OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING University of South Carolina International Student Services Revised 04/2009

Off-campus work authorization permitting a work experience in your field of study at a U.S. company or organization. Employment limited to your field of study Maximum authorization is 12 months

WHAT EXACTLY IS OPT? Xia majored in Chemistry and is hired by Coca Cola to work in their Research and Development department.

WHAT IS NOT OPT? Maria is completing a degree in Biology. Her professor says she can continue work in her GA position after completing her degree. She also wants to do some extra work hours as a waitress.

WHEN CAN I DO OPT? Pre-Completion  During school vacations (full-time)  During school year (part-time) Post-Completion  After completion of studies date

WHEN CAN I DO OPT? Masters or Doctoral students:  Once all coursework has been completed, students may concurrently work full-time on OPT while writing their thesis/dissertation.  Full-time enrollment is required.  Time spent during pre-completion will be subtracted from the total 12 months.

Students with coursework requirements only to complete Last day of term in which coursework is completed Students writing a thesis or dissertation Last day of term in which you are defending COMPLETION OF STUDIES (when your I-20 will expire)

 It is recommended that you apply before your completion of studies date. USCIS must receive your application BEFORE the end of your 60 day grace period.  The earliest you can apply is 90 days before completion date.  OPT must start within 60 days of the completion date. IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETION OF STUDIES DATE

Please Remember…  You CANNOT work between your completion of studies date and your OPT start date. Program extensions are not available.  Plan accordingly!!!  Example: defense/completion of studies date: March 13  OPT start date: May 1  RESULT: ineligible to work from March 14- April 30.

WHAT DO I NEED TO SUBMIT?  OPT eligibility form  Advisor Recommendation Form  I-765 Form  2 photos (Lightly print I-94 number and your name on the back)  Check made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $340;  Copies of I-94, front & back; visa; passport pages showing picture, expiration date, and date of last entry stamp.  No Job offer needed!

THE APPOINTMENT All materials must be submitted at the time of the appointment. Incomplete applications and applications requiring significant changes will not be accepted. A follow-up appointment will be made in this case.

TIPS FOR APPLYING  Be on time to your appointment.  Come with all copies & forms ready.  Leave blank anything you don’t understand.  Consider when to begin OPT & discuss it with the advisor when applying. (Remember: You must begin OPT within 60 days of completion.)

ONCE YOU SIGN YOUR I-20 … Your application is sent to the USCIS Texas Service Center. You should receive a Notice of Action (receipt letter) within 1 ½ to 2 weeks. USCIS correspondence will come to International Student Services.

TRACKING YOUR APPLICATION The Notice of Action has a tracking number – the SRC number, which can track the application online from the USCIS homepage. You will eventually get an EAD – Employment Authorization Document. Processing times vary. (60 days currently)

WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?  Your OPT can be cancelled, without losing any time, if the start date has not begun.  Your OPT may be cancelled once it has begun, but you risk losing considerable time during the cancellation process  If you start a new degree program during your OPT period, this will cancel the OPT.  Higher degree 12 more months of OPT.

STARTING OPT  You cannot start working until your requested start date. AND  You cannot start working without an Employment Authorization Card.

MAINTAINING STATUS  You MUST work while on OPT  Your work MUST be in your field of study  In order to maintain your status, you cannot be unemployed more than 90 days (total) while on OPT  You must report changes in employers, and period of unemployment to us: OPT Update form.

 Work at least 20 hours per week  Work multiple jobs (at least 20 hours per week total)  Volunteer/ work unpaid at least 20 hours per week  Musicians: maintain a list of all gigs  Contract hire: keep list of 1099’s and duration of employment  Self-employed: must have proper business licenses and keep record of time worked MAINTAINING STATUS: How to avoid 90 days of unemployment You may…

H-1B CAP GAP EXTENSION  If your OPT expires while you have an H-1B application pending or approved, your work authorization can be automatically extended until your H1B begins. You must contact ISS to get an updated I-20 reflecting the extension.  If your pending H-1B is denied and your OPT has already expired, you now have 60 days (grace period) to change status, or begin a new program of study, or leave the country.

 You must have a qualifying “STEM” degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math)  You must work for an employer using the “E- Verify” system  Your employer must report if/when you leave the position  You must report any changes in address/employer  You are allowed 30 days (more) of unemployed time 17 month post-OPT extension

EMPLOYER AND ADDRESS UPDATES  We must keep your SEVIS record accurate!  Moving? Update your address on VIP or through OPT update form.  Working? Let us know the employer name and address! Unemployed? Let us know as well!  Use the OPT update form, located on our website.OPT update form

TRAVEL  I-20 travel signature: no more than 12 mos. old!! (6 mos. Recommended!)  If your application is still pending and you have completed studies, travel is risky.  If your application was approved and you have: A job, it is recommended that you travel with written support from your supervisor. No job, leaving the country is risky.

PLANNING AHEAD  Think ahead about changing visa status. Advanced preparation is advised.  Once the OPT is over, there is 60-day grace period (if you do not have a pending H-1B) Transfer Out Change Program Prepare to Leave Country

SPECIAL REGISTRANT Reminder  Special registrants are required by law to notify Homeland Security of a change in employer.  AR-11 SR  Changes in U.S. home address should be changed in VIP or through the OPT update form.

SPECIAL REGISTRANTS are typically male citizens of:  Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar,  Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait.

NEED MORE HELP? OPT and other immigration questions can be ed to An advisor will respond as soon as possible. Advising Appointments: Call Please do not request appointments through