1. OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Application Workshop Felicia Welch, Associate Director International Students & Scholars Office

2. What is Optional Practical Training? OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a 12-month Work Authorization in the United States. OPT allows you to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a real-world environment. OPT employment must be related to your program of study. You are granted OPT following the completion of your academic program.

3. How Am I Eligible for OPT? Maintain continuous legal F-1 status for a minimum of two consecutive full-time terms Do not engage in any unauthorized employment Successfully complete your academic program of study

4. Eligibility Application Standards Minimum 3.0 GPA Petitioned to graduate Not committed an honor code violation in final term No previous period of OPT at the Masters’ level Will not drop classes to add an internship or to delay graduation If not enrolled in 1st module, will remain in US to complete 2 nd module on ground

5. How Does It Work? Student either attends an OPT Workshop or review materials on MTB Complete, print, and submit required documents with check or money order for $380.00 and, 2 passport photos to the Thunderbird Student Support Center - 1 st floor Herberger Advisor checks eligibility and recommends you for OPT to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and processes a new I-20 Come to TSSC when contacted to sign new I-20 and mail application to the Phoenix USCIS Lockbox location within 30 days of advisor’s recommendation note in the I-20

6. How Does It Work? The Phoenix USCIS Lockbox receives the application packet and notifies the student Data is collected and forwarded to the California Service Center (CSC) CSC reviews and approves, or denies application. If approved, issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD - aka “OPT card”). EAD is mailed to Thunderbird. TSSC receptionist notifies the student of the EAD’s arrival Student may pick up the EAD, or authorize a friend to pick up, or have it sent to an address within the US

7. What Is Needed to Apply? Completed in BLUE INK Student Information /Pre-Application Checklist; Important Document Information form, Form G-1145, and the Form I-765 Copies of pages 1 & 3 of all I-20s issued from Thunderbird and previous schools attended Start and End dates for OPT employment

8. Determining OPT Dates Can choose a start date that is within the 60 days grace period after graduation OPT period is 12 months minus 1 day Be certain of the dates as they will appear on the EAD Example: December 2013 Graduates Graduation is December 13, 2013 Select any start date between December 16, 2013 and February 11, 2014

9. What Is Needed to Apply? Two (2) immigration-specified photographs Picture size 2” by 2” Valid passport Copy of front and back of I-94 card if you still have a card Or, print out of the I-94 number from www.cbp.gov/i94www.cbp.gov/i94 Check or money order for the $380.00 payable to the Department of Homeland Security Top of hair to chin 1” – 1-3/8”

10. Signing the Form I-765 Must be signed in BLUE INK Acceptable Unacceptable

11. When Can I Apply? OPT APPLICATION DEADLINES Fall 2013 & Winterim 2014 Graduates Program Completion: 1 st Module (October 18, 2013) Apply July 22 through November 1, 2013 Select OPT Start date between: 10/21/2013 to 12/17/2013 Program Completion: 2 nd Module (December 13, 2013) Apply September 16 through December 13, 2013 Select OPT Start date between: 12/16/2013 to 02/11/2014 Program Completion: Winterim 2014 (January 24, 2014) Apply October 28, 2013 through February 7, 2014 Select OPT Start date between: 01/27/2014 to 03/25/2014

12. What Will CSC-USCIS Do? Takes approximately 90 days for CSC to process application USCIS will either approve or deny the OPT request Mail Notice of Action (NOA) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to Thunderbird, or a denial letter if request is denied There are no appeal process for denied OPT, but you may apply again before the 60 days grace period ends

13. OPT Processing Timeline

14. Types of Employment Allowed All OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program (Global Management). Multiple employers – Work for more than 1 employer Work for hire (1099 Employment/Consulting) – Must prove evidence showing duration of the contract period and the name and address of the contracting entity. Self-employed business owner - Must prove you have proper business licenses and actively engaged in a business related to your degree

15. Types of Employment Allowed All OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program (Global Management). Employment through an agency or consulting firm – Student must provide evidence they worked at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency Paid employment - Standard, full-time employment Unpaid employment – Volunteer or unpaid intern. Work must be at least 20 hours per week and the student’s employer must verify the student worked the number of hours worked.

16. Can I Travel? You may travel abroad and re-enter the U.S. after you receive the EAD. You should not travel outside of the U.S. during the period after your graduation and before receiving your EAD. By doing so, you could forfeit your request for OPT. Warning! Customs Agents at the Port of Entry have the right to deny you re-entry into the U.S. if you are not employed during OPT.

17. What Documents Do I Need for Travel? Present these items at the Port of Entry: Valid Passport Valid F-1 visa stamp I-20 signed by International Student Services within the last 6 months EAD card Letter from current employer

18. Maintaining F-1 Visa Status Students must report their new living address to International Student Services within 10 days of moving. Students must report their employer name and address to International Student Services within 10 days of accepting employment. Students on approved OPT cannot accumulate 90 or more days of unemployment. Students must file federal, state and local income taxes during the period they were present and worked in the US

19. Maintaining F-1 Visa Status Students who accumulate more than the 90 days of unemployment are out of legal F-1 visa status. Students who are out of legal status must leave the U.S. immediately. There is no grace period for violating a visa status. Those failing to leave the U.S. in a timely manner risk possible deportation. For more information go to the Optional Practical Training page at the International Student Information site on MTB.

20. Upcoming H-1B Presentation U.S. Visa Options for Foreign Students after Graduation Tuesday, October 22 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. This workshop is recommended for international students who want to remain in the U.S. and continue working after completing a period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation and eventually become a Permanent Resident of the US. Participants will get an overview of the H-1B, L-1, TN, EB visas and Green Card. Location TBD – Check CMC Newsletters for details