Post-Completion

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Online Session for Students in F-1 Status

International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI)
405 Ell Hall
Northeastern University
617-373-2310
www.northeastern.edu/issi
Topics Covered
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Defined (P3)
Eligibility Requirements (P4)
Deadlines and Timelines (P 5-6)
ISSI Checklist (P7)
How to Complete and Submit Required Forms (P 8-15)
Reporting Requirements (P 22)
Travel Abroad and OPT (P 23)
STEM Extensions (P 26)
H-1B and Cap-Gap (P 27-28)
Electronic Signature (P 29)
Contact Information (P 30)







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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of F-1
status. It is 12 months of employment authorization granted by U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to F-1 students for the
purpose of gaining practical experience directly related to their
program of study. The ISSI recommends OPT. You will then apply to
USCIS for work authorization.
Pre-completion OPT (Pre-OPT) takes place during your program of
study
Post-completion OPT takes place after your program completion
date*
*Program completion date is defined as the end of your program of
study (not necessarily the date of your graduation ceremony).
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Post-OPT Eligibility & Requirements
Students must have:
Maintained valid F-1 student status
Studied full-time for at least 1 academic year
Completed fewer than 52 weeks of full-time Curricular Practical
Training (Co-op, Internship)

Additionally:
Only one Post-OPT application is allowed per each academic
degree level.
Students are eligible to apply for 12 months of OPT authorization
upon completion of each higher degree level.
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Deadlines & Timeframes
OPT requires ISSI recommendation and USCIS authorization.

Students are eligible to apply for OPT:
90 days before the program completion date
60 days after the program completion date; USCIS must receive the
application within 60 days of the program completion date

Processing time
Once a complete OPT application packet has been submitted to ISSI, the
OPT recommendation takes approximately 10 business days
USCIS authorization takes approximately 2 - 3 months
USCIS will not expedite OPT requests before the 90 day processing time has
elapsed
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OPT Application Timeline
90 days
Possible OPT request
start dates (60 days)
60 day grace
period
OPT employment of 12 months
Program Completion Date
Begin application process
Last day for USCIS to receive your
OPT application!
End of 12 month OPT
Last authorized OPT work date
(based on EAD Card)
Potential OPT Start Date
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Requirements for ISSI OPT
Recommendation
Submit all of the following to the ISSI:
1. ISSI Form 133
2. ISSI Form 210
3. $200 administrative fee paid through your myNEU account
4. Copy of passport identity page
5. I-94 (If you do not have I-94 number or copy you can find it on this
website-i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94)
6. Proof of electronic signature(OPT online seminarpage 29)






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1. ISSI Form 133: Certification of
Program Completion
To be completed
by academic
advisor
Signature of
academic advisor
(all students)
Signature of Dean
or SEVIS contact
(graduate & all CPS
students only)
Student Signature
To be
completed
by student
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2. ISSI Form 210: Request for OPT I-20
See next slide for complete dates
& window of OPT request dates
USCIS allows you to request your
OPT start date

You can request your OPT to
begin 1 day after your program
completion date or as late as 60
days after completion of study
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2014-2015 Term End Dates - Possible
OPT Start Dates that May Be Requested
CPS Undergraduate Graduate
Summer Quarter 2014 ends 8/23/14
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 08/24/14 10/22/14

Fall Quarter 2014 ends 12/06/14
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 12/7/14 2/4/15

Winter Quarter 2015 ends: 3/28/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 3/29/15 5/27/15

Spring Quarter 2015 ends: 6/27/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 6/28/15 8/26/15

Summer Quarter 2015 ends: 8/29/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 8/30/15 10/28/15
Summer II 2014 ends: 8/19/14
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 8/20/14 10/18/14

Fall 2014 ends: 12/12/14
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 12/13/14 2/10/15

Spring 2015 ends: 5/8/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 5/9/15 7/7/15

Summer I 2015 ends: 6/30/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 7/1/2015 8/29/15

Summer II 2015 ends: 8/25/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 8/26/15 10/24/15


Summer II 2014 ends: 8/23/14
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 8/24/14 10/22/14

Fall 2014 ends: 12/13/14
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 12/14/14 2/11/15

Spring 2015 ends: 5/8/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 5/9/15 7/7/15

Summer I 2015 ends: 7/2/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 7/3/15 8/31/15

Summer II 2015 ends: 8/29/15
Possible OPT start dates that may be
requested: 8/30/15 10/28/15


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3. Form G-1145: E Notification of
Application/Petition Acceptance
To be completed by student.
Once OPT application is received by
USCIS lockbox, student will receive
electronic notification of receipt.
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4. Form I-765: Application for
Employment Authorization
Section 11: Select Yes if you have received a
work authorization card before. Select NO
in all other cases.
Do not complete
Section 16: Students must
enter code (c) (3) (B) for
post - OPT
Student signature, phone number and
date here
If Yes in Section 11,
complete this part of
the form. Indicate
appropriate service
center (Vermont,
Nebraska, Texas,
California) Look at your
EAD card for dates.
If NO in section 11
indicate N/A.
Section 3: Address should be valid for 3
months. If using an address other than your
own make sure to include your name on the
mail box and use c/o friends name, address.

c 3 B
Section 17: Indicate N/A
on all 3 lines
Jane Doe 617-xxx-xxxx 10/04/2012
X
If this is your first application for OPT at this
academic level check here
Section 1: Name as it appears on passport/I-20
Section 2:If no other name
mention as NONE
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OPT Application Drop Off Times
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
11:00 am
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
11:00 am
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
11:00 am
1:00 pm

OPT application must be submitted to the ISSI during one of the drop off
sessions indicated below:
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Requirements for USCIS Processing
The following must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of OPT
recommendation (if submitted after 30 days, OPT will be denied)
1. G-1145 (original) optional
2. I-765 (original)
3. Copy of new I-20 with OPT
recommendation on page 3
4. Copies of all previous I-20s (pages 1
and 3)
5. Copy of identity pages in your
passport including all correction and
extension pages
6. Copy of most current F-1 student
visa stamp or change of status
approval notice
7. Copy of I-94 card (front and back) OR
electronic printout*
*For electronic printout, go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/.






8. Copy of the front and back of
previous EAD card (if applicable)
9. Check, money order or bank check
for $380 made payable to the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security
10. Two passport photos with white
background (lightly print your name
and SEVIS ID# on back of each
photo)





Also include a copy of the most recent port-of-entry stamp in passport.

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Send your OPT application to the
applicable USCIS address
When mailing
through USPS,
request certified
return receipt
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Fed Ex or UPS
If you are using a mailing address in: Send your application to:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii,
Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada,
Phoenix, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota,
Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, or
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
USCIS Phoenix Lockbox
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
P.O. BOX 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036
For Express mail and courier service deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas,
Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands or West Virginia
USCIS Dallas Lockbox
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
P.O. BOX 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
For Express mail and courier service deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121
Business Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

Important!
USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of the OPT
recommendation by the ISSI

If your application is not received by USCIS within 30 days, your OPT
request will be denied

Remember to sign and date your new OPT I-20 and all previous I-20s
if you have not already done so.

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Employment Authorization Document
You should receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in 2
to 3 months

If you have not received your EAD card after 90 days, call USCIS Customer
Service at 1-800-375-5283 and submit a service request to expedite

You may not work until you receive your EAD card and you may only
work within the dates specified on your EAD

As soon as you receive your EAD card, check the card for errors. Contact
USCIS Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283 to rectify any mistakes
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90 Day Rule of Unemployment
While on OPT, you are allowed to accrue 90 days of unemployment

The 90 days of unemployment are cumulative

Students are considered out of status once they accumulate more than
90 days of unemployment

It is the responsibility of the student to track days of unemployment

ISSI advises students to keep a personal record of all OPT activity

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Invalidating OPT
Your OPT will be cancelled or invalidated if you:
start a new program of study
transfer to a new school
change your status
enter the U.S. using any visa other than F-1
violate your F-1 non-immigration status
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OPT Employment
All employment must be within the students field of study and appropriate
to their degree level
Begin OPT Employment only after the EAD card has been received.
Students may work only within the dates indicated on the EAD card.
Working before or after these dates is prohibited.
Types of employment allowed for OPT:
1. Multiple employers: A student may work for more than one employer, but
all employment must be related to the students degree program.
2. Work for hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment,
where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship
rather than an employment relationship. If requested by DHS, the student
must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract
period and the name and address of the contracting company.
3. Self-employed business owner: A student on OPT may start a business and
be self-employed. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the
proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the
students degree program.

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OPT Employment Continued
4.Employment through an agency or consulting firm: A student on
post-completion OPT must be able to provide evidence showing
that he or she worked an average of at least 20 hours per week
while employed by the agency.
5. Paid employment: A student may work part time (at least 20 hours
per week when on post-completion OPT) or full time.
6. Unpaid employment: A student may work as a volunteer or unpaid
intern, where this practice does not violate any labor laws. The
work must be at least 20 hours per week for a student on post-
completion OPT. A student must be able to provide evidence
acquired from the students employer to verify that the student
worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of
employment.


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Reporting Requirements
The following changes must be reported to the ISSI within 10 days
Address update for students on OPT
Employment update for students on OPT
Name of the company
Address of the company
Start date with the company
Unemployment
Decision to discontinue OPT and depart the U.S.
Change of status
Return to school full-time / transfer
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Travel Abroad After Program Completion
Date and During OPT
You will need the following documents to re-enter the U.S.:
Passport that is valid for an additional 6 months beyond the date
of return to the US.
Valid F-1 student visa
I-20 with OPT recommendation on page 3 (travel signature must
be less than 6 months old on the date of return to the U.S.)
EAD card
Proof of employment (generally offer letter is used)
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Social Security Number (SSN)
If you do not have a SSN, you may apply for one as soon
as you have received your EAD card and the employment
period has started.
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Taxes
Both federal and state taxes are due in mid-April each
year. Please check the ISSI website for tax related
information

For other tax questions, refer to irs.gov or consult with a
tax specialist

ISSI does not give tax advice. Please contact a tax
professional if needed
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STEM/17-Month Extension
In order to apply for STEM extension, the following criteria must be met:
Qualifying CIP code for a major in STEM field
Work for company enrolled in E-verify
When to apply for STEM Extension:
Refer to ISSI Form 204
Application may be submitted no earlier than 120 days prior to the
post-OPT end date
Application must be received by USCIS before original OPT period
ends
For more information go to: www.uscis.gov
Student on STEM must check in with ISSI every 6 months to confirm
work and current address
STEM may only be applied for once in a lifetime
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H-1B & Cap-Gap Extension
H-1B is an employment based visa. Work with your employer
regarding H-1B application requirements and process
Cap Gap Extension is a government generated extension of OPT
work authorization or status of stay. It bridges the gap between
the end date of OPT and September 30
th
of that given year
If applicable, a Cap-Gap I-20 may be requested from the ISSI. For
more information regarding cap-gap extension, go to USCIS
website or the ISSI H-1B Guidance
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H-1B & Cap-Gap Extension Continued
To request a cap-gap I-20, submit the following to the ISSI:
ISSI form 122
Copy of receipt or approval notice (I-797)
Please note: USCIS regulations allow you to work without an I-20
indicating a Cap-Gap Extension. Whether or not your employer
will allow you to work is at their discretion

Note: Travel abroad is not recommended during an H-1B Cap-Gap
extension

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Electronic Signature

In order for your OPT application to be accepted by the ISSI, you must
complete the online Statement of Compliance verifying your full
comprehension of this presentation.

If you have any questions regarding the material in this presentation,
please contact the ISSI.
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Contact Information
Stephanie McCormick (Post-OPT, Cap Gap, STEM Ext.)
Email: s.mccormick@neu.edu

Laurie Larocque (Pre-OPT)
Email: l.larocque@neu.edu

405 Ell Hall
Northeastern University
Telephone: 617-373-2310
Website: www.northeastern.edu/issi

202-SMC-SM- 91913 [Q]W

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