Post Completion Optional Practical Training Information Session

1. Post Completion Optional Practical Training Information Session Presented by the Office of International Programs

2. What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)? Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit for F-1 visa holders whereby students can engage in a temporary 12 month employment for the purpose of gaining practical experience directly related to his or her major field of study. Pre-Completion OPT Post-Completion OPT

3.  Students interested in  Pre-Completion OPT Pre-completion OPT is authorized to be worked before the student�s program end date. Students with approved pre-completion OPT may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students who are eligible to register for the next term, and who plan to do so, may have approval to work full-time when school is not in session. Interested students should contact International Student Advisor.

4. How Often Can I Use OPT? OPT is valid once per level of study. Bachelors degree = 12 months OPT Masters degree = 12 months OPT Doctorate = 12 months OPT

5. Who is eligible for Optional Practical Training? Students who have completed their educational objective and have: been lawfully enrolled in full-time status at UTSA for one academic year preceding their OPT application have maintained their F-1 visa status are in good standing with UTSA and USCIS. (Those students who are on a leave of absence or who have been suspended from their academic programs before applying for OPT are not eligible.)

6. Do I Need an Offer of Employment? An offer of employment is NOT required to apply for OPT. Students are expected to actively seek employment either before or after graduation, but cannot begin working until the EAD has been received and their first day of OPT has arrived.

7. Maximum Length of OPT

8. Where can I Use OPT? Anywhere in the United States Off-campus On-campus Paid jobs Unpaid jobs (i.e. internships) Volunteer positions

9. Can I Volunteer? Yes. In a position related to your degree. Volunteer job is a job that the company does not ordinarily pay someone to do Keep a log of the days and times/hours you work; and who your supervisor is. Keep our office updated

10. Where to Apply In the Office of International Programs (OIP), Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 4pm. No appointment is necessary. You must have all of your documents ready (including copies) when you come to the OIP to apply for OPT. We will issue your final documents through our office.

11. When to Apply Within ninety (90) days before graduation (i.e. student has three months to apply) Up to 60 days after graduation (known as the Grace Period) Employment must start within sixty-one (61) days after graduation or course completion. This date is chosen by the student. New rules permit students to apply during the Grace Period; however, you must still start work within 61 days after graduation.

12. OPT Packet

13. Choosing Your Start Date Your Start Date must fall within 61 days after your Graduation date. Provide this date to the International Student Advisor. Things to consider: Will you have an employer lined up after graduation? Do you still need to find an employer after graduation?

14. Form I-765(Updated Application) A portion of the form is pre-filled for you: �Permission to Accept Employment� box is checked. Return address will be UTSA Office of International Programs. Line 16: Post-completion code (c)(3)(B); pre-completion code: (c) (3)(A) Line 17 will remain blank Your form must have a barcode on it.

15. Filling Out your I-765 Application: Points to Remember #10 � Please enter your I-94 number (located on the top left of your I-94 card and include all 11 numbers) #11 � This does NOT refer to authorized CPT #12 � Please enter the U.S. point of entry, not your home country. The U.S. point of entry can be found on your I-94 (i.e. Newark, Los Angeles, etc.) #16 � prefilled for you. Verify it is (c)(3)(B) for Post Completion OPT. You must sign and date this form at the bottom of the page.

16. I-94

17. Academic Advisor Letter:

18. Passport Photos

19. Items Needed to apply for OPT: (You must bring these items to the OIP before mailing in your packet)

20. Sending Payment with the OPT Application There are two options: Money Order Check: Make sure there is money in your account! If your check �bounces� Homeland Security will cease processing your application, charge you a fee, and request payment of the $380. They will not accept a check as payment from you. If you fail to pay within 14 days of the notice, your application will be rejected, however the debt to the U.S. will still be due and the government may take legal action to collect the debt. If you still want to apply for OPT, you will need to re-file a new application and documents and also pay another $380 application fee. They will not accept a check as payment from you.

21. The Office of International Programs will issue two (2) updated I-20 Forms reflecting the OPT application on page 3. One I-20 will be mailed with your OPT packet and the other should be kept as your current I-20 form. We will also provide you with the envelope to mail your application packet to USCIS.

22. It is YOUR responsibility to mail the OPT Application packet to: U. S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries Express mail & courier service USCIS Dallas Lockbox USCIS, Attn: AOS USCIS, P O Box 660867 2501 S. State Hwy 121, Dallas, TX, 75266 Business Lewisville, TX, 75067

23. Processing Time Currently USCIS may require up to three months for processing. USCIS processing time is determined by their current workload and can be checked at: www.uscis.gov Processing will take longer the closer it gets to the graduation date. Remember, USCIS processes applications for ALL U.S. universities within our region.

24. I Mailed My Packet� Now What? Your check will be cashed USCIS will send a receipt notice to our office usually 2 or 3 weeks, which will include your case number, website and a 1-800 customer service number. Our office will notify you by email, using your official UTSA email account (my.utsa) to come pick-up your receipt notice.

25. I Mailed My Packet� Now What? (Part 2) Once you pick up your receipt notice, you must: Verify all information is correct. If incorrect, contact USCIS by using the 1-800 number provided on your receipt notice. To track the status of your application, go online to the website provided on your receipt notice and log in using your case number.

26. I Mailed My Packet� Now What? (Part 3) USCIS will send your EAD to our office. We will notify you immediately by email that it is ready for pick-up. Once you have your card, wait for your first day of OPT in order to begin working. Your employer will want to see your EAD.

27. It�s Been 90 Days � where�s my EAD? If it has been 90 days since you applied for OPT and you have not received your EAD, please call USCIS Customer Service to verify status then come or call the OIP and speak to an International Student Advisor to discuss your options.

28. Unemployment USCIS rules mandate that students on 12-month OPT cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days. USCIS has stated they will terminate the student�s OPT if 90 days of unemployment is recorded. The student must then leave the country.

29. Now That You Have Found Employment New USCIS regulations mandate that you MUST update OIP with the following information: Name of employer, address, phone number, supervisor�s email. Your personal information, such as address & phone number. Visit our webpage and use the form titled OPT UPDATE FORM!

30. Reporting requirements while on OPT Failure to report changes of employment while on 12-month OPT may lead to the loss of F-1 visa status.

31. Review of Reporting Requirements Within 10 business days report: New employer. Change of employer. Change of personal address, phone number, email Visit our webpage and use the form titled OPT UPDATE FORM!

32. Words of Advice

33. Travel Concerns If you have applied for OPT, it is inadvisable to travel outside the U.S. until you have received your EAD and a job offer. The Office of International Programs does not recommend for you to travel during this time. �

34. Traveling Abroad while on OPT You will need to take your: Employment Authorization Document, I-20 with the OPT endorsement, A recent travel signature from the Office of International Programs (within the last six months), A valid passport, A valid F-1 Visa in your passport, Employer letter or job offer letter.

35. Travel Close to the Texas-Mexico Border Be sure to take your immigration documents with you when traveling close to the Texas-Mexico border. You will be required to show them at the border patrol post even if you are not crossing the border into Mexico.

36. Frequently Asked Questions When can I start working? Upon receipt of your EAD AND on the official start date of your OPT. What is my visa status while on OPT? You are still an F-1 visa holder and part of the UTSA Office of International Programs. Can I travel before I get my EAD? By traveling before you receive your EAD and a job, your OPT may be cancelled as USCIS will view your departure as abandoning your request for OPT.

37. More Frequently Asked Questions Can I travel once I receive my EAD? Yes, if you have a valid visa and passport, but an immigration officer may question you about the place of your employment & reason for traveling. Take all of your documents with you. My visa is expiring. What do I need to do to get it renewed? The risk of getting a visa denial while on OPT is high. According to federal regulations, an F-1 visa student must return home after finishing their program. The embassy official may view the renewal of your visa while on OPT as your intent to try to stay in the U.S. instead of an intent to return to your home country. How much time do I have after my OPT expires and before I have to leave the country? You have a 60 day grace-period in order to get your affairs in order before returning to your home country.

38. Can I get an OPT Extension? Only available for students graduating with a STEM degree in: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Please visit our website to see if your major is listed & download the handout.

39. CAP-GAP Extension H-1B Cap-Gap extension handout is available at our front desk or website at http://utsa.edu/intprograms/Documents/CAP-GAP.pdf

40. I�ve Decided Not to Apply for OPT Should you decide not to apply for OPT, you: Have a 60 day grace-period to put your affairs in order and leave the U.S. Cannot work or study during the 60 day grace-period

41. Thank you for attending the Office of International Programs OPT Information Session.