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New Jersey Institute of Technology

The Office of International Students

Optional Practical Training(OPT)

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Optional Practical Training in F-1 Status

Pre-Completion & Post-Completion Optional Practical

Training

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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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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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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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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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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 http://ois.njit.edu/opt-information/17-month-STEM-opt-ext.php 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 http://ois.njit.edu/opt-information/post-opt.php.

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OPT Reporting

• Go to http://ois.njit.edu/opt-information/post-opt.php to see your reporting responsibilities

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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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Form I-765

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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 140. 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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Mailing ChecklistMailing 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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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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“Where To Mail The Application”

USCIS Dallas LockboxFor U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:

USCISPO Box 660867

Dallas, TX 75266     

For Express mail and courier deliveries:USCIS

Attn: AOS2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business

Suite 400Lewisville, TX 75067

 

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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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“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.