OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING:WORKING AND LIVING IN THE US AFTER GRADUATION

SUNY Plattsburgh

International Student Services (ISS)

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

OPT is a way to live & work in the US after graduation and gain practical experience in your field. 12-month extension of F-1 Student Status Intermediary step between F-1: Student Status

and H1-B: Temporary Worker in a Specialty Occupation

An important benefit to students seeking practical experience in their field of study

A good way to experience US business customs/practices

OPT Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for OPT you must: Have completed at least one academic year in

the United States Be maintaining your F-1 Student Status Not have used full-time CPT for 365+ days

Will I be denied OPT? No, provided that you apply in a timely manner OPT is a benefit to F-1 Student Status. It is not

a right. If you apply in a timely manner your application will most likely be approved.

When Can I Apply?

Students must apply for OPT at least one (1) month before their graduation date.

It is highly recommended that students apply three (3) months in advance of their graduation date.

Applications can take as long as 3 months or 90 days to process – Apply early to avoid any complications!

OPT

Timeline

How do I apply?

Verify with an ISS Advisor that you are eligible

Download & Complete the appropriate forms from the ISS website: I-765 I-538 Academic Advisor's Recommendation for OPT Student Acknowledgement of Responsibility

How do I apply? (continued)

Form I-765 Form I-538

Items 1-7 Only!

No Need to complete if you have not applied for OPT in the past.

Do Not Complete

How do I apply? (continued)

Collect all the required documents I-765 Application Fee 2 passport size photos (2”x 2” or 5.08cm x 5.08cm) Completed I-765 “OPT Requested” Form I-20 Copies of all previous I-20s Copy of F-1 Student Visa Copy of Form I-94 (small white card) – Front & Back

ISS attempts to keep copies of all students’ Form I-20s in their immigration folder

Remember! Your F-1 status is your responsibility – Keep all of your Form I-20s!

OPT Rules and Regulations

All employment must be related to your course of study (i.e. your major(s) – minors are not accepted).

You must begin OPT within 60 days of your program completion (graduation) date.

You must complete your OPT within 14 months of graduating.

You have a ninety (90) days of an unemployment “allowance” from the date your OPT begins.

You must be employed full-time in order to comply with OPT rules and regulations.

Full-time employment is considered to be an average of more than 20 hours per week over the entire 365-day OPT period.

OPT Rules and Regulations (continued)

Update your address with ISS. You MUST update your address within 10 days of a change.

Update ISS with your employer’s name and contact. information (i.e. address, telephone, email, etc).

If your employer changes be sure to update ISS with this information within 10 days of a change.

Report any periods of unemployment to ISS.

OPT and Travel

Not recommended to travel outside the US until you have: Your OPT card Job Offer Letter or Contract

You can still travel outside the US so long as your Form I-20 and F-1 student visa are valid.

When you are approved for OPT your Form I-20 is not renewed; your OPT card serves to extend the Form I-20 (even though it is expired). Do not to travel outside the US if:

Form I-20 is expired You have not received your OPT card

OPT and Travel (continued)

If you travel outside the US you MUST have your Form I-20 signed within SIX MONTHS of your re-entry date.

Always travel with: Passport Form I-20 F-1 Visa Form I-94 OPT Card Letter from your employer

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple employers while on OPT? Yes! – Provided you are working full-time (20+ hrs/wk)

What if I want to go home and my visa is expired? Can I renew my visa with my OPT card? Maybe! – Most embassies and consulates are willing

to renew F-1 visas for OPT card-holders. Best to check with ISS first to see if you will have visa difficulties.

Will I be taxed while working in the US? Yes! – However, you can recuperate those taxes by

filing a tax report International students are NOT subject to Social

Security, Medicare, or unemployment taxes unless they have been in the US for 5+ years.

I WANT YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT OPT!

SUNY Plattsburgh

International Student Services (ISS)