Optional practical training (OPT) | University of Minnesota Morris

Optional practical training (OPT) | University of Minnesota Morris Optional practical training (OPT) On this page OPT Categories Applying For OPT Reporting Requirements During OPT The information here is for UMN Morris international students on F-1 visas who want to learn an overview of OPT, with the understanding that they will have to meet with a staff member in ISP for more information and authorization in their I-20. The information is also for students who: Have received their EAD card and need to know what to do next, and/or Are in their OPT period and want to travel, study, etc. Summary: Optional Practical Training (OPT) is permission for off-campus employment granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). OPT enables students to gain work experience in their field of study. 12 months of OPT is available for F-1 students. OPT may be used before or after completion of a program. International Student Programs must recommend, to USCIS, OPT for a student. USCIS then provides final approval and issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Individuals must have an EAD before they can begin OPT employment. OPT authorization granted by USCIS cannot be changed, voided, or canceled. Students with certain majors in science, technology, engineering, or math may be eligible for a 24-month extension (past their 12 months of employment) of post-completion OPT ( 24-month extension ). Eligibility Requirements Be in valid F-1 status Completed one academic year of full-time study Employment must be in the student's major field of study Good academic standing You are not eligible if you: Have been authorized 12 or more months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at your current degree level Were previously authorized for OPT at a higher degree level (if this is your case, consult with an ISSS advisor) OPT Categories Expand all Post-completion OPT that will be done after you complete your degree program. Most students choose this category. Pre-completion You may use your 12 months of OPT in sections. Any pre-completion OPT that you receive will be subtracted from your total 12 months. This category is rarely used. Most students choose to use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for off-campus work authorization before they complete their degree. Except in rare cases, CPT time is not subtracted from your OPT time. If you do chose to do Pre-completion OPT, you must know the following: Academic Year. During the fall or spring semesters. The OPT authorization is for a maximum of 20 hours per week. If you have on- and off-campus jobs, the combination cannot exceed a total of 20 hours per week. Vacation Period. For example, over the summer break. The OPT authorization may be part-time (less than or equal to 20 hours per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). Applying for OPT The first step in applying for OPT is to request a new OPT I-20 from ISP staff. It is also important that you consult with ISP staff to understand the timeline for applying for OPT, as it is limited. Applications received outside of the timelines described will be denied. 90-Day Window: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is able to receive Standard Post-completion OPT applications up to 90 days prior to the completion of a student's academic program 30-Day Window: The first step in applying for OPT is to request a new OPT I-20 from ISP staff. USCIS must receive your OPT application no later than 30 days after the “date issued” on your OPT I-20. This requirement applies to post- and pre- completion OPT. 60-Day Window: USCIS must have received and processed your OPT application by the 60th day after completion of your academic program (i.e. by the end of the grace period). Applications received after the 60th day will not be considered. OPT Extension There are some cases where a student may receive more than 12 months of OPT. If you complete a new degree at a higher level in the U.S., you are eligible for another 12 months of OPT. For example, if you complete a bachelor's degree, receive OPT, then you complete a master's degree, you are eligible for 12 more months of OPT. If you complete a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, you are eligible for a 24-month extension of your OPT. Expand all Assemble these materials in the following order: Have enough money available in your U.S. bank account or U.S. credit card to pay the filing fee. If your employer will pay the fee, you will need their payment information. Click here for I-765 filing fee . You do not have to pay the biometric fee. One passport-style color photo (jpg, jpeg, or png, maximum size 6MB) taken within 30 days of filing your application. You can get a passport photo on campus at the Academic Center of Enrichment (ACE) Office. Most recent electronic I-94 Biographical page of your passport. Copies of previous I-20s with CPT or OPT information. The new I-20 with OPT recommendation that ISSS will send you after you sign it. Keep a copy (digital or paper) of all of these documents for your records. Submit Your OPT Application to USCIS (Online Through Mail) It is your responsibility to submit your OPT application to USCIS. Do NOT submit your OPT application until you have your new I-20 with OPT recommendation. USCIS must receive your OPT application no later than 30 days after the "date issued" on your OPT I-20. USCIS will deny an application if it is received more than 30 days after the OPT I-20 issue date. Contact ISSS for assistance if you will need a new I-20 with OPT recommendation prior to submitting your application to USCIS. You can choose whether to submit your documents online (Option 1) or by mail (Option 2). Option 1: Submit Your Application Online To do this you must: Create your myUSCIS online account and log into your myUSCIS account. Complete the online I-765 (follow the directions given in myUSCIS). You should complete all pages of Form I-765 online and keep a copy for your records. When asked, your eligibility category is C(3)(B) Student Post-Completion OPT. Upload all of the documents that were listed previously, including your new I-20 with OPT recommendation. For your new I-20, you should sign it and upload pages 1 and 2. Pay the filing fee. After your payment is accepted, you will be redirected to a confirmation screen which will include your receipt number. You should keep a copy of your receipt number for your records. You can track the status of your OPT application through your myUSCIS online account. Once it is submitted, USCIS will communicate with you through your myUSCIS account. You will receive notifications at the mobile number and/or email address you entered in your online I-765. Option 2: Mail Your OPT Application to the Appropriate USCIS Address To do this you must: Complete a paper version of the I-765. Mail the I-765 and the assembled materials to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. You should send them as certified or express mail so you can track your package. For U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS Attn: I-765 C03 PO Box 805373 Chicago, IL 60680 For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: I-765 C03 131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60603-5517 Wait for EAD to be mailed from USCIS It takes approximately two to four months for USCIS to process your request and mail your EAD to the address on Form I-765. See the current processing times for I-765 (OPT) applications If there is a question about your OPT application, USCIS will mail a Request for Evidence to you. If this happens to you, contact ISP staff for assistance If you change your address while your OPT application is still pending, submit the changes on the USCIS website . You must also include your current phone number. You may not begin working until you have received your EAD card and the start date is current. This is true even if the start date you requested has passed and you have not received the EAD card yet. The EAD will reflect the dates of your employment authorization. Reporting Requirements During OPT Once you receive your EAD, you are required to: Submit a copy of your EAD card to ISSS Report address and employment information within 10 days of any change in your SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) Portal account. Be aware that the SEVP Portal will not allow you to enter an employment start date that is more than 10 days in the past, so it is essential that you report your employment on time. Work at least 20 hours per week in one or more jobs that are related to your major Not exceed 90 days of unemployment. Expand all Update SEVP Portal You should create a SEVP Portal account when you receive the email from [email protected] even if you do not have updates at that time. The link to create your account will expire in 31 days. As an F-1 student on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), you are required to use the SEVP Portal to report changes to your home address, telephone number, and employer information updates. What is the SEVP Portal? The SEVP Portal (or portal) is a system that allows you to have limited access to update your SEVIS record during OPT. You can access the portal from both mobile devices and computers. What is a SEVIS record? SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a nationwide, Internet-based system that the U.S. government uses to maintain accurate and current information about non-immigrant students and their dependents How will I be able to access the SEVP Portal? You will create your own portal account. On the start date of your EAD card, or soon after, you will receive an email message with instructions on how to create your portal account. The email will come to your umn.edu email address. It will be from [email protected] and the subject line will be "OPT Approval - the next step. Create an SEVP Portal account." What if I don't receive the email? What if I have problems using the SEVP Portal? First check your UMN spam folder ( directions ). If you still do not see it, or if you have problems, inform ISSS by filling out the SEVP Portal Assistance Request form in MyISSS What must a student on OPT do in the SEVP Portal? After creating an account and logging in to the portal, you must: Report changes to your physical address (where you live), mailing address, and telephone number Report updates about your employment information You are required to report these changes and updates within 10 days of the change. You may also: Review details about all employers in one place Review details about your post-completion OPT Any updates you make in the portal will be sent directly to SEVIS. How will I know the information I enter in the SEVP Portal is in SEVIS? What you see in the SEVP Portal is the same information as in SEVIS. It is a real-time update. Do I have to use the SEVP Portal? Yes. You are required to report address, telephone number, and employment updates directly in the SEVP Portal. You must also continue to update your residential address and telephone number in MyU while you are on OPT so the University of Minnesota can contact you. Will ISP make the updates? No. ISP will not make these changes for you. What if I do not report my employment information or changes to my address or telephone? F-1 students have always been required to report this information within 10 days of the change or update. This requirement has not changed; the SEVP Portal is just a different, and more direct, way for you to report. Failure to report employment information or changes to your address or telephone within 10 days of the update or change may result in the loss of your OPT status or other immigration benefits. The SEVP Portal will not allow you to report employment that started more than 10 days in the past, so it is essential that you report your employment on time. For now, ISSS can make the change if you complete the SEVP Portal Assistance Request form in MyISSS Help! My OPT has expired. I still have an update to make and I can't get into the portal. If it is after the end date of your EAD card, you will no longer be able to use the SEVP Portal to report any changes or end of employment. Inform ISP staff if you find yourself in this situation. Where can I find more information? SEVP has created a SEVP Portal Help section with: Information about the portal The SEVP Portal User Guide, which provides screenshots and detailed, step-by-step instructions for using the portal SEVP Portal videos help with navigating and reporting in the portal. If you have any questions about the portal or need assistance, call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400. Follow OPT Employment Rules Employment must be at least 20 hours per week, and it must be related to the UMN major you just completed. Employment on OPT can be: Paid employment 1 or more jobs Contract employment Self-employment Employment through an agency or consulting firm Unpaid internship Volunteer work You should keep written documentation of all your employment during OPT. Accumulate Less Than 90 Days of Unemployment You are allowed 90 days of unemployment during the 12-month period of your post-completion OPT. If you cannot find employment that begins within 90 days, you must depart the U.S. no later than the 90th day after your post-completion OPT began. If you have accumulated more than 90 days of unemployment, you will no longer be in F-1 status. Once your F-1 status expires, you are required to leave the U.S. immediately. 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