Optional Practical Training workshop

Office of International Programs
Union East Rm. 203
www.sa.utep.edu/oip
oip@utep.edu
(915)747-5664

Off-Campus Employment
F-1 / F-3 students may work off campus
in one of 3 ways:
1) Curricular Practical Training
2) Economic Hardship
3) Optional Practical Training

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
 OPT is “temporary employment for practical training
directly related to the student’s major area of study.”
 Employment is authorized for up to 12 months after
studies are completed (*longer if eligible for 17-month
extension)

What is Optional Practical Training
(OPT)?
 12 months of OPT is available for each degree level
completed, provided you move from lower to higher
degrees
 Current policy: students in certificate programs may
also apply for OPT

Am I Eligible for OPT?
 Have valid F-1 / F-3 student status at the time of
application
 Be a current UTEP student
 Have been enrolled full time or equivalent for one
academic year at the time you would begin OPT.
 What is considered full-time? 

Full-Time / Equivalencies
 Undergraduates: 12 hours / term
 Graduates (Master’s / Doctoral): 9 hours / term OR
thesis OR dissertation
 ATCP, Certificate programs: 9 hours
 Part-time Border Commuters (Mexicans only): 1
academic course per term, renew I-20s on time
 Last term: reduced course load permission

OPT Eligibility
 Must be enrolled in at least one course in last term
 Must have less than 12 months of previous full-time
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for current level of
study.
 Will complete all coursework by the end of the current
term

OPT Basics
 Allows employment on a full-time basis
 Also, you must work at least 20 hours / week to maintain
your status
 You may work an unlimited number of hours
 You can use your OPT anywhere in the U.S.—Do not use
it in Mexico
 Note: F-3 students are restricted to living in Mexico &
commuting to the US on OPT
 Unpaid employment (volunteering) is permitted where
it does not violate labor laws

Things to Think About
 Unlike CPT, you do not need to have a job offer before
applying for OPT
 OPT can begin up to 2 months after the program end
date.
 If you have a job offer already, this will help you choose
your start date
 If you have no offer, or need a little extra time for thesis
or dissertation, choose a later start date

 Applying for OPT may result in a change to your I-20
expiration date (officially called your “program end
date”)
 New date will reflect graduating term (write this down!):
 Summer 2013 graduates: Aug 6, 2013
 Fall 2013 graduates: Dec 13, 2013
 Exceptions: completing thesis / dissertation in the
middle of a term (can use earlier date)

 You are NOT authorized to work between your
program end date and the start of OPT
 It is recommended to apply for OPT BEFORE you
complete your program
 You may apply up to 90 days before completion
 You may also apply up to 60 days after program
completion (but you may not be given a full 12 months
of OPT)

Choices for OPT Start Dates
 Fall 2013 graduates: Dec 14, 2013 – Feb 11, 2014
 Spring 2014 graduates: May 17, 2014– July 15, 2014
 Summer 2014 graduates*: Aug 6, 2014 – Oct 4, 2014
 These dates are dictated by the regulatory requirement
that OPT must end no more than 14 months after
degree completion.
 *end date may vary depending on your final summer session

Earliest Date to Apply
 Fall 2013 graduates: Sept 14, 2013
 Spring 2014 graduates: February 15, 2014
 Summer 2014 graduates: May 7, 2014
(These are the earliest dates you may mail your
applications to US CIS; can submit paperwork to OIP
1-2 weeks prior to these dates)

While on OPT
 You can only have a maximum of 90 cumulative
days of unemployment (throughout the entire
year)
 You should be actively looking for a job!
 Report all employment / unemployment to OIP
within 10 days of a change & every 6 months
 Don’t forget that volunteer work can count to
maintain your immigration status

OPT Timeline – Fall Graduates
Last
Semester of
Program
Aug Sept Oct Nov
Dec Jan Feb Mar
Sept 14, 2013: earliest you can mail app
to US CIS (90 days before)
Program end date 12/13/2013
Feb 11, 2014 : deadline for
Fall ‘13 grads to have
application at US CIS;
latest date to start
OPT clock
Possible OPT start
dates:
12/14/13 –
02/11/2014
Sept 1, 2013:
Student
turns
in app to
OIP ;
chooses Jan
15, 2014 start
date
Sept 8:
Packet
ready to
mail
Sept 14: student applies
at earliest date;
mails packet
US CIS processing
Average 2 months
processing time –
receive card
3 months
processing time
- receive card
Jan 15, 2014: Start
working when you
have the card in
your possession
Graduation

OPT Timeline – Fall Graduates
If you apply late
Last
Semester of
Program
Aug Sept Oct Nov
Dec Jan Feb Mar
Sept 14, 2013: earliest you can mail app
Feb 11, 2014 : deadline for
Fall ‘13 grads to have
OPT clock
Possible OPT start
dates:
12/14/2013 –
02/11/2014
Jan 10, 2014:
Student
turns
in app to
OIP ;
chooses Feb
11, 2014 start
date
Jan 18:
Packet
ready to
mail
US CIS processing
Average 2 months
(Mar) processing time
– receive card
3 months
(April)
processing time
- receive card
Graduation-may not work yet!
Apr

OPT Timeline –Spring Graduates
Last
Semester of
Program
Jan Feb Mar Apr
May Jun Jul Aug
Feb 15: earliest you can mail app
Jul 15 : deadline for Spring
‘14 grads to have
OPT clock
Possible OPT start
dates:
5/17/2014 –
7/15/2014
Feb 1, 2014:
Student
turns
in app to
OIP ;
chooses Jun
15 start date
Feb 8:
Packet
ready to
mail
Feb 15: student applies
at earliest date;
mails packet
US CIS processing
Average 2 months
processing time –
receive card
3 months
processing time
- receive card
June 15, 2014: Start
working when you
have the card in
your possession
Graduation

OPT Timeline – Spring Graduates
If you apply late
Last
Semester of
Program
Jan Feb Mar Apr
May Jun Jul Aug
Feb 15: earliest you can mail app
July 15: deadline for
Spring ‘14 grads to have
OPT clock
Possible OPT start
dates:
5/17/2014 -7/15/2014June 1, 2014:
Student
turns
in app to
OIP ;
chooses July
10 start date
Jun 8:
Packet
ready to
mail
US CIS processing
Average 2 months
(Aug) processing time
– receive card
3 months (Sept)
processing time
- receive card
Sept

OPT Timeline –Summer Graduates
Last
Semester of
Program
Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sept Oct Nov
May 7: earliest you can mail app
Oct 4: deadline for
Summer ‘14 grads to have
OPT clock
Possible OPT start
dates:
8/6/2014 –
10/4/2014
May 1, 2014:
Student
turns
in app to
OIP ;
chooses
Sept 14 start
date
May 7:
Packet
ready to
mail
May 7: student applies
at earliest date;
mails packet
US CIS processing
Average 2 months
processing time –
receive card
3 months
processing time
- receive card
Sept 14, 2014: Start
working when you
have the card in
your possession
Graduation

OPT Timeline – Summer Graduates
If you apply late
Last
Semester of
Program
Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sept Oct Nov
May 7: earliest you can mail app
Oct 4: deadline for
Summer ‘14 grads to have
OPT clock
Possible OPT start
dates:
8/6/2014 - 10/4/2014Sept 1, 2014:
Student
turns
in app to
OIP ;
chooses Oct
4 start date
Sept 8:
Packet
ready to
mail
US CIS processing
Average 2 months
(Nov) processing time
– receive card
3 months (Dec)
processing time
- receive card
Dec

How to Apply
 Apply for graduation (must be in Goldmine)
 Complete the OPT request form:
 Start / end dates
 Turn in application to OIP

Meanwhile, you should:
 Complete Form I-765
(http://sa.utep.edu/oip/files/2013/06/4476_001.pdf)
 Complete Form G-1145
(http://sa.utep.edu/oip/files/2013/06/g-1145.pdf)
 Instructions to follow!   

START
HERE
NEVER FILLED OUT I-765, MARK HERE
ALREADY HAD OPT,
MARK HERE
If you do not have a SSN, leave section blank
YOUR SIGNATURE
Refers only to form, not to CPT or On-Campus Employment
N/A – Only for
OPT Extensions
N/A
SHOULD MATCH PASSPORT
YOUR VALID U.S. MAILING ADDRESS
MONTH/DAY/YEAR
CONT. #11
CONT. #11
DATE ON I-94
LAST CITY WHERE YOU ENTERED THE U.S.
STUDENT
STUDENT
C 3 B
YOUR PHONE NUMBER DATE
USE I-94 #

YOUR LAST NAME YOUR FIRST NAME YOUR MIDDLE NAME
Your e-mail address (UTEP or other) YOUR U.S. CELL PHONE NUMBER

How to Apply
 5 business days later, you will receive an e-mail from an
advisor at OIP advising you whether or not you are
eligible for OPT
 If you are, prepare the following:
 Check or money order for $380 payable to “Department
of Homeland Security”
 2 U.S. sized passport photos (2” x 2”); write your name
and I-94# on the back

How to Apply, cont’d…
 Return to OIP to review & sign your new I-20 and pick
up the mailing instructions for your OPT packet
 Then, you will:
 Make copies of new I-20, I-94 front & back, visa &
passport (bio page only)
 Attach original signed I-765, G-1145, photos & your
payment of $380

How to Apply, cont’d…
 Mail your application to US CIS, using a traceable
method
 If using US Postal service, use certified mail with return
receipt
 Courier mail carriers (DHL, FedEx, etc.)

Sample of I-20 with OPT
Recommendation

OPT Deadlines
 Your OPT application must be received at the US CIS
processing center NO LATER THAN:
 Feb 11, 2014 – Fall 2013 graduates
 July 15, 2014 – Spring 2014 graduates
 Oct 4, 2014 – Summer 2014 graduates
 What does this mean?....

VERY IMPORTANT!
1. You must apply to the Office of International Programs
FIRST before you can mail your OPT application to US
CIS
2. You must allow AT LEAST one week for OIP to process
your new I-20...PLUS, time for your OPT application
to get from El Paso to Dallas, TX

VERY IMPORTANT!
OPT Application Deadlines at
OIP:
Jan 28, 2014 – OIP deadline for fall 2013 graduates
July 1, 2014 – OIP deadline for Spring 2013 graduates
Sept 20, 2014 - OIP deadline for summer 2014
graduates

US CIS Processing
 Application received at lockbox facility; application is
reviewed; checked for all documentation
 If something was not right with the application, a
letter & your application will be returned within one
week
 It is VERY IMPORTANT that your documents are
received by US CIS within 30 days of the date
printed on the I-20; if you will be unable to do so,
please see an advisor at OIP for further assistance

US CIS Processing
 If G-1145 was filed, student is notified
 Application forwarded to Texas Service Center
 Student will receive a “Notice of Action” in two to four
weeks

US CIS Processing
 Application assigned to an officer for review and
decision
 If approved, work permit is created (called
Employment Authorization Document, or “EAD” card)
 Card mailed to I-765 address
 Average processing time is currently approx. 2 months
 DO NOT begin to work until you have the card, on the
start date (the date may have changed from the one
you requested).

While Pending OPT Approval
 It is okay to travel within the U.S.
 VERY IMPORTANT: Are you not graduating as
expected? Please see an advisor at OIP.
 After the last day of finals in your graduating semester,
it is NOT okay to work, not even on campus

Once OPT is Approved
 OPT card arrives to address on I-765
 Contact OIP for the OPT Notification Form or print
it from our website (www.sa.utep.edu/oip)
 This form must be submitted to OIP in compliance
with federal regulations; for reporting
employment

OPT EAD Card
 Official names: Employment Authorization
Document, EAD, Form I-766
 Notation on OPT card – “not valid for reentry”
 Is on every OPT card issued; means card by itself is not
sufficient to reenter US; must have valid passport, visa &
I-20 to enter
 May reenter with card provided student has a job in
the US
 http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm

After OPT is Approved
Ask yourself: “Have I finished my degree?”
If YES, then proceed to use your OPT to
the full extent 
If NO, then follow the instructions on the
next slide…

Haven’t finished your degree?
See an advisor at OIP as
soon as possible for
detailed instructions

Unemployment During OPT
 If you have reached 90 days of unemployment:
 You may not use your OPT permit to accept any offers of
employment. The card is no longer valid.
 Your choices may include:
 Beginning another academic program which starts
within 5 months (must have I-20 by 90th day)
 Applying to change your visa status
 Returning to your home country immediately
 You do not have a 60 day grace period

How to Calculate OPT Unemployment
Example 1
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
Unemployed from Jan 15
to Apr 15
Jan 15, 2014:
Start date on
EAD card & no
job
(unemployed)
Apr 15 last (90th day) of
permitted unemployment
http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
Last day of
OPT on EAD
Jan 14, 2015

Example 2 Last day of
OPT on EAD
Jan 14, 2015
Jan 15, 2014:
Start date on
EAD card
and first day
of Job A
May 15:
End of Job A
Sept Oct
How many days of unemployment are still available?
Nov Dec Jan
Answer: 90 Days

Example 3 Last day of
OPT on EAD
Jan 14, 2015
Unemployed Mar 31
to May 1st
Jan 15, 2014:
Start date on
EAD card
and first day
of Job A
May 2nd:
Start of Job
B
Mar 30:
End of Job A
90 – 32=
58 days
of unemployment
Jul 30th:
End of Job
B
Unemployed July 31st
to Aug 14th
58– 15=
43 days
of unemployment
Aug 15:
Start of Job
C
Sept Oct
Sept 30th
End of Job
C
Unemployed Oct 1st
to Nov 12th
Nov Dec Jan
43– 43=
0 more days
of unemployment
Nov 12th Last
(90th day of
Permitted
unemployment)

Exit / Reentry to the U.S. on OPT
 Check your visa!!! :
 If you are going to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean
islands, you can re-enter the U.S. with an expired F-1 / F-
3 visa as long as your trip is 30 days or less (automatic
visa revalidation)
 Exception: students from Iran, Syria, Sudan, North Korea or
Cuba
 If you are going to another country, you MUST have an
unexpired F-1 / F-3 visa to re-enter the U.S.

Exit / Reentry to the U.S. on OPT
When reentering the U.S.:
 You are still a student!!! If asked by an immigration
official, remember that you are on practical training, and
not “going to work.”
 The law requires proof that you are returning for
purposes of practical training; therefore, you will need a
job offer letter, copies of pay stubs, etc.
 It is not recommended to exit the U.S. after you have
obtained your OPT card without such proof

While on OPT
 You can work as much as you like
 You can work at multiple jobs, but each job must be
related to the degree you just completed at UTEP
 You can change jobs / companies

While on OPT
 If you are Mexican, it is fine to live in Mexico and cross
for work in the U.S.
 If you have an F-3 visa OR applied for OPT with a part-
time Border Commuter I-20, you must reside in
Mexico during your OPT
 Remember, you may only work in jobs related to the
degree you just received

While on OPT
 Some graduate students wish to use the first part of
their OPT to finish out their last month of a TA / RA
appointment
 i.e. Fall graduate:
 program end date 12/13/2013, TA appointment is through
12/31/2013
 if OPT approved by 12/14/2013 with start date of 12/14/2013,
student may work from 12/14/2013 to 12/31/2013 as RA / TA
 This is okay as long as RA/TA is major-related

May I Use My OPT at UTEP?
 Yes, you may use your OPT to work at UTEP as long as
the employment is directly related to your degree and
you meet HR employment policies for employment
 You need to be hired into a regular staff / faculty
position at UTEP OR be a volunteer

Special Considerations
 Duration of status: “grace period” is 60 days after
program end date AND end of OPT
 Beginning an academic program at another level
automatically cancels any remaining OPT
 Mexican students: do not use the OPT solely to live in
the US; you must be working in US as well

OPT Reporting Requirements
 Students on OPT must now REPORT their employer /
employer address to OIP
 Every 6 months, must confirm their employment with
OIP
 Must continue to report changes in residential address
within 10 days of the change

OPT Extension
 Must have a STEM degree to qualify
 ONE-TIME extension of 17 months
 OPT extension allows more chances to apply for H-1b
 Allows U.S. employers to continue to hire skilled
workers in fields with a shortage / in demand (science,
technology, engineering & mathematics)
 Certificate programs = not eligible

OPT Extension
 Must be on 1st 12 months of OPT to apply
 May apply up to 120 days prior to expiration of current
OPT
 Must reapply for OPT through OIP and pay the fee a
second time ($380)
 Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify program
(www.uscis.gov/E-Verify)
 Employer must report if student leaves job

OPT Extension
 Student must report employment to OIP
 Student must apply for the extension prior to the
EXPIRATION DATE of the OPT EAD card
 Student allowed to keep working up to 180 days with
old EAD until extension application is approved
 If extension is denied, then employment stops & 60-
day grace period begins

OPT Extension
 If you are out of town:
 Contact OIP, request OPT extension application &
instructions e-mailed to you
 Submit application to OIP via scan / e-mail
 Wait 5 business days
 OIP advisor will e-mail you scans of your new I-20, for
your review
 Once you confirm documents are correct, OIP advisor
will mail the documents to you OR you can send a friend
/ signed letter to pick up for you

Transitioning to Employment Visas
 NAFTA / TN visa (“Trade National” visa):
 For Mexicans & Canadians
 Must have job offer to apply
 *Select occupations*
 Currently granted for 1 year, renewable
 Non-immigrant visa
 For info and job list, see www.travel.state.gov
The Office of International Programs is not able to provide formal advising in regards to
work visas. This information is to provide a general orientation to work options in
the U.S.

Transitioning to Employment Visas
H-1b visa:
 Employer sponsors student & pays fees
 Filing period: starts April 1st of each year (private);
anytime of year for public institutions
 Status / approval date begins Oct 1st for private
companies, on approval date for public institutions
 Must show student has skills that are hard to find
among U.S. workforce
 Granted for 3 years, renewable another 3
 Cap (private sector employment only): 65,000 per year;
addt’l 20,000 adv. degrees

H-1b Cap Gap Relief
 What is it? A way to bridge gap between end of OPT &
start of H-1b status on Oct 1
 Only for students who are petitioned for H-1b for
private sector employers
 Due to timing issues, only relevant for spring and
summer graduates OR fall graduates applying for H-1b
during OPT extension period

H-1b “Cap-Gap” Relief
 Students whose employers file the H-1b petition &
request change of status on April 1st and have an
RECEIPTED petition:
 Have maintained F-1 / F-3 status
 Can keep working between end of OPT and Oct 1st
 Should request an updated I-20 from OIP
 This applies to any major
 If H-1b petition denied, then student must stop
working once OPT ends & 60-day grace period begins

Important Question:
What documents do you submit to OIP
to apply for the OPT recommendation?

Answer:
Only the OPT application form, nothing
else!!!

Your Turn
Questions??????
For further information:
Ph (915) 747-5664
Union East building, 2nd floor
www.sa.utep.edu/oip
oip@utep.edu
Revised 7/24/2013

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