OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)FIRST UP CONSULTANTS WHAT IS OPT? •OPT (Optional Practical...

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL

TRAINING(OPT)

OVERVIEWOffice of International Student

& Scholar Services

Northwestern University

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OUTLINE

• What is OPT?

• When to apply for OPT

• How to apply for OPT

• How to maintain F-1 status during OPT

• Travel during OPT

• After OPT

• Questions?

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What is OPT?

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WHAT IS OPT?

• OPT (Optional Practical Training) is an

extension of your F-1 status

• OPT gives you 12 months of work

authorization after graduation

• No “OPT visa”- part of F-1 status

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WHAT IS OPT?

• Learn more about OPT on our website!

• northwestern.edu/international/living-working/studentemployment/index.html

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When to apply for OPT

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WHEN TO APPLY FOR OPT• Plan ahead! OPT takes 1 week to process at OISS, but

4 months to process at USCIS

• Determine your final quarter of enrolment at NU• This will be your program end date, as listed on your I-20

• Graduating early? We will shorten your I-20 end date

• 100 days before your I-20 end date: earliest date to apply for OPT with OISS

• 90 days before your I-20 end date: earliest date USCIS can receive your OPT application

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CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE

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CHOOSING AN OPT START DATEConsiderations:

• You do not need a job (offer) to apply for OPT!

• Once you choose an OPT start date, it can’t be changed

• Still job searching? Choose a later start date

• Traveling? Consider your travel plans

• Applying late? Choose a later start date

Not sure?

Ask your OISS advisor/visit us during walk-in hours

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CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE

For PhD students:

• You can apply for OPT before officially graduating (before defense and deposit)

• You must complete your PhD requirements before the end of the OPT period

• Once you apply for OPT, you cannot apply for an I-20 extension

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TRAVEL WHILE OPT IS PENDING

Always re-enter in F-1 status!!!

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How to apply for OPT

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT

1. Submit OPT request via OISS Terra Dotta portal

oissportal.northwestern.edu

Sign in with your NetID

Current students → OPT → Request (year) →Follow instructions and complete all sections

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu

Complete all sections, then select SUBMIT

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT

2. OPT request is sent to your academic advisor*

3. Academic advisor* certifies:

a. You have completed all of your course requirements

b. You are going to graduate in the term you have indicated

c. You are in good academic standing (no academic probation)

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT*Who is my academic advisor?

a. Graduate students: program director or PI

b. Undergraduates: Advisor from your major, minor or certificate program

c. WCAS students: Advisor who an verify the above (major or minor), not Weinberg advisor.

d. “Academic advisor” is defined as a person associated with an academic college that has advisory responsibilities and can verify your course enrolment & academic plan or degree audit.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT

4. OISS International Student Advisor processes OPT authorization & creates new OPT I-20s (2x)

This process takes 1 week

While this is happening…

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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS5. Collect all of your required OPT documents

-Form G-1145 (download directly from uscis.gov)

-Form I-765 (download directly from uscis.gov)

• This form is 7 pages long

• Please follow the sample on our website carefully

• Traveling or moving? Use the OISS address as your mailing address (we’re not moving)

-Copy of your first Northwestern I-20

-Copy of all CPT I-20s (from NU or other universities)

-Copy of all previous OPT I-20s + EAD cards (if applicable)

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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS-Copy of your passport bio page

-Copy of F-1 visa stamp (expired is OK)

-I-94 record printout (retrieve yours at cbp.gov/i94)

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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS-Payment to USCIS

• Current fee: $410 (verify on uscis.gov)

• Payable by check or money order to U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Check MUST have name + US address (outdated address is OK)

• No checks?• DO NOT use your friend’s checks!

• Visit your bank or the post office to get a cashier’s check or money order

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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS-2 US passport photos

Photos cannot match your passport or visa stamp photos

Photos must be less than 6 months old

Please do not take your own photos!

Get new photos taken at CVS or Walgreens

Write your name and I-94 number on the back

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT

6. Pick up new I-20s + meet with an OISS Advisor

-Bring all of your OPT documents to the OISS

-Pick up OPT I-20 packet

-Review all of your OPT documents with an OISS Advisor

-Sign your new OPT I-20s on page 1

Walk-in hours

Evanston: Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm

Chicago: Wednesday only 9 am-1 pm, 2-4 pm

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT

7. Mail your application to USCIS as soon as possible

-Plan to go to UPS/Fedex/USPS the same day you receive your new OPT I-20s!

-USCIS must receive your application within 15 days of your OISS Advisor’s signature (find this date on p.1 of your OPT I-20)

-Your OPT application must be mailed from within the US

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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT8. Wait…

2-3 weeks:

Receive Receipt Notice (I-797C) and/or G-1145 email

These confirmations will provide you a tracking number

Track your application at uscis.gov

4 months:

EAD arrives!

Photocopy/take photos of both sides! Do not lose it!

You must wait to start working until you receive your EAD card AND the start date on your EAD card happens

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How to maintain F-1 status during OPT

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APPROPRIATE EMPLOYMENT• Must be 20+ hours/week

• Must be directly related to your field of study at NU

• Can be paid or unpaid (including internships)

• Can be work for multiple employers

• Can be contract work or through an agency

• Can be self-employed

It is your responsibility to keep accurate records of all employment, paid or unpaid

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SEVP OPT PORTAL• Once your OPT is approved, SEVP will email you a link to activate

your SEVP Portal account

• If you do not receive this email from SEVP, please contact your OISS Advisor directly

• Link expired or account locked? Contact your OISS Advisor directly

REQUIRED:

• Update your US address within 10 days of moving

• Update your US employment information

• within 10 days of starting/stopping a job

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90 DAYS OF UNEMPLOYMENT (90/12)

• You can accrue up to 90 days of unemployment during your 12 months of OPT (the 90 days are cumulative)

• You do not have to use all 90 days, or use all 90 days at one time

• The 90 day clock starts on your 1st day of OPT (EAD start date)

If you reach 90 days, you must leave the U.S.

+ report this via the SEVP OPT Portal

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Travel during OPT

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TRAVEL SIGNATURES

• During OPT, travel signatures are only valid for 6 months

• Need a new travel signature? Email your OISS Advisor

• We will mail you a new I-20 with a new travel signature

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TRAVEL WITH APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS

• EAD card

• I-20 with valid travel signature

• Valid F-1 visa stamp or plans to renew yours

• Passport (valid 6+ months into the future)

• Job offer letter (suggested; not required)

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RENEWING F-1 VISA STAMPS DURING OPT

• Possible; always a risk of delay or denial

• Travel with a copy of your NU transcript, status verification letter (request in OISS Portal) and job offer letter

• Talk to your supervisor! Tell them you are traveling for your visa renewal and there is a possibility of delay

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After OPT

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AFTER YOUR OPT END DATE

• 60 day grace period to either remain/travel in the US

• Or transfer to another US university

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CONTINUING TO WORK IN THE US

OPT STEM Extension

• 24 more months of OPT!

• STEM majors only + E-Verify employer required

• Apply in the OISS Portal

H-1B + visa + other options = employer specific

• An employer must sponsor your H-1B visa

• Talk to current/potential employers for more info

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FINDING A JOB/INTERNSHIPContact your career advisor:

• All students: Northwestern Career Advancement (based on your school)

• McCormick students: Engineering Career Development

• Medill students: Medill Career Services

• Communication students: EPICS

+ Attend networking events, career fairs, company presentations, connect with alumni via Our Northwesternand social media and talk to your professors!

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QUESTIONS?

• Please ask your OISS advisor any OPT questions

• Google/Yahoo/Baidu/WeChat is full of INCORRECT information, so please ask us instead!

• Please do not ask your friends (they may also give you incorrect information)!

• We are here to help you through the OPT process!

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CONTACT USwww.northwestern.edu/international

630 Dartmouth Place

Advising hours: Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm (Evanston)

Wednesday 9 am-1 pm, 2-4 pm (Chicago) (no appointment needed)

oissportal.northwestern.edu

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CONTACT US

Email your advisor!

A-B: taya.carothers@northwestern.edu

C-J: stephanie.cisneros@northwestern.edu

K-N: e-torres@northwestern.edu

O-W: angelica.garcia@northwestern.edu

X-Z: d-kaltman@northwestern.edu

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Questions?