Post Completion Optional Practical Training
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training is authorized by the US Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services.
As of April 25, 2008, new regulations have gone in to place regarding periods of unemployment. Students who are unemployed for more than 90 days during their OPT period, must apply to contnue his/her education by a change of level or transfer to another SEVP certified school or depart the US. Please refer to http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/opt_policy_guidance_pdf.pdf for information. Particularly refer to 7.31 on page 13; 7.32 on pages 16-17 and 7.41 on page 18.
Procedures: Students need to apply for Post-Completion OPT during a specific time period. Applications must be received by USCIS from 90 days prior to completion of studies up to 60 days after completion of studies. In order to apply, the student:1. Secures a letter from the Internaitonal Student Office to be signed by the Registrar indicating that the student will complete coursework on or by a specific date
2. Completes Form I-765 (available in the International Student Affairs office)
3. Submits these documents to the Director of International Student Affairs with:
a. Passport
b. I-94 card
c. All I-20's ever held
The Director will review all documents and create a new I-20 with the recommendation for Post-Completion OPT via SEVIS.
To apply for an EAD, the student must send the following items to the USCIS Service Center having jurisdiction over his/her proposed place of employment for adjudication. Addresses are available in the International Student Affairs Office.
1. the completed I-765
2. a copy of the endorsed I-20, plus copies of any previous I-20’s issued
3. a check or money order for $380, payable to:
"US Department of Homeland Security"
4. copy of both sides of the I-94 card
5. 2 photographs, in accordance with general passport photo requirements (Details available in the International Student Affairs Office)
6. a photocopy of the name and photo page of the valid passport
Please Note:
A student cannot begin employment until the EAD is received from USCIS (this can take upwards of 6-8 weeks) Therefore, if a student has a job offer, it is wise to begin the application process as early as possible.
It is imperative that once you receive permission to work, that you continually advise the Director of International Student Affairs of both your current employment and home address. You have 21 days to report this information to the Director. Each time either of these change, you must inform the Director. Failure to do so could complicate any further visa requests you might make.