OPT | Optional Practical Training
F-1学生毕业后工作授权
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training and is a benefit of the F-1 student visa. OPT是F-1学生毕业后的工作许可. Students are eligible to apply for OPT the semester that they will graduate. OPT allows 1 year (up to 3 years for STEM) work authorization anywhere within the US after graduation but only within the student’s field of study/major.
Learn more below:
OPT Info Sessions
The Padnos International Center's International Student Services (ISS) hosts an OPT Information Session four times a year:
- September (Fall graduates)
- January (Winter graduates)
- March (Spring graduates)
- May (Summer graduates)
Zoom会议的邀请是通过电子邮件发送的. If you're a current student and interested in attending, please check your emails.
Questions? Contact GVSU's ISS Team at [email protected]
View an OPT Info Session!
Applying Online
鼓励学生在线申请. 这节省了邮寄时间和邮寄费用. Detailed steps are shared below. Please carefully review you have completed all steps before submitting online.
Please note: Fall 2023 is the first semester that GVSU ISS is recommending applying online. If you notice any information that needs to be adjusted to be more accurate or helpful, please report a problem with this page 我们将很乐意及时更新.
当前申请期限:2024年4月应届毕业生
Online OPT Application Steps
Step 1 | Attend Info Session
对于2023年12月(7月)毕业的学生，现场Zoom会议 will held on Monday, September 18, 1-2 PM. The link 9月份国际空间站的在校生是否有资格参加 Newsletter. 以下是本次会议的材料，你可以 reference at any time:
Step 2 | OPT Request Form
Fall OPT Request Form Spring OPT Request Form Summer OPT Request Form Winter OPT Request Form
提交上面链接的适当的请求表单. Your requested start date is critical! 这是用来创建你的OPT申请I-20的 and considered by immigration when approving your OPT work authorizations.
PLEASE NOTE: 这张I-20表格的用途是 你的OPT申请自发出之日起30天. If you 等待超过30天申请，你将需要一个新的OPT申请 I-20 from our office. 如果您使用I-20申请超过30天 签证签发后，你的申请将被拒绝.
第三步:准备所有必要的物品
在开始在线申请之前，我们建议您做好准备 填写申请表所需的所有项目.
- 照片:彩色护照照片2张. They are available for purchase at Walgreens. 在线时最好使用电子版 applications. 护照上的照片必须是你自己的，而且是在里面拍的 the last 6 months.
- Color scans of the following:
- passport photo page
- visa stamp in passport book
- most recent I-94 (may be found at: http://i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
- 就业授权文件(任何以前的ead)
- 以前任何CPT或OPT授权的证明(i -20)
- 新的OPT申请I-20——你的申请将被拒绝 没有OPT申请I-20(见步骤2)
Step 4 | Create an Account
You will have to create a USCIS account if you do not already have one. Keep your account information in a secure place so you can return to your account in the future.
Step 5 | Fill Out & Submit Application
Go to http://www.uscis.gov/i-765 and click the "File Online" blue button. Sign in using the two-step verification process. You will need to file the I-765 for 类别(c)(3)(b)学生毕业后OPT. 按照在线表单提示的步骤进行操作. The system will 提示您提交我们在步骤3中列出的文档. Review all 在网上提交之前信息是正确的.
Review the Sample I765 Form as a point of reference/example.
Step 6 | Payment
The system will direct you to Pay.gov. You can pay the filing fee by using a US Credit or Debit card. You can also choose a direct 通过ACH转账从美国支票账户提款. The current fee 在线提交的费用为470美元，必须在提交时支付.
Premium Processing
2023年，美国移民局开始提供加急处理服务. 加急处理是一个快速的过程, where USCIS guarantees a 30 day approval for OPT and OPT STEM applications. 有些在短短两周内就获得批准. The filing fee is $1,685.
Process
- Request Premium Processing All pending and initial Form I-765 petitions filed by F-1 students are eligible to request premium processing
- If you have already filed your form I-765 requesting OPT or a STEM OPT extension and you now 愿请求加急处理，存档 Form I-907 online or with the Chicago Lockbox
- I-765被批准后，你的EAD卡 should 两周内生产，但请允许 30 days before contacting USCIS.
Payment
- The fee is $1,685 if you are requesting premium processing of Form I-765 with eligibility category (C)(3)(B) or (C)(3)(C)
- By mail, 您可以用汇票支付费用, personal check, 本票(支票抬头是美国).S. Department of Homeland Security)
- Or pay by credit card using 表格G-1450，信用卡交易授权书 when applying online
Tracking
- Your EAD card will be mailed via U.S. 邮政服务(USPS)通知派送
- Use Case Status Online 查找您的工作证快递的USPS追踪号码
- 如果您在30天后仍未收到卡，请访问 电子申请-自助服务工具(uscis.gov)
OPT Employment Reporting
The OPT Employer Reporting form must be submitted online so that ISS can update your information in SEVIS.
OPT Regulations & FAQ
尽管这些规定可能会让人困惑, 我们已设法将资料简化为以下几类. 和往常一样，最好和 ISS Team 如果你有疑问或疑问.
Who can apply for OPT?
F-1 Students who have been enrolled in a degree full-time for at least 1 year and are graduating with that degree are eligible to apply for OPT during their final semester. 学生们必须找一份与他们的研究领域相匹配的工作. In addition to a full time position, 兼职工作和/或实习机会也是允许的. OPT is available after the completion of each degree level – BS, MS, PhD.
OPT授权持续多长时间?
All F-1 students are eligible for exactly 1 year (365 days) of OPT work authorization. Students who are STEM eligible, can apply for a 2 year extension around 9 months into their first year of OPT.
谁有资格申请STEM延期?
The CIP code listed on your I-20 must EXACTLY match a STEM approved CIP code as it appears on the 美国移民局批准的STEM项目清单. 有关STEM扩展的更多信息可在我们的 STEM OPT webpage.
Can I be unemployed while on OPT?
During your first year of OPT, you are permitted to be unemployed for a maximum of 90 days. These days start counting from the approved OPT start date as determined by USCIS if you do not have an employer immediately. These days do not have to be consecutive and are counted in total throughout the 1 year of authorization. 这也是为什么……很重要的另一个原因 report your employment information to us--this way your unemployment days are counted accurately.
What are the steps to apply for OPT?
F-1 students must apply using our OPT Request Forms then they submit their application directly to USCIS. Below is an overview of the process.
OPT Steps
申请OPT的时间是什么?
Students are permitted to apply to USCIS for post-graduation OPT as early as 90 before graduation (Program End Date) and as late as 60 days after graduation. We DO NOT RECOMMEND applying after graduation as this timeline gives you much less room for error. Likewise, WE DO NOT RECOMMEND choosing a start date 60 days after graduation as there is also much less time to adjust if needed.
Here is a helpful OPT Planning Tool 帮助你追踪与OPT相关的许多日期, 包括你从事全职CPT的日数(如有).
Application Processing Time
平均处理时间由美国移民局在其网站上公布 Processing Times website. 在2023年秋季，平均处理时间为2.5 months. USCIS is permitted up to 4 months (120 days) to process an OPT application.
递交申请后，我可以期待什么?
After the OPT application has been submitted students SHOULD NOT leave the U.S. until they receive their OPT card. Students who have to leave will forfeit their application and will need to re-apply, if eligible.
学生将收到一封带有参考编号的收据信(I-797). 此收据将使您能够在线跟踪您的申请状态. Students will not receive any updates until finally their OPT is approved--unless immigration requests evidence (I-797E). 一旦批准，EAD卡应该在5-10个工作日内邮寄过来.
移民局最多有120天的时间来处理申请. So unless you pay for Premium Processing在120天过去之前，你什么也做不了.
我的OPT申请可以加急处理吗?
Students applying for OPT and OPT STEM extensions are eligible to apply for Premium Processing which expedites the processing time to 30 days or less. Students must submit form I-907, which costs an additional $1,500.00 USD. More information about premium processing can be found on this page under Premium Processing and on USCIS's website here: http://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing
与我的学位相关的工作是什么?
OPT only authorizes students to work in jobs that are related to the student's degree. 这可以是入门级，兼职，实习，小时或薪水. 如果ISS根据职位名称不清楚, 我们将参考学生项目的教员来确认.
Can I travel while on OPT?
Students are permitted to travel within the USA while their OPT application is still pending, however, students SHOULD NOT travel outside the USCIS while their application is still pending. 这将被视为放弃申请，申请将被拒绝.
Once a student's OPT is approved, they are permitted to travel and should make sure to have the following documents with them when re-entering the USA:
- Valid passport
- Valid US F-1 visa stamp in passport
- Valid I-20 with travel signature less than 1 year old when re-entering the USA. 如果您需要新的签名或您不确定，请提交 travel signature form.
- Valid EAD card
- Job Offer letter form employer stating that you are returning to a current position
Please note that without having a job to return to, your entry to the USA may be denied.
Can I take classes while on OPT?
Students on OPT are eligible to take classes at any institution in the U.S. as long as they are also working.
OPT授权到期后，我该怎么办?
If a student has concluded their OPT status and is pursuing another degree, they must notify our office within 60 days of the end of their OPT and request that we transfer their SEVIS record to the new school.
我在OPT工作期间需要交税吗?
OPT的学生需要在4月15日之前完成纳税表格th .在OPT工作的每一年或部分年份. OPT学生仍然有资格使用我们的 Sprintax support services.
- Students interested in the H-1 process should attend the Legal Seminar on working after graduation hosted each semester by the Padnos International Center.
What is the process for getting H1B?
学生应该与雇主一起申请H-1B工作签证. GVSU's ISS team is not able to provide legal advice on the H visa application process,
Applying by Mail
我们不再建议通过纸质邮件申请. 它更慢，更昂贵，并且有更大的出错空间. 请按照上面的指导和 apply online.