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Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Eligibility - You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year, currently be in F-1 status, have completed all requirements for the award of your degree, per degree level. You are eligible for a maximum of twelve months optional practical training employment while in F-1 status degree level. You may obtain another 12 months when you enroll in another degree level.

Application Deadline - You must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), 90 days prior to the completion of studies. OPT is authorized according to the Office of International Affairs' (OIA) recommendation. Remember, you may not begin employment until you have been issued an EAD by the USCIS. Requests for employment authorization must be mailed to the USCIS Regional Service Center in Texas and may take 90 days for adjudication.

Procedure - The OIA cannot authorize OPT following completion of your studies. Your first step in obtaining an EAD is to qualify for a certification from the OIA recommending you for practical training.

Step 1 - Submit to the OIA the documentation listed below within the period of 90 days prior to completion of studies . However, as you must first obtain OIA’s endorsement, which may require 3 working days - and complications at the last minute may further delay processing - you should make every effort to abide by our earlier deadline. The USCIS processing center has informed us that they will not adjudicate applications received more than 90 days before completion of studies. You may apply without a job offer.
  1. Completed I -765.
  2. Your current SEVIS I-20AB.
  3. Photocopies of the picture page of passport, picture page of visa, and front and back of your I-94 card.
  4. A letter from your department stating the date you will complete your program.
  5. If you are graduate student, you will need a letter from the Graduate School Department stating the date you will complete your program.
The Office of International Affairs staff will:
  1. Review your application for eligibility
  2. If you are eligible, endorse your SEVIS I-20AB to indicate that OPT following completion of your studies in your major field of study is recommended (with the dates of employment) and return it to you.
Step 2 - We suggest that you mail your application to the USCIS by certified mail, return receipt requested. This will provide you with proof that your application was received timely in the event that the application is lost. We also recommend that you photocopy the entire application before you mail it so that you have a copy for your records. So that the documents do not get lost, put the photos in a small envelope and label as “photos” and staple all pages together, being careful not to staple the photos. Include the following documents in your application.
  1. Completed Form I-765 and the required $340.00 fee - personal Check made payable to the "Department of Homeland Security." Remember, USCIS does not accept cash or a money order.
  2. Copy of SEVIS I-20AB. Do not send the original.
  3. Photocopies of the identification page of the passport, visa and both sides of the I-94 card.
  4. Photocopies of both sides of any previously issued EAD cards.
  5. Two recent photos of yourself. The USCIS will not adjudicate the application if the photos do not comply with specific guidelines as outlined on the Form I-765 instructions, part 3.
Mail your application to:

USCIS TSC
P.O.Box 851041
Mesquite, TX 75185-1041

You must bring the completed application to the OIA if you would like it to be reviewed before you mail it to the INS.

Step 3 - The USCIS will send the EAD card to the address indicated on the Form I-765, which must be the following:

413 Brook Avenue
Lafayette, LA 70506


Processing time - Currently, the entire process for receiving employment authorization is taking more than 90 days.

Special Considerations - Regulations allow you to change employers during the period of authorized practical training, as long as the new employment continues to be directly related to your field of study and commensurate with your educational level.

Once the OIA has annotated your SEVIS I-20AB by recommending optional practical training, there is no provision for withdrawing or canceling the recommendation. Also, the notation on the SEVIS I-20AB recommending optional practical training will be viewed by the Office of International Affairs and indicate that you have been granted practical training following completion of your studies.

Note: You are not allowed to work until you receive the EAD from USCIS.

You are considered to be maintaining your F-1 status for 60 days following the expiration date of your practical training, which is the time allowed you to either depart from the United States or change to another status. If you want to begin a new full-time program of study at any point during or following authorized practical training, you must follow the procedures for continuation from one educational level to another at UL Lafayette, if applicable, or for transfer of schools.

If you leave the U.S. during your authorized period of practical training, you may return for the remainder of the authorized period provided you have:
  1. A SEVIS I-20AB that has been re-certified.
  2. A valid F-1 entry visa and a valid passport.
  3. An EAD that is not expired.
  4. A letter from your current employer.
If you leave the U.S. after you complete your studies but before you receive the EAD from the USCIS Service Center, you will abandon your application and have no provision for employment authorization. You will not be permitted to return to the United States with F-1 student status.

The advisor of the OIA encourages you to contact him/her if you have questions about the procedure or if you receive any correspondence about your application.
 
 
 

Document last revised Friday, April 25, 2008 10:00 AM

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International Affairs; 413 Brook Avenue; Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: (337) 482-6819 · Fax: (337) 482-6820 · oia@louisiana.edu