PCPT presentation

Post-CompletionOptional Practical Training: 

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training Office of International Programs San Francisco State University PowerPoint presentation adapted from work by the international student advisors at University of California- Irvine

Outline: 

Outline Eligibility Requirements Application Process How to Apply Application and Employment Timeline When to Apply Travel Issues Other Rules & Requirements

Who is Eligible for OPT?: 

Who is Eligible for OPT? Must maintain F-1 student status Must be a full-time student for one academic year before OPT begins Must be in good academic standing Job offer NOT required to apply 12 months of practical training available for each higher educational level

When to Apply: 

When to Apply Apply as early as 90 Days before degree completion OPT application must be received by USCIS California Service Center prior to the date of your degree completion Deadline to turn in documents at OIP is 3 weeks before degree completion Do not apply unless you are confident that you’ll graduate Degree completion = the day you complete your final graduation requirement, or the last day of final exams

IMPORTANT: 

IMPORTANT USCIS will send you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) Approximately 3 Month Processing Time Spring/Summer tends to be peak period Apply as early as possible to avoid unnecessary delays (but no more than 90 days before degree completion)

How to Apply: 

How to Apply Follow steps indicated on this web page Attend PCPT Group Application Session Make an individual appointment at OIP if you cannot attend the group session Pick up your paperwork one week after submission to OIP Mail paperwork to California Service Center (certified mail is recommended)

Application Materials: 

Application Materials Materials Required for your appointment: OPT Application check-list Letter from academic advisor confirming completion date (follow sample on the OIP web-site) Original I-94 card and Form I-20 (your most recent one) Form I-765 (available at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf ) Two 2” x 2” Passport Photos (Refer to specifications found at http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/composition/composition_874.html ) Photocopy of passport (biographical page and expiration page) Photocopy of the F-1 visa

Letter From Academic Advisor: 

Letter From Academic Advisor Must be on department letterhead/stationary Must verify the date on which you will complete your academic program Must be signed by an advisor in your department Please use the sample letter on the OIP web-site: http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/handoutsdocs/practicaltraining.htm#letter

I-765 Form: 

I-765 Form

I-765 Form: 

I-765 Form a

Mailing Address: 

Mailing Address On line 3 of I-765, write your current mailing address only if you will be living there for the next four months If you move before your EAD card is received, your mail will NOT be forwarded, but rather returned to the California Service Center. If you plan to move within 4 months, you may use the address of a friend who will not be moving If you move unexpectedly, please see OIP for assistance in notifying the USCIS California Service Center of your new address

I-765 Form: 

I-765 Form ANTEATER Peter *Note: Please refer to previous slide before filling in address 1/1/1980 987-65-4321 123456789 01 (11 digit # on I-94) a x

I-765 Form: 

I-765 Form c 3 i a 01/10/2003 Los Angeles, California Student (F-1) Student (F-1)

I-765 Form: 

I-765 Form Peter Anteater (Keep your signature within the lines) (949)123-4567 1/30/06

PHOTOS: 

PHOTOS

Application Timeline (Sample): 

Application Timeline (Sample) Degree Completion 5/23/2008 USCIS Must Receive Apps by 5/23/2008 Employment must end 12 months from start date, or within 14 months of degree completion 90 days 1 year Apply from 02/23/2008 Start OPT between 5/23/2008 – 7/22/2008

Follow-Up: 

Follow-Up Follow-Up Pick up your paperwork at OIP one week after submission Be sure to read the cover letter from OIP Sign your I-20 photocopy and insert the $340 check (made payable to “Department of Homeland Security”) Send your application to the California Service Center by “certified mail return receipt” Notice of Action from the CSC should arrive at the address indicated on the I-765 within 2-4 weeks

Notice of Action from USCIS: 

Notice of Action from USCIS

Interim (Temporary) EAD card: 

Interim (Temporary) EAD card Interim EAD card is no longer available! Contact OIP advisor if you do not receive EAD card within 90 days of your receipt date.

What type of job can I accept?: 

What type of job can I accept? Job must be related to your academic field of study Job should be appropriate for a person with your level of education You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT

Travel Issues: 

Travel Issues After you have graduated and OPT has been approved, you will need: Valid Passport Valid F-1 visa Form I-20 with travel signature no more than 6 months old EAD card (your work permit) Proof of employment or a written job offer Student with the above documentation should not experience difficulty. Otherwise, possible risk. Warning: It may be difficult to obtain a new F-1 visa while on OPT

More Travel Issues: 

More Travel Issues After you have graduated but before OPT been approved, you will need: Valid Passport Valid F-1 visa Form I-20 with travel signature no more than 6 months old Notice of Action (receipt notice) from CSC Warning: If OPT is approved while you are out of the country and you do not have a written job offer, you could be denied re-entry to the US

OPT and SEVIS: 

OPT and SEVIS During OPT, you are still on the SFSU I-20 Must get your I-20 signed by an OIP advisor before traveling outside the U.S. You must report your new address to the MySFSU web-site within 10 days of moving If you continue your studies after OPT, meet with an OIP advisor to transfer your SEVIS record If you change your immigration status, notify OIP so that we may update your SEVIS record

Miscellaneous matters: 

Miscellaneous matters Work hard to complete your academic program as planned. If your completion is delayed, your immigration status becomes messy and you may lose some time authorized to do OPT. You may legally remain in the U.S. while your OPT application is being processed After you finish your academic program, you cannot work on campus You cannot work until you receive your EAD card and the dates are valid

More Miscellaneous Matters: 

More Miscellaneous Matters You may purchase SFSU Student Health Insurance to cover your OPT year You cannot take classes while on OPT except for recreational/vocational classes While on OPT, if you have questions, contact OIP or schedule an appointment with an advisor You have a 60 day grace period after your EAD card expires to prepare to go home or transfer to a new academic program in the U.S.

For more information:: 

For more information: Visit the OIP web-site at http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/handoutsforms.htm and click on the link for “Optional Practical Training”