OPT Lesson 1 : Fall 2020

▪ OPT OVERVIEW
▪ APPLICATION PROCESS
▪ F-1 REGULATIONS DURING OPT
Bentley University Center for International Students and Scholars
175 Forest Street, Student Center, Suite 310
Waltham, MA 02452 781 891-2829
bentley.edu/ciss
GA_CISS@bentley.edu
OPT ONLINE COURSE
LESSON 1

There are 3 sections in this lesson:
1. OPT Overview: What is OPT and Who is Eligible?
2. The Application Process
3. F-1 Regulations During OPT

WHAT IS OPT?
OPT = Optional Practical Training
OPT is a benefit of your F-1 status that
allows off-campus employment for the
purpose of gaining hands-on
experience in your major in the US.

WHAT IS OPT?
OPT is not a different type of visa.
It is a benefit of your F-1 visa status － you can think of your OPT
period as an extension of your F-1 status.

WHAT IS OPT?
• You will still need an I-20 and valid
F-1 visa in order to travel and re-
enter the U.S. during your OPT
period.
F-1 student visa benefit
• You will continue to maintain
valid F-1 status during your
approved OPT period.

F-1 visa holders are eligible for 12
months of OPT per education level
(e.g. bachelor’s, master’s, etc.)*
Generally used after graduation/
completion of a degree program
(“post-completion”)
OPT ELIGIBILITY
*If you have completed a degree
in a STEM field, you may be
eligible for a 24-month extension
of your OPT (for a total of 36
months). However, you must first
apply for standard 12-month
OPT.

OPT is available to F-1 visa holders who meet ALL
of the following criteria:
 have been enrolled as a full-time student in a
valid visa status for at least one academic year
(9 months) immediately prior to applying for
OPT
text
OPT ELIGIBILITY

OPT is available to F-1 visa holders who meet
ALL of the following criteria:
 have been enrolled as a full-time student in
the U.S. for at least one academic year
(9 months) immediately prior to applying for
OPT
 have / will have completed all graduation
requirements, including any required
internships
OPT ELIGIBILITY
*Check your I-20 program end date to make sure your completion date is accurate!

You may NOT be eligible for OPT if:
• You have used 12 months of full time Curricular
Practical Training (CPT) at the same degree level
• You have not been a full time student in F-1
status for at least an academic year
• You did not apply by the end of your 60-day
grace period following degree completion (we
will discuss further in future slides..)
* time spent in visa statuses other than F-1 may
count towards the one year requirement
OPT ELIGIBILITY

In order to understand
your deadlines for OPT, you
must know your I-20 end
date, and correct it if
needed.
• Request a “program extension”
from CISS if you will not
complete all of your
graduation requirements by
the Program End Date on page
1 of your I-20.
• Request a “program shorten”
from CISS if you will finish your
degree prior to your I-20 end
WHEN CAN I APPLY
Generally, your I-20 end date
will be the last possible day of
classes of the semester, or
graduation. Sometimes,
students finish before the date
we originally anticipated on
the I-20, or need more time.
Please contact the CISS if
you have questions about
your I-20 end date.

Failing to complete your program
or request an extension before your
I-20 program end date could result
in the loss of F-1 status and
permanent loss of OPT eligibility.
WHEN CAN I APPLY

 Documents can be received by USCIS as early as 90 days before your correct
I-20 end date/ degree completion date.
Before sending to USCIS, you must have your documents reviewed by
CISS and obtain a new I-20. You can start the process with CISS 2-3 weeks
before you plan to mail to USCIS.
 You are eligible to apply up until the end of your 60 day grace period
following your I-20 end date.
If filing during grace period, you need to file before leaving the country.
 We recommend that all students file early in the application window, since
USCIS processing generally takes 3-4 months, and will affect how soon you
can start working.
In Section 2 of this course, we will discuss the process of choosing your
start date
WHEN CAN I APPLY

This section will explain the six steps of
the OPT application process.
Changes due to COVID19 remote operations are listed in red
1. Review OPT
information from
website, complete
OPT Blackboard
course, and attend
any relevant
information
sessions offered
by CISS
2. Compile
Application
Materials and
Complete all
forms
3. Drop off OPT
Application for
Review by CISS
*Note: Due to
COVID19, email
application
documents to
GA_CISS@bentley.e
du
4. Pick up
reviewed
application
documents and
OPT I-20, and
make any
necessary
corrections
Note: Due to
COVID19, we will
email you with
necessary
corrections and a
link to an
electronic OPT
recommendation
I-20
6. Wait for
receipt notices
and EAD Card
(~3-4 months)
5. Use
mailing
instructions
to mail all
documents
to USCIS

Attending an OPT Information Session (dates will be
listed on CISS website) is a great way to obtain
general information and ask questions about the
process.
1. Complete the OPT Online Course and Attend an
OPT Information Session
Completing the Blackboard course will verify
understanding of the process, and give you more
details about each step of applying for OPT.
You should also review information on our website
(https://www.bentley.edu/offices/center-
international-student-scholars/optional-practical-
training)
CISS will not accept your OPT application until you

Lesson 2 also has step-by-step instructions
for assembling your OPT application.
2. Compile your application materials and
complete all forms
The OPT section of the CISS website provides templates
and instructions for each form
(https://www.bentley.edu/offices/center-international-
student-scholars/optional-practical-training)
Review on your own and correct any mistakes to the
forms prior to submitting to CISS.

3. Drop off OPT application materials for review by
CISS
3. Due to remote operations, submit scans of
completed documents to GA_CISS@bentley.edu
 Email subject: [OPT/STEM OPT Application ] --
[Your Name and Bentley ID]
 Document type: single compact PDF document. If
not possible, attach each separate document to
single email, clearly labeled with document titles.
 Please do not use document encryptions or alternative file types.

CISS will:
▪ confirm your eligibility
▪ review your application
documents for any
necessary corrections
▪ create a new I-20 with a
request for OPT
authorization, using the start
and end dates you select
This process takes
approximately 5-7 business
days to complete.

4. Pick up your reviewed application documents and
OPT recommendation I-20, and make any necessary
corrections Wait for two separate emails from the
CISS
Email 1: Detailed information about corrections to
make to documents before sending, checklist and
mailing instructions for USCIS
Email 2: Sharepoint link to your OPT
recommendation I-20 for you to print, sign, and
include in application to USCIS

5. Mail your finalized documents to USCIS
 Use mailing checklist from CISS email
 Follow instructions for looking up address for
filing. Address may vary depending on your
home address.
 The “OPT Recommendation I-20” you have been
issued is only valid for 30 days from issuance
date. Your application must reach USCIS before
this date, or it will be rejected.
 You can submit your application as early as 90
days before the end date on your I-20, and
before the end of your 60-day grace period. It
must be received before you leave the U.S. if you
are on your grace period

Approximate USCIS
processing time:
90-120 days*
*Plan for this timeline when choosing your OPT
start dates!
WAIT.
6. Wait to receive receipt notices….and EAD card!
approximate USCIS processing time: 90 -120
days

If you chose the CISS address, the CISS
staff will receive any USCIS
correspondence on your behalf. We
will notify you via email when we
receive documents for you.
USCIS will only send official documents regarding
your application via regular postal mail.
You will provide a reliable U.S. mailing address on
one of the USCIS forms. You may also choose to
use the CISS address so that all of your documents
are sent to us (we will discuss in section 2)

Which address should you choose for your
application ?
USE YOUR HOME ADDRESS IF:
 you are sure you will be living at
that address at least 90 days after
you mail your application to
USCIS.
 you have no problems with
receiving mail at your address.
USE THE CISS ADDRESS IF:
 you will be moving after you mail
your application to USCIS
 you will be out of town/out of the
country while your OPT application is
in process with USCIS
 you are unsure where you will be
living approximately 90 days after
you mail your OPT application to
USCIS

If CISS has recommended OPT on your I-20 and you
later decide not to mail your application to USCIS,
you should email GA_CISS@bentley.edu to cancel
the OPT request.

If you would like to cancel your OPT
application after you have mailed it to USCIS,
contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu to receive the
OPT Cancellation Form to be sent to USCIS.
However, there is no guarantee that your
application will be cancelled and you may
lose your filing fee.

Approximately 30 days after your
application was received by USCIS, they
will mail a Notice of Receipt (Form I-797C)
to the address you entered on the I-765.
I-797c Notice of Receipt

You can use the Receipt Number on your I-797c
Notice of Receipt to check your application
progress on the USCIS website:
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/mycasestatus.d
o

Keep waiting…
days

days
Keep waiting…
Note: Unfortunately, there is no way
to expedite your application with
USCIS. CISS is unable to inquire
about the status of your case on
your behalf.
If there is a problem with your
application, you will be mailed a
letter by USCIS and your case status
will be updated accordingly

And finally…Receive your EAD!
• USCIS will issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
approximately 10 days after your OPT application has been listed as
approved.
• It will be valid for the length of your authorized employment period.
• The EAD will be mailed to the address you entered on the
Form I-765 (discussed in section 2)

EAD (or “OPT Card”)
• Make sure all of the information
on the card is correct (contact
CISS immediately for help if not)
• You are only authorized to work
during the dates on your card
• You may begin work as soon as
you receive the EAD card and
your start date has passed
• You may not engage in any work
(paid or unpaid) prior to receipt
of card and before start date
listed

• If you have requested a Social
Security Number (SSN) with your
OPT application, you will receive
this as late as a few weeks
following receipt of your EAD
card. Do not share this number
with anyone except your
employer.
• Make sure CISS has a copy of
your EAD card! If you did not list
CISS as your i765 mailing address,
you must send us a photocopy
upon receipt.

F-1 REGULATIONS
DURING OPT
TRAVEL
EMPLOYMENT
REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

F-1 REGULATIONS
All of the information in this section is available for you on
the Post-Completion OPT Acknowledgement Form. Make
sure you keep this document for your reference during
your OPT period. It will help you with:
▪THE APPLICATION
▪TRAVEL
▪EMPLOYMENT
▪REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
▪AFTER OPT
When you sign this document upon completion of your
OPT application, you acknowledge that you have read and
understand the rules.
You must still follow F-1 student visa regulations while on OPT. However,
the regulations and expectations during OPT will be slightly different than
the rules you had to follow during your studies.

THE APPLICATION TRAVEL EMPLOYMENT REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
All of the following documents are required to re-enter
the US in F-1 status between your OPT start and end
dates
▪ Valid passport and valid F-1 visa
▪ Valid I-20 with OPT dates on page 2,
signed for travel every six (6) months
▪ EAD (“OPT card”)
▪ Proof of employment, such as a letter
from your current employer(s), or a job
offer letter indicating that employment
will begin upon your return to the US is
highly recommended.
Travel & Re-Entry to the U.S. During Post- Completion OPT

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
Travel & Re-Entry to the U.S. During Post- Completion
OPT
What if my OPT is still pending?
F-1 Regulations allow you to travel while OPT is pending, however, you must
mail your OPT application to USCIS and receive your i797c receipt before
departing the USCIS if your program end date has passed.
Bring all of the documents listed on the previous slide. In place of the EAD
card, you will bring your i797c receipt notice.
Make sure someone is checking your mail if you have not listed CISS as your
mailing address. You must be able to respond to any government requests for
further evidence, and you may be expected to return with your EAD card if
approved while away.
Travel during pending OPT should be done with caution and preparation.

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
Employment Requirements During Post-Completion OPT
Optional Practical Training is meant for
you to obtain practical experience in your
degree field
Accordingly, you must comply with
certain employment requirements
during your authorized period of OPT

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
*Remember: Engaging in paid or unpaid employment prior
to receiving the card or working beyond the start and end
date listed on your card is considered unauthorized
employment and is a violation of your F-1 status.
Employment during OPT must
be:
 20 or more hours per week
 Related to your major field of
study, as listed on your I-20
 Can be paid or unpaid, an
internship, contract work,
self-employment, or a full-
time regular position
You are responsible for determining how your job is
related to your degree

Employment during OPT can be
paid or unpaid (volunteer).
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
What if I cannot find OPT-qualifying employment, or if I am temporarily without a job or
between jobs?• You are permitted 90 days of unemployment between the start and end dates on your EAD card
• Unemployment is time that you do not have job or internship related to your degree field and
over 20 hours per week during your authorized OPT period
• Employer-authorized vacations (including time spent outside the U.S.) do not count towards the
90 day limit. You are still considered employed during this period.
start date
end date

Unemployment time is defined as time when you do not have a job.
Employment time begins when you actually start working.
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

Your F-1 status will no longer be
valid and you will lose your OPT if
you exceed this 90 day maximum.
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
Reporting Requirements During Post-Completion OPT
I GOT A JOB!
F-1 regulations require that you update your
employer (and other) information during your
OPT period in the SEVIS database

Employer Information Must be
Updated:
 If you change jobs
 If your employment ends
 If you get an additional job (more
than one employer)
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
Once you are approved for OPT and get a job, you must
update your employment with the CISS within 10 days.
You can update your employment using two different
methods:
1) Preferred: CISS Website. Update the CISS by using the
following quick and easy link on our website:
http://www.bentley.edu/forms/opt-employer-info-
update-form
2) Student SEVIS Portal. You will receive an email from the
Department of Homeland Security upon OPT approval
to create a username and login for a student SEVIS
portal. You can use this method to update information

HOW TO REPORT EMPLOYMENT:
A complete employment report must contain all of the above information.
Only complete employment reports will be entered into your SEVIS record.
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
http://www.bentley.edu/forms/opt-
employer-info-update-form
Go to the link below to report
employment once approved for OPT!

It is very important to remember to report your
employment – your unemployment time will be reduced
if you delay or fail to report employment information.
(Remember: you may not begin working until you have your EAD and
the start date on the card has arrived.)
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

Also, notify CISS as soon as possible if:
 If your address in the US or in your home
country changes, email the new address
information to CISS within 10 days
 your visa status changes to another
category during your OPT period
 you decide to permanently leave the US
before your EAD expiration date
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
Make sure we have copies of all of your important documents!
If you do not enter the CISS address on your Form I-765, you
must provide CISS with a copy of your EAD as soon as you
receive it.
Scan and email it to GA_ciss@bentley.edu.

OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT
Note: your Bentley email will be extended to
include your OPT period. Please check your
Bentley email for communications from CISS
about reporting requirements, and other
important information.

You are responsible for keeping accurate
documentation of all employment during
OPT.
You may need this documentation for
travel purposes, or if you apply for another
type of US visa in the future.
OBLIGATIONS
AFTER OPT

REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS
THE APPLICATION TRAVEL EMPLOYMENT AFTER OPT
Finishing your OPT: What’s Next?
• Grace Period
• Transferring to a New Academic Program
• STEM Extension

You are allowed to stay in the US for 60 days after your EAD
expiration date (60 day grace period).
You may not work during this time unless your
immigration status changes to a visa category that
permits employment.
REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS
Grace Period

REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS
You must leave the U.S. before the 60-day
grace period ends
If you leave any time before the end of
your grace period, you are not permitted to
re-enter the U.S.
Grace Period

You may transfer your SEVIS record to another school between
your OPT start and end dates, or within the 60-day grace period
after your EAD expiration date.
You must stop working on the date that your SEVIS record is
transferred to the new school or on your EAD expiration date,
whichever is sooner.
REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS
Transferring to Another School or
Beginning a New Academic
Program

REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS

Recipients of degrees in certain
science, technology, engineering,
or math (STEM) fields may qualify
for a 2 year extension of OPT
known as the STEM Extension.
REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS
STEM EXTENSION OPT

Students eligible for a STEM
extension must apply for it
before the expiration date on
their standard OPT EAD. Check
the CISS website for current
information on the requirements
and application process.
STEM EXTENSION OPT
REPORTING
OBLIGATIONS

Presentation by Cara Frankowicz, April 21, 2016
NEXT STEP –
1. TAKE QUIZ #1
2. BEGIN LESSON #2

OPT Lesson 1 : Fall 2020

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