1. Welcome to the Optional Practical Training Workshop
Presented by
Center for International Students and Scholars
Student Center, 3rd Floor, Suite 310
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tel:

2. OPT Overview
Optional Practical Training is employment in your field of study that is related to your field of study.
Must have been a full-time student for at least one academic year in valid F-1 status or else another valid nonimmigrant status that permits full-time study in the U.S.
You are eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT per higher educational level.
Exception: If you performed 12 months or more of full-time CPT at this educational level, then you are not eligible for OPT.

3. OPT Overview
You do NOT need to have a job offer before you apply for OPT.
Once your OPT application is approved, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from USCIS. Note that you are not able to work until you receive this card and the start date on the document is current (or passed).
Once USCIS issues your EAD, the time charged against your 12 months of OPT cannot be reduced whether you actually work or not.

4. Sample EAD Card

5. OPT Overview
You must hold valid F-1 status, which means you must be physically present in the U.S. at the time of submitting your application.
You can apply 3 months (90 days) prior to completion of your degree requirements.
Completion of fall 2015 is December 22, 2015
First date possible to submit OPT application is September 23, 2015
Completion of spring is May 21, 2016; first day to submit OPT application is Feb. 23, 2016

6. Pre-Completion OPT (before degree completion):
Pre-completion OPT not used often at Bentley
Can only be part-time (20 hrs or less/week) while school is in session
Can be full-time (more than 20 hours/week) during annual vacations or breaks
Any time used will be subtracted from the total 12 month allotment at part-time or full-time rate.

7. OPT Post Completion (after completing degree)
You can apply up until the end date of your 60 day grace period (2 months after graduation), but you should submit your OPT application no later than 1 month before your graduation date.
You may only be authorized to begin work after completion of your studies.
You may only apply for full-time post-completion OPT (more than 20 hours/week).

8. OPT Application: Documents to Submit to CISS
$380 personal check, cashier’s check or money order payable to Department of Homeland Security.
2 color passport style photos. Write your full name in pencil on the back of the photos.
CISS OPT Acknowledgement Form - including your start and end dates of requested employment.
Completed and signed Form I-765.
Completed and signed Form G-1145.
Copies of pages 1 and 3 of any and all current and previous I-20s.
Copy of your I-94 Arrival Departure Record printed from the U.S. government website:
Copy of passport identity/expiration date page.
Copy of F-1 visa page.
Copy of any previous EAD cards.
Original Enrollment Verification Letter from Registrar.
Copies of any previous communications with USCIS.
Major & degree level must match current I-20.
Enrollment Verification Letter from Registrar
Orange form in Registrar’s office (5 business days to complete) OR
On-Line Enrollment Verification Certificate (found on Registrar’s website)
Indicate your date of completion of studies. For post-completion OPT, your I-20 expiration date will be shortened to match that date.
You decide your beginning and ending dates of employment, within the parameters discussed.

9. CISS OPT Acknowledgement Form and Your Completion of Studies Date
Your Date of Completion is when you complete all requirements for your degree. The Office of the Registrar can confirm your graduation date with letter.
Request either:
an Enrollment Verification letter (found on the Registrar’s website) OR
an Enrollment/Graduation letter (obtained by completing the orange form in the Registrar’s office). This letter requires 5 business days
DATES OF COMPLETION, BY ACADEMIC LEVEL:
The Date of Completion for Undergraduates and Non-thesis Graduates is the last date of the semester.
The Date of Completion for Masters with thesis is your defense date.
The Date of Completion for Ph.D.s is the day you deposit your dissertation to the graduate school.
Note: Your I-20 will be shortened to the Date of Completion that is the end of semester date per the Registrar’s letter!

10. Dates of Employment: Start Date
You must choose your preferred start date of employment.
For Post-Completion OPT:
The start date of your OPT will be the date you choose or the day USCIS issues the EAD card, whichever is later.
You may choose any day up to the 60th day for the start date of employment.
Date of Completion of Studies
60 Days Later

11. Dates of Employment: End Date
Your end date will be no later than one year (less a day) after your start date of OPT.
Note: You may choose to apply for less than one year of OPT.

12. I-765 Form This is a USCIS “fillable” form
Go to
Click on FORMS and scroll to I-765
Fill form, print form, sign and date form
Questions to Discuss:
3. Use local address or CISS address:
LAST, first
Bentley University
175 Forest Street, STU 310
Waltham, MA 02452
12. – 15. Refer to I-94 information.
14. – 15. F-1 Student (if this is your status).
16. (c) (3) (B) for Post Completion OPT
17. – 18. Leave blank.
Certification: Remember to sign, date and include your phone number.

13. Sample form I-765

14. Submitting Your OPT Application to CISS for Review:
An advisor will review your OPT application
A new I-20, reflecting your OPT recommendation will be provided to you with your OPT application.
You will receive an to come to CISS and pick-up your OPT application.
USCIS must receive your OPT packet within 30 days of the newly issued I-20, which will reflect the OPT recommendation on it.
A CISS administrator will have you sign and date the new I-20 and will make 2 copies of the newly issued/signed I-20. Remember to keep the original Form I-20. Be sure to add a copy of the newest I-20 to the OPT application you send to USCIS.
A copy of the OPT application will remain in your CISS file.

15. OPT Application to Submit to USCIS
$380 personal check
2 color passport style photos
Completed and signed Form I-765
Completed and signed Form G-1145
Copies of pages 1 and 3 of any and all previous I-20s
Copy of your I-94 Arrival Departure Record Information
Copy of passport identity/expiration page
Copy of F-1 visa page
Copy of any previous EAD cards
Copies of any previous communications with USCIS

16. Mailing your Application
Make copies of everything you send to USCIS!
Send the application by “Certified Mail” and “Return Receipt Requested”
Mail the application to be received by USCIS within 30 days from the day your newest I-20 was issued.

17. Tracking Your Application
USCIS usually sends a receipt notice within 3-6 weeks of their receipt of your application. If 6 weeks have passed and you have not received the receipt notice, contact CISS.
With the receipt notice, you can check the status of your application online using the EAC number:
Note that you must be in possession of your EAD card and the start date of your employment must be either current or passed for you to be eligible to work.
Allow 2-4 months to receive the EAD card.

18. 90- Day Unemployment Rule
While on OPT, if you are not employed for more than 90 days, your F-1 status ends. CISS recommends you talk to an advisor if you are more than 2 months without employment.
U.S. law requires you to inform CISS of your employer.
Remember to update CISS with any change of employer EACH time you change your job
Please send an to and provide the following information:
Employer Name
Address where you report to work (including zip code!)
Start date of employment

19. Reminders
Once you receive your EAD, you are responsible for providing CISS with a copy of the card. A clear fax or scan is fine.
If you change your address while on post-completion OPT, within 10 days fill out the “Address Update” form so that we can update your SEVIS record. Failure to do this is a violation of your F-1 status.
If while on OPT, you change your status, you should provide CISS proof of your new status.
If while on OPT, you decide to leave the country and not return to use your OPT, you should send CISS an request stating that you are “completing OPT and leaving the United States”. Your SEVIS record will be “completed” and the date of your exit will be noted.

20. Canceling your Application
Changes to your OPT Application:
If you change your mind and decide not to send your application, then notify CISS in writing so we may cancel your request in the SEVIS system.
If you change your mind AFTER you have mailed your application, you may write to USCIS and ask them to cancel your request for OPT, though there is no guarantee this it will happen.
NOTE: If you transfer or pursue another degree program, you must stop working on the day your SEVIS record is released to your new school or when your EAD card expires, whichever comes FIRST.

21. Traveling Abroad While on OPT
Before Degree Completion, you are able to travel abroad without any additional concerns.
After Degree Completion, but before you receive your EAD card, it is possible to travel with the receipt of your application, a valid passport and visa and an offer letter, (if you have one). (not recommended)
After Degree Completion and when you have your EAD card, you may leave the U.S. and re-enter in F-1 status as long as you have:
Valid passport
Valid F-1 visa
If your F-1 visa will NOT be valid up0n your re-entry to the U.S., then you must apply for a new F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Proof of employment is preferred for you to secure your new F-1 visa.
EAD card
I-20 with travel signature within the last 6 months.
NOTE: Proof of employment is important. Leaving the U.S. without this proof is risky and could jeopardize your ability to return to the U.S.

22. Life After OPT
You have a 60 day grace period after the completion of your post-completion OPT.
If an employer files a timely H-1B application for you, your status and employment authorization will automatically extend. Your status and work authorization would terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition.
You can apply for a 17 month OPT extension if your major applies. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

23. Where to Find OPT Information on the CISS Website
Go to this URL for information about OPT:
Then go to: “OPT Application Procedures” and
Click on: “OPT Packet, Instruction and FAQs.”

24. Questions?
Thank you !