Optional Practical Training OPT

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Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• International Students and Scholars Office
• Iowa State University

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What is OPT?

• OPT is a temporary employment for practical
  training directly related to the students major
  area of study.
• OPT can be authorized
• During the students 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.

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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.

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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 students
  course of study.

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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.

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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.

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OPT Regulations

• Students become eligible for another 12 months of
  OPT when they complete 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.

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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.

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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.

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OPT Regulations

• At the completion of OPT, students will have a
  60-day grace period to
• Leave the country,
• Change to another immigration 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
  its 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.

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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)

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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.

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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

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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.
• Later, 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.

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Questions about OPT?