Optional Practical Training

Transcription

1 O F F I C E OF M I N O R I T Y A N D I N E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S Optional Practical Training 17-month Extension for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training Summary: The 12-month limit on OPT can be extended by 17 months, for certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degree holders ONLY. STEM Fields include: Note: There will be a transition of CIP 2000 codes to CIP 2010 codes most likely during the fall 2010 semester. SEVIS will note corresponding 2000 CIP codes when the change to CIP 2010 codes becomes effective. Actuarial Science. CIP Code Computer Science Applications: o CIP Codes 11.xxxx (except Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, which are CIP Codes 11.06xx) Engineering. CIP Codes 14.xxxx. Engineering Technologies. CIP Codes 15.xxxx. Biological and Biomedical Sciences. CIP Codes 26.xxxx. Mathematics and Statistics. CIP Codes 27.xxxx. Military Technologies. CIP Codes 29.xxxx. Physical Sciences. CIP Codes 40.xxxx. Science Technologies. CIP Codes 41.xxxx. Medical Scientist (MS, PhD). CIP Code For more information, and for a full listing of STEM majors, please visit: Ineligible SU STEM CIP Codes with.xx99 Ending

2 Eligibility Requirements: Currently authorized for post-completion OPT and working for a US employer in a job directly related to your field of study. Completed a bachelor s, master s or doctoral degree in a field on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program list. At the time of application you must be employed. You must have a job-offer or be employed by an employer registered with the E-Verify federal employment verification system. Have not received a 17-month OPT extension for a prior STEM degree. Application Procedures When to Apply: Apply 120 days before your current EAD expires. Set up a meeting with the Office of Minority and International Students to determine your eligibility for extended practical training, discuss your plans and obtain the required paperwork (if approved, you will be issued a new I-20 showing this). **Five working days are required to process a recommendation for OPT. Submit the following items to USCIS OPT applications must be received by USCIS before your current EAD card expires and no later than 30 days after the "date issued" on the OPT I-20. Original Form I-765 Photocopy of I-20 page 1 with your signature and page 3 with OPT recommendation. Photocopy of your last EAD card. Include photocopies of pages 1 and 3 of previous I-20s. Do not mail original I-20s. Photocopy of both sides of Form I-94. Copy the back even if it is blank. Do not mail the original Form I-94. Two color photos. The instructions with Form I-765 provide detailed photo requirement information. Print full name and most recent Form I-94 number in pencil on the back of each photo. Place the photos in a clear plastic bag or an envelope and staple it to the application. Photocopies of the identity pages of your passport and entry visa stamp with a photo. Check or money order, payable to U.S. Department of "Homeland Security" for the OPT application fee. Keep a copy of the above documents for your records. Staple the application materials together in the following order: Form I-765, photocopy of I-20, copies of identity verification, and the photocopy of Form I-94. The small pieces (bag/envelope containing photos and check) should be placed on the top and stapled with the entire application. Do not put staple holes in the photos. Mail the application by registered or express mail to obtain a signed receipt. Keep the receipt for your record. Photocopy of your degree.

3 Wait for USCIS to mail the EAD. It takes approximately 2 to 4 months for USCIS to process your request and mail your EAD to the address on Form I-765. To find current processing times for I-765 (OPT) applications go to Several weeks after you apply, you should receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) in the mail from USCIS. Students who file a timely application can continue employment while the extension application is pending, until a final decision on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first. The EAD will reflect the dates of your employment authorization. Requirements while on OPT The CC Office of Minority and International Students is required to have a copy of your EAD (Employment Authorization Document). Upon receipt of the EAD, please fax a copy of it to my attention at (719) Report the following information within 10 days: o Name and address of employer o Change in the name or address of employer o When employment changes or terminates Provide a report every six months starting from the date the extension begins to verify your name and address, and your employer's name and address. this report to karenklein@coloradocollege.edu. (Karen Klein, PDSO (Principal Designated School Official) You may not accumulate more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 29-month Post-Completion OPT period. Notify us if you decide to permanently depart the US during your OPT. Notify us if you change your visa status during your OPT. Failure to report the above changes may result in the termination of your F-1 status. Travel during Post-completion OPT Bring your: o Passport with a valid visa stamp o EAD card o Letter of Employment o I-20 Form with valid travel signature Travel signatures are only valid for 6 months.

4 INSTRUCTIONS Form I-765 (17-MonthExtension for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training) Completing the I-765 Check Renewal of my permission to accept employment 0. Put an "X" in the box next to the benefit for which you are applying (e.g. Renewal of my permission to accept employment ). 1. Name: Print last, first, and middle names. Write family name or last name with all capital letters. If you do not have a middle name, write (none). 2. Other names used: If you have not used other names, write (N/A). 3. Address in the U.S.: Use a residential address that will be valid for 4 months after submission of application. USCIS mail cannot be forwarded to a new address by the postal service. If correspondence will be in care of a trustworthy friend or family member in the U.S., write the person s name in block 2 (i.e., C/O John Doe) and the person s address in block 3. If an address outside Colorado is used, the OPT application might need to be sent to a USCIS service center other than the Nebraska Service Center. 4. Country of Citizenship/Nationality: Block 1 of I Place of Birth: See passport 6. Date of Birth: See passport 7. Sex: See passport 8. Marital Status: Check one 9. Social Security Number 10. Alien Registration Number or I-94 Number: Use the 11-digit number on most recent Form I Have You Ever Before Applied for Employment Authorization from USCIS? Check yes and provide additional information requested in item Date of Last Entry into the U.S.: Includes entry from Canada or Mexico. 13. Place of Last Entry into the U.S.: U.S. city applicant went through U.S. port of entry. 14. Manner of Last Entry: See most recent Form I Current Immigration Status: See most recent Form I Eligibility Category: The eligibility category for 17-Month Extension of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training is: (c) (3) (C) 17. Degree: i.e., B.A. in Math Employer s Name as listed in E-Verify: Your employer must provide you with this information. Employer s E-Verify Identification Number: Your employer must be a participant in E-Verify and must provide you with their identification number. Signature, Telephone Number, and Date: Write these items above the line provided.

5 ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Provides Guidance About the Implementation of Recent Modifications to the F-1 Program and Post- Completion OPT 1. Students on post-completion OPT may have up to an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during the post-completion OPT period. Students who have OPT extended due to the cap gap provisions and who are unemployed continue to accrue unemployment time and are subject to the 90-day limitation on unemployment. Students who receive a 17-month STEM OPT extension are given an additional 30 days of unemployment for a total of 120 days over their entire post-completion OPT period. 2. A student must work at least 20 hours per week when on post-completion OPT. Volunteering does count as employment for post-completion OPT. However, volunteer work does not count as employment during the STEM OPT extension period. 3. OPT stem extension students may work multiple jobs but all the employers must be enrolled in E-Verify system. 4. ICE encourages students to report changes of employment to their DSOs as soon as possible to ensure that their F-1 status does not expire due to excess unemployment time. Additionally, ICE encourages students to keep a record of all reports made to the DSOs and the method by which the report is made in case ICE contacts the students to verify employment and the maintenance of F-1 status. 5. A student with a dual major with one of the degrees on the STEM Designated Degree Program List may qualify for a STEM OPT extension. However, a student can not qualify for a STEM OPT extension based on a minor. 6. After being recommended for a STEM OPT extension, students must file the Form I-765 with the proper USCIS Service Center before their current post-completion OPT expires. USCIS recommends that students file within days prior to the expiration date of the current post-completion OPT. With the Form I-765, students must provide either a copy of their official transcripts, unofficial transcripts or a copy of their diploma showing the level and program of study. 7. In order to qualify for a STEM OPT extension, the students employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify system. There is currently no public list of employers enrolled in E- Verify. 8. A student may work with an expired post-completion OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for up to 180 days while a STEM OPT extension application is pending, assuming that the application is filed prior to the end of the post-completion OPT period. 9. Students on STEM OPT extensions are required to send their DSO a validation report every six months starting from the date STEM extension starts and ending when the F-1

6 students status ends or the STEM extension ends, whichever is first. The validation report must include the students full legal name, SEVIS identification number, current mailing and residential address, the name and address of the current employer and the date the student began working for the current employer. Source: