(OPT) Office of International Student & Scholar Services - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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(OPT) Office of International Student & Scholar Services - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Feb 24, 2023 210 likes •644 views

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) Office of International Student & Scholar Services OVERVIEW Northwestern University OUTLINE What is OPT? When to apply for OPT How to apply for OPT How to maintain F-1 status during OPT

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OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING

(OPT) OVERVIEW

Office 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 DATE

Considerations:

  • 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
  • issportal.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 OPT

  • issportal.northwestern.edu
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT

  • issportal.northwestern.edu
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT

  • issportal.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 DOCUMENTS

  • 5. 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 OPT

  • 8. 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 DA YS 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
  • ne 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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TRA VEL WITH APPROPRIA TE 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/INTERNSHIP

Contact 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 Northwestern and 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 US

www.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)

  • issportal.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?