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Optional Practical Training Optional Practical Training WorkshopWorkshop

Dr. Juliet Hurtig

PDSO at Ohio Northern University

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Post-Completion OPT: After completion of all academic program and course

requirements

17-Month STEM OPT Extension: Available following standard post-completion OPT for

certain students with a degree in a STEM field (*see list)

Various Types of OPTVarious Types of OPT

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Eligibility: Currently in F-1 status Have been a full-time student for one year or more

Limitations: 12 months of standard OPT per degree level OPT employment must be in student’s field of study 12 months or more of full-time CPT= No OPT

If LESS THAN 12 months full-time CPT (e.g. 11 months 29 days) = eligible for full amount of OPT

Part-time CPT does not count towards OPT

OPT: Eligibility and LimitationsOPT: Eligibility and Limitations

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Student may not begin employment until: S/he has obtained an EAD (Employment Authorization

Document) from USCIS; The OPT start date (according to EAD) has arrived; AND S/he has completed all course requirements for the program

of study

Qualifying Post-Completion employment : Must average at least 20 hours a week May be paid or unpaid (so long as the unpaid position meets

U.S. Labor Law standard for strictly volunteer work - it is your responsibility to research these standards)

May have multiple employers and may change employers provided all employment is directly related to area of study

OPT: EmploymentOPT: Employment

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Post-completion OPT (max. 12

months): No more than 90 days of unemployment

STEM Extension OPT (max. 29 months):

No more than 120 days of unemployment

OPT: UnemploymentOPT: Unemployment

Accumulation of more than the allotted amount Accumulation of more than the allotted amount of unemployment days constitutes a violation of of unemployment days constitutes a violation of F-1 status.F-1 status.

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OPT: CalendarOPT: Calendar

May apply 90 days prior to program end date

USCIS must receive OPT application no later than 60 days following end date (and no more than 30 days after DSO recommendation); OPT can begin no later than 60 days from program end date.

Standard OPT ends no later than 14 months from the program end date (followed by 60 day grace period)

5/15/135/15/13 7/14/147/14/147/15/137/15/132/15/132/15/13

Program end Program end datedate

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Students on post-completion OPT must report to the DSO within 10 days, changes in:

Legal name Local U.S. residential address Employer information Periods of unemployment

Please submit to the DSO the Please submit to the DSO the OPT OPT Information Update FormInformation Update Form to report these to report these changes.changes.

OPT: Reporting RequirementsOPT: Reporting Requirements

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Traveling while on OPT : Travel is always at your own discretion The risks of individual situations vary, and we will discuss

your specific situation at your appointment with the DSO

While on Post-Completion OPT, a student is required to present at the U.S. Port of Entry:

Valid passport and F-1 visa (unless exempt) I-20 with travel signature (valid 6 months - no longer 12

months); Employment Authorization Document (EAD); Employment letter (if returning to the U.S. after the

employment start date listed on the EAD).

If outside the U.S. for more than 5 months, F-1

status and OPT authorization end.

OPT: Travel and Re-Entry OPT: Travel and Re-Entry

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1. Student applies 1. Student applies for OPT with DSOfor OPT with DSO

2. DSO verifies 2. DSO verifies student’s eligibilitystudent’s eligibility

3. DSO issues new 3. DSO issues new I-20 with OPT I-20 with OPT

recommendation recommendation and signs I-20and signs I-20

4. Student signs 4. Student signs I-20 and sends I-20 and sends application to application to

USCISUSCIS

5. USCIS service 5. USCIS service center adjudicates center adjudicates

the applicationthe application

6. USCIS approves 6. USCIS approves application and application and

sends EADsends EAD

OPT: Application ProcessOPT: Application Process

***See Handout***See Handout

Important points to remember:Important points to remember: Students ask DSO to recommend OPT within 30 days of the Students ask DSO to recommend OPT within 30 days of the

date they expect their application to arrive at USCIS and no date they expect their application to arrive at USCIS and no earlier (this new I-20 will expire after 30 days).earlier (this new I-20 will expire after 30 days).

The DSO will work with students at their individual The DSO will work with students at their individual appointments, advising them in choosing requested OPT appointments, advising them in choosing requested OPT start date: however, please remember this is ultimately start date: however, please remember this is ultimately their decision and responsibilitytheir decision and responsibility

Students can not have a requested start date that is more Students can not have a requested start date that is more than 60 days past their program end datethan 60 days past their program end date

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OPT: Application ProcessOPT: Application Process

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I-20 Page 3 with OPT I-20 Page 3 with OPT RecommendationRecommendation

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Form I-765 Form I-765

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Employment Authorization Document Employment Authorization Document (EAD)(EAD)

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Thank you for your attention.Thank you for your attention.

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

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The 12-month limit on OPT can be extended by 17 months, for a total of 29 months, for certain students with a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) field.

To apply, a student must obtain a new I-20 with To apply, a student must obtain a new I-20 with DSO recommendation, submit Form I-765 and DSO recommendation, submit Form I-765 and supporting documentation and pay the supporting documentation and pay the application fee.application fee.

OPT: STEM ExtensionOPT: STEM Extension

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Additional Requirements:Student must have successfully completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List

Student must be currently participating in a period of Post-Completion OPT, working for a U.S. employer, in a job directly related to the student’s major area of study

STEM Extension 6-Month Reporting: Schools are required to verify students are employed 6 months and 12 months after the STEM extension begins. Failure to do so will result in the termination of a student’s F-1 status.

OPT: STEM ExtensionOPT: STEM Extension

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Additional Requirements (continued): Student must have a job offer for a paid position from an employer

registered with E-Verify*

There is currently no list available of companies registered with E-Verify*

To find out if a company is registered with E-Verify*, it is recommended you contact the company’s Human Resources department and ask one of their representatives this question directly

Student must not have previously received a 17-month STEM Extension

While a timely-filed application is pending, employment eligibility is extended up to 180 days.

OPT: STEM ExtensionOPT: STEM Extension