F-1 Practical Training Workshop

1. F-1 Practical Training Workshop A Guide to Working Off-Campus for UR International Students

2. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Definition Alternate work/study, internship, cooperation education, or a required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school

3. CPT Qualifications F-1 student in good standing F-1 status for at least 1 academic year EXCEPT for graduate students whose programs require a work experience in the 1st semester Must be a continuing F-1 student; CPT cannot be used after completion of studies Work must relate to your major(s)

4. CPT Qualifications Must receive UR academic credit during employment period unless work experience is a program requirement Must be enrolled full-time during employment period except for summer and official school breaks Paid or unpaid off-campus work anywhere in the U.S. Must have employment offer

5. CP T Length of Time No maximum Can be authorized in 1 year increments before completion of studies Can be authorized for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours) Eligible for CPT at each higher degree level (Master’s, Ph.D.)

6. F-1 Work Hours Requirement 20 hour per week maximum including other jobs when school is in session 40 hours per week or full-time equivalent during school breaks for continuing students

7. CPT Special Topics • Ineligible for OPT at same degree level if you use 1 year or more of full-time CPT; part-time CPT does not count • CPT is employer-specific; can work for multiple employers at the same time as long as separate CPT applications are made for each one • Transfer to another school – CPT ends on transfer date; must apply for CPT with ISA at new institution • Cancellations can be made prior to employment start date

8. CPT Application • Applications must be made BEFORE employment start date. • Student Statement • Employer Statement • Departmental Recommendation • Students approved for CPT will receive new I-20 with authorization.

9. CPT Application Deadlines December 1st in fall semester May 1st in spring semester CPT can be authorized during the summer at least 5 working days in advance of employment start date

10. Optional Practical Training (OPT) Definition Work experience directly related to an F-1 student’s major to provide practical training during or upon completion of a degree program

11. OPT Qualifications F-1 student in good standing F-1 status for at least 1 academic year Work must relate to your major(s) Off-campus work anywhere in the U.S. On-campus work after graduation if work relates to your major A job offer is NOT necessary except for students applying for the 17-month extension (includes STEM majors, psychology, and other fields that are mostly scientific)

12. OPT Length of Time 12 month maximum at each higher educational level (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral) Cannot combine OPT periods – must use after each degree level 29 months for 17-month extension

13. Types of Employment Paid, unpaid or volunteer positions Multiple employers Work for hire as contractor or consultant Self-employed business owner Agency or consulting firm

14. 17-Month Extension Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify Volunteering allowed but does not count toward work hours requirement

15. F-1 Work Hours Requirement Pre-completion: • 20 hour per week maximum including other jobs when school is in session • 40 hours per week or full-time equivalent during school breaks for continuing students Post-completion: • At least 20 hours per week • An average of at least 20 hours per week in a 1-month period for variable work schedules

16. OPT Application Deadlines Pre-completion: • 90 days before completing 1st full academic year • 90 days before employment start date if you have completed 1st full academic year Post-completion: • 90 days before completion of studies Students must apply separately for pre- and post-completion OPT.

17. 17-Month Extension Application Deadline 120 days before OPT end date

18. OPT Application Deadlines December 1st in fall semester May 1st in spring semester Application must be received at USCIS Service Center within 30 days of International Student Advisor (ISA) recommendation

19. OPT Periods of Employment • Start date no more than 60 days after completion of studies • End date no more than 12 months from start date if you have not used pre-completion OPT • Employment can begin or end any time during authorized period • Cannot work until start date on Employment Authorization Document (EAD) • Must be in physical possession of EAD

20. OPT Periods of Unemployment 90 calendar days for post-completion 120 calendar days for 17-month extension Employment travel and periods of authorized leave do not count as unemployment

21. Exceeding OPTUnemployment Limit Department of Homeland Security (DHS), not ISA, is responsible for calculating unemployment time and taking action in SEVIS Denial of future immigration benefits DHS could terminate SEVIS record

22. OPT Application • Employer’s name & address as written on contract if you have a job • Departmental Recommendation • Student Statement • I-765 form from USCIS website http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis • I-765 fee (personal check or money order) ORI-912 to request fee waiver from USCIS website • 2 passport photos • Copies of all I-20s or F-1status letter if you have no I-20s from the institution, I-94 arrival/departure card or print-out of I-94 information from www.cbp.gov/I94, passport information page, F-1 visa stamp • Copy of I-20 from ISA with OPT recommendation on 3rd page • Copy of degree for 17-month extension only

23. OPT Application Processing Timeline 2-3 weeks after mailing application for USCIS receipt notice (I-797C) 90 calendar days from I-797C receipt date for approval 2 weeks from approval date for USCIS to mail your EAD

24. Checking the Status of Your OPT Application • Email/text notification of application receipt by completing Form G-1145 from USCIS website • Cancelled bank check with receipt number on the back for pending applications • If your check has been cashed but you have not received the I-797C receipt notice, email lockboxsupport@dhs.gov • USCIS website http://www.uscis.gov to check case status online • If your receipt number does not show up online, email SCOPSSCATA@DHS.GOV • Call National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283) or make appointment (http://infopass.uscis.gov) if application has not been processed within 90 days • Once you receive approval notice, call National Customer Service Center for EAD tracking number and check status on Postal Service website at www.usps.com

25. Immigration Status You are allowed to remain in the U.S. while your OPT application is pending During this time, you cannot study or work You will still have F-1 status while on OPT

26. Travel Before OPT Approval Possible without a job Carry endorsed I-20, I-797C, passport, F-1 visa stamp, I-94 arrival/departure card if you arrived in the U.S. before April/May 2013 Obtain I-20 travel signature from ISA every 6 months Explain you are looking for employment

27. Travel After OPT Approval • Not possible without a job • Carry endorsed I-20, I-94 if you arrived in U.S. before April/May 2013, passport, F-1 visa stamp, EAD, and contract letter • Obtain I-20 travel signature from ISA every 6 months • Cannot enter the U.S. until EAD start date • Unemployed time abroad cannot be regained • Not permitted during cap-gap period • Not permitted if 17-month extension pending and EAD expired

28. Travel Without OPT Application Ineligible to apply for post-completion OPT May not be allowed to enter U.S.

29. F-1 Visa Stamp Must be renewed at U.S. consulate in home country Present signed I-20, EAD, passport, proof of employment Especially risky if you have a pending or approved H-1B petition

30. OPT Special Topics • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) –ineligible for OPT if you use 1 year or more of full-time CPT • Cancellation – possible if done before start date on EAD • Changes to OPT start and end dates – possible while application is still pending • Working on campus – not possible after you graduate without using OPT • Failure to complete program – if application is pending it must be withdrawn; if application has been approved can work part-time while completing program and full-time upon program completion • Transfer to another school – OPT ends on transfer date • Departure from U.S. – 60-day grace period after EAD end date

31. OPT Post-completion Reporting to ISA Within 10 Days: Initial job (employer name, start date, mailing address) Subsequent jobs (employer name, start date, mailing address, end date of former employment) More than 10 days of unemployment Address change Name change Early departure date from U.S.

32. 17-Month ExtensionReporting to ISA Within 10 days: • Name change • Address change • Employer change (employer name & address) • Loss of employment Every 6 months: • Legal name • SEVIS ID number • Current mailing & residential address • Current employer name & address • Current employment start date

33. Questions? Email Krittika Onsanit (ISA) at konsanit@richmond.edu Walk-in hours (2-4 pm, Monday-Thursday each week, 103G International Center) Email for appointment at other times