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OPTIONAL PRACTICAL
TRAINING(OPT)
OVERVIEWOffice of International Student
& Scholar Services
Northwestern University
FIRST UPCONSULTANTS
OUTLINE
• What is OPT?
• When to apply for OPT
• How to apply for OPT
• How to maintain F-1 status during OPT
• Travel during OPT
• After OPT
• Questions?
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What is OPT?
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WHAT IS OPT?
• OPT (Optional Practical Training) is an
extension of your F-1 status
• OPT gives you 12 months of work
authorization after graduation
• No “OPT visa”- part of F-1 status
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WHAT IS OPT?
• Learn more about OPT on our website!
• northwestern.edu/international/living-working/studentemployment/index.html
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When to apply for OPT
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WHEN TO APPLY FOR OPT• Plan ahead! OPT takes 1 week to process at OISS, but
4 months to process at USCIS
• Determine your final quarter of enrolment at NU• This will be your program end date, as listed on your I-20
• Graduating early? We will shorten your I-20 end date
• 100 days before your I-20 end date: earliest date to apply for OPT with OISS
• 90 days before your I-20 end date: earliest date USCIS can receive your OPT application
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CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE
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CHOOSING AN OPT START DATEConsiderations:
• You do not need a job (offer) to apply for OPT!
• Once you choose an OPT start date, it can’t be changed
• Still job searching? Choose a later start date
• Traveling? Consider your travel plans
• Applying late? Choose a later start date
Not sure?
Ask your OISS advisor/visit us during walk-in hours
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CHOOSING AN OPT START DATE
For PhD students:
• You can apply for OPT before officially graduating (before defense and deposit)
• You must complete your PhD requirements before the end of the OPT period
• Once you apply for OPT, you cannot apply for an I-20 extension
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TRAVEL WHILE OPT IS PENDING
Always re-enter in F-1 status!!!
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How to apply for OPT
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT
1. Submit OPT request via OISS Terra Dotta portal
oissportal.northwestern.edu
Sign in with your NetID
Current students → OPT → Request (year) →Follow instructions and complete all sections
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPToissportal.northwestern.edu
Complete all sections, then select SUBMIT
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT
2. OPT request is sent to your academic advisor*
3. Academic advisor* certifies:
a. You have completed all of your course requirements
b. You are going to graduate in the term you have indicated
c. You are in good academic standing (no academic probation)
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT*Who is my academic advisor?
a. Graduate students: program director or PI
b. Undergraduates: Advisor from your major, minor or certificate program
c. WCAS students: Advisor who an verify the above (major or minor), not Weinberg advisor.
d. “Academic advisor” is defined as a person associated with an academic college that has advisory responsibilities and can verify your course enrolment & academic plan or degree audit.
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT
4. OISS International Student Advisor processes OPT authorization & creates new OPT I-20s (2x)
This process takes 1 week
While this is happening…
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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS5. Collect all of your required OPT documents
-Form G-1145 (download directly from uscis.gov)
-Form I-765 (download directly from uscis.gov)
• This form is 7 pages long
• Please follow the sample on our website carefully
• Traveling or moving? Use the OISS address as your mailing address (we’re not moving)
-Copy of your first Northwestern I-20
-Copy of all CPT I-20s (from NU or other universities)
-Copy of all previous OPT I-20s + EAD cards (if applicable)
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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS-Copy of your passport bio page
-Copy of F-1 visa stamp (expired is OK)
-I-94 record printout (retrieve yours at cbp.gov/i94)
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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS-Payment to USCIS
• Current fee: $410 (verify on uscis.gov)
• Payable by check or money order to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Check MUST have name + US address (outdated address is OK)
• No checks?• DO NOT use your friend’s checks!
• Visit your bank or the post office to get a cashier’s check or money order
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OPT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS-2 US passport photos
Photos cannot match your passport or visa stamp photos
Photos must be less than 6 months old
Please do not take your own photos!
Get new photos taken at CVS or Walgreens
Write your name and I-94 number on the back
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT
6. Pick up new I-20s + meet with an OISS Advisor
-Bring all of your OPT documents to the OISS
-Pick up OPT I-20 packet
-Review all of your OPT documents with an OISS Advisor
-Sign your new OPT I-20s on page 1
Walk-in hours
Evanston: Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm
Chicago: Wednesday only 9 am-1 pm, 2-4 pm
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT
7. Mail your application to USCIS as soon as possible
-Plan to go to UPS/Fedex/USPS the same day you receive your new OPT I-20s!
-USCIS must receive your application within 15 days of your OISS Advisor’s signature (find this date on p.1 of your OPT I-20)
-Your OPT application must be mailed from within the US
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HOW TO APPLY FOR OPT8. Wait…
2-3 weeks:
Receive Receipt Notice (I-797C) and/or G-1145 email
These confirmations will provide you a tracking number
Track your application at uscis.gov
4 months:
EAD arrives!
Photocopy/take photos of both sides! Do not lose it!
You must wait to start working until you receive your EAD card AND the start date on your EAD card happens
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How to maintain F-1 status during OPT
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APPROPRIATE EMPLOYMENT• Must be 20+ hours/week
• Must be directly related to your field of study at NU
• Can be paid or unpaid (including internships)
• Can be work for multiple employers
• Can be contract work or through an agency
• Can be self-employed
It is your responsibility to keep accurate records of all employment, paid or unpaid
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SEVP OPT PORTAL• Once your OPT is approved, SEVP will email you a link to activate
your SEVP Portal account
• If you do not receive this email from SEVP, please contact your OISS Advisor directly
• Link expired or account locked? Contact your OISS Advisor directly
REQUIRED:
• Update your US address within 10 days of moving
• Update your US employment information
• within 10 days of starting/stopping a job
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90 DAYS OF UNEMPLOYMENT (90/12)
• You can accrue up to 90 days of unemployment during your 12 months of OPT (the 90 days are cumulative)
• You do not have to use all 90 days, or use all 90 days at one time
• The 90 day clock starts on your 1st day of OPT (EAD start date)
If you reach 90 days, you must leave the U.S.
+ report this via the SEVP OPT Portal
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Travel during OPT
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TRAVEL SIGNATURES
• During OPT, travel signatures are only valid for 6 months
• Need a new travel signature? Email your OISS Advisor
• We will mail you a new I-20 with a new travel signature
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TRAVEL WITH APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS
• EAD card
• I-20 with valid travel signature
• Valid F-1 visa stamp or plans to renew yours
• Passport (valid 6+ months into the future)
• Job offer letter (suggested; not required)
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RENEWING F-1 VISA STAMPS DURING OPT
• Possible; always a risk of delay or denial
• Travel with a copy of your NU transcript, status verification letter (request in OISS Portal) and job offer letter
• Talk to your supervisor! Tell them you are traveling for your visa renewal and there is a possibility of delay
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After OPT
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AFTER YOUR OPT END DATE
• 60 day grace period to either remain/travel in the US
• Or transfer to another US university
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CONTINUING TO WORK IN THE US
OPT STEM Extension
• 24 more months of OPT!
• STEM majors only + E-Verify employer required
• Apply in the OISS Portal
H-1B + visa + other options = employer specific
• An employer must sponsor your H-1B visa
• Talk to current/potential employers for more info
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FINDING A JOB/INTERNSHIPContact your career advisor:
• All students: Northwestern Career Advancement (based on your school)
• McCormick students: Engineering Career Development
• Medill students: Medill Career Services
• Communication students: EPICS
+ Attend networking events, career fairs, company presentations, connect with alumni via Our Northwesternand social media and talk to your professors!
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QUESTIONS?
• Please ask your OISS advisor any OPT questions
• Google/Yahoo/Baidu/WeChat is full of INCORRECT information, so please ask us instead!
• Please do not ask your friends (they may also give you incorrect information)!
• We are here to help you through the OPT process!
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CONTACT USwww.northwestern.edu/international
630 Dartmouth Place
Advising hours: Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm (Evanston)
Wednesday 9 am-1 pm, 2-4 pm (Chicago) (no appointment needed)
oissportal.northwestern.edu
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CONTACT US
Email your advisor!
A-B: [email protected]
C-J: [email protected]
K-N: [email protected]
O-W: [email protected]
X-Z: [email protected]
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Questions?
