International Student Services - University of La Verne

Welcome

The Optional Practical Training Packet
University of La Verne
International and Study Abroad Center

About Post-completion OPT

Post-completion OPT is a benefit for international students who have completed a course of studies. Students may work up to 12 months following the completion of a program. OPT may also be used during a course of studies (pre-completion OPT) and the time will be deducted from post-completion OPT. Students in certain STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) may be eligible for 29 months of OPT.
The employment must provide practical training experience in your field of studies.
Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT after completing each level of each higher level of studies. For example, if OPT was approved after completion of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, a person may apply for another 12 months of OPT after a Master of Arts (MA) degree.
The application for OPT must be completed and received by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after the applicant's program completion date.
If granted, the person will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and is expected to start work or be actively seeking appropriate employment while on OPT.
To maintain status, students may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during the 12 month OPT period.
Students on OPT are required to report the following to the ISAC within 10 days of any change: name or U.S. home address, name and address of employer, loss of employment.

Who qualifies for OPT?

Students who have been in full time student status for at least 9 months at ULV
Students on an F-1 (student) visa who are not "out of status"

What do you do?

It is best to anticipate the date you wish to begin OPT by 90 days and apply EARLY!
Processing takes 3-4 months. Students must submit all required documents to the ISAC for an I-20 to request OPT no later than 30 days after their program completion date.
Sign up for one of the OPT information sessions at the International and Study Abroad Center (ISAC). Follow the instructions below and bring the necessary documents to the session. At the information session you will make an appointment with the ISAC Advisor to complete your OPT application. The process includes issuing you a new I-20 for OPT.

Check List for OPT Information Session--Bring the following documents:

_____ Letter of recommendation for OPT from your advisor. This should be on letterhead in a sealed envelope. If you need an example, please ask.
_____ 2 passport style color photos with a white background taken no earlier than 30 days before submission to USCIS. The photos should be unmounted, glossy, and unretouched. The photos should show a full-frontal facial position. Your head should be bare unless you are wearing a headdress as required by a religious order to which you belong. The photos should not be larger than 2 x 2 inches, with the distance from the top of the head to bottom of chin about 1-13/8 inches. Lightly print your name and I-94 number on the back of each photo with a pencil or felt pen.
_____ Your current passport, valid for at least one year with I-94 and visa
_____ Three copies of your Form I-94 Departure Record card (white card in passport)
Photocopy as portrait, top 1.5 inches clean, front and back on same side of paper.
_____ Three copies of your last EAD card if you have one. Photocopy as portrait, top 1.5 inches clean, front and back on same side of paper.
_____ Three copies (all pages) of the I-20 recommending you for OPT previously, if you applied before
_____ Three copies of your passport photo page with clear view of face. If passport extended, make three copies of extension page. Photocopy as portrait, top 1.5 inches clean.
______ A check for $340.00 made out to "Department of Homeland Security"

At the Information Session you will be given and you will fill out the following forms:

_____ Form I-538 Certification by Designated School
_____ Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization

The ISAC advisor will help you complete these forms and confirm that you are in status and that you qualify for the benefit of OPT. During the Information Session you will make a follow-up appointment with the advisor.

Follow up Appointment

At the follow up appointment, your advisor will check your documentation and issue you a new I-20 recommending you for OPT. At the appointment you will put the documents in the following order for mailing to the USCIS California Service Center. Please bring the documents requested below.

For ISAC:
_____ Letter of Recommendation from your advisor (Original only)
_____ Form I-538 (Original only)

For Submission to USCIS:
_____ Form I-765 (original and 2 copies)
_____ I-20 requesting employment authorization, signed within the last 30 days (orig. & 2 copies)
_____ Form I-94 Departure Record card, front and back (white card in passport) (3 copies)
_____ Copy of your last EAD card (front and back) if you had prior OPT (3 copies) OR clear copy of your passport photo page & any extensions (3 copies)
_____ Copy of the I-20 recommending you for OPT previously, if you applied before (3 copies all pages)

Envelope for Submission to USCIS with: (no copies are necessary)
_____ Check for $340 made out to "Department of Homeland Security"
_____ Two photos (copies not necessary)

You will use an addressed envelope and you will be responsible for mailing it. We strongly recommend that you mail your documents via express mail that requires a signature by the recipient. (DHL, Federal Express, UPS, or U.S. Postal Service Express Mail).
The following address is used for overnight delivery (Federal Express, UPS, etc.) or bonded courier delivery:

California Service Center
24000 Avila Road, 2nd Floor, Room 2302
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

What Next?

If your application is complete and filed at USCIS Service Center, within approximately three weeks of mailing your application, you should receive a receipt letter in the mail (Form I-797). This will list your 12-digit receipt number (which begins with WAC. . .). You may use this number to check your case status online at: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
An application filed without the required fee, evidence, signature or photographs will be returned to you as incomplete. You may correct the deficiency and resubmit the application; however an application is not considered properly filed until USCIS accepts it.
If additional information or documentation is required, a written request will be sent to you specifying the information or advising you of an interview.
If your application cannot be granted, you will receive a written notice explaining the basis of your denial.

Receiving the EAD card and begining work

As of Spring 2008, it has been taking about 95-100 days to receive the EAD card. You may not start working until you receive this document and you may not start working until the start date on your EAD. When the USCIS has issued your EAD, you cannot change the dates of employment authorization.

Please bring your EAD to our office once you receive it so we can make a photocopy for our records. Good luck with your application and your future employment. If you have any questions, please contact us.

The Optional Practical Training Packet University of La Verne International and Study Abroad Center