will write your I-94 number #12-13. Date and Place of last entry: Can be found on your I-94 card

26. I-765 Application Form #14-15. Manner of Entry and Current Status: F-1 Student #16. Pre-Completion Code: (c) (3) (A) Post Completion Code: (c) (3) (B) Question 17 is for Extension applicants only

28. 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. Print your full name and I-94 number (found on the front of your I-94 card/e-card) in pencil on the back of each photo. Photo Sample

29. WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND? Your OPT can be cancelled without losing any time if you have not mailed your application NO REFUNDS. You will lost the $380 application fee to USCIS Your OPT may be cancelled once it has begun, but you risk losing considerable time during the cancellation process ANY CHANGE to your OPT application is NOT recommended once it has been submitted If you start a new degree program or transfer your SEVIS record to a new school during your OPT period, this will cancel your OPT work authorization

30. TRAVEL

31. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OPT ENDS? • Extension of your OPT work authorization is available if you have a pending non-exempt H-1B petition under the Cap-Gap Regulations • If your degree is in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM), you may qualify for a 17 month OPT extension • You have a 60 day grace period after your OPT expires. You can use this time to: • Apply to change Visa status • Prepare to leave the U.S. • Begin a new degree program

32. I attended an OPT Workshop,NOW WHAT? Email your documents to: is@clemson.edu, OR Drop your documents off at the front desk in E-307 Martin Hall An OPT I-20 will be issued for you in 7-10 business days The advisor will email you when your packet is ready to be picked up. If any changes need to be made, they will be noted in your packet YOU will be responsible for sending your packet, within 30 days, to USCIS for processing

33. Waiting Game A watched pot never boils! We advise you to not check the status of your application every day. Checking every few weeks will be a lot less frustrating!

34. NEED MORE HELP? OPT and other immigration questions can be emailed to is@clemson.edu Or by appointment, please call 656-3614. Same day appointments and appointments requested through email will not be considered