OPT and CPT – What’s it all about?

1. OPT and CPT – What’s it all about?

2. Work Options for F-1 Visa Students • Work on campus • Off campus work for severe economic necessity • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • Optional Practical Training (OPT) Note: For all classes of employment, except on campus, student must have been enrolled for a full academic year to be eligible.

3. Curricular Practical Training • By definition, the internship or working experience must have an educational or curricular purpose. It must be “an integral part of the student’s program”. • Must be related to major. Not minor. • Whether paid or unpaid, student must register for credit. For example: ACCTG 380 Internship • 1, 2, or 4 hours • On-the-job learning experience in government or industry. The plan must be presented for departmental approval before the experience begins. (Note: Those students with less than a 2.50 GPA in the major must have departmental approval before interviewing.)

4. What is Illegal Work? • More than you might think! All of these paid activities are considered illegal work. • Babysitting • Paid performances, music accompanying • House sitting • Dog walking • Cooking or catering • Tutoring (paid by someone other than Luther)

5. Optional Practical Training • F-1 Students are allowed one full year of OPT per educational level, i.e. Associate degree, Bachelor’s, etc. • OPT can be used before completion of degree or post-completion. • Must be related to student’s major. • Employment may be with a company, self-employment, musical gigs, contract work, etc.(keep records!).

6. CPT – How to Apply • Visit the Career Center, both virtually and in person to find the internship you’re looking for! • Attend Career Fairs • Once you’ve found an internship, pick up internship paperwork from Career Center and check with your department for approval for 1-4 credits. • Get department’s signature on the internship, and return forms to Career Center • Visit your DSO for CPT approval on your I-20 and then you’re okay to do your internship!

7. OPT How to Apply • Have a conversation with your DSO about a timeline. Your OPT application should be submitted relative to your date of graduation, whether you have a job or not, plans to leave the country, plans for graduate school, driver’s license renewal date, and other considerations.

8. Post-Completion or Pre-Completion? • Pre-Completion OPT is possible, but limits you to 20 hours per week while taking classes, and cuts down or eliminates your post-completion time. (better to use CPT) • F-1 Students are eligible for 12 full months of OPT per educational level: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD. • Post –Completion OPT must occur during the 14 months immediately after graduation.

9. OPT When to Apply When can I apply for post-completion OPT? How do I Choose a start date? Apply 90 days before your start date. No Job?

10. OPT When to Apply Have a job? Processing time is up to 90 days. With a job offer letter, can request to expedite application.

11. OPT When to Apply What if I have trouble finding a job?

12. OPT – How to Apply • Download form I-765 and instructions for the Diversity Center Website, or pick up a packet in the LDC. http://reason.luther.edu/diversity/internationalinfo/currentstudents/opt/ • Return forms, check or money order, passport photos to your DSO. Bring along current passport, I-94, visa and all I-20s you’ve been issued. • DSO will enter OPT application into SEVIS, after a brief “interview” to determine start dates and other information. You will be issued a new I-20 with OPT application. • DSO will include a cover letter and help you assemble your application packet for mailing to the USCIS in Nebraska.

13. What Happens Next? • In 10-14 days, a receipt will be sent to the address on the application. (usually the LDC) • The receipt will contain an LIN number (case number) and indicate a webpage where you can check the status of your application. • Do not lose this receipt! • In some cases, instead of a receipt, you might receive a “Request for Evidence”, indicating some piece of information is missing.

14. Already Have a Job? • If you have a job offer when you apply for OPT, you can include a copy of the offer and request that USCIS expedite your application. This may shorten the processing time, but it’s unclear by how much. • If you receive an offer, after submitting your application, your DSO can fax a copy of the offer, along with a copy of your OPT receipt to the USCIS Service Center.

15. Once You Get the EAD • Work cannot be started before the “valid from” date on the Employment Authorization Document. (EAD) • http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=338ce8ba05b33310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

16. Employer Sponsorship • Some employers hire F-1 students on OPT with the intention of sponsoring them for a H-1B working visa. (Or they discover they like your work after you begin at the company) • H-1B petitions are usually submitted in April of each year, and accepted until the cap is reached. • The adjudication of those petitions isn’t done until late summer, early fall, and the H-1B visas go into effect on October 1.

17. Cap-Gap Allowance Where does that leave you? Your OPT runs out in June, but your H-1B isn’t approved until October. Help!! That’s where Cap-Gap comes in!

18. OPT Before Grad School • Some students will work under OPT for the summer before graduate school. (Luther campus work ends at Commencement)

19. What Else Should I Know About OPT? • During the 12 month period of OPT, you are allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. This may be a cumulative total of more than one period of unemployment. • It costs $380 to submit your application. • While on OPT, you are required to notify your DSO of your personal address and the name and address of your employer. • It can take up to 90 days to process the application • The onus is on you to prove that your work is related to your academic major.

20. 17 Month STEM Extension What are STEM fields of study? • S – Science • T – Technology • E – Engineering • M – Mathematics At Luther, these majors include: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Math, Math & Statistics, Physics You are eligible to apply for 17 additional months of OPT, providing your employer is an e-Verify employer. You must apply before the end of your current OPT employment. The application process is the same as OPT.

21. Wrap Up • When in doubt, don’t rely on the wisdom of your friends, go to your DSO! • Begin the process early enough, so that you can begin working when you need to. • Don’t come rushing in at the last minute! • Ask lots of questions!!!!