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Information on Optional Practical Training for Current Students

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR F-1 STUDENTS

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

Optional Practical Training is an F-1 student benefit granted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to work in a job related to your major area of study.  It is meant to supplement your academic experience with practical experience.

Who is eligible for OPT?

To be eligible for OPT, you must document that:

• You are currently in valid F-1 status
• You have legally been a full-time student for at least one full academic year (two semesters) at SUNY Delhi*

*NOTE:  You may submit your application for OPT up to 90 days prior to having been enrolled for one full academic year, provided the employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year.

When should I apply for OPT?

• It is recommended that you apply for OPT 90 days prior to the program completion date listed on your current I-20 form.  It could take as long as 3 months for your application to be processed.
• YOU CANNOT APPLY FOR OPT AFTER your graduation date has passed.

How do I apply for OPT?

1. Submit an application and supporting documents for an Employment Authorization Document (“EAD Card”) to the USCIS Service Center in Vermont.
2. Receive your EAD card in the mail from the USCIS.

What do I send to the servicing center to apply for my EAD card?

Mail the following items to the service center:

• Original Form I-765 ( download this at www.uscis.gov )
• Photocopy of your SEVIS I-20 – page 1 and page 3 (with OPT recommendation from international advisor on page 3)
• Photocopies of all previous I-20’s
• Photocopies of your passport (biographical and photo pages) and US visa stamp page in your passport
• Photocopy of the front and back of your I-94 card
• Two (2) identical natural color photographs of yourself, taken within 30 days of this application.  *In pencil, please write your name and I-94 number lightly on the back of your photos.

It is recommended that you refer to the following PDF on Passport and VISA photo guidelines located at the U.S. Department of State website to ensure your photos are done properly.

·         Application fee of $180 USD.  Send a check or money order payable to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

·         Mail To*:       US Citizenship and Immigration Services

Vermont Service Center

75 Lower Welden Street

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

*If you are using a return address that is NOT within New York State, please refer to www.uscis.gov as you may be under the jurisdiction of a different servicing center.

IMPORTANT ITEMS TO NOTE:

§          It is recommended that you make copies of all the materials you send to the processing center and keep them for your own records. 

§          Make SURE you have included a return address that you will have access to for up to 5 months.  If you are moving off campus during that time, find a friend with a permanent address you can use as a return address and have the EAD card sent to.

YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE YOUR APPLICATION IS FILED CORRECTLY AND ON TIME.  THIS IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR.

For more information on OPT visit www.uscis.gov