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MU
() Before You Apply For OPT
When You Apply For OPT
When You Have OPT Authorization
When You Finish OPT
Before You Apply for OPTWhat is Optional Practical Training? OPT is off-campus employment that is related to your major field of study. OPT is a benefit of the F-1 visa status. Who is eligible for OPT? An F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT must have been in lawful F-1 status for one full academic year prior to applying for OPT. This includes having a valid I-20, passport (which will not expire for at least one year after you apply for OPT), full-time enrollment, etc. If you have questions about whether of not you are eligible, ask an advisor. What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)? CPT permits employment to fulfill a course requirement before graduation only. CPT requires the offer of a specific job. Please ask an advisor if you are not sure if you need OPT or CPT. When can I use my OPT? Eligible F-1 students may engage in optional practical training for a total of 12 months:
If I had CPT, can I still have OPT? Yes, provided that you did not have CPT full-time for twelve months. When You Apply for OPTWhat are the requirements needed to apply for OPT? You don't need a job offer in order to apply for OPT, but you must apply for OPT before you complete your studies. One can apply as early as possible within the last semester of studies. How do I apply for OPT? To apply for OPT, complete the steps listed below:
Please contact an ISSS Advisor for an appointment if you have questions after you have read the information on this website and have completed all the forms to the best of your ability. What does the ISSS staff and the International Center do in the OPT process? While an ISSS advisor can recommend OPT permission, it is the USCIS that must approve the OPT. The ISSS advisor will verify that you are in lawful F-1 status and then make a notation on the third page of your I-20. When this process is finished, the advisor will email you and leave your application materials and mailing instructions for you at the International Center Front Desk. Mailing the application to USCIS is your responsibility. What documents should I send to USCIS for OPT? Refer to Step 3 for information on which documents to include and where to send your application. Is there a special way to mail the documents? You cannot apply for OPT in person at the USCIS office. The application must be submitted by mail. Do not use any types of mail service that would require USCIS to sign for the envelope. I am going to graduate in August. Can I take an exam credit during the summer? No, you must take a regular credit. Regular credits include "research" and "problems" credits. Why should I apply for OPT early when I know I can request “expedited” processing of my OPT application? Although you request that your OPT application is expedited, you are not guaranteed that your application will be processed immediately. In addition, expedited OPT processing is a favor from the government that could be taken away at any time and without notice. Therefore, it would not be wise to depend upon expedited processing of your OPT application. Rather than apply for OPT early in the semester, isn’t it a better idea to wait until I have a job offer? If you wait until you have a job offer before you apply for OPT, you risk delaying the start of your employment, which can, in turn, often mean losing the job offer. It can take up to 90 days to receive OPT work authorization and most employers are unwilling to wait that long to fill a position. ISSS does not recommend dependence upon Curricular Practical Training “gap-fill” employment until your OPT is approved. The purpose of CPT is for the purpose of meeting an integral curricular component within your degree program and not merely to facilitate work authorization to begin employment. Therefore, CPT is not an option if you have a job offer for a full-time, benefit eligible position and you have completed the degree requirements for your program of study. After I apply for OPT, can I change my start date?If you have not yet completed your studies AND your OPT application has not been processed by Immigration, then it might be possible to change the start date on your OPT. However, anytime that we try to make a change on an application that has already been sent to the Nebraska Service Center, there is a risk that the change will not be implemented at the time of adjudication of your application. Once an application has been approved, we cannot change the start date. After I apply for OPT using expedited service, is there anything I can do to speed up the processing?ISSS cannot do anything to speed the processing of an expedited OPT application. As expedited servicing is a favor from the government, we cannot demand the Service Center to process an application quickly. Demanding fast service could remove all expedited service, which could be very costly for you and any others hoping for expedited processing. Where can I get my receipt "LIN" number? You will receive a Form I-797 "Notice of Action" from the USCIS approximately two weeks after you mail your application to USCIS. The "LIN" number is the receipt number printed in the upper left corner of the USCIS Form I-797 "Notice of Action" receipt. If you have your "LIN" number you can check the status of your application online. What if I do not have my USCIS Form I-797 receipt (OPT receipt)? If you do not receive a receipt (or you lose it), your "LIN" number will be printed on the back of the cancelled check or money order.
When You Have OPT AuthorizationWhen can I start work under OPT? When you have the EAD and the start date of employment authorization (shown on the EAD) has arrived. If your EAD arrives later than the date your employer wishes you to begin working, you may not begin to work early. You cannot begin to work until the EAD card is in your hand and the start date has arrived. Does OPT employment need to be full-time? If you have completed your studies, OPT employment must be full time. Can I take classes during my OPT? Perhaps. If you have graduated and have OPT, regulations allow you to take classes informally, as long as you maintain your OPT employment. However, if you begin a new course of study, this will automatically cancel your OPT authorization. Also, ISSS does not recommend taking a class that may later be used to satisfy new degree program requirements. Can I change employers during my OPT? Yes. As long as the employment is related to your field of study, you can work for any employer. What type of visa am I on and can I travel outside the U.S.? OPT is not a different visa. A person with OPT authorization is an F-1 student holding an EAD for OPT. Refer to the OPT Travel Regulations for more information. What does the message "not valid for re-entry" mean on my EAD? The statement means that you must have a passport, visa, I-20, and the EAD to re-enter the U.S. The EAD does not replace the need for the other documents. If I apply for OPT and then decide not to use it, can I get my OPT time back? If USCIS has not yet acted on your application at the time you decide you do not want OPT, then you can write USCIS and state that you want to withdraw your application. If USCIS has already approved your application, then it is not possible to have the OPT authorization withdrawn or changed. When You Finish OPTHow long can I stay in the U.S. after my OPT expires? 60 days. Can I return to school after completing OPT? Yes, provided you obtain a new I-20 for the next program of studies within 60 days of your OPT expiration. This will require you to complete the USCIS procedure for moving to a new level of studies (if you resume studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia) or the procedure for a school transfer (if you go to a different school). I already finished a year of OPT and I want to return to school. When I finish can I have another year of OPT? Yes, provided your degree is at a higher level than your previous degree (e.g. you have a M.S. and are now working on a Ph.D.). You also must meet the OPT eligibility requirements. |
