1. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
New Jersey Institute of Technology The Office of International Students
Optional Practical Training
(OPT)
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2. Optional Practical Training in F-1 Status
Pre-Completion & Post-Completion Optional Practical Training
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3. Definition
Pre-Completion Practical Training: is employment in your field of study before you complete your degree. (If you are considering this option for OPT during a semester or summer, remember you must have been in full time status for one academic year (fall and spring semesters). OPT will be part time during the semester unless your are completing a project, thesis or dissertation. Post-Completion Practical Training: is employment in your field of study after you complete your degree.
It may take 3 months for the USCIS to grant pre-completion or post-completion OPT.
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4. Eligibility
You are a degree candidate who has been in lawful status as a full-time student for at least one academic year.
For Post-Completion Practical Training, you may apply up to 90 days BEFORE you complete your degree or, up to 60 days AFTER.
You may engage in Optional Practical Training only after you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
This process can take approximately 3 months.
12 months standard and 17 months extension for STEM majors
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5. Types of Work on 12 Months OPT
Volunteer-ask the employer for a letter describing duties, time per day and length of volunteering. Must be in the program of study.
Contract work with an employer
Employment with a company
Self-employed
All of the above will keep you in F-1 status during the
12- months standard OPT.
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6. Types of Work on 17 Months STEM OPT
All of the above
Must be for an E-Verify company
Can volunteer, BUT volunteering does not count as work, which is needed to retain F-1 status
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7. 17 Months STEM OPT
Available if program was Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
Is an extension of the 12 months standard OPT.
Can be applied for up to 90 days before 12 m OPT expires.
Must work for an E-verify company.
Can have more than one job at one time in your program of study.
Must report any address or job change to OIS within 10 days of occurrence.
See for this reporting.
Must report every 6 months.
Employer is asked by USCIS to report to NJIT termination of your employment within 3 days of the event. See
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8. OPT Reporting
Go to to see your reporting responsibilities
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9. Instructions For Applying For OPT
Complete an Advisor Form.
Have two immigration photos taken. Lightly, in pencil using capital letters, print your name and write the number of your I-94 card on the back of each photograph.
Complete the I-765 form and sign your name after “Your Certification.” Complete the OPT Request Form.
$380 check, and two photos should be placed in a white business envelope.
Bring a copy of your most recent I-20 when you hand in the application to OIS.
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10. Do not write in this block.
OMB No
Department of Homeland Security I-765, Application For
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization
______________________________________________________________________________
Do not write in this block.
Remarks
Action Block
Fee Stamp A#
Applicant is filing under §274a.12 _____
 Application Approved. Employment Authorized / Extended (Circle One) until ______________ (Date).
______________ (Date).
Subject to the following conditions: ____________________________________________________
 Application Denied.
 Failed to establish eligibility under 8 CFR 274a.12 (a) or (c).
 Failed to establish economic necessity as required in 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(14), (18) and 8 CFR 214.2(f)
I am applying for:  [] Permission to accept employment.
[] Replacement (of lost employment authorization document).
[] Renewal of my permission to accept employment (attach previous employment
authorization document).
___________________________________________________________________________
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11. 4/16/2017 I-765, Application For Employment Authorization
1. Name (Family Name in CAPS) (First) (Middle) Which USCIS Office? Date(s)
________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________
2. Other Names Used (Include Maiden Name) Results (Granted or Denied – attach all documentation)
3. Address in the United States (Number and Street) (Apt. Number) Date of Last Entry into the U.S. (mm/dd/yyyy)
c/o NJIT Office of International Students Fenster Hall
(Town or City) (State/Country) (ZIP Code) Place of Last Entry into the U.S. (mm/dd/yyyy)
323 MLK Jr. Blvd Newark, NJ
4. Country of Citizenship/Nationality Manner of Last Entry (Visitor, Student, etc.)
5. Place of Birth (Town or City) (State/Province) (Country) Current Immigration Status (Visitor, Student, etc.)
_______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________
6. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) Gender Go to Part 2 of the Instructions, Eligibility Categories. In the space
[] Male []Female below, place the letter and number of the category you selected from the ______________________________________________________ instructions (For example, (a)(8), (c)(17)(iii), etc.)
8. Marital Status []Married []Single
[]Widowed []Divorced Eligibility under 8 CFR 274a.12 ( c ) ( 3 ) ( )
________________________________________________________
9. Social Security Number (Include all numbers you have ever used) (if any)
17. If you entered the Eligibility Category, (c) (3) (C), in item 16 above,
________________________________________________________ list your degree, your employer’s name as listed in E-Verify, and
your employer’s E-Verify Company Identification Number or a
10. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or I-94 Number (if any) valid E-Verify Client Company Identification Number in the space
________________________________________________________ below.
Degree: __________________________
11. Have you ever before applied for employment authorization Employer’s Name as listed in E-Verify: ___________________________
from USCIS? Employer’s E-Verify Company Identification Number or a valid E-Verify
[] Yes (If yes, complete below) [] No Client Company Identification Number ___________________________
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12. Certification.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Certification: I certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America, that the foregoing is true and correct. Furthermore, I authorize the release of any information that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
needs to determine eligibility for the benefit I am seeking. I have read the Instructions in Part 2 and have identified the appropriate eligibility category in Block 16.
Signature Telephone Number Date
Signature of Person Preparing Form, If Other Than Above: I declare that this document was prepared by me at the request of the applicant and is based on all information of which I have any knowledge.
Print Name Address Signature Date
Remarks
Initial Receipt
Resubmitted
Relocated Completed
Rec'd
Sent
Approved
Denied
Returned
_____________________________________________________________________________
Form I-765 (Rev. 02/12/10)Y
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13. The Application (I-765) Your Practical Training application is now ready to be processed by your International Student Advisor. Drop off a copy of your current I-20, OPT Request Form, I-765, and the NJIT Advisor Form at the Office of International Students, Fenster Hall, Room Your application will be completed in 7-10 business days. PLEASE NOTE: completion is often less than the 7-10 business days.
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14. Mailing Checklist Mailing Checklist AFTER your International Student Advisor has processed your Practical Training application:
Photocopies of ALL student I-20s (current and previous), Your advisor will approve OPT in SEVIS and issue a new I-20. The OPT work dates will appear on page 3. For STEM, the work dates and the current E-verify employer will be on page 3 with start date for this employer.
Photocopies of front and back of I-94 card
Photocopies of passport pages containing picture, expiration date and visa
Original I-765 form
Business envelope containing :
- Two photos with your name and admission number (found on the
I-94) penciled on the back
- Personal Check or Money Order for
$380 payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Your International Student Advisor will keep the original OPT Request Form and will place it in your OIS folder.
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15. This important date is printed on
The 30 Day Rule
The OPT application MUST reach and be receipted by the USCIS Dallas Service Center Lockbox within 30 days of the NJIT International Student Advisor’s OPT recommendation date.
This important date is printed on
page 3 of the I-20.
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16. “Where To Mail The Application” USCIS Dallas Lockbox For U. S
“Where To Mail The Application” USCIS Dallas Lockbox For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries: USCIS PO Box Dallas, TX       For Express mail and courier deliveries: USCIS Attn: AOS 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX  
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17. Copy All Documents You Mail To USCIS
Copy all documents before you mail and keep this safely with your important documents.
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18. “Travel on OPT” On OPT do not travel outside of U. S
“Travel on OPT” On OPT do not travel outside of U.S. borders without the current OPT I-20 signed by your international student advisor, a valid U.S. entry visa, an employment letter, pay stubs and your EAD. You must be returning to “resume employment” to be granted re-entry by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. unless you have written proof a job.
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