Optional Practical Training OPT What is it and

Optional Practical Training (OPT) What is it and how I can I be eligible for it?

Why choose OPT? • Off-campus work experience. Competitive market environment. Many have a degree, but not all have practical work experience. You will have a competitive edge over others seeking employment. • Networking. • Continue living legally in the United States. • May lead to another immigration status in the United States. • $$$$

Types of OPT 1. Pre-completion OPT (C)(3)(A). Used before completion of a degree. 2. Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(B). Used after completion of a degree. 3. STEM OPT Extension (C)(3)(C). A. Used after graduation. B. For STEM students. C. Grants two additional years after initial OPT.

1. Pre-completion OPT (C)(3)(A) : Requirements *Be in an academic program for at least one year. *Used while still enrolled in school. *Apply at least 90 days before you intend to start working. *Cannot work until you receive card. *Work must be in your field of study; if not, your status will be terminated.

1. Pre-completion OPT (C)(3)(A) : Requirements *Your requested work dates must be within the date of your I-20. *Report personal name change, personal address change. *Report all employers, street address of employment, and start/end dates. *MSU still maintains your I-20 and immigration record.

1. Pre-completion OPT (C)(3)(A) : Requirements * Must report all work, paid or unpaid, otherwise your status may be terminated. *Work off-campus while you are taking classes (part-time). *Work off-campus during school breaks (full-time).

1. Pre-completion OPT (C)(3)(A): Requirements Will reduce total time for post-completion OPT: Part-time OPT rate = ½ Full-time OPT rate = full. Example 1: If you have 4 months of part-time pre-OPT, then your post-OPT time will be reduced by 2 months to 10 months. Example 2: If you have 4 months of full-time pre-OPT, then your post OPT time will be reduced by 4 month to 8 months. *Pro-tip 1: Advisable to have a job ready for pre-completion OPT. * *Pro-tip 2: Choose dates wisely*

2. Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(B) : Requirements • Must have graduated and at least one year in I-20 status in program. • Must be in your area of study; if not, your status will be terminated. • One year of OPT unless you’ve had previous CPT / OPT. • Reporting requirements same as pre-completion OPT. • Apply at least 90 days before, but no more than 60, after graduation.

******Important Fall 2020 OPT dates****** Regardless of when you receive your card, your start date will always be somewhere. First day to apply 08 -26 -2020 Semester end date 11 -24 -2020 90 days Last day to apply 01 -23 -2021 60 days

2. Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(B) : Requirements • If you apply during the 60 day grace period after the end of the semester, you will receive your card late and will lose OPT time. Example: You apply for OPT on December 1 st, 2021. You list your start date as January 22 nd, 2021. You receive your card in the mail on March 1 st, 2021 with the work period 1 -22 -2021 until 1 -21 -2022. You will have lost over 1 month of OPT time! • It takes USCIS between 3 -5 months to process. • Apply earlier as opposed to later!

2. Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(B) : Requirements • Apply at least 90 days before graduation, but no more than 60 days after graduation. • OPT-endorsed I-20 must be within 30 days of application date. • Cannot work until EAD card has arrived. • MSU still maintains your I-20 and immigration record; report employment and address change just like pre-completion OPT. • Must report all work, otherwise your status will be terminated.

2. Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(B) : Requirements • Work must be full-time (>20 hours per week). • One employer. • Multiple employers (all must be related to your field). • Self-employed. • Cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days or your immigration status will be terminated. It will affect your future immigration status in the United States!

3. STEM Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(C) • Only for STEM students. • More strict in nature. • Toward the end of initial OPT, file for additional 24 months of authorized work. • Eligibility – STEM field, be in the initial 12 month OPT, have a job or job offer from an E-Verify employer and employer completes I-983. • Must be directly from hiring employer, not temp, not selfemployed.

3. STEM Post-completion OPT (C)(3)(C) • You can work for up to 180 days while this is being processed. No EAD necessary with pending application. • Requires periodic reporting from supervisor. • Must be full-time employment (>20 hour per week). • MSU still owns your I-20 and SEVIS record; report just like you’re on pre- / post- completion OPT.

• For OPT, you will need a new I-20 issued from Morehead State University. • You are responsible for the OPT application. You are responsible for making sure everything is submitted in the correct manner and on time. • You are responsible for the filing fee ($410 now; $490 starting October 2 nd) and mailing the application: https: //www. uscis. gov/forms-information/uscis-phoenix-and-dallas-lockbox -facilities • Work only on the dates indicated. Any other time is a serious violation of status. • For any questions, please directly email me c. liew@moreheadstate. edu