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OPTIONAL PRACTICAL
TRAINING(OPT)
OVERVIEWOffice of International Student
& Scholar Services
Northwestern University
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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?
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
What is OPT?
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
TRAVEL WHILE OPT IS PENDING
Always re-enter in F-1 status!!!
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How to apply for OPT
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu
Complete all sections, then select SUBMIT
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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)
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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.
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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…
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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)
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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)
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
How to maintain F-1 status during OPT
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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)
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
After OPT
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
AFTER YOUR OPT END DATE
• 60 day grace period to either remain/travel in the US
• Or transfer to another US university
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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!
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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!
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
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
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
CONTACT US
Email your advisor!
A-B: [email protected]
C-J: [email protected]
K-N: [email protected]
O-W: [email protected]
X-Z: [email protected]
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
Questions?