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7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
1/30
Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
Clickonthepagenumbertogodirectlytotheinformationyouneed.
What isOPT?
PointstoRemember
TypesofOPT
IsOPTRightforYou?
CompleteOPTRequestForm
ChooseAuthorizationDates
SampleOPTI-20
RequiredApplicationMaterials
HowtoCompletetheI-765
PassportPhotoSpecifications
MailingOptions
USCISAddresses
TheNoticeofAction
TravelingAbroad
ApplyingforaVisa
FrequentlyAskedQuestions
SampleEAD
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Application Guide
For F-1 International Students
TonavigatethroughthisGuideusethearrowkeysonyourkeyboardtogotothenextorpreviouspage.
Alsonotethatclickingyourmouseanywhereonthescreenwilltakeyoutothenextpage.
TableofContents
Clickontheiconabovetoreturntothispage.
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University ofCalifornia at Berkeley
TheI-20willbereadyforpick-up3businessdaysaftersubmittingyourrequesttotheBerkeleyInternationalOffice.
Allowapproximately1weektogatherand organizeyourmaterialsformailing
3monthsonaverageafteryourapplicationhasbeenreceivedbytheCaliforniaServiceCenter.
OPT Application Process
Theapplicationiscompletedinthreesteps:
What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
OptionalPracticalTrainingisabenefitoftheF-1studentsstatus.Itallowsstudentstohaveworkauthorizationforoff-campusemploymentintheirfieldsofstudy.Tobeeligible,youmustbeinvalidF-1statusforoneacademicyear.
ThenameoftheworkpermitforOPTistheEmploymentAuthorizationDocument(EAD).
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
1.OneyearofOPTisavailableaftercompletingeachdegreeprogramatahigherlevel.Forexample,youmayuse12monthsofOPTaftercompletionofyourBachelors,thenyourMastersandthenyourPh.D.=3
yearstotal.
2.OPTisavailablebothbeforeoraftercompletingadegreeprogram.
3.AjobofferisnotrequiredtoapplyforOPT.
4.TheemploymentmayoccuranywhereintheU.S.
5.NospecialpermissionisneededfromtheUSCIS orUCBtoquitajoborchangeemployers.However,youmustnotifyBerkeleyInternationalOfficeofthesechangesathttp://ssu.berkeley.edu/.
6.DuringtheperiodofOPT,astudentremainsinF-1status.
AnextensionofOPTisallowedforupto17monthsifatthetimeoftheextensionyouhaveadegreeinaScience,Technology,EngineeringorMathematics(STEM)fieldandyouremployerisenrolledinE-Verify.Formoreinformation,seeourwebpage, 17-MonthSTEMExtension .
1.Theapplicationforpost-completionOPTmustbereceivedbytheUSCISnoearlier
than90daysbeforeprogramcompletionandnolaterthan60-daysafteryourdateofcompletion.
2.ItmaytakeuptothreemonthstoreceivetheEAD(EmploymentAuthorizationDocument).
3.Morethan90daysofunemploymentduringOPTisaviolationofF-1status.
4.OnceyoucompleteyourdegreeandyourI-20hasexpired,youmusthaveavalidEADtobeginworkingonoroffcampus.
5.OncetheOPTapplicationissubmittedtotheUSCIS,itisimpossibletochangeyourselectedauthorizationdates.
6.CancelingtheOPTapplicationisverydifficultandmustbediscussedwithanAdviseratBerkeleyInternationalOffice.
7.OPTcanonlybeextendedbeyond12monthsinlimitedcircumstances(seeitem#7atleft.)
8.
EmploymentmustberelatedtothedegreeprogramnotedonyourI-20.
StudentsarerequiredtoreportthefollowinginformationtotheBerkeleyInternationalOfficewithin10daysofanychange:name,residentialaddress, employername,employeraddress, employmentstatusathttp://ssu.berkeley.edu/.
Points to Remember
http://ssu.berkeley.edu/http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_17month_extension.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_17month_extension.phphttp://ssu.berkeley.edu/http://ssu.berkeley.edu/http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_17month_extension.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_17month_extension.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_17month_extension.phphttp://ssu.berkeley.edu/7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
(Pre-completion)
Thereisnominimumormaximumhoursperweekastudentisrequiredtoworkonpre-completionOPT.
Theamountoftimeyouuseforpre-completionOPTwillbedeductedfromyour12-monthallowance.Part-timeOPTisdeductedfromthe12monthlimitat50%.Forexample,ifyouworkpart-timefor4months,only2monthswillbededucted.Youwillretain10monthstouseatanothertime.
(Pre-completion)
Mustnotexceed20hoursperweek.Graduatestudentwhohave
advancedtocandidacymayworkupto40hoursperweek.
StudentsonPre-completionOPTarenoteligibleforSTEMExtensionOPTortheH1Bcapgapextension
CurricularPracticalTraining, isabetteroptioninmostcasesforworkingpriortoyourdegreecompletion.
(Post-completion)
Studentsmustworkanaverageof20hoursperweekduringpost-completionOPTtobeconsideredemployedandmaintainingF-1status.
Nomorethan3monthsofunemploymentareallowedduringthe12-monthpost-completionOPTperiod.SeeQualifyingOPTEmployment
Types of OPT
Application
Deadlines
90daysbeforedesiredstartdate.
YoucansubmityourapplicationtotheUSCISupto90daysbeforethecompletiondateofyourprogramor
60daysaftercompletionaslongasyouhavenotlefttheU.S.Werecommendyouapplyasearlyaspossibletoavoidunexpecteddelays.
ForadefinitionofCompletionof
ProgramasitreferstoOPT,seepage8.
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/f1_cpt.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_employment_types.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_employment_types.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_employment_types.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_employment_types.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/f1_cpt.php7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
Is OPT right for you?
Ifyoucananswer
yestothequestions
onthispage,youare
readytoapplyfor
OPT.
Ifyouanswernotoany
ofthesequestions,talkto
aBIOAdviseraboutyour
situation.
Yes!
No!
Pre-Completion OPT
Have you considered using Curricular Practical
Training (CPT) instead? For most students, CPT is abetter option. It allows you to get work experience in
your field of study without using any of the 12 months ofOPT time. See our web site for a detailed description of
Curricular Practical Training,
Have you been in F-1 status for one academic
year?At UC Berkeley, one academic year meansenrollment for consecutive fall / spring or spring / fall
semesters. You can count the time you spent at other
U.S. schools in degree programs before you came to UC
Berkeley as long as your SEVIS I -20 was transferred to
UCB.
Will your job offer still be valid three months from
now? Getting the OPT permit can take three months. Ifyour employer is not willing to wait for you, then its not
worth the effort to apply for OPT.
Do you plan on applying for STEM extension or
H1B cap gap extension? Only post-completion OPT
students are eligible for these two extensions. If you
want to apply for either of these extensions, you must
submit a second application for post-completion OPT.
If you plan to work part-time during a fall or
spring semester, will you also be enrolled in full
time courses?
Are you willing to use some of the 12 months you
are allowed for OPT? You will not have a full year of
OPT after you graduate if you choose to use some of it
for pre-completion employment.
Post-Completion OPT
Have you been in F-1 status for one academic
year?
You can count the time you spent at other
U.S. schools in degree programs before youcame to UC Berkeley as long as your SEVIS I-
20 was transferred to UC Berkeley. At UC
Berkeley, one academic year means
enrollment for consecutive fall / spring or
spring / fall semesters.
Will you be completing your program of
study at UC Berkeley within the next three
months? The application for OPT cannot be
submitted earlier than 90days before your
completion date.
Are you enrolled full-time this semester or
authorized by Berkeley International Office
to have a reduced course load? You must
have approval from Berkeley International
Office before you withdraw or for graduate
students using Filing Fee.
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/f1_cpt.phphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/f1_cpt.php7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
TorequestyourOPTI-20,youmustsubmitacompletedOPTRequestFormtoBerkeleyInternationalOffice.
Afillable,downloadableformisavailableathttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/OPT_I-20_request.doc
OntheRequestForm,youmustindicatewhatdatesyouwantyourworkauthorizationtobeginandendbeforesubmittingittoBerkeleyInternationalOffice.
TheauthorizationdatesyouchoosewillbenotedonyournewOPTI-20andcannotbechanged.Thedateswillalsobenotedonyour
EAD. The isthedayonwhichtheEADbecomesvalidandyoucanbeginworking.Theclockstartstickingonthestart
datewhetheryouhaveajobornot.
The isusually12monthslater,unlessyourequestashorterperiodoftimeoryourapplicationisapproved61daysormoreafteryourprogramcompletiondate.
Youwill beabletoadjustyourOPTauthorizationdatesonceyouhavemailedyourapplicationtotheCaliforniaServiceCenter.ConsidertheauthorizationdatescarefullybeforesubmittingyourRequestFormtotheBerkeleyInternationalOffice.
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/OPT_I-20_request.dochttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/OPT_I-20_request.dochttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/OPT_I-20_request.dochttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/OPT_I-20_request.dochttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/OPT_I-20_request.doc7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
Thelastdayoffinalexamsofthesemesteryourdegreerequirementsarefulfilled.
Thedayonwhichalldegreerequirementsarefulfilled,suchasfilingthethesisordissertationwiththeGraduateDivision.
Ifyoudonothavearesearchcomponenttoyourdegreeprogram(suchasintheMBAprogramorotherprofessionalschools),yourcompletiondatewouldbethelastdayoffinalexamsofthesemesteryourdegreerequirementsarefulfilled.
TheCompletionDateforOPTpurposesisthedayyoucompleteyourfinaldegreerequirements.YouractualcompletiondatemaynotnecessarilybethedayofyourgraduationceremonyorthedateonyourcurrentI-20expiration.
OnceyourOPTI-20hasbeencreated,changingyourcompletiondatecancreateseriouscomplicationsforyourOPTapplication.Consideryourexpectedcompletiondatecarefullyandmakeeveryattempttofinishyourprogramonthatday.StudentswhodonotcompleteallcourseworkbytheprogramenddatemayextendtheirprogrampriortotheI-20enddatebuttheyarelimitedtoparttimepost-completionOPTuntiltheysatisfyalldegreerequirements.
AsignaturefromyourAcademicAdviserisrequiredonthisform.Thissignatureverifiesyourcompletiondateandyourregistrationstatusatthetimeofapplication.
shouldobtainthesignaturefromtheirCollegeAdviser.
shouldobtainthesignaturefromtheirFacultyAdviser
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
YoucansubmityourapplicationtotheUSCISupto90daysbeforethecompletiondateofyourprogramorduringthe60-daygraceperiodaftercompletion
IfyouleavetheUSduringyour60-daygraceperiodandyouhaventappliedforOPT,youloseyouropportunitytoapplyforOPT
TheUSCISmustreceiveyourapplicationnolaterthan30daysafteryourOPTI-20hasbeenissuedoryourapplicationmaybedenied
Itcantake3monthsormoretoreceivetheEADfromtheUSCIS
YourOPTstartdatecanbenolaterthan60daysbeyondyourdegreecompletiondate
YoucannotstartworkinguntilyouhavereceivedtheEADandyourstartdateiscurrent
IfyoureceivetheEADbeforeyourstartdatehasarrived,youcannotworkuntilthestartdate(notedontheEAD).
YoucannotchangeyourstartdateoncetheOPTI-20hasbeenmailedtotheCaliforniaServiceCenter.
AslongasyouhaveappliedforOPT,yourF-1statusremainsvalidwhileyouarewaitingfortheEADevenifthereisagapbetweenyourcompletiondateandthestartdateofOPT.Duringthisgap,youcanremainintheU.S.ortravelabroadandre-enterasanF-1.MoredetailsontravelingwhileonOPTarediscussedonpages25-26
Timelinesillustratingtwocommonscenarioscanbeseenonthenextpage.
Program
completiondate(example)
60-daygraceperiodends
=90daysbeforecompletionor
60daysafter.
Jan18
May18
July17
Feb March April June15
OPTstartdatemustoccurwithinthe60-daygraceperiod
Points to Consider
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
Jan18
May18
Feb MarchApril
June15
EADstartdate
programcompletion
date
OPTapplicationmailedtoUSCIS
EADreceived
travelhome
12monthsofOPT
Student with a job offer submits her OPT application early
OnFeb.18,XingyuanmailsherapplicationforOPTtotheUSCIS.SheiscompletingherprogramonMay18andchoosesJune15astheOPTstartdatebecauseshehasajobofferbeginningthatday.ShereceivestheEADonMay1.HeremployerispleasedtoseeproofoftheworkpermissionearlyeventhoughshecannotstartworkinguntilJune15,asnotedontheEAD.Xingyuandecidestogohomeforonemonthtocelebrateherprogramcompletion.
Jan May18
Feb MarchApril June
15
July17
August15
OPTapplicationmailedtoUSCIS
programcompletiondate
EADreceivedRequestedstart
date
Student with no job offer submits his OPT application rather late
Georgedoesnthaveajobofferortimetosearchforoneuntilafterhefinishesschool.HechoosesthelatestdatepossibletostarthisOPT--July17---whichisthe60 thdayafterhiscompletiononMay18.HeknowsthathewillbelegaltostayintheU.S.aslongashehassubmittedtheOPTapplicationontime.HefinallymailshisOPTapplicationonMay1.OnJuly17,GeorgestillhasntreceivedhisEAD,sohecantwork.GeorgereceiveshisEADonAugust1anditexpiresthefollowingyearonJuly16.Georgehaslost13daysofhis12monthOPTbecausehisapplicationwasapprovedafterthelatestavailableOPTstartdate.
May1st
May1st
August1st
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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ThreedaysaftersubmittingyourOPTRequestFormtoBerkeleyInternationalOffice,youwillgetanewOPTI-20.ThissampleshowshowyourI-20willbeupdatedforOPTpurposes.
WhenyoupickupyourOPTI-20,makesuretocheckthefollowingitems:
Theeducationlevelwillbeupdatedifyouhavechangedit.ThisusuallyonlyhappenswhenaPh.DcandidatedecidestograduatewithaMasters
degree.Ifthisisnotaccurate,contactBIO .
ThecompletiondatewillbeupdatedtomatchthecompletiondateonyourOPTRequestForm.Itmaylooklikeitwillexpiresoon,butdont
worry---theI-20remainsvalidforthelengthofyourOPTauthorizationperiod
ThisissueisimportanttonoteespeciallyifyouplantotravelabroadduringyourOPTperiod.
:MakesuretheAdviserhassignedit.Also,makesuretheI-20wasissuedlessthan30daysinthepast.
SignanddatetheI-20afterreceivingitfromBerkeleyInternationalOffice.
Your Name the dateThispageofyourI-20willnotchange.ItcontainsadescriptionoftheF-1regulationsaffectingyourstayintheU.S.YoushouldhavealreadyreadthematsomepointduringyourstayintheU.S.Ifnot,itsnevertolate--readthemnow!
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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OnthispageofyourOPTI-20,youwillseethefollowinginformation:
Theauthorizationdatesyouhaveselected
AstatementindicatingthatyouareeligibleforOPTandyouwillworkinajobrelatedtoyourmajor
ThisstatementmeansifyourapplicationisapprovedafteryourrequestedOPTstartdate,yourOPTexpirationdatewillbenomorethan14monthsafteryourprogramcompletiondate
AnewtravelendorsementfromtheBerkeleyInternationalAdviser.TravelingwhileonOPTisallowed,withcertainprecautions.Detailsoftravel-relatedissuesarecoveredonpages25-26 ofthisGuide.
AdviserYourOPT mustbesenttotheUSCISnolaterthan30daysafterthedateof1-20issuance.IfyourI-20ismorethan30daysold,seeanAdviserinBIOforinstructions.
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
1. Gathertherequiredmaterials
2. CompletetheformI-765,ApplicationforEmploymentAuthorization
3. MailyourapplicationpackagetotheUSCISServiceCenter
Step 2
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
Photocopyeachdocumentforyourownrecords.
UseapersonalcheckormoneyordermadepayabletoU.S.
DepartmentofHomelandSecurity
Makesurethereisanameandaddressprintedonthecheck(donotusethetemporarychecks
oftenissuedbythebankwhenyouopenanewaccount).
MakesureallyourI-20saresignedbeforecopyingthem.
Keeptheoriginalsforyourrecords.
Optional.WerecommendyouincludetheseespeciallyifyouhaveusedCurricularPracticalTraining(CPT).
OPTphotosneedtobeacertainsize.SeePage19ofthisGuide.
Writeyournameand
I-94numberonthebackofeachphotoincasetheygetseparatedfromyourapplication.
Pages15-18ofthisGuidewillgiveyouinstructionsonhowtodownloadandcompletethisform.
Thissmall,whitecardisusuallystapledintoyourpassport.
IncludeacopyofbothsidesoftheI-94,eventhoughthebackside
maybeblank.
Yourpassportbiographicalinformationpage
F-1visastamporcopiesofthefrontandbackofpast
EADcards.
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
TheI-765istheUSCISformyouneedtosubmitwithyourOPTapplication.AsampleI-765formisshownhere.
DownloadtheI-765formcanbedownloadedfromtheUSCISwebsite.
Youmustalwaysusethemostcurrentversionof
theI-765.ItisbesttodownloadtheI-765rightbeforeyoumailyourapplicationsincetheUSCISupdatestheirformsfrequently.
CompletingtheI-765forOPTisasimpletask,butafewitemscanbeconfusing.Thenexttwopageswillcoverhowtocompletethosetrickyquestionssothatyoucanavoid
anydelaysinreceivingyourworkauthorization.
T
BESURETHEBARCODEHASPRINTEDATTHEBOTTOMOFTHEFORMI-765.Ifithasnotprinted,youneedto theformand
toprinttheI-765withthebarcode.USICShascreatedthisformtobecompatiblewith AdobeAcrobatReader(The'Preview'applicationontheMacintoshwillNOTprintthisbarcodeproperly).
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=7d316c0b4c3bf110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRDhttp://www.adobe.com/products/reader/http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=7d316c0b4c3bf110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
PleasenotethetableatthetopoftheformwhereitsaysDonotwriteinthisblock.YoudonotneedtocompletethatareasinceitisreservedfortheUSCIS
useonly.
ChecktheboxindicatingthatyouarerequestingPermissiontoacceptemployment.
Togetaclose-upviewofitems3-11clickyourmouse.now.
TheaddressyouputhereiswheretheEADwillbemailed.Thisaddressneedstobevalidforatleast3months,thelengthoftimeitmaytaketoprocessyourOPTapplication.Ifyouthinkyoumightmoveinthemonthsafteryoumailyourapplication,useareliablefriendorfamilymembersaddresstoreceiveyourEAD.
(Clickyourmouseagaintoseehowtocomplete#3ifyouareusinganalternativeaddress.C/Omeansincareof)
TheaddressyouputheremustalsobeinCalifornia.Ifyouaremovingoutofstate,talktoanAdviserinBerkeleyInternationalOfficeabouthowtosubmitthisapplicationoutsideofCalifornia.TheBerkeleyInternationalOfficehasdirectcontactwiththeCaliforniaServiceCenterbutcannotcontactothercentersdirectly.
IfyouhaveneverworkedintheU.S.,youmaynotyethaveaSSN.Ifthisisthecase,youcanleavethisspaceblank.YouwillbeabletoapplyforyourSSNwhenyougettheEAD.
Onthisitem,youwilluseyourcurrentI-94number.Thisisan11-digitnumberfoundonthetopleftcornerofyourI-94card(seesampleonpage19).AsanF-1,youwillnothaveanAlienRegistrationNumber.
CheckyesifyouhaveeverreceivedanEAD.Fillinthenexttwolines(atthetop
oftherightcolumnshownonnextpage)withtheinformationrelatedtothatpreviousworkpermit.AphotocopyofthatEADmustbeincludedwithyourapplicationpackage.(Ifyouhavelostit,writelostEADinthisspace).
IfyouhaveneverhadanEAD,checkthenoboxhere.Ifyouhaveworkedon
campusorhaveusedCPT,youwillstillchecknohere.
C/O John Smith, 2299 Piedmont Ave. , #8
Berkeley, CA 94720
7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
ThisisthedateofyourmostrecententryintotheU.S.ThisentrydatecanbefoundstampedonyourI-94card.
ThisisthenameofthecitywhereyoulandedintheU.S.ThisinformationisalsoontheI-94(usuallyasacodelikeSFRforSanFrancisco).IfyoudroveacrossfromCanadaorMexico,writethenameandthecitywhereyouenteredintheblank.
ThisisthestatusyouhaduponenteringtheU.S.Forexample,youmayhaveinitiallyenteredwithanH-1Bworkvisa
YourcurrentstatusshouldbeF-1student.Ifnot,talktoanAdviserinBerkeleyInternationalOfficeimmediately.
UsethefollowingcodesdependingonthetypeofOPTyouarerequesting:
Pre-CompletionOPT
PostCompletionOPT(seesamplehere)
Pleasenote:thecode(c)(3)(C)shouldonlybeusedfor17-monthSTEMExtensionsofOPTforeligiblestudents.YoucanapplyfortheSTEMExtensiononlyafteryour12-monthOPTEADhasbeenissued.
Onlythoseindividualswhoareeligibleforthe17-monthextensionneedtocompletethissection.Ifyouentered (c)(3)(A)or(c)(3)(B)onitem#16,youarenotrequiredtofilloutthisitem.
C 3 B
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
Signyourname,fillinyourtelephonenumberandthedateof
yoursignatureatthebottomoftheform.
**Pleasenotethatyoursignaturemustfitbetweenthelinesontheform.Ifyoursignatureistoobig,yourapplicationwillbereturnedtoyouanddelayyourworkpermission.Beconservativeanduseasignaturesmallerthanyournormalhandwriting.
We strongly advise you to see an adviser at BerkeleyInternational Office if you receive an RFE. In most cases,the USCIS will not call you at the telephone number you puton the I-765. If there is a problem with your application, theywill send you a notice by mail called the Request for
Evidence (RFE). An RFE does not mean that your
application has been rejected. It simply means that you needto send in additional documents before your EAD can beissued. Please note the deadline to respond to the RFE. If
you fail to meet this deadline, your application will beautomatically canceled.
Getting an RFE will delay the processing of your applicationfor OPT usually by about one month. For this reason, it isimportant to make sure that you have completed the I-765correctly and sent the proper documents to the USCIS.
Your Signature
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
ThephotosyouarerequiredtousefortheOPTapplicationmustmeetthe
specificationsofU.S.stylepassportphotos.Toseeafulldescriptionofthesespecifications,gotothe U.S.DepartmentofStatewebsite.
Mostplacesthattakepassportphotosarealreadyfamiliarwiththespecifications.However,youmaywanttoprintthispage,orthepagesfromthewebsiteabovetotakewithyouwhenyougetyourphototaken.
Thephotosshouldbeprintedonthinphoto-qualitypaper.
Yes,thephotosmustbeincolor.
Thephotosmustmeasureexactly2inchesby2inches.
Unlessworndailyforreligiousreasons,allhatsorheadgearshouldberemovedforthephoto.Inallcases,noitemorattireshouldcoverorotherwiseobscureanypartoftheface.
Eyeglasseswornonadailybasiscanbewornforthephoto.However,thereshouldbenoreflectionsfromtheeyeglassesthatobscurestheeyes.Darkglassesornonprescriptionglasseswithtintedlensesarenotacceptableunlessyouneedthemformedicalreasons.
1.Yourphotoshouldshowyourfullface,frontview,eyesopen.
2.Makesurethephotoshowsyourfullheadfromtopofhairtobottomofchin;heightofheadshouldmeasure1inchto1-3/8inches(25mmto35mm).
3.Yourheadshouldbecenteredwithintheframe
4.Makesureeyeheightisbetween1-1/8inchesto1-3/8inches(28mmand35mm)frombottomofphoto
5.Thebackgroundshouldbeplainwhiteoroff-white.
6.Thereshouldbenodistractingshadowsonthefaceorinthebackground
7.Makesureyouhaveanaturalexpression
1
inch
to
13
/8
1inchto13/8
WriteyournameandI-94numberlightlyonthebackofeachphotoincasetheygetseparatedfromyourapplication.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/guide_2081.htmlhttp://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/guide_2081.html7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
WerecommendFederalExpressasthebest,mostreliableoption
Ifyouuseexpressmail,usetheexpressmail(courier)addressattheUSCIS,whichisdifferentfromtheregularmailaddress(seenextpage).FederalExpressmailservicecostsabout$10.
CertifiedMail/returnreceiptserviceisavailablethrough
theU.S.PostalService.Youcanrequestthisserviceatthepostofficeandpayaminimalfee(approx.$2).Withcertifiedmail,youwillgetareceiptshowingwhatdatetheUSCISgotyourapplication.
AsampleoftheCertifiedMailformandreceiptisshownhere.
Insomecases,itmaytakeupto10daysforyourapplicationsentthroughtheU.S.PostalServicetobe
officiallyreceived.
Currently,itisnotpossibletoE-FileOPTapplications.
JoeKwon
123MainStreet
Berkeley,CA94720
Th U i it f
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
California at Berkeley
Putthefollowingitemsinan8.5x11envelopeand
mailthemtooneoftheUSCISaddressnotedhere.
Checkfor madepayableto:U.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurity.SeethislinkforUSCIScheckwritinginstructions:ttp://www.uscis.gov/files/article/Check_Instructions.pdf
FormI-765(original)
PhotocopyofOPTI-20 (page1-3).Dontforgettosignit!
PhotocopyofI-94card (bothsides)
PhotocopyofpreviousEAD,ifapplicable
PhotocopyofyourpassportbiographicalpageandF-1visastamp (ifyouhaveone)
2PassportPhotos (withnameandI-94#written lightlywithpencilonback)
USCISPO Box 21281Phoenix, AZ 85036
forpeoplewholiveinCalifornia
::
USCISAttn: AOS1820 E. Skyharbor Circle SSuite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Application Deadline
The USCIS must receive your application no laterthan 30 days after your OPT I-20 has beenissued.The issue date is located next to theAdvisers signature on Page 1 of the OPT I-120.Please account for mailing time.
IfyourreturnaddressisnotinCalifornia,discussthiswithanAdviseratBerkeleyInternationalOffice.
oreceiveane-mailand/oratextmessagethatyourapplicationhasbeenacceptedatUSCIS,completeFormG-1145,E-NotificationofApplication/PetitionAcceptanceandclipittothefirstpageofyourapplication.
Th U i i f
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/Check_Instructions.pdfhttp://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d9056d4e88ac3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDhttp://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d9056d4e88ac3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDhttp://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d9056d4e88ac3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDhttp://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d9056d4e88ac3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDhttp://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d9056d4e88ac3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDhttp://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d9056d4e88ac3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRDhttp://www.uscis.gov/files/article/Check_Instructions.pdf7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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Step 3
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ThisisyourOPTapplicationreceiptfromUSCIS.Itnormallytakesabout2to6weekstogetitinthemail.
TheNoticeofActionisaveryimportantdocument.YouwillneedittoinquireaboutthestatusofyourOPTapplicationandfortraveloutsidetheU.S.Ifyoulosethereceipt,thereisnowaytoreplaceit.
Clickyourmousetozoomin
VerifytheaddressonyourI-765receiptnoticestomakesureyournameandaddressarecorrect.Ifitisincorrect,contactusimmediately.
ThisisyourcasenumberattheUSCIS.YoushouldcheckthestatusofyourcaseonlinethroughtheUSCISwebsiteathttps://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do.
Itsimportanttosignupforautomaticemailupdatesor
checkthestatusregularly.IftheServiceCentersendsyouaRequestforFurtherEvidence(RFE),youllseethe
notificationonthiswebsiteandlookforitinthemail.Thecasestatussitewillalertyouifthereisanymaildeliveryproblems.
IfyoudonotgetyourNoticeofActionwithin6weeksafter
mailingyourapplicationtotheUSCIS,contactanAdviserinBerkeleyInternationalOfficeforinstructions
ThisisthedatewhentheUSCISbeginsprocessingyourapplication.Itmaynotbetheactualdatetheyreceivedyourapplicationbutitiswhenyourcasewasenteredintothesystem.
ThisisthedateyourNoticeofActionwasproduced.
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Berkeley International OfficeThe University of
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Avalidpassport
AvalidF-1visastamp
YourOPTI-20withavalidtravelendorsementsignedonpage3byanAdviseratBerkeleyInternationalOffice
Evidenceofcontinuedenrollment(e.g.print-
outfromBearFacts) Evidenceoffinancialsupport
Avalidpassport
AvalidF-1visastamp
YourOPTI-20withavalidtravelendorsementsignedonpage3byanAdviseratBerkeleyInternationalOffice.Thetravelendorsementisvalidfor6monthswhileonOPT
TheEAD(EmploymentAuthorizationDocument)
EvidenceoffinancialsupportfortheOPTperiodisstronglyrecommended(suchasabankstatementorletterfromsponsororemployer)
Ajobofferletterisrequired.
Avalidpassport
AvalidF-1visastamp
YourOPTI-20withavalidtravelendorsementsignedonpage3byanAdviseratBerkeleyInternationalOffice.Thetravelendorsementisvalidfor6monthswhileonOPT
TheOPTreceipt-NoticeofAction
EvidenceoffinancialsupportfortheOPTperiodisstronglyrecommended(suchasabankstatementorletterfromsponsororemployer)
Ifyouhaveemployment,ajobofferletterfromtheemployerisstronglyrecommended.
SinceyouwillremaininF-1statusduringyour12-monthOPTauthorizationperiod,travelingabroadandre-enteringtheU.S.asanF-1isallowed(Infact,ifyoure-enterinastatusotherthanF-1,youwillloseyourOPTeligibility).However,beawarethatanytimeyouleavetheU.S.,thereisnoguaranteethatyou
willbeallowedtore-enter.Beingdeniedentryismoreprobableforsomepeoplethanothers,althoughingeneral,UCBerkeleystudentshavenotreportedproblems.Toavoidproblems,makesureyouhavetheproperdocumentsaslistedhere.
Thetraveldocumentsyouwillneeddependonthetimingofyourre-entrytotheU.S.:
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TipsforTravelers
BepreparedtotelltheU.S.immigration
officerattheU.S.port-of-entryyourplansfortheOPTyear.Theymaywanttoknow:
-Whathaveyoudonetofindajob?
-Whatkindofjobdoyouplantolookfor?
-WhatwillyoudoaftertheOPTisexpired?
-Howwillyousupportyourselfwhileyouarejob- seeking?
IfyoutravelaftergettingyourEAD,youmusthaveajobofferlettertobeableto
re-entertheU.S.
DontleavetheU.S.forlongperiodsoftimeduringtheOPTyear.Afewweeksofvacationisreasonable,butifyouaregoneforseveralmonths,youmayencounterdifficultyinre-entering.Remember,unemploymentislimitedto90days.
Becarefulabouttryingtore-entertheU.S.closetotheexpirationdateofyour
OPT.Youmaynotbeallowedtore-enterasanF-1.
StudentswhoneedtoapplyforanewvisashouldconsultBerkeleyInternationalOfficepriortotraveltodiscussthevisaapplicationprocessandpossiblerisks.
Dontattempttore-entertheU.S.inastatusotherthanF-1unlessyouarewillingtoforfeityourOPTpermanently.
IfyouaretravelingabroadandtheF-1visainyourpassporthasexpired,youmustobtainanewonebeforere-enteringtheU.S.ToapplyforanewvisaduringOPT,thebasicdocumentsyouwillneedare:
1)Avalidpassport
2)AvalidI-20withtravelendorsementfromBerkeleyInternationalOfficewithinthepastsixmonths
3)TheEAD
4)Ajobofferinyourfieldofstudy
5)Evidenceofsufficientfunds(e.g.abankstatement,aletterfromasponsororajobofferletter)
Applying for a Visa
ChecktheU.S.DepartmentofStatewebsiteformoreinformationaboutgettingavisaatwww.travel.state.gov.
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What counts as employment?Immigrationhasprovidedmanyoptionstosatisfytheemploymentrequirementincludingpaid,unpaid,
andvolunteerworkrelatedtoyourfieldofstudy.PleaseseetheBerkeleyInternationalOfficewebsites QualifyingOPTEmploymentsiteformoreinformation.
Is there a minimum number of hours I need to work?ThereisnominimumforstudentsonPre-CompletionOPT.AllstudentsonPost-CompletionOPT,whethertheyhavecompletedtheirdegreeornot,arerequiredtoworkatleast20hoursperweek.Studentswhodonotworkanaverageof20hoursperweekarenotmeetingtheemploymentrequirement.
I have been unemployed for 80 days. What is going to
happen on the 90th
day?Ifyouaccumulate90daysormoreofunemployment,youareinviolationofstatuswhichmayaffectyourabilitytotravelinandoutoftheUSinF-1status,futureimmigrationbenefits,andchangeofstatusapplications.
Toavoidthestatusviolation,youmaydooneofthefollowingbeforethe90thday:
1.Secureunpaidorvolunteerworkrelatedtoyourfieldofstudyatleast20hoursperweek;2.RequestatransferoutofyourI-20toanewschool;3.LeavetheUSandreportyourdeparturedateathttp://ssu.berkeley.edu
Formoreinformationonthe90dayunemploymentrule,pleaseseeOPTUnemploymentAllowances ontheBerkeleyInternationalOfficewebsite.
Do I need a Social Security Number to work in the US?Yes.If
youplantoworkintheU.S.youwillneedavalidSocialSecurityNumber(SSN).Toapply,pleaseobtaininstructionsanddirectionstotheSocialSecurityOfficefromBerkeleyInternationalOffice.TheSocialSecurityAdministrationwillprocessyourapplicationandmailyourSocialSecuritynumbertoyou.
Do I need to complete any forms with my employer to beginworking?Yes.WithinthefirstthreedaysofbeginningworkyouandyouremployermustcompleteaformentitledEmploymentEligibilityVerification(FormI-9).Thisformwillbekeptonfilebyyouremployerandmustbeupdatedeachtimeyoureceivearenewalofyourworkpermission.Youremployerwillprovidethisformandassistyouinitscompletion.
Can I change employers while on OPT?Yes.OPTworkauthorizationisnotjob-specific.Therefore,youmaychangeemployers,orhavemultipleemployersatthesametime,providedthateachpositionisdirectlyrelatedtoyourmajorfieldofstudyandcommensuratewithyoureducationallevel.YouwillneedtoupdatetheemployerinformationwithBerkeleyInternationalOfficewithin10daysofthechangeathttp://ssu.berkeley.edu/
Do I pay taxes while working on OPT?StudentsinF-1statusaresubjecttoallfederal,stateandlocaltaxesthatmayapply.ChecktheIRS
website,www.irs.govfortaxinformationandtoseeifyourcountryisoneofthefewthathasataxtreatywiththeUSallowingstudentstoexcludea
limitedamountofearnedincomefromfederaltaxation.
Ingeneral,however,F-1studentswhohavebeenpresentintheUSfornomorethanfivecalendaryearsareexemptfromSocialSecurity(FICA)andMedicaretaxes.Besuretobringthistotheattentionofyouremployer,asmanyemployersareunfamiliarwiththisprovisionofthetaxlaws.Seepublication519availablefordownloadfromtheIRSwebsitewww.irs.govforinformationonhowtoclaimsalaryincorrectlydeductedforFICAorMedicare.
The University of
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_employment_types.phphttps://berkeleyinternationaloffice.berkeley.edu/StudentSevisUpdates/Login.asphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_unemployment.phphttp://ssu.berkeley.edu/http://ssu.berkeley.edu/http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_unemployment.phphttps://berkeleyinternationaloffice.berkeley.edu/StudentSevisUpdates/Login.asphttp://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Practical_Training/OPT_employment_types.php7/31/2019 OPT FAQ And Tutorial
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What if I am not able to complete my degree program bythe completion dated noted on the OPT I-20?Ifyourapplicationhasnotbeenadjudicated,youcanwithdrawyourOPTandrequestaprogramextensionofyourI-20.Yourfeewillnotberefundedifyouare:
YoumustextendyourI-20enddateifyoustillhavecourseworktocomplete.YourOPTwillbelimitedtoparttimeduringthesemesteruntilyoufinishyourdegree.Youarestillheldtothe90dayunemploymentrule.SeeanAdviseratBerkeleyInternationalOfficebeforethatcompletiondatehaspassed.
Graduatestudentsfinishingtheir
dissertationorthesiscannotchangetheirprogramenddate.Theyareeligibletoworkfulltimebeforefilingandareheldtothe90dayunemploymentrule.Itisimportantthatthestudentfinish
theirdegreebeforetheirOPTends.
What status do I have between my degree completiondate and the start of my OPT (EAD start date)?Ifyouhavechosenastartdatewellafteryourdegreecompletiondate,youwillstillremaininF-1status.Eventhoughthereseemstobeagapinyourstatus,youarestilllegallyallowedtoremainintheU.S.orre-entertheU.S.fromabroadduringthistime.
Can I go to school while on OPT?TimespentgoingtoschoolshouldonlybeanincidentalpartofyourstayintheU.S.Ifyoudecidetogobacktoschoolfull-time,youmustgetanewI-20fromtheschoolandforfeittheremainderofyourOPTtime.SeeanAdviseratBerkeleyInternationalOfficeoratyournewschoolifyouareconsideringthisoption.
Do I need to do anything with the Berkeley InternationalOffice while on OPT? Yes.AsaconditionofyourF-1status,all
studentsmustreportanychangesinaddressandemploymentinformationonthefollowingwebsitewithin10daysofanychanges:http://ssu.berkeley.edu/
Can I start working without pay while waiting for my EAD?Thisisgenerallynotagoodidea.TheUSCISmayseeitasemploymentwithoutauthorizationandisariskysituationforyou
andyouremployer.
Does my visa need to be valid while on OPT?Yourvisaonlyneedstobevalidtore-entertheU.S.fromabroad.Thus,ifitexpireswhileyouarestillintheU.S.,thereisnoproblem.YourF-1
immigrationstatusremainsvalidaslongasyouhaveanEADthathasnotexpired.
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Your Name
Your Residential address
Your Phone and email address
Employer name
Employer address
Start Date of Employment
More than 10 days of unemployment (During the initial 12-month OPT, students may not accrue a cumulative total of
more than 90 days of unemployment. Periods of up to 10 days between the end of one job and the beginning of the
next job will not be included in the calculation for the time spent unemployed.)
Date of exiting the U.S (You need to provide date of exit if you decide to exit the U.S and complete your OPT status
prior to the end date of your OPT)
You will also be required to update this information within 10 working days of any changes.
Reporting Requirements on OPTThe following information must be reported to Berkeley International Office at http://ssu.berkeley.edu during the OPTperiod of authorization:
http://ssu.berkeley.edu/http://ssu.berkeley.edu/http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/Current/f1_opt.php