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![Page 1: OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Application Workshop Felicia Welch, Associate Director International Students & Scholars Office.](https://reader031.fdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032802/56649e005503460f94ae96ca/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
Application Workshop
Felicia Welch, Associate Director
International Students & Scholars Office
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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.
![Page 3: OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Application Workshop Felicia Welch, Associate Director International Students & Scholars Office.](https://reader031.fdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032802/56649e005503460f94ae96ca/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
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
![Page 4: OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Application Workshop Felicia Welch, Associate Director International Students & Scholars Office.](https://reader031.fdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032802/56649e005503460f94ae96ca/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
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 2nd module on ground
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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 - 1st 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
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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
![Page 7: OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Application Workshop Felicia Welch, Associate Director International Students & Scholars Office.](https://reader031.fdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032802/56649e005503460f94ae96ca/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
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
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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
![Page 9: OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Application Workshop Felicia Welch, Associate Director International Students & Scholars Office.](https://reader031.fdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022032802/56649e005503460f94ae96ca/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
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/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”
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Signing the Form I-765Must be signed in BLUE INK
Acceptable
Unacceptable
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When Can I Apply?OPT APPLICATION DEADLINES
Fall 2013 & Winterim 2014 Graduates
Program Completion: 1st 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: 2nd 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
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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
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OPT Processing Timeline
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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Upcoming H-1B PresentationU.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