Optional Practical Training : International Student Services : Bridgewater State University

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Optional Practical Training

Bridgewater State University

International Student Services

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Information

General Information

Optional Practical Training for F-1 students is intended to provide hands-on practical work experience complementary to the academic program. An F-1 student is eligible for a maximum of 12 months. However, if a student begins a new academic program at a higher level (e.g. master's after bachelor's degree, or Ph.D. after master's), the student is eligible for another 12 months of OPT.

Pre-completion OPT: A student can apply for OPT before graduation if all coursework has been completed and the academic advisor supports the OPT application. Students may work part-time while school is in session and may work full-time during breaks. Please note that all periods of pre-completion OPT are deducted from the available periods of post-completion OPT.
Post-completion OPT: A student can apply for OPT based on completion of study or graduation.

NOTE: Certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree holders may be eligible for additional 17 months of OPT time in addition to the regular 12-month OPT. Please refer to the handout on F-1 OPT Extension for STEM Degree Holders.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Optional Practical Training, the student must:

Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year
Currently be maintaining a full-time program of study or approved part-time enrollment
Be in valid F-1 status
Work in a job directly related to the major field of study and
Have applied for graduation

A job or a job offer is not required to apply for post-completion OPT.

Filing window

USCIS must receive the OPT application preferably 90 days prior to the student's graduation date or no later than 60 days after the graduation date. However, the OPT application must be submitted to and received by USCIS within 30 days of the date on which the Designated School Official (DSO) at ISS issues a new I-20 recommending OPT. The student must use the most recent I-20 for all purposes including travel.

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Duration of employment authorization

Students may request an OPT start date as early as the day after their graduation date, but no later than 60 days from their graduation date. When requesting a later start date, the end date will be adjusted accordingly. Students have the option to request less than 12 months of OPT. Employment authorization will begin on the date requested or the date the employment authorization is adjudicated, whichever is later. The EAD will reflect the period of validity (start and end dates) for OPT.

OPT Application Process

All students intending to apply for OPT are required to attend an OPT workshop at the beginning of their final semester.

Step 1: The student will submit all of the following to Dr. Roopa Rawjee, Director, ISS/P/DSO:

OPT Request Form (click here)

Completed form I-765: Available at www.uscis.gov. When completing the I-765, the student must follow the instructions as listed for foreign students under category A. Use code (c)(3)(B)

Please use BLACK ink when filling out the form.

Write "OPT" to the right of the "Permission to accept employment" box.

Item #17: Please leave this field blank

Signature: Make sure your signature does not touch lines above or below and only sign between the two lines.

COPY of the Front AND Back of your most recent I-94 Departure Record Card

COPY of your Passport Page(s)- must show your name, photograph, date of birth, passport expiration and/or renewal date(s). (No additional pages required.)

Copy of all previously issued OPT/CPT I-20s if you had Optional or Curricular Practical Training authorized previously. The student should ask previous schools for copies of I-20 if he/she does not have the originals.

Copy of any previously issued EAD(s)

ISS will take 3-5 business days to review and process the OPT request. Please call (508) 531-6195 to ask if the I-20 is ready and make an appointment for Step 2.

Step 2: The student is required to return to ISS to pick up the OPT I-20 and supporting documents and bring the following for review prior to mailing packet to USCIS:

2 U.S. Passport-style photographs with small envelope.

Photos must meet U.S. specifications (not taken in home country).

The student must write his/her name and date of birth on back edge of each photo lightly in pen.

Check for $380.00 payable to "Department of Homeland Security". Write "For OPT" on the memo line.

Completed form G-1145 requesting E-Notification of Application Acceptance available at www.uscis.gov (optional)

At Step 2, the P/DSO will put together the OPT application packet and will immediately hand over the new I-20 with the OPT recommendation to the student. A copy will be provided for the application packet. ISS will keep a copy of the completed I-765 and attach the original to the application packet.

The student is required to mail the OPT Application Packet to USCIS at the Service Center based on the address they provide on the I-765. Students who wish to start working soon after graduation should mail the application to them at least 90 days before the graduation date.

Important: ISS responsibilities are limited to reviewing the check for accuracy and returning to the student who will mail the application directly to USCIS.

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During OPT

Students will remain in F-1 status. OPT is a benefit of the F-1 status. It is NOT a visa.
The student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS which will reflect dates of validity.
The student will need to provide a copy of the front and back of the EAD card to ISS as soon as he/she receives it.
The student will work in a job directly related to his/her major field of study.
The student must continue to maintain health insurance coverage.
If the student loses a valid EAD, he/she must re-apply to USCIS with all required documents and fees. The student will contact ISS for current information. Please note that the student will be asked for all immigration documents when applying for a change or adjustment of status in the U.S.
Change of Address
- Students are advised to change their address after they have received the EAD.
- Students who have submitted their application and are changing their address but have not yet received a receipt should contact Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-375-5283.
- If the student has a receipt, he/she can report the change of address from www.uscis.gov using USCIS' Change of Address online. Remember to report the change of address to ISS.
Student will contact ISS if he/she has not received the EAD card within 90 days from the date shown on the I-797 Notice of Action.
Types of Employment allowed during the OPT period:

A. Paid employment

Multiple employers

Short term employers

Short-term multiple employers

Work for hire (1099 contract based employment)

Self-employed business owner

Employment through an agency or consulting firm

B. Unpaid employment - must not violate any labor laws; must work at least 20 hours per week

Volunteer work

Unpaid internship

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Reporting Requirement

While on OPT students are responsible for reporting their address, employer/s' name/s and address/es, and any periods of unemployment every six months to ISS. This information should be emailed to iss@bridgew.edu Information will be updated automatically therefore, accuracy is very important.

Warning! SEVIS records of students who fail to report their information within the required time could be automatically terminated.

Limited Periods of Unemployment to Maintain Status

During post-completion OPT F-1 status is dependent upon employment. Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any OPT carried out under the post-completion OPT authorization. Students who exceed the permitted unemployment period will be considered out of status.

Travel Requirements

Travel risks - Please note that the EAD states "Not valid for re-entry to the United States". F-1 students must have a valid visa in order to re-enter the U.S.

With a pending OPT application, the student will need:

A travel signature - valid for 6 months at a time
Valid F-1 visa students with an expired F-1 visa must contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in their home country to renew their F-1 visa prior to their return to the U.S.
A Notice of Action from Immigration or E-Notification of Application Acceptance

With an approved OPT, the student will need:

A travel signature - valid for 6 months at a time
Valid F-1 visa students with an expired F-1 visa must contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in their home country to renew their F-1 visa prior to their return to the U.S.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card
An offer of employment or verification of employment on company letterhead.

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Options After OPT

At the end of OPT, the student can select ONE of the following options: (must be done within 60 days of the EAD expiration date):

Return to home country
Apply to BSU for a higher degree (BSU will issue a new I-20)
Transfer out to another school (New school will issue a new I-20. Note: If the student transfers the SEVIS record to another program prior to the expiration of OPT, he/she will forfeit the remaining period.)
Change Status within the U.S. (The best option here is to refer to an immigration attorney).

H-1B Cap-Gap Extension of Duration of Status (D/S) and OPT Work Authorization until October 1

Duration of F-1 status and work authorization will be extended for a student on OPT who is the beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition requesting an employment start date of October 1 of the following federal fiscal year (October through September). This would apply to all students on OPT, not just STEM students.
The student must submit proof of a filed or waitlisted petition and request that the work authorization period be extended accordingly.
The student must submit a verification of employment on company letterhead. The employment start date and employer address are required.
The extension of duration of status and work authorization would automatically terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition filed on the student's behalf.

F-1 Students must maintain all of the above requirements while on OPT.

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Additional Information

The I-20 shows the graduation date on page 1, section 5 (expiration/program end date). ISS will shorten the program end date when appropriate.
Students who apply for OPT during the 60 day grace period after the graduation date will have to provide a letter from the Registrar's Office confirming graduation.
Students who apply for OPT then fail to meet graduation requirements are permitted to work part time only until they complete all graduation requirements.
The student will have to change his/her graduation date
The student can work full time after all graduation requirements have been completed.
For more information on OPT, please visit: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/opt_policy_guidance_04062009.pdf
When filing Form I-765 at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities, you may elect to receive an email and/or text message notifying you that your application has been accepted. You must complete an E-Notification of Application Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of your application. The form is available at www.uscis.gov