International Technological University

OPT WORKSHOP

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

A 12-month temporary employment authorization

A benefit of the F1 student status

Provides an opportunity for F-1 students to apply knowledge acquired from their academic program to a work experience in their major field of study

OPT must be recommended by ITU DSO and approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Jobs must be directly related to your current major

Who is eligible for OPT?

Be in valid F-1 status (at least 9 months)

Be in good academic standing, defined as a minimum G.P.A. 3.3 (graduate students)

Have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year prior to submitting an OPT application

Have not completed more than 364 days of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Have not already utilized an equivalent of 12 months of OPT work authorization in current degree level

How to Apply

• Review Online Information and Procedure Slides

– All applicants are required to review this OPT (PDF) BEFORE submitting OPT application materials to ITU.

• Pick up your application materials for mailing (7-10 business days)

– An F1 advisor will review your request and (Director of admission signature is required on the form, just to verify your completion date and your registration status at the time of application) DSO will issue a new I-20 for your OPT application. You can pick up your new I-20 at the ITU front desk or request for the mail out (1-2 weeks) and all the application materials, and then mail them to the USCIS.

• If you need it in urgent, pick up in person or express payment

***DSO will not scan your OPT I-20 (it’s the student responsibility to obtain the I-20 by his/herself.**

What happens if a student who failed to complete the requirements for his/her program?

• Contact DSO immediately for guidance, you are obligated to make up for the class in one semester

• If OPT application has not been adjudicated (approved) by USCIS, the student has to withdraw the application by notifying the Service Center. DSO should also withdraw the recommendation for OPT in SEVIS

• If OPT approved, DSO will extend your program end date to the appropriate date (next semester end date) It will not affect your Stem extension.

• The student may work part time while enrolled in courses to complete the requirement (need employer email’s confirmation)

• If your GPA drop under 3.0 after grade is out: 20 HOURS• After successful completion of all the program requirement,

the student may work full time.

What caused you to fail?

-PPoor Attendance Poor Study

Less than C gradeLess than G.P.A. 3.0

Check list (Photocopies Only)

• Reference on the website (more details)– Handout at the Front Desk

(FAQ)For students who had Initial I-20 from other school: Initial (first school)w/ port of entry stamp on i-20>Transfer>Continuance

FAQ

For students who had initial i-20 from ITU: Initial->Continuance

CPT STUDENTSFor students who enrolled in CPT (in ITU): AllFor students who enrolled in CPT (in Previous University +ITU):

Third page signature (NOT NECESSARY from DSO)

Mail your OPT Application • Sign and date the new I-20! (section 11) This sounds obvious

but many OPT applicants have their applications returned for an unsigned I-20 and/or an unsigned check and/or an unsigned I-765 form.

• Signature on I-765 form (sign it within the box)• Photocopy the entire application before you send it so that you

have a complete copy for your records. • Send your application to the USCIS by certified mail, return

receipt requested or by a courier service such as FedEx to provide you with proof that your application was timely in the event that the application is lost.

The application must be received by the USCIS Service Center within 30 days of the date of the OPT recommendation

USCIS Mailing Address If you live in (return address on I-765):

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, 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 Mail your application to USCIS Dallas Lockbox:

For U.S. Postal Service deliveries: USCIS

PO Box 660867 Dallas, TX 75266

For Express Mail: USCIS, Attn: AOS

2501 S. State Hwy, 121, Business Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

USCIS Mailing Address If you live in (return address on I-765): Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington (state), Wisconsin, Wyoming, or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Mail your application to USCIS Phoenix Lockbox:

For U.S. Postal Service deliveries: USCIS

PO Box 21281 Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Express Mail: USCIS, Attn: AOS

1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85034

Mandatory Reporting Requirements While on OPT

You must report the following information to ITU within 10 days via emailing Report any change of address (within the U.S. or your foreign address)

Any change of name (first, middle, last) Any periods of unemployment while authorized for OPT

Employer information upon obtaining a job and changing jobs; this includes employer name, address, and the date you started working there

Provide ITU with a faxed, scanned, or paper copy of the EAD ITU fax number: 408-400-2003

Reporting Requirements

Students are required to submit a copy of their EAD card to the Registrar’s Office. Failure to do so could be considered a violation of F-1 immigration status.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now requires all students in F-1 status who have been granted OPT to report the name & address of their OPT location/employer. Students must

also report if their employment is interrupted at any point.

Traveling on OPT (w/ I-20)

• More details on the OPT slides• Visa, Passport, EAD card, I-20 with third page

signature for re-entry, offer letter (OPT), letter from the employer, and evidence of financial support

OPT STEM• Must currently be on post-completion 12-month OPT • Verified completion of a degree on the • STEM Designated Degree Programs List. The CIP code

is found on top of page 3 of the I-20, next to "Primary Major.”

Employer Requirements:

• ” Registered with the U.S. Government E-Verify employment verification system

• " Agrees to report any termination of employment within 48 hours to ITU.

Cap-Gap Extension• ITU will process an I-20 that takes into account the different stages of the H-1B filing,

selection, and adjudication process. The cap-gap Form I-20 will contain the following endorsement:

“F-1 status and employment authorization for this student have been

automatically extended to [the applicable date will be inserted]. The

student is authorized to remain in the United States and continue

employment with an expired employment authorization document. This is

pursuant to 8 CFR214.2(f)(5)(iv) and 8 CFR274a.12(b)(6)(iv), as updated

April 8, 2008 in a rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 18944).

Additional information about the automatic extension can be found on the

Student and Exchange Visitor Program website.”

Grace PeriodsThe regulations state that the 60-day period may be used to

“prepare for departure” from the United States or to

“prepare for transfer,” so these two categories are clearly

permissible during the 60 days. 60 days after the program

completion date or post completion OPT end date, the student’s

SEVIS record will be automatically changed by the SEVIS

system from “Active” to “Completed

After your OPT expires, you have 60 days to leave the country, apply for change of status, second master or transfer to another school.