Optional Practical Training (OPT)

1. Optional Practical Training (OPT) International Students and Scholars Office Iowa State University

2. What is OPT? • OPT is a temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study. • OPT can be authorized: • During the student’s annual vacation and holiday breaks, and intend to register for the next term. • While school is in session, not to exceed 20 hours per week.

3. What is OPT? • After completion of all course requirements for the degree, excluding thesis or equivalent. • After completion on the course of study. • You still hold F-1 status while on OPT.

4. OPT Eligibility • Students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year (9 months) before being eligible for OPT. • Employment must be directly related to and commensurate with the level of the student’s course of study.

5. OPT Regulations • Prior use of full-time CPT for 12 months or more eliminates eligibility for OPT at the same educational level. • Part-time OPT prior to program completion is deducted from the 12 months limit at 50%. • Students must apply for EAD from USCIS. • Job offer is not required to apply for OPT.

6. OPT Regulations • If doing pre-completion OPT, students must maintain a full course of study during the period of employment (unless done during school breaks). • Post-completion OPT can only be full-time. • Students must submit application for post-completion OPT to USCIS before the completion of their course of study.

7. OPT Regulations • Students become eligible for another 12 months of OPT when they change to a higher education level. • Post-completion OPT must be completed within a 14-month period following the completion of study. • Application fee for OPT is currently $340.

8. OPT Regulations • You cannot begin your employment until you have received the EAD and the start date on your EAD has been reached. • Students who are on OPT may take classes part-time, as long as the transfer or change of level notification procedure is not invoked.

9. OPT Regulations • Students must submit the OPT application to the USCIS Service Center no later than 30 days after a new OPT I-20 has been issued by ISSO. • OPT will be terminated on the date you transfer out from ISU or on the date you change your education level.

10. OPT Regulations • At the completion of OPT, students will have a 60-day grace period to: • Leave the country, • Change to another status, • Or, transfer to a new program with a starting date no later than 5 moths after OPT completion date. • It normally takes up to 3 months for the USCIS to adjudicate your OPT request.

11. OPT Regulations • You may apply for an OPT I-20 from ISSO as early as the beginning of the semester you graduate. • (Discussion) what to do if you are approved for post-completion OPT but program is not completed. • Students may work for more than one employer and change employers during the period of OPT.

12. OPT Regulations • Students must report their change of address (through AccessPlus) within 10 days of moving. Students with special registration will also need to submit AR-11SR to USCIS.

13. Travel Abroad During OPT • You will need: • An OPT I-20 with a travel signature from ISS advisor (within the last 6 months). • A valid F-1 visa (except for Canadians) • Students do not need a valid F-1 visa if traveling temporarily to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for 30 days or less. • An unexpired passport • Job offer letter • EAD

14. Travel Abroad During OPT • You may reenter to search for employment while your request for OPT is pending. • If your OPT has been approved and you depart before you get a job, your OPT ends and you cannot reenter unless you have a written job offer. If you have a job, you may travel and reenter to resume work.

15. Travel Abroad During OPT • The EAD card will not be forwarded to a new address if you have moved (recommend to use ISSO address). • After receiving your LIN number, you can check status of your case online at www.uscis.gov.

16. What do we need from you? • We need: • An OPT endorsement form signed by your academic advisor or major professor. • You to meet with an ISS advisor to discuss the OPT start date and other related issues.

17. What will happen at ISSO? • An ISS advisor will verify that you have been enrolled at least one academic year. • An ISS advisor will review your OPT endorsement form and discuss any possible issues. • An ISS advisor will recommend OPT and request a new I-20 through SEVIS.

18. What will happen at ISSO? • It normally takes one week to process your new OPT I-20. • An ISS staff member will e-mail you to pick-up the new I-20 with the OPT recommendation when it’s ready. • You will be notified by e-mail when the receipt from USCIS has arrived. • You will received another e-mail when the EAD has arrived.

19. What must you do? • Complete Form I-765 (An ISS advisor will help you to complete this form.) • Make a copy of: • I-20 with OPT recommendation • Passport (data pages) • F-1 visa (or other visa if you have changed from another nonimmigrant status) • I-94 (front and back) • Previous EAD (if any) • Previous I-20s (current degree program)

20. What must you do? • Take 2 color photos (passport size) • Write a check (personal check is recommended) for $340 payable to: Department of Homeland Security • Make 2 copies of the entire application. • Student keeps one copy. • Give the other copy to ISSO.

21. What must you do? • Bring the entire application to ISSO for review. • Mail the application to: USCIS Nebraska Service Center P.O. Box 87765 Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

22. What must you do? • If you request the USCIS to mail the EAD to you directly, you must submit a copy of your EAD to ISSO. • If you change your status from F-1 (during or after OPT) to any other nonimmigrant status, please submit the proof of change of status to ISSO.

23. Questions about OPT?