Post-Completion Optional Practical Training

Information

Spring 2015

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

Benefit available to F-1 visa holdersPractical Training is not a visa – it is an benefit for F1 students (you will remain as F1 student with an I-20 form from Palomar)

Employment in the field of student’s major up to one

yearStudents become eligible for OPT after 2 semesters of studies at an academic institution

Cannot extend OPT

2nd OPT possible under some conditions (as you move

up to higher degree ex. AA-OPT then BA-OPT)

What Visa Status will I have?

Your visa status will still be F-1 (student)You still need to keep your I-20 formYou will need travel endorsement on your I-20 to re-enter the U.S. during your OPT

What can I do during the OPT?

Work legally work in the U.S. during the authorized period

Must be a Major specific employment (your job must be related to your major)

When should I apply for Post-Completion OPT?

You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before the last day of the semester (5/18/15, you can submit your OPT application anytime now). In addition, your OPT application documents must be received by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services no later than 60 days after the program end date (07/17/15).

Earlier you mail the application, sooner you receive the result.

Bring your OPT application documents to the Office of Int’l Education no later than 05/04/15

Documents you need to submit to the Office of Int’l Education

I-765Signature Card (sign within the box in black ink.Original I-20 forms (all the I-20 forms you’ve ever received)Passport2 photographs (passport-size)Application fee of $380, made payable to US Dept of Homeland Security

Documents you need to mail to the Service Center

Form I-765Signature Card (will receive it in our office)Photocopies of your I-20 forms, I-94, visa and passportApplication fee of $380Two photographs

While the Application is Pending

Avoid moving to a new place, if possible.

If you have to move, you will need to notify the Service Center immediately to inform the change of address (the Office of Int’l Education will help you with this process).

When you receive the form I-797C (notice of action) from the Service Center, make sure to bring the form to Office of Int’l Education.

When Will I Receive the Approval?

It depends on the workload at California Service Center.

Generally, it takes anywhere from 1 to 3 months.

When Can I Start Working?After the EAD arrives (OPT application approval)

Employment cannot start before the OPT start date printed on EAD (Employment Authorization Document)

You can start “looking for” jobs while the OPT application is pending

Traveling after you receive the EAD

Your Visa status remains “F-1”

Your F-1 visa needs to be valid for re-entryYou must possess current re-entry signature on your SEVIS I-20

You must have EAD or I-797C while your OPT application is

pending

You must have a job if entering the U.S. 90 days after the

OPT start date – letter from the employer should help

While on OPT – IMPORTANT! New OPT law (effective April 8, 2008): OPT students become out of status if unemployed for a total of 90 days.

If volunteering for 20 hours a week or more, students are considered “employed” and “in-status.”

When you move, you must notify the new address to the Office of International Education within 10 days.

Notify the Office of Int’l Education upon employment (employer’s name & address)

If you decide not to continue your OPT, you must notify the Office of International Education immediately.