Whats it all about Work Options for F1 Visa Students Work on campus Off campus work for severe economic necessity Curricular Practical Training CPT Optional Practical Training OPT Note For all classes of employment except on campus student must have been enrolled for a full acade ID: 493645
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Slide1
OPT and CPT – What’s it all about?Slide2
Work Options for F-1 Visa Students
Work on campus
Off campus work for severe economic necessity
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Note: For all classes of employment, except on campus, student must have been enrolled for a full academic year to be eligible.Slide3
Curricular Practical Training
By definition, the internship or working experience must have an educational or curricular purpose.
It must be “an integral part of the student’s program”.
Must
be related to major. Not minor.Whether paid or unpaid, student must register for credit. For example:ACCTG
380 Internship1, 2, or 4 hours
On-the-job learning experience in government or industry. The plan must be presented for departmental approval
before
the experience begins.
(Note: Those students with less than a 2.50 GPA in the major must have departmental approval before interviewing.)Slide4
What is Illegal Work?
More than you might think! All of these paid activities are considered illegal work.
Babysitting
Paid performances, music accompanying
House sittingDog walking
Cooking or cateringTutoring (paid by someone other than Luther) Slide5
Optional Practical Training
F-1 Students are allowed one full year of OPT per educational level, i.e. Associate degree, Bachelor’s, etc.
OPT can be used before completion of degree or post-completion.
Must be related to student’s major.Employment may be with a company, self-employment, musical gigs, contract work, etc.(keep records!).Slide6
CPT – How to Apply
Visit the Career Center, both virtually and in person to find the internship you’re looking for!
Attend Career Fairs
Once you’ve found an internship, pick up internship paperwork from Career Center and check with your department for approval for 1-4 credits.
Get department’s signature on the internship, and return forms to Career CenterVisit your DSO for CPT approval on your I-20 and then you’re okay to do your internship!Slide7
OPT How to Apply
Have a conversation with your DSO about a timeline. Your OPT application should be submitted relative to your date of graduation, whether you have a job or not, plans to leave the country, plans for graduate school, driver’s license renewal date, and other considerations.Slide8
Post-Completion or Pre-Completion?
Pre-Completion OPT is possible, but limits you to 20 hours per week while taking classes, and cuts down or eliminates your post-completion time. (better to use CPT)
F-1 Students are eligible for 12 full months of OPT per educational level: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD.
Post –Completion OPT must occur during the 14 months immediately after graduation.Slide9
OPT When to Apply
When can I apply for post-completion OPT
?
How
do I Choose a start date? Apply 90 days before your start date
.No Job?
Slide10
OPT When to Apply
Have a job?
Processing time is up to 90 days. With a job offer letter, can request to expedite application.Slide11
OPT When to Apply
What if I have trouble finding a job?Slide12
OPT – How to Apply
Download form I-765 and instructions for the Diversity
Center
Website, or pick up a packet in the LDC.
http://reason.luther.edu/diversity/internationalinfo/currentstudents/opt/ Return forms, check or money order, passport photos to your DSO. Bring along current passport, I-94, visa and all I-20s you’ve been issued.
DSO will enter OPT application into SEVIS, after a brief “interview” to determine start dates and other information. You will be issued a new I-20 with OPT application.DSO will include a cover letter and help you assemble your application packet for mailing to the USCIS in Nebraska.Slide13
What Happens Next?
In 10-14 days, a receipt will be sent to the address on the application. (usually the LDC)
The receipt will contain an LIN number (case number) and indicate a webpage where you can check the status of your application.
Do not lose this receipt
!In some cases, instead of a receipt, you might receive a “Request for Evidence”, indicating some piece of information is missing.Slide14
Already Have a Job?
If you have a job offer when you apply for OPT, you can include a copy of the offer and request that USCIS expedite your application. This may shorten the processing time, but it’s unclear by how much.
If you receive an offer,
after
submitting your application, your DSO can fax a copy of the offer, along with a copy of your OPT receipt to the USCIS Service Center.Slide15
Once You Get the EAD
Work cannot be started before the “valid from” date on the Employment Authorization Document. (EAD)
http
://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=338ce8ba05b33310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDSlide16
Employer Sponsorship
Some employers hire F-1 students on OPT with the intention of sponsoring them for a H-1B working visa. (Or they discover they like your work after you begin at the company)
H-1B petitions are usually submitted in April of each year, and accepted until the cap is reached.
The adjudication of those petitions isn’t done until late summer, early fall, and the H-1B visas go into effect on October 1.Slide17
Cap-Gap Allowance
Where does that leave you?
Your OPT runs out in June, but your H-1B isn’t approved until October. Help!!
That’s where Cap-Gap comes in!Slide18
OPT Before Grad School
Some students will work under OPT for the summer before graduate school. (Luther campus work ends at Commencement)Slide19
What Else Should I Know
About OPT?
During the 12 month period of OPT, you are allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. This may be a cumulative total of more than one period of unemployment.
It costs $380 to submit your application.
While on OPT, you are required to notify your DSO of your personal address and the name and address of your employer
.It can take up to 90 days to process the applicationThe onus is on you
to prove that your work is related to your academic major.Slide20
17 Month STEM Extension
What are STEM fields of study?
S – Science
T – Technology
E – EngineeringM – MathematicsAt Luther, these majors include: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Math, Math & Statistics, Physics
You are eligible to apply for 17 additional months of OPT, providing your employer is an e-Verify employer. You must apply
before the end of your current OPT employment. The application process is the same as OPT.Slide21
Wrap Up
When in doubt, don’t rely on the wisdom of your friends, go to your DSO!
Begin the process early enough, so that you can begin working when you need to.
Don’t come rushing in at the last minute!
Ask lots of questions!!!!