Immigration Alert!
United States law requires you
to obtain written authorization before starting any type of compensated
employment. Beginning work without appropriate authorization from
the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or AU's International
Student & Scholar Services is a serious violation of your F-1
status.
Quick links:
* Sign-up
for an OPT session (required before applying for OPT)
* What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
* Should I request pre- or post-completion OPT?
* Am I eligible for OPT?
* How do I apply?
* How long does the application process take?
* What documents show I have OPT authorization?
* What happens once I get my OPT card (also called
EAD card)?
* Within how many days do I have to get a job?
* What if I don’t get a job within the allotted
time?
* What reporting requirements are there?
* What should I do if I start or end my employment?
* What happens if I move?
* Can I travel while on OPT?
* Can I extend my OPT?
* Can I have an additional OPT authorization?
* What if I end my OPT early and leave the US?
* Does CPT affect my OPT?
What is Optional Practical Training
(OPT)?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment option for F-1
students who wish to gain work experience directly related to their
field of study. Eligible students may be authorized for up to 12 months
of OPT per program level.
OPT can be used during a student's studies (pre-completion)
or immediately after graduation (post-completion).
Pre-completion OPT is work authorization
for a student who is enrolled in a full-time degree program and who
has not completed his or her program. Pre-completion OPT is work authorization
for a period that will begin and end before the completion of the
degree program. Students are allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours
a week) while school is in session and full-time (more than 20 hours
per week) on approved school breaks and vacation periods. Students
who engage in pre-completion OPT will use up some of their 12 months
of OPT.
Example: If you work full-time 3 months you use up 3 full months of
OPT. If you work part-time 3 months you use up 1.5 months of OPT.
Post-completion OPT is OPT work authorization
after the completion of a student’s degree program. Note that
a MA or PhD student may engage in post-completion OPT if s/he has
completed all course work and is completing a thesis or dissertation,
or is studying for comprehensive exams. Post-completion OPT dates
must start within 60 days of the completion of program date. The completion
of program date is determined from the Certification
Form for Completion of Academic Program.
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Should I take pre- or post-completion
OPT?
* Full-time pre-completion OPT authorized during vacation periods
will be deducted from the total 12 months, and will reduce the OPT
time you have available to use after graduation.
* Part-time pre-completion OPT (up to 20 hours per week) can be authorized
for students using OPT before graduation while school is in session
(during vacation periods full-time OPT can be authorized).
Graduate students who have completed all class requirements
and only have a thesis or dissertation remaining may take pre- or
post-completion OPT.
Please talk with an ISSS adviser about whether pre-completion
or post-completion OPT is best for your situation.
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Am I eligible for OPT?
To be eligible for Optional Practical Training, you must meet all
the following requirements:
[ ] be in F-1 status
[ ] have completed one academic year of full time study (2 consecutive
semesters, not including summer. For example, fall then spring semesters
or spring then fall)
[ ] currently be enrolled in a degree or certificate program, or within
60 days after the completion of degree or certificate program
[ ] have attended an ISSS
OPT session
[ ] Have a Student Account Balance under $1000
(note that you do NOT need to have a job offer to apply for OPT)
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How do I apply?
Application steps:
1. Sign up for an OPT
session on-line. Sessions are offered by ISSS frequently during
each semester.
2. Attend an OPT session. Bring the following forms
to the session:
* Form I-765
* Certification
Form for Completion of Academic Program
* All previous and current I-20s (including I-20s from other schools)
* Passport
* F-1 visa (if applicable)
* I-94 (small white card, usually stapled in passport)
* All previous OPT (EAD) cards
3. Bring to ISSS the following documents (after you
have attended an OPT session):
* Completed form
I-765
* Certification
Form for Completion of Academic Program, completed by you and
your academic advisor. Please note that pre-completion OPT start dates
must begin and end before the completion of the degree program, while
post-completion OPT dates must start within 60 days of the completion
of program date.
* All previous and current I-20s (including I-20s from other schools)
* Passport
* F-1 visa (if applicable)
* I-94 (small white card, usually stapled in passport)
Please note that we cannot accept incomplete applications.
4. ISSS reviews your application and student status
and then makes a recommendation to SEVIS for pre/post-completion OPT.
ISSS then produces a new SEVIS I-20. ISSS will call or e-mail you
when your new OPT application packet is ready for you to pick up.
5. Pick up your application from ISSS. ISSS will provide
you with the list of documents to mail to the USCIS Service Center
and the mailing address. In addition to the documents returned to
you from ISSS you will also need to include:
[ ] A check for the I-175 fee of $340, payable to "US Citizenship
and Immigration Services." Please verify the I-765 fee on the
USCIS
website in case of increases.
[ ] 2 passport style color photos that meet specific USCIS
requirements.
6. Mail your completed OPT application to your local
USCIS Service Center for final approval. USCIS approves your OPT application
and issues your Employment Authorization document (EAD) card.
Filing Deadlines:
Pre-completion OPT can be filed 120 days
before the OPT start date if the student has completed 1 academic
year of study. If the student has not completed 1 academic year of
study, s/he can apply up to 90 days before the end of the full academic
year.
Post-completion OPT can be filed 90 days
prior to the completion of program date (listed on the Certification
Form for Completion of Academic Program) and up to 60 days after
the completion of program end-date. Because the government system
is not updated to allow for applications after the student's completion
date, we recommend that the student apply before s/he completes her/his
program.
Pre/Post-completion OPT applications MUST be filed
within 30 days of OPT recommendation from ISSS. Applications received
before or after the above filing dates may be DENIED by the adjudicating
Service Center.
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How long does the application approval take?
From the time ISSS receives a complete application, it takes 7-10
business days to process. You then pick it up from the ISSS office
and mail it to USCIS.
USCIS should notify you by mail within 2 to 3 weeks
that they have received your application. Please save this receipt
as it will include your USCIS file number. With your USCIS file number,
you can monitor progress on your application at the USCIS
Case Status Service website.
You should receive your EAD card by mail within 4
months. Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be mailed
to you at the address on you indicated on your I-765.
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What documents show I have OPT?
An EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card will be issued by
USCIS. The card will indicate the dates when you are authorized to
work. This card, along with your OPT I-20, prove that you have OPT
work authorization. Please remember that ISSS will need a copy of
your EAD card.
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What happens once I get my OPT card (also called an EAD card)?
Bring your EAD card to ISSS to be copied for your file within one
week of receiving it so SEVIS can be updated. Failure to do so may
affect your F-1 status.
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Within how many days do I have to get a job?
Starting April 08, 2008, students on post-completion OPT have up to
90 days of unemployment during their OPT period.
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What if I don’t get a job within the allotted time?
After 90 days of unemployment the student can be considered in violation
of maintaining their status unless s/he has:
1) Transferred to continue your education at the same or another educational
institution;
2) Departed the US; or
3) Changed visa status
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What reporting requirements are there?
All students on OPT must report the following information to ISSS
within 10 days of beginning, changing, or ending new job:
• Employer's name
• Employer's address
• Start and end dates of employment
Email this information to iss@american.edu.
All students on OPT must also report any address changes through my.american.edu
within 10 days of the change.
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What should I do if I start or end my employment?
Immigration regulations require you to e-mail iss@american.edu
within 10 days of being hired or losing your employment. We will need
to have the name, address, start and end dates of your employment.
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What happens if I move?
Immigration regulations require you report your change of address
within 10 days of being of moving. We will need to have your complete
mailing address. Email this information to iss@american.edu.
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Can I travel while on OPT?
If you travel outside the US while on OPT you will need:
• Travel signature on page 3 of your OPT I-20 from your ISSS
advisor within the last 6 months
• EAD Card (the OPT card)
• Letter of employment. If you do not have proof of employment,
you may be denied re-entry to the US
• Valid Passport
• Valid F-1 visa (if your F-1 visa has expired you will need
to apply
for a new F-1 visa while you are outside the US)
* Post-completion OPT travel BEFORE you receive your
EAD card may result in cancellation of your OPT application.
* If you enter the US in B-1/B-2 (tourist), Visa Waiver,
or any other status while you are on OPT, you will lose your OPT.
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Can I extend my OPT?
No, unless you are a Science, Technology,
Engineering, or Mathematics STEM
student. If you are not a STEM student, then a maximum 12 months of
full-time OPT per degree is allowed.
More information:
STEM
web site
NAFSA-OPT
extension to 29 months for STEM students
List
of STEM majors
Federal
Registry text
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Can I have an additional OPT?
You may have up to 12 months of full-time OPT per higher level of
degree program.
Example: A student completes a Bachelor's
degree and gets 12 months of OPT. S/He then completes a Master's degree
and is eligible to get an additional 12 months of OPT because it is
a higher degree level. The same student then completes a PhD and is
eligible for another round of 12 month OPT.
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What if I end my OPT early and leave the US?
Immigration regulations require you to report this information to
ISSS. E-mail iss@american.edu
within 10 days of leaving the US.
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Does CPT affect my OPT?
If you are authorized for a total of 12 or more months of full-time
Curricular Practical Training, you will lose your eligibility for
OPT. (Note that this does not apply to part-time CPT).
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_____________________________________________________________
Additional Links
Interim
Final Rule from Federal Registry (PDF Text)
NAFSA-Interim
Final OPT Rule Updates
USCIS
Frequently Asked Questions on OPT
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