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Post-Completion

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Online Session for Students in F-1 Status

International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI)

405 Ell HallNortheastern University

617-373-2310

www.northeastern.edu/issi

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Topics Covered

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Defined (P3)

Eligibility Requirements (P4)

Deadlines and Timelines (P 5-6)

ISSI Checklist (P7) How to Complete and Submit Required Forms (P 8-15)

Reporting Requirements (P 22)

Travel Abroad and OPT (P 23)

STEM Extensions (P 26) H-1B and Cap-Gap (P 27-28)

Electronic Signature (P 29)

Contact Information (P 30)

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Optional Practical Training (OPT)Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of F-1

status. It is 12 months of employment authorization granted by U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to F-1 students for the

purpose of gaining practical experience directly related to their

program of study. The ISSI recommends OPT. You will then apply to

USCIS for work authorization.

Pre-completion OPT (Pre-OPT) takes place during your program of

study

Post-completion OPT takes place after your program completiondate*

*Program completion date is defined as the end of your program of

study (not necessarily the date of your graduation ceremony).

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Post-OPT Eligibility & Requirements

Students must have:

Maintained valid F-1 student status

Studied full-time for at least 1 academic year

Completed fewer than 52 weeks of full-time Curricular PracticalTraining (Co-op, Internship)

Additionally:

Only one Post-OPT application is allowed per each academicdegree level.

Students are eligible to apply for 12 months of OPT authorization

upon completion of each higher degree level.

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Deadlines & Timeframes OPT requires ISSI recommendation and USCIS authorization.

Students are eligible to apply for OPT:

90 days beforethe program completion date 60 days after the program completion date; USCIS must receive the

application within 60 daysof the program completion date

Processing time

Once a complete OPT application packet has been submitted to ISSI, the

OPT recommendation takes approximately 10 business days

USCIS authorization takes approximately 2 - 3 months

USCIS will not expedite OPT requests before the 90 day processing time has

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OPT Application Timeline

90 days

Possible OPT request

start dates (60 days)

60 day grace

period

OPT employment of 12 months

Program Completion Date

Begin application process

Last day for USCIS to receive your

OPT application!End of 12 month OPT

Last authorized OPT work date

(based on EAD Card)Potential OPT Start Date

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Requirements for ISSI OPT

RecommendationSubmit all of the following to the ISSI:

1. ISSI Form 133

2. ISSI Form 210

3. $200 administrative feepaid through your myNEUaccount4. Copy of passport identity page

5. I-94 (If you do not have I-94 number or copy you can find it on this

website-i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94)

6. Proof of electronic signature(OPT online seminarpage 29)

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1. ISSI Form 133: Certification of

Program Completion

To be completed

by academic

advisor

Signature of

academic advisor(all students)

Signature of Dean

or SEVIS contact

(graduate & all CPS

students only)

StudentSignature

To be

completed

by student

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2. ISSI Form 210: Request for OPT I-20

See next slide for complete dates

& window of OPT request dates

USCIS allows you to request your

OPT start date

You can request your OPT to

begin 1 day after your program

completion date or as late as 60

days after completion of study

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2014-2015 Term End Dates - Possible

OPT Start Dates that May Be RequestedCPS Undergraduate Graduate

Summer Quarter 2014 ends 8/23/14

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 08/24/14 10/22/14

Fall Quarter 2014 ends 12/06/14Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 12/7/14 2/4/15

Winter Quarter 2015 ends:3/28/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 3/29/15 5/27/15

Spring Quarter 2015 ends: 6/27/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 6/28/15 8/26/15

Summer Quarter 2015 ends: 8/29/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 8/30/15 10/28/15

Summer II 2014 ends:8/19/14

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 8/20/14 10/18/14

Fall 2014 ends: 12/12/14Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 12/13/14 2/10/15

Spring 2015 ends: 5/8/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 5/9/15 7/7/15

Summer I 2015 ends: 6/30/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 7/1/2015 8/29/15

Summer II 2015 ends: 8/25/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 8/26/15 10/24/15

Summer II 2014 ends:8/23/14

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 8/24/14 10/22/14

Fall 2014 ends: 12/13/14Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 12/14/14 2/11/15

Spring 2015 ends: 5/8/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 5/9/15 7/7/15

Summer I 2015 ends: 7/2/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 7/3/15 8/31/15

Summer II 2015 ends: 8/29/15

Possible OPT start dates that may be

requested: 8/30/15 10/28/15

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3. Form G-1145: E Notification of

Application/Petition Acceptance

To be completed by student.

Once OPT application is received by

USCIS lockbox, student will receive

electronic notification of receipt.

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4. Form I-765: Application for

Employment Authorization

Section 11: Select Yes if you have received a

work authorization card before. Select NO

in all other cases.

Do not complete

Section 16: Students must

enter code (c) (3) (B) for

post - OPT

Studentsignature, phone number and

date here

If Yes in Section 11,

complete this part of

the form. Indicate

appropriate service

center (Vermont,

Nebraska, Texas,

California) Look at yourEAD card for dates.

If NO in section 11

indicate N/A.

Section 3: Address should be valid for 3

months. If using an address other than your

own make sure to include your name on the

mail box and use c/o friends name, address. c 3 B

Section 17: Indicate N/A

on all 3 lines

Jane Doe 617-xxx-xxxx 10/04/2012

X

If this is your first application for OPT at this

academic level check here

Section 1: Name as it appears on passport/I-20

Section 2:If no other name

mention as NONE

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OPT Application Drop Off Times

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

11:00 am

1:00 pm

3:00 pm

5:00 pm

11:00 am

1:00 pm

3:00 pm

5:00 pm

11:00 am

1:00 pm

OPT application must be submitted to the ISSI during one of the drop off

sessions indicated below:

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Requirements for USCIS Processing

The following mustbe submitted to USCIS within 30 days of OPTrecommendation (if submitted after 30 days, OPT will be denied)

1. G-1145 (original) optional

2. I-765 (original)

3. Copy of new I-20 with OPT

recommendation on page 34. Copies of all previous I-20s (pages 1

and 3)

5. Copy of identity pages in your

passport including all correction and

extension pages

6. Copy of most current F-1 studentvisa stamp or change of status

approval notice

7. Copy of I-94 card (front and back) OR

electronic printout**For electronic printout, go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/.

8. Copy of the front and back of

previous EAD card (if applicable)

9. Check, money order or bank check

for $380 made payable to the U.S.Department of Homeland Security

10. Two passport photos with white

background (lightly print your name

and SEVIS ID# on back of each

photo)

Also include a copy of the most recent port-of-entry stamp in passport.

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Send your OPT application to the

applicable USCIS address

When mailing

through USPS,

request certified

return receipt

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Fed Ex or UPS

If you are using a mailing address in: Send your application to:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii,

Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,

Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada,

Phoenix, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota,

Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, or

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

USCIS

P.O. BOX 21281

Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Express mail and courier service deliveries:USCIS

Attn: AOS

1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S

Suite 100

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of

Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, NewHampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North

Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island,

South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas,

Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands or West Virginia

USCIS Dallas Lockbox

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

USCISP.O. BOX 660867

Dallas, TX 75266

For Express mail and courier service deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: AOS

2501 S. State Hwy. 121

Business Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

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Important! USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the OPT

recommendation by the ISSI

If your application is not received by USCIS within 30 days, your OPTrequest will be denied

Remember to sign and date your new OPT I-20 and all previous I-20sif you have not already done so.

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Employment Authorization Document You should receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in 2

to 3 months

If you have not received your EAD card after 90 days, call USCIS CustomerService at 1-800-375-5283 and submit a service request to expedite

You may not work until you receive your EAD card and you may only

work within the dates specified on your EAD

As soon as you receive your EAD card, check the card for errors. Contact

USCIS Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283 to rectify any mistakes

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90 Day Rule of Unemployment

While on OPT, you are allowed to accrue 90 days of unemployment

The 90 days of unemployment are cumulative

Students are considered out of status once they accumulate more than

90 days of unemployment

It is the responsibility of the student to track days of unemployment

ISSI advises students to keep a personal record of all OPT activity

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Invalidating OPTYour OPT will be cancelled or invalidated if you:

start a new program of study

transfer to a new school

change your status

enter the U.S. using any visa other than F-1

violate your F-1 non-immigration status

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OPT Employment All employment must be within the students field of study and appropriate

to their degree level

Begin OPT Employment only after the EAD card has been received.Students may work only within the dates indicated on the EAD card.Working before or after these dates is prohibited.

Types of employment allowed for OPT:

1. Multiple employers: A student may work for more than one employer, butall employment must be related to the students degree program.

2. Work for hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment,where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationshiprather than an employment relationship. If requested by DHS, the studentmust be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contractperiod and the name and address of the contracting company.

3. Self-employed business owner: A student on OPT may start a business andbe self-employed. The student must be able to prove that he or she has theproper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to thestudents degree program.

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OPT Employment Continued4.Employment through an agency or consulting firm: A student on

post-completion OPT must be able to provide evidence showingthat he or she worked an average of at least 20 hours per weekwhile employed by the agency.

5. Paid employment: A student may work part time (at least 20 hoursper week when on post-completion OPT) or full time.

6. Unpaid employment: A student may work as a volunteer or unpaidintern, where this practice does not violate any labor laws. Thework must be at least 20 hours per week for a student on post-

completion OPT. A student must be able to provide evidenceacquired from the students employer to verify that the studentworked at least 20 hours per week during the period ofemployment.

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Reporting Requirements

The following changes must be reported to the ISSI within 10 days

Address update for students on OPT

Employment update for students on OPT

Name of the company Address of the company

Start date with the company

Unemployment

Decision to discontinue OPT and depart the U.S.

Change of status

Return to school full-time / transfer

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Travel Abroad After Program CompletionDate and During OPT

You will need the following documents to re-enter the U.S.:

Passport that is valid for an additional 6 months beyond the dateof return to the US.

Valid F-1 student visa

I-20 with OPT recommendation on page 3 (travel signature must

be less than 6 months old on the date of return to the U.S.)

EAD card

Proof of employment (generally offer letter is used)

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Social Security Number (SSN)

If you do not have a SSN, you may apply for one as soon

as you have received your EAD card and the employmentperiod has started.

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Taxes Both federal and state taxes are due in mid-April each

year. Please check the ISSI website for tax related

information

For other tax questions, refer to irs.govor consult with a

tax specialist

ISSI does not give tax advice. Please contact a tax

professional if needed

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STEM/17-Month ExtensionIn order to apply for STEM extension, the following criteria must be met: Qualifying CIP code for a major in STEM field

Work for company enrolled in E-verify

When to apply for STEM Extension:

Refer to ISSI Form 204

Application may be submitted no earlier than 120 days prior to the

post-OPT end date

Application must be received by USCIS before original OPT period

ends

For more information go to: www.uscis.gov

Student on STEM must check in with ISSI every 6 months to confirm

work and current address

STEM may only be applied for once in a lifetime

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H-1B & Cap-Gap Extension H-1B is an employment based visa. Work with your employer

regarding H-1B application requirements and process

Cap Gap Extension is a government generated extension of OPT

work authorization or status of stay. It bridges the gap betweenthe end date of OPT and September 30thof that given year

If applicable, a Cap-Gap I-20 may be requested from the ISSI. For

more information regarding cap-gap extension, go to USCIS

website or the ISSI H-1B Guidance

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H-1B & Cap-Gap Extension Continued

To request a cap-gap I-20, submit the following to the ISSI:

ISSI form 122

Copy of receipt or approval notice (I-797)

Please note: USCIS regulations allow you to work without an I-20

indicating a Cap-Gap Extension. Whether or not your employer

will allow you to work is at their discretion

Note: Travel abroad is not recommended during an H-1B Cap-Gap

extension

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Electronic Signature

In order for your OPT application to be accepted by the ISSI, you must

complete the online Statement of Complianceverifying your full

comprehension of this presentation.

If you have any questions regarding the material in this presentation,

please contact the ISSI.

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Contact Information Stephanie McCormick (Post-OPT, Cap Gap, STEM Ext.)

Email: [email protected]

Laurie Larocque (Pre-OPT)

Email: [email protected]

405 Ell Hall

Northeastern University

Telephone: 617-373-2310

Website: www.northeastern.edu/issi

202-SMC-SM- 91913 [Q]W 30