Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS)
Student Center 3rd Floor, 310
Waltham, MA 02452
T +1.781.891.2829 F +1.781.891.2845
www.bentley.edu/ciss
Application for
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
FOR F-1 STUDENTS
In this packet, you will find:
v What is Practical Training? (Overview)
v OPT Processing
v Optional Practical Training Application Checklist
v Instructions for Completing USCIS Form I-765
v OPT Acknowledgement Form
v Photo Instructions Page
v How to Write a Check for your OPT Application
v Frequently Asked Questions about OPT
Please carefully read the instructions that follow before completing and signing all forms in blue ink. Once you submit your application to CISS and it is reviewed, you will be given a new Form I-20, which you will need to sign and date and include in the OPT application you submit to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service.
If, after reading the following information, you have additional questions, please email CISS at .
PLEASE NOTE: Applications can take up to 12 weeks to process.
Applying early is suggested!
What is Optional Practical Training? (Overview)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization granted to F-1 international students, issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Students who are approved for OPT will receive an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card that may be presented to an employer as proof of work authorization. There are two different kinds of Optical Practical Training:
Pre-Completion OPT is temporary employment available to F-1 students prior to completion of the course of study. The employment must be directly related to the student’s field of study and commensurate with the student’s education level. It can only be part-time (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session. Pre-Completion OPT can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during annual vacations or breaks. Any time used prior to graduating will be subtracted from the total 12 months allotted.
Post-Completion OPT is full-time employment (more than 20 hours per week) available to F-1 students after graduation. Post-Completion OPT is granted for 12 months.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Processing:
· Determine if application is for Post-Completion or Pre-Completion OPT.
· Compile the packet of documents as noted on the Optional Practical Training Application Checklist. Remember to include TWO sets of all documents when submitting your OPT application to CISS.
· Drop off completed OPT application packet (2 sets of all documents) at CISS office in Student Center 310.
· Wait (at least 5 business days) for email from GA_CISS account to be notified to pick up your OPT packet
· When you come to the CISS office, you will be instructed as to what the final steps are in completing and submitting your OPT application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
· Mail OPT application packet by certified mail, return receipt requested to USCIS at:
ATTN: USCIS
P O Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
NOTE: CISS will provide you with a pre-addressed, certified mail, return receipt requested envelope.
IMPORTANT
Your OPT APPLICATION PACKET MUST be received by USCIS within 30 days of the I-20 issue date. The earliest you may apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training is 90 days before you complete all requirements for the degree.
*If you receive your EAD (employment authorization document/card) in the mail, please submit a copy of the front and back of the card to the Center for International Students and Scholars in person or please send a scanned copy of both sides of the EAD to: .
Optional Practical Training Application Checklist
Please submit TWO sets of all documents listed below.
Ø Check or money order for $380 made payable to Department of Homeland Security
Ø Completed and signed form I-765, Application of Employment Authorization, found at: www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf. Print out the form; but do not submit it electronically!
Ø Completed and signed form G-1145, E-Notification of Application, found at: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/g-1145.pdf. Print out the form; but do not submit it electronically!
Ø CISS OPT Acknowledgement Form which can be found here: http://www.bentley.edu/files/campus-life/pdf/CISS%20OPT%20Acknowledgement%20Form.pdf. Please be sure to indicate the OPT start and end dates on this form. The date must be within 60 days of your completion of studies date. Please also include your mailing address which will be valid for at least 12 weeks from the date you mail your OPT application request to USCIS.
Ø Request an Enrollment Verification Letter from the Office of the Registrar. You may obtain this letter by making an on-line request or by visiting the Registrar’s Office in Rauch. If you visit the Registrar’s Office to request the letter, typical turn-around time is 5 business days.
o An Enrollment Verification letter (found at http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/vs_portal.php?show=2); OR
o An Enrollment/Graduation letter (obtained by completing the orange form in the Registrar’s office). (This letter requires 5 business days.)
Ø 2 Passport-sized photos* with your name written in pencil on the back. *Details of photo specifications are found later in this packet of documents.
Ø 2 Copies of your I-94 Information. To obtain this information, go to: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html;jsessionid=vJpqWyQNbhQ6MPnym8r4h61h8ZbTDyZFWhk4dV6bvlvb7fwBrTfw!1996988461to request and print it out.
Ø 2 Copies of all I-20s (pages 1 and 3) that were issued to you (including I-20s from all previous schools)
Ø 2 Copies of your F-1 Visa in your passport
Ø 2 Copies of the Expiration and Photo page(s) of your passport
Ø 2 Copies of any previous EAD Cards (if applicable)
Ø 2 Copies of all previous correspondence with USCIS (if applicable)
Pre-Completion OPT Checklist (ONLY if applying for OPT before graduation)
Ø In addition to submitting the above-listed items, be sure to determine the length of your work experience with the Bentley internship coordinator and the employer and submit a letter from the coordinator that confirms your start and end date.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING
USCIS Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
This form can be found at www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf. Please complete the form on-line print it out to include in your OPT application and use blue ink to sign it. Please do not submit it electronically!
Top of the form-Check the box “Permission to accept employment” if this is your first application.
Questions 1-8
Complete your biographical information and local address. REMEMBER: this is the address where the USCIS will mail your employment authorization card. It must be a US address. If you are unsure of where you will be living when the card is issued, you should use c/o (in care of), and indicate an address of a friend who will receive the mail on your behalf. If you choose to have your EAD card mailed to the Center for International Students and Scholars please provide the following address on the Form:
1. Your LAST NAME (in all capital letters), First Name
2. Bentley University (typed in the block for “other names used”)
3. 175 Forest Street, Student Center, 3rd floor, 310
4. Waltham, MA 02452
Question 9
A Social Security Number is not required for Optional Practical Training approval, but if you have one, please enter it here; otherwise type “None.”
Question 10
You do not have an Alien Registration Number. Type in your I-94 number here which can be found on the I-94 information that you printed out from the cbp.gov website.
Question 11
If you have been approved for any Optional Practical Training in the past, you must attach a copy of the front and back of your previous employment card(s). Remember to include both the start AND end dates of any previous employment in this section.
Questions 11-15
This information will be listed on your I-94 information. On question 13 fill in the first three letters of the name of the city where you arrived in the U.S. as noted on the stamp in your passport which should be located opposite your most current F-1 visa.
Question 16
The Post-completion OPT category is (c)(3)(B).
The Pre-completion OPT category is (c)(3)(A).
Questions 17, 18
Leave these blank, unless you are applying for a STEM extension OPT.
Do not forget to sign and date the form, and include your telephone number!
OPT Acknowledgement Form
NAME: Bentley ID: ______
Below please find the rules you must follow while on OPT in order to comply with US immigration law. After reading and reviewing this form and providing the requested information, please sign the form and submit it with your OPT application.
1. Thirty-day filing deadline: I understand that my OPT application must reach the USCIS Service Center no later than 30 days after my new Form I-20 is issued.
2. Failure to complete program requirements: I understand that if I fail to complete all the requirements of my program, I must request an extension of my Form I-20 prior to the program end date found in item #5 of my latest I-20. I know that this may invalidate or otherwise effect the post-completion OPT authorization, prior to beginning post-completion OPT.
3. Submission of EAD to the CISS: I understand that I must bring my OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the CISS as soon as it is issued by the USCIS so that it may be copied and the approval recorded appropriately.
4. Working in my major field of study: I understand that any employment I accept must be directly related to my major field of study. I know that I should keep records that will verify all of my employment while on OPT.
5. Reporting requirements: I understand that in order to maintain my immigration status while on Post-Completion OPT, I must:
a. Notify the CISS of my new address within ten days if I should move my residence. I can do so by emailing the CISS at .
b. Report any change in OPT employment and any change of employer while on OPT. I understand I am required to email CISS with the name and address of my employer, job title, confirmation of full-time or part-time position, the start date of employment (and end date, if relevant), as well as a brief statement indicating how my position is related to what I studied at Bentley. If I stop working, I must report that there has been an “interruption in employment.” I can report this information by emailing the CISS at .
6. Periods of unemployment during post-completion OPT: I understand that I may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during my post-completion OPT period. I will keep thorough and accurate records of my job search, employment or other OPT activities, and periods of unemployment.
7. Traveling outside the U.S.: I understand that if I travel outside the U.S. during post-completion OPT I must bring the following items:
a. Valid passport
b. F-1 visa in my passport that will be valid on the day I plan to return to the U.S. If I do not have a valid visa for my return, I will obtain one at a U.S. consulate or embassy while outside the U.S., preferably in my home country.
c. Travel signature on my Form I-20 that is less than six (6) months old.
d. OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD, also known as “OPT Card”)
e. Letter from my employer to prove that I have a job which I will resume when I return to the U.S., or an offer letter to show that I will begin a job/activity upon my return to the U.S.
If I do not travel with all of these documents, I understand I may experience difficulty when returning to the U.S and could, in fact, be prohibited from re-entering the U.S.
8. Sixty-day “grace” period after OPT: I understand that I am permitted a period of 60 days to remain in the U.S. following the end date on my OPT EAD. I may not work during this period of time.
9. Limits on future periods of OPT: I understand that I am eligible for only one 12-month period of OPT per education level (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D., etc.). I understand that in limited situations, I may be eligible to apply for a 17 month extension of OPT and I must apply for this extension prior to the end of my initial period of OPT.
10. Cancelling my application: If extraordinary circumstances warrant it, I can attempt to cancel my OPT application only if the application has not yet been adjudicated (approved) by the USCIS Service Center. I will work with my CISS advisor to initiate this process.
11. Beginning employment: I know that I may not begin work until I have the EAD (card) in my possession and the start date of the EAD card has been reached (or passed). To work without the card and the start date on the card being current or past constitutes unauthorized employment and a violation of my F-1 status.
12. OPT start and end dates: I am responsible for choosing the employment dates below which will be recorded in the CISS’s recommendation on my Form I-20. An OPT start date must begin no earlier than the completion date of all courses needed for graduation and end no later than 60 days after this completion date.
a. Example: If I complete all courses necessary for my degree program on December 18 I may begin my OPT as early as December 18 or as late as February16th.
b. I know that I will not be able to change the dates, should they become incompatible with a future offer of employment. I also understand that I cannot extend OPT beyond 12 months even I have not worked for the entire OPT period, unless I qualify for the STEM OPT extension.
13. Reminder for Pre-Completion OPT students only:
a. May not begin working until your EAD card is received; work in field of major only
b. Restricted to work between approved dates on EAD card
c. Use of Pre-Completion OPT will be deducted from the 12 months of OPT allowed; any remaining time may be used for Post-Completion OPT through a separate application process.
d. Must submit copy of EAD card to CISS for student file
This section must be completed in order to apply for OPT:
I request the following OPT dates for: (Circle one) Full-time Post-Completion Full-time Pre-Completion
Part-time Pre-Completion