The workshop covered the process for applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion of a degree program. It discussed OPT eligibility requirements, the application timeline and procedures, how to fill out the application forms and supporting documents, and important reporting obligations during the OPT period. Students were provided guidance on choosing an OPT start date, submitting their application, tracking its status, and notifying the university international student office of any changes.

1. UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE
Office of International Student Services
Post-Completion Optional Practical
Training (OPT) Workshop

2.  What is OPT
 OPT Eligibility
Topics
 OPT Application Procedure
 OPT Application Timeline
 How to apply for OPT – Step 1
 How to apply for OPT –Step 2- The big 7
 Mailing instructions
 After completing OPT
 Important Information
 Career resources
 Tell us about the workshop

3.  Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is
employment authorization granted by the U.S.
 Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for F-1
students to gain practical experience in their field of
study upon completion of their degree program.
 You are eligible for 12 months of OPT authorization
upon completion of each higher degree level.
 You do not require an employment offer to apply for
OPT.
What is OPT

4. OPT Eligibility
To be eligible for OPT, you must:
 Be in lawful full-time F-1 status for full academic year
 Be in good academic standing with the university
 Have a valid passport
 Have not had more than 12-months of full-time CPT
 Have not previously had 12 months of post-completion OPT for the
same level of degree.
 Must be physically present in the U.S., in F-1 status, to apply to
USCIS
 NOTE: Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.

5. OPT Application Timeline
 You can apply for OPT as early as 90 days
before your degree completion date.
 The recommended deadline to submit your
OPT application to OISS is no later than 3
weeks before your degree completion date.
 USCIS takes approximately 3 months to
approve your OPT application.
 USCIS will accept applications up to 60 days
after your degree completion date, but you may
not receive the full 12 months of OPT.

6. OPT Application Timeline

7. OPT Application Procedure
1. Attend OPT Workshop
2. Start the application process
 Fill in OPT request form
 Obtain Academic Advisor Letter
3. Assemble Documents
4. Appointment with OISS Advisor
 Bring ALL required documents, photos & check
5. Mail Application – Get Receipt Notice – Track Status
6. Report to OISS
 EAD – Submit photocopy
 Address – Report any changes
 Employer – Report contact information
 Unemployment – Report dates

8. OPT Start and End Dates
As part of the OPT application, USCIS allows you
to choose your OPT start date.
You can choose for your OPT to begin as early as 1
day after your degree completion date or as late as
60 days after.
NOTE: Doctorate and Master’s students may choose
their or the actual term or semester end date as their
degree completion date.

9. Term /
Semester
OPT DATES
Program End
Dates
OPT Start
Dates:
To this date.
(59th day)
Fall Term 2014 11/2/2014 11/2/2014 12/31/2014
Fall Semester/Mini
12/14/2014 12/14/2014 02/11/2015
Fall 2014
Winter Term
2015
03/15/2015 03/15/2015 05/12/2015
Spring Term/
Semester 2015
05/31/2015 05/31/2014 07/28/2015
Summer Term
2015
08/16/2015 08/162015 10/14/2015

10. How to apply for OPT
Step 1
1) Fill out the OPT request form
2) Obtain a signed letter from your academic advisor
3) Submit both documents to OISS office . Allow 3
days for OPT I-20 to generated. A confirmation
email will be sent.

11. 1950 Third Street
La Verne, CA 91750
909.593-3511. Ext. 4331
Fax: 909.392.0713
www.laverne.edu
OISS POST-COMPLETION
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) FORM
Last Name:___________________________ First Name: _________________________________
Student ID #_______________ SEVIS ID#________________ Phone # ________________________
La Verne Email:___________________________ Personal Email: ____________________________
Current Address: ___________________________________________________________________
Major: ________________________________ Degree: ___________________________________
Expected program completion date: ___________________________________________________
OPT Start Date _____________ OPT End Date _______________
How will your planned employment be related to your coursework:
I understand as a student on an F1 visa, I will continue to notify OISS of any changes in my address
within 10 days of my move.
_____________________________________ __________________________
Student Signature Date
*Submit this form along with a letter from your academic advisor indicating you are expected to
complete your program in good academic standing in the current term or semester.
OPT
REQUEST FORM

12. 1950 Third Street
La Verne, CA 91750
909.593-3511. Ext. 4331
Fax: 909.392.0713
www.laverne.edu
OISS POST-COMPLETION
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) FORM
Last Name:___________________________ First Name: _________________________________
Student ID #_______________ SEVIS ID#________________ Phone # ________________________
La Verne Email:___________________________ Personal Email: ____________________________
Current Address: ___________________________________________________________________
Major: ________________________________ Degree: ___________________________________
Expected program completion date: ___________________________________________________
OPT Start Date _____________ OPT End Date _______________
How will your planned employment be related to your coursework:
I understand as a student on an F1 visa, I will continue to notify OISS of any changes in my address
within 10 days of my move.
_____________________________________ __________________________
Student Signature Date
*Submit this form along with a letter from your academic advisor indicating you are expected to
complete your program in good academic standing in the current term or semester.
OPT
REQUEST FORM

13. How to apply for OPT --- Step 2
1. 2 - U.S. style passport photos (place a piece of tape on the back
& with pencil, write your name and I-94 # on top of the tape
lightly)
2. $380.00 check or money order (made payable to U.S.
Department of Homeland Security. In the memo section write
‘For F1 OPT (SEVIS #))
3. G-1145 (complete)
4. I-765 Form (completed and sign without touching the lines)
5. Copy of current I-20 with OPT request on the third page (provide
copies of all CPT I-20’s and previous EAD Cards)
6. One copy of passport ID page
7. One copy of I-94 card (front and back sides) or of the I-94 print
out
The BIG 7

14. 2 Passport Photos
Local Photo Studio
Claremont Photo
241 Harvard Ave
Claremont, CA 91711
(909)625-4342
Reminders:
- Do not wear white or light colors
- Keep your hair out of your face

15. $380.00 Application Fee
Josie Bruin
417 Bruin Walk Way #1
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Pay to the order of: U.S Department of Homeland Security
$380.00
Three Hundred Eighty and 00/100
Dollars
For F1 OPT (N000123456) JosieBruin

16. Form
G-1145
Sanchez Araceli
asanchez@laverne.edu (909) 448-4337

17. I-765 Form

18. I-765 Form
cont.
✖

19. I-765 Form cont.
Please make sure your
mailing address is valid
for at least 4 months from
your OPT application
submission
date . This address
MUST be in the state of
CA, and may not be a
P.O. Box address.
Enter your I-94 number
here. Refer to the sample I-
94 card in the next slide
c/o OISS 1950 Third St. ULV
La Verne CA 91750
Los Angeles United States
12/31/1989
127843695
✖
✖
SANCHEZ ARACELI
United States
CA
✖

20. 01/01/2014
Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
F-1 Student
3
I-765 Form cont.
Where can I find this info?
Please refer to I-94
c B
Student
Do not complete
this section

21. I-765 Form cont.
Araceli 909-448-4337 01/01/2014
Between Lines

22. I-94 Card Sample
I-94 card number
Place of last entry into the
U.S.
Date of last entry into the
U.S.

23. I-20 Sample

24. Passport ID Pages

25. Mailing Instructions
Express Mail Address
USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor
Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
U.S. Postal Service
Address:
USCIS
P.O. Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

26. After completing OPT application
 You will receive a receipt from the USCIS for the check you
submitted. This receipt will state your application number
which you can use to track the status of your application online
at:
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do
 You will receive a Notice of Action receipt with the decision from
the USCIS about one month later.
 If approved, you should receive your Employment Authorization
Document (EAD) card within 2 weeks. This card will state your
requested OPT start and end dates.
 If not approved, you will receive a notice stating why your
application was denied.
 This process can take 2 to 3 months.
 Upon receiving your EAD Card, please submit a copy of the
front and back of the card to OISS.

27. Notice of Action Receipt

28. EAD CARD

29. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
 Sending Packet
 Copy packet & send within 15 days of the OPT I-20 issue date
 Send to correct mailing address (determined by USPS or Express mailing
options)
 Vacation /Travelling
 No traveling during application process
 Signature on I-20 is only valid for 6 months
 OPT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
 Start Date / Having EAD Card
 Begin to update job info on start date (Unemployed / Employment Info)
 Cannot begin to work until you have both the EAD Card and the start date
 OISS needs a copy of front/back of EAD Card
 Unemployment
 90 days allowed during the OPT period (one year)
 If 90 days of unemployment is reached, student cannot complete the rest
of OPT period

30. Career Services Recommended Job & Internship
Resources
 *CareerLink: laverne.edu/careers
 Where La Verne students and alumni connect with employers, job postings,
internships and volunteer opportunities. Register using your “@laverne.edu”
email only!
 *On-Campus Student Employment: laverne.edu/financial-aid/student-employment
 Federal Work-Study Job Board and Non-Federal Work-Study Job Board
 *Internship Opportunities: www.internships.com
 Internships are the best way to gain hands-on experience and professional
contacts in your field of interest.
 *Salary Information: www.salary.com
 Find salary information for various job titles across the globe.

32.  Was this presentation helpful?
a. Yes b. No
 Do you feel you have all the information you need to apply for OPT?
a. Yes b. No Explanation
 Do you understand the application process?
a. Yes b. No Explanation
 What part of the the application process might be confusing to you?
Explanation
Questionnaire