Helpful Tips for International Students

Optional Practical Training

OPT employment is authorized by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigrations vices (BCIS) for work directly related to a student's major area of study. It may be used before or after completion of studies. It is limited to a total of 12 months at the full time rate at each level of studies. For example, after completing a bachelor's degree you can be recommended for a 12 month OPT, after completing a Master's level, you can be recommended for another 12 month OPT. A job offer is not required to apply for OPT

• Eligibility Requirements
• Application Dateline
• Application and Authorization Procedures
• Optional Practical Training
• Change of Employer
• Traveling Outside the U.S
• For more information

Eligibility Requirements

OPT is designed for students to gain actual employment experience in their chosen profession for a maximum of one year at every level. OPT must be recommended by the International Student Office and approved by BCIS. When the application is approved by BCIS, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)is issued to you for the period of OPT employment.

Specific Eligibility Requirement

• Enrolled as full time student for nine (9) consecutive and continuous months
• Be in valid F-1 status including valid passport and SEVIS I-20
• Be in good academic standing

The different types of OPT applications are:
Pre-completion Optional Practical Training Full time summer vacation period practical training or part time during academic year (work up to 20 hours and must maintain full-time student enrollment) undergraduate & graduate Full-time enrollment for the preceding nine (9) months is required and the student must plan to register for the next term.

Post-Completion Practical Training
Applied for in final term prior to completions of studies, must be full-time which is not necessarily the graduation or walking day.

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Application Dateline

The application for OPT must be submitted first to the International Student Office (ISO) before sending to BCIS. Please give yourself 90 days before completion of studies to start your application. You must get the complete OPT application to BCIS before your graduation date. (Example: If you graduate or complete your studies on May 9, you application should be in the US mail by May 3, [we suggest March 3] and you can choose your beginning date from May 9 until July 9)

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Application and Authorization Procedures

• A completed I-765 Form - On line 16th put (c) (3) (iii)
  » PDF Format (File Size: 242 KB)
• I-765 signature card (sign within the box)
  » PDF Format (File Size: 5 KB)
• Letter from Advisor/ Professor/ Registrar office stating graduation date.
• Two (adit) photographs, the photos should show the three quarter front profile and the right side of your face, with your right ear visible and the size of the photo is 1-1/2" by 1-1/2 .
• Unofficial Riverland CC transcript
• Bring Original and photocopy of passport showing applicant's picture, passport expiration date and US Visa page.
• Bring Original and photocopy of both sides of I-94 card, even if backside is blank.
• Original and photocopy of I-20 you have from Riverland CC and other schools
• A copy of previous EAD CARD (if issued previously)

If you meet al the eligibility requirement, the ISO will issue your SEVIS I-20 recommending for OPT and enrolling your information in the SEVIS database. Then you will need to send the following documents to BCIS:

*** DO NOT STAPLE THE DOCUMENTS!

• Photocopy of SEVIS I-20 with your signature (do not send the Original)
• $________ Check made payable to BCIS, put your I-94 card number in the back of your check or money order.
• 2 photographs with name and
• I-94 number written on the back
• I-765 signature card (sign within the box)
• Compete I-765 form
• Photocopies of passport pages showing applicant's picture, passport expiration date and US visa page.
• Photocopy of I-94 front and back, even if the back is in blank.
• A copy of previous EAD card (if issued previously)

Mail to:
U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration (BCIS)
Nebraska Service Center
850 S Street
P.O. Box 87765
Lincoln, NE 68501-7765

For overnight delivery, express or courier mail would not except P.O. Box address please make sure you add 850 S Street.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: You can only begin your employment upon receiving your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from BCIS. It can take 60 to 90 days to receive the EAD card from BCIS, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Note: If you are applying for post completion OPT and have fewer than 60 days in applying for., you may wand to write this: beginning not before DD/MM/YY and ending no later than 14 months from date of completion of studies.

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Optional Practical Training

F-1 students can apply for 12 moths OPT for every level of a degree program. For bachelor's degree you can apply for 12 months OPT and the same for Masters program. As long as you make progress to another level, you are entitle to apply for 12 months OPT Once authorization for practical training is granted, it will be very difficult to be rescinded or canceled, regardless of subsequent occurrences. This means that after OPT is authorized by BCIS, expected delays in completing degree requirements, inability to find an appropriate job or loss of job will result in the loss or otherwise eligible time to work.
PLEASE PLAN AHEAD!

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Change of Employer

You may change employer after authorized employment has begun, provided the new job is directly related to the major field of study or appropriate for someone with that level of education. The BCIS does not need to be notified of the new employment.

NOTE: To verify out about your application status, use your LIN number which you will find in your receipt and call 402-323-7830 (24hrs. line) or you can check by typing this website address:

Https://egov.immigration.gov/graphics/cris/jsps/caseStat.jsp

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Traveling outside of the U.S.

The applicant CANNOT travel outside the U.S. during the time of the application for OPT is pending with BCIS.

Once the application has been issued the EAD card, re-entry provisions require:
That the SEVIS I-20 be endorsed and updated on the SEVIS screen by the International Student Office.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card
A Valid F-1 entry visa
Have a letter from your employer.

Students who do not meet theses requirements may not be allowed to REENTER the U.S. Please consult with the International Student Advisor if planning to temporarily depart the U.S. during the authorized practical training.

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For more information, please contact:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OFFICE
Riverland Community College
1900 8th Ave. N.W. / Austin, MN 55912
Phone: (507) 433-0558
Fax: (507) 433-0515
Email: mmorem@riverland.edu

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