- OPT basics
- Only work after authorization
- Do not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment
- Keep document and F1 records updated
- Only enroll part-time in classes unrelated to the current or future field of study
- Travel outside US
- Verify admission status I94 record is correct
- summary
- application process
- application timeline
Who is eligible
Pre-completion
Before graduation, need to talk with advisor, not common
Post-completion
after graduation,
have entered the US, and have been in F1 status for 2 semesters
or graduates except for dissertation
- ABD: all but dissertation, finish before the end of EAD date
- Otherwise need to go back home and complete the degree
OPT basics
related to your field of study
still an F1 student, not a work visa.
12 months OPT per level of education, not cumulative
eligible STEM degrees for extension of post-complete OPT, or pending H1B
no job offer is required to apply.
allows to change jobs and have multiple jobs
employer does not have to do anything, applicant is sponsoring themselves
can do paid/unpaid, this university cannot do unpaid work.
Only work after authorization
not eligible to work until EAD card
no exception
need to create SEVP portal account after the OPT is approved and after the start date
need to report on change: US home address, employer and address, start and end date of employment
Do not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment
within the authorization period on EAD card
20 hours to be considered employed
Keep document and F1 records updated
request OPT-I20
Only enroll part-time in classes unrelated to the current or future field of study
reach out to OISS advisor
Travel outside US
possible with documents
- passport
- F1 visa
- I20 with signature
- EAD
- proof of employment (optional)
while OPT application pending is possible, but risky because the EAD will be mailed to your US address
Verify admission status I94 record is correct
summary
Who can apply for extension
24-month STEM OPT extension
aply during the last 90 days end of OPT
USCIS must receive before the end
must have a job
employer must enroll in E-verify
requires a plan (Form I-983)
H1B petition pending or approved may requested a “cap gap”
cap gap employer file H1B application on April 1
if approved, H1B starts on October 1
if OPT expires before Oct 1, “cap gap” extension is added in SEVIS until decision of H1B is decided
application process
- workshop, get a packet
- request OPT I20 form from OISS advisor
- prepare and submit form I-765 OPT application to USCIS
- must be in US to apply for OPT
application timeline
application estimated to take 4 weeks.
90 days before program end date → I-20 end date → 60 days after program end date
pick requested start date: 1 day after I 20 end date → end of 60 day grace period
Packet
request OPT-I20
requested OPT start date form
academic advisor verification form OR ABD OPT form, one or the other
The packet is for getting OPT I-20 recommendation from OISS
OPT I-20
application to USCIS with the recommendation from OISS
evidence files to upload I-765 with OPT I-20
immigration docu: passport, I-94
previous OPT and CPT, can skip if you don’t have it
2 by 2 inches passport style photo; taken within 30 days; Public library, Walgreens, and CVS offer the service
What if the EAD start date is after the end date of the grace period?
didn't quite hear the answer