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OPT: Optional Practical Training, Work and Life after PSU

Plymouth State University's Center for Global Engagement provides information and support for international students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in their field of study for a limited time after completing their degree.

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OPT: Optional Practical Training, Work and Life after PSU

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  1. Plymouth State University’s Center for Global Engagement International Student Services OPT: Optional Practical Training, Work and Life after PSU

  2. Definition • OPT IS: • An acronym for Optional Practical Training. It is defined within government regulations as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.” • Is employment in your field of studyafter you complete your degree. • Is temporary – typically 12 months • Is optional, in other words it is not mandatory and not part of curriculum • Employment that is either paid or unpaid

  3. Eligibility • You are a degree-seeking student who has been in lawful status as a full-time student for at least one academic year. • For Post-Completion Practical Training, you may apply up to 90 days BEFORE you complete your degree or, up to 60 days AFTER. • You may engage in Optional Practical Training onlyafter you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). • STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) are eligible for 17 months of OPT. • ALL other majors are 12 months.

  4. Highlights of OPT……. • A job is not required before you apply • No special permission is needed to quit a job or change jobs, but you must notify your international student advisor of any job change and address change • One year of OPT is available after each degree level completed • Employment must be related to the degree program listed on your I20 • Student can have a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while on OPT. These are counted as calendar days, not weekdays. • While on OPT, you remain in F-1 status during the duration of OPT • It may take 3 months for the USCIS to grant OPT. • You may not be granted OPT. There is NO guarantee!

  5. What is “work” on 12 month OPT? • Volunteering? • Contract work? • Employment with a company? • Self-employed “Work” can be paid or unpaid • YES Ask the employer for letter describing duties, time per day and length of volunteering. Must be in the program of study. • YES • YES • YES

  6. What is “work” on 17 month OPT for STEM majors? • All of the above • Must be for an E-Verify company • Can volunteer, BUT volunteering does not count as work, which is needed to retain F-1 status • DETAILS: • Is an extension of the 12 months standard OPT. • Can be applied for up to 90 days before 12 m OPT expires. • Can have more than one job at one time in your program of study.

  7. How Do I Apply? • Read all material provided in the packet provided to you by your intl student advisor • Complete Academic Advisor Form and obtain required signatures. • Have two immigration photos taken (this can be done for FREE at Global Education Office). Lightly, in pencil using capital letters, print your name and write the number of your I-94 card on the back of each photograph. • Complete the I-765 form and sign your name after “Your Certification.” • The mailing address you use should be one where you can get mail for 3 months after you apply. (The USCIS will NOT forward mail.) You may use the CGE mailing address if you wish and we will forward any mail we receive for you. CGE mailing address is: 17 High Street, MSC 62, Plymouth NH 03264 • $380 check or money order/cashier’s check made payable to the US Dept of Homeland Security

  8. How Do I Apply, Part Two…. • Schedule an appointment with Jane Barry to review and photocopy your application and all documents (Do not simply stop by.) • Mail to USCIS*, return registered receipt by US Postal Service within 30 days of the DSO signature on your updated I20. (NOTE: Should you decide to cancel your application before mailing it, notify the intl student advisor so we can issue you a new, revised I20.) • *There are two different mailing addresses that could be used. Be sure you are mailing to the correct address!

  9. Mailing Checklist…… • Photocopies of ALL student I-20s (current and previous), front and back of I-94 card, passport pages containing picture, expiration date and visa • Original I-765 form • Two photos with your name and admission number (found on the • I-94) penciled on the back • Personal Check or Money Order for $380 payable to • “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”

  10. The Famous 30-Day Rule! The OPT application MUST reach and be receipted by USCIS within 30 days of International Student Advisor’s signature on the new, revised I-20.

  11. Where Do I Send the Application? • USCIS Dallas LockboxFor U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:USCISPO Box 660867Dallas, TX 75266For Express mail and courier deliveries:USCISAttn: AOS2501 S. State Hwy. 121 BusinessSuite 400Lewisville, TX 75067 • If using the US Postal Service, we strongly recommend that you mail the application return registered receipt

  12. Checking the Status of Your Application USCIS will send a receipt notice (I-797) to you in the mail within 2-3 weeks to the address indicated on your application Checking the status online: • Go to the USCIS Case Status Search Page https: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do • Enter your EAC, WAC, LIN or SRC Application number (ex: EAC 01234567). This may be found on the I-797 receipt notice. • It will inform you if your application is still in process, if they have requested additional information, has been processed or mailed

  13. Cancelling or Withdrawing OPT Application Prior to mailing application: • Notify CGE intl advisor and we will issue you a NEW and revised I20 After mailing application, but before approval: • Meet with int’l advisor with a written withdrawal request. It is impossible to track down your application at the processing center. We will do our best to get your application canceled. NOTE: You will have very little time to cancel and there are NO refunds!

  14. Travel on OPT….. • On OPT do nottravel outside of U.S. borders without • the newly revised and current I-20 which recommends OPT that has been signed by the international student advisor within the past 6 months • a job offer or proof of employment (ex: pay stubs) • your EAD card • your passport that is valid for at least 6 months • You must be returning to “resume employment” to be granted re-entry by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. unless you have written proof a job. • Never enter the US on any other visa status other than F-1 while on OPT.

  15. Student Responsibilities…… Students are required to notify intl advisor of: • Any job change • Any address change • Whenever you are employed or NOT employed Students must maintain documents that show: • How employment is related to degree program • Dates of employment NOTE: You must be able to provide this information to any gov’t official if asked. ******After graduating, working without OPT authorization is a visa status violation unless you have changed your visa status!******

  16. You’re DONE!! Good Luck! We’ll miss you at Plymouth State!!

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