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Optional Practical Training Workshop

Presented by the Office of Immigration

Eligibility

Forms

Required Documents for Application

The following items must be turned in to the Office of Immigration at the time of OPT application:

1. STEM Extension OPT Student Application Form - All information must be filled out by applicant before packet is received by the Office of Immigration. Email address MUST be one that you check regularly.

2. STEM OPT Agreement - Must be signed by applicant.

3. Employer Details

4. Form I-983 completed by applicant and employer.

5. Form I-765

6. Form G-1145

F-1 students in post-completion OPT who have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT period.

Requirements:

  • Be in a period of post-completion OPT status.
  • Current OPT must be based on a degree in one of the STEM designated fields. A list of DHS STEM approved degree programs can be found at www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2016/stem-list.pdf.
  • STEM Extension may be based on a previously obtained degree. Previous degree must be from an accredited, U.S. - based institution, and the degree must have been earned within the past 10 years.
  • Possess a valid passport.
  • Work at least 20 hours per week for an employer who is registered in the E-Verify program in a job related to the student's field of study.
  • Employer must agree to reporting requirements.
  • Student and Employer must have a bona fide relationship and all training must be provided by the employer directly and not a third party.
  • Student must complete a Form I-983 Training Plan with their employer and submit with STEM OPT Extension application
  • Completed STEM OPT Extension Student Application Form and STEM OPT Agreement Form
  • Completed I-765, in black ink
  • Completed Form G-1145 (to receive receipt notice by text and email)
  • Completed Form I-983
  • Copy of diploma or transcript showing continuous enrollment towards completion of degree.
  • Job offer letter (MUST list E-Verify number)
  • Copy of current EAD card
  • Photocopies of all I-20s (page 1 &2 only)
  • Photocopies of passport information page, most recent F-1 visa page, and I-94 card (front and back) or I-94 arrival page
  • Two passport-style photos
  • Check or money order for $410 made payable to Department of Homeland Security or Form G-1450 to pay via credit card (Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover only)

Filing Deadlines

  • Up to 90 days prior to degree completion date
  • No later than 60 days after degree completion date

Time Limits

Processing Time for OPT application

Form I-765

USCIS no longer has official EAD processing deadlines. The current processing time is close to 120 days. You will receive a receipt notice after the materials have arrived to the USCIS Service Center. You may then check the status of your case online at uscis.gov with your receipt number. You may NOT begin work until you have the OPT card in hand and NOT before the start date of the OPT card.

  • 12 months of full-time OPT is available at each level (Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D.).
  • If you don't use it, you lose it!
  • If you accept 12 months (365 days) of full-time CPT, you void your OPT eligibility.
  • Part-time OPT will be deducted from the 12 month total at a rate of half. (Example: 10 months of part-time OPT ÷ 2 = 5 months. One would still be eligible for 7 months of full-time OPT to = 12 months)
  • Those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields are eligible for an additional 24 months beyond the first 12 months of OPT. (Must apply for STEM extension!)

Student Reporting Responsibilities

Things To Remember

  • Must be filled out in black ink!
  • For STEM extension, check "renewal of my permission to accept employment" box #1.c.
  • List family name first, then first name, then middle (if you have one).
  • Leave US Mailing Address as Office of Immigrations address in care of Denise Robb(390 Alumni Circle Meisler Hall 2200 Mobile, AL 36688).
  • List your personal physical address where USCIS could reach you if needed for #7
  • #21.a. will be your I-94 card or arrival page number.
  • Since you've applied for employment authorization before (OPT), you will need to attach a copy of your previous EAD card.
  • #22 will be the date of last entry to the U.S. (listed on I-94 arrival page).
  • #23 will be the last city in which you entered the U.S. (listed on passport stamp).
  • #24 and #25 should be "student" if you entered and are currently in F-1 status.
  • #27 will be (c) (3) (c).
  • #28 a. list your degree level (i.e. Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate)Skip #29,30,31
  • Complete Applicant Statement, provide contact information, sign, and date

Employer Responsibilities

1. Employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify program.

2. Employer must complete a Form I-983 Training Plan with the student.

  • Explain how training is related to the field of study
  • State training goals and means of supervision/evaluation
  • State duties, hours, compensation, and verify that the compensation is commensurate with similarly employed U.S. workers
  • Sign off on a self-evaluation by the student at two times (12th month and 24th month/end of program)
  • Sign off on the final evaluation by the student after employment ends/terminates.
  •  Any substantial change in employment duties will require and updated I-983

3. Employers must agree to notify the Designated School Official using immigration@southalabama.edu if the employee is terminated or departs from employment prior to the end date on the STEM OPT Extension EAD within 48 hours of the occurrence.

Types of appropriate work

  • Filing Deadline - May be submitted 90 days prior to the end date of current OPT card. MUST be received by USCIS prior to the current card end date.
  • Authorization will begin the day after the end date of the current OPT and expire 24 months later.
  • Those students who have an extension petition filed with USCIS before the end date of their current STEM OPT may continue to work up to 180 days beyond the expiration of the current OPT with a timely filed extension petition.
  • Unemployment limit - An additional 60 days of unemployment may be taken plus the original 90 days for a total of 150 days. Again, weekends and days spent outside the U.S. count towards unemployment.
  • Cancellation - same as initial OPT.
  • Travel - same as initial OPT.
  • Students have two different timelines to remember:

1. Changes to the following must be reported within 10 days of occurrence:

  • Any change in name (passport copy or official document required)
  • Residential address
  • Name and address of employer
  • Dates of employment
  • Any change to the name and/or address of employer
  • Any interruption of employment

2. Every 6 months (counted from start of STEM OPT), the student MUST report the name and address of their employer. This is required even if there hasn't been any change to the data last reported.

3. 12-Month and 24-Month Evaluations: The student must also complete and submit a self-evaluation using the I-983, signed by the employer and submitted to the Office of Immigration& International Admissions at months 12 and 24 of the STEM Employment Period.

4. A new Form I-983 and final evaluation on page 5 from the previous job must be submitted each time you have a change in employer!

SEVP Portal

  • Work MUST be related to student's degree program!
  • It may include the following:
  • Multiple employers
  • Short-term multiple employers (i.e. performing artists)
  • Work for hire (1099 employment)
  • Self-employed business owner
  • Employment through an agency or consulting firm
  • Paid employment (at least 20 hrs per week for post-completion OPT)
  • Unpaid employment (at least 20 hrs per week)

The SEVP Portal is a little different for those on STEM OPT Extension. You will not be allowed to update your employer through the portal. Your employer information and new I-983 must still be sent to the DSO for updating.

You can still update your personal information (i.e. address, phone number, email) through the SEVP Portal.

Employment Start and End Dates

Unemployment Limit

Undergraduates:

  • Start date - May begin as early as the date of graduation or as late as 60 days after graduation date.

Students on post-completion OPT are limited to 90 days of unemployment beginning the start date on the OPT card. Weekends and time spent out of the country count!

Graduates:

  • Start date - May begin as early as the date requested after all course requirements are completed or as late as 60 days after Graduate School's final acceptance of thesis or dissertation.

For All:

  • The start date for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or OPT card, will be the date requested by student or date approved by USCIS - whichever is later.

Things to Remember:

Post-Completion OPT

End date - 12 months after the requested start date.

Miscellaneous Things to Keep in Mind

Grace Period

  • Cancellation of OPT - It is possible. However, you will not be refunded the $410 filing fee. Once the EAD has been processed by USCIS, you cannot cancel the OPT if the start date has already passed.
  • Travel during OPT - Re-entry to the U.S. requires that you present the following items at the port of entry: Endorsed (signed by DSO in OIE) OPT I-20, EAD card, valid F-1 visa, job offer letter from employer.
  • On campus employment - Once the student completes the degree or the EAD start date is reached, whichever is earlier, the employment is restricted to a student's area of study at a level commensurate to the degree earned. Once you graduate, all on-campus employment should cease until you have your OPT card in hand. You may continue work once you have your OPT card only if the job is not an assistantship or student worker related.

A 60-day grace period will begin at the end date of the EAD card. During this grace period, you may change status, transfer to another school, begin a new degree program, or prepare to exit the U.S.

STEM OPT Eligibility

Questions?

Contact Denise Robb,

Immigration Coordinator,

at drobb@southalabama.edu

Quiz Time!

Advising Hours:

M/W 2:00 - 4:00pm

T/Th 9:00am - 12:00pm

Professional Etiquette: If you have a question for the International Office, you should:

(A)Call – if no one answers, hang up and repeat until someone answers.

(B)Email – if no response after 30 minutes, email someone else.

(C)Email and then immediately call to find out if someone received your email.

(D)Call OR email (choose one) and be patient for up to 3 business days (Monday through Friday ONLY) for a response.

Grace Period

Reporting Responsibilities

Form I-765

A 60-day grace period will begin at the end date of the EAD card. During this grace period, you may change status, transfer to another school, begin a new degree program, or prepare to exit the U.S.

All students approved for OPT must report the following to the Office of Immigration:

  • Any change in name (passport or official documentation needed)
  • Residential address changes
  • Name and address of employer
  • Dates of employment
  • Any interruption of employment
  • Must be filled out in black ink!
  • For first-time applicants, check the "I am applying for permission to accept employment" box above #1.
  • List family name first, then first name, then middle (if you have one).
  • Leave US Mailing Address as Office of Immigration's address in care of Denise Robb(390 Alumni Circle Meisler Hall 2200 Mobile, AL 36688).
  • List your personal physical address where USCIS could reach you if needed for #7
  • #21.a. will be your I-94 card or arrival page number.
  • If you've applied for employment authorization before (OPT/Economic Hardship), you will need to attach a copy of your previous EAD card.
  • #22 will be the date of last entry to the U.S. (listed on I-94 arrival page).
  • #23 will be the last city in which you entered the U.S. (listed on passport stamp).
  • #24 and #25 should be "student" if you entered and are currently in F-1 status.
  • #27 will be (c) (3) (b). Skip #28,29,30,31
  • Complete Applicant Statement, provide contact information, sign, and date
  • If you have previously filled out a form I-765 or have had any CPT during your degree program this must be listed on part 6 of the I-765 form

Who can use the SEVP Portal?

Any F-1 student on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT

However, STEM OPT students can only update personal information. Employer information and FORM I-983 still have to be submitted to a DSO for SEVIS update.

Who CANNOT use the SEVP Portal?

1. Current F-1 students who are still in their programs

2. F-1 English language students

Introduction

Checklist of Items for Application

The following items must be turned in to the Office of Immigration at the time of OPT application:

How To Apply

OPT Student Application Form

  • Completed Student Application Form
  • Completed Department Recommendation Form
  • Signed Post-Completion OPT Agreement Form
  • Completed I-765 form with OIIA address
  • Completed G-1145 form (to receive receipt notice by text and email)
  • Photocopy of valid passport info page, F-1 visa page, and I-94 arrival page
  • Copies of all I-20s (1st and 2nd pages only) issued for current degree program
  • Unofficial transcript of all coursework at South Alabama
  • Two passport-style photos
  • Check or money order for $410 made payable to Department of Homeland Security or completed Form G-1450 to pay via credit card (Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover only).
  • Make sure to look up the graduation date of your particular semester on the Academic Calendar at www.southalabama.edu/academiccalendar/index.html. If graduating in the middle of the semester (thesis/dissertation only), determine what your "graduation" date is with your department.
  • You must determine start and end dates, not the Office of Immigration. This must be listed when you turn in your application materials.
  • Please list an email address you check regularly on this form. This email address will also be how you receive notification from the SEVP Portal.
  • Check and re-check the document checklist to make sure you have all required documents BEFORE you turn in your application to the office.

*Once all materials are turned in, a new I-20 will be created within 5-7 business days. You must sign the new I-20 before it can be sent to USCIS. The OPT application packet MUST be sent to USCIS within 30 days of creation of new I-20.

Post-Completion OPT Agreement

Read carefully and sign. Make sure to keep a copy of this form so that you can remember your responsibilities while on OPT.

Pre-Completion vs. Post-Completion

OPT Eligibility Requirements

OPT Department Recommendation Form

  • MUST be filled out by your academic advisor or department chair!
  • If any discrepancies appear, you will be required to go back and get a revised form filled out and signed.

Passport-style Photo Requirements

  • Be a degree-seeking student in F-1 status.
  • Possess a valid passport.
  • Have one academic year (two semesters) of full-time study completed before the requested start date.
  • Have not used 12 months (365 days) or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Pre-Completion OPT is work authorization that will begin and end before the program end date listed on the student's I-20. While school is in session, a student may apply for part-time, pre-completion OPT while also enrolling in the required hours to be a full-time student. During part-time, pre-completion OPT you may work up to 20 hours per week in the field of study listed on the I-20. Full-time pre-completion OPT may be requested for breaks (i.e. summer) when the student is not required to enroll or when a student has completed all course requirements and only lacks completion of the thesis or dissertation.

REMEMBER: Pre-completion OPT will take time away from your full year of post-completion OPT!

Post-Completion OPT is work authorization that will begin after the program end date on the I-20.

Post-completion OPT must be full-time (at least 20 hours per week) in the field of study listed on the I-20. Students who have completed all course requirements except for the thesis or dissertation may apply for post-completion OPT although it may require the I-20 end date be shortened.

*Separate applications are required for each type of OPT, thus it is not possible to request a period of part-time, pre-completion OPT immediately followed by full-time, pre- or post-completion OPT in the same petition.

*Please do not wear a white shirt when you take your pictures.

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