Macalester
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
This authorization allows a F-1 student to work in a job related to the student’s field of study. You may receive monetary compensation or academic credit during your practical training. Students may engage in OPT while school is in session, during vacations or after graduation. Applications may be submitted 90 days before employment begins. Find helpful timelines for OPT and other off-campus employment options on the CDC’s Applications Timelines page.
Application Process
- Complete Macalester’s OPT Application Info Sheet. If you authorize ISP to open your mail by signing this form, make sure to put “c/o ISP, 1600 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105” as your mailing address on the Form I-765 and put your actual address as your physical address.
- Complete Form I-765. For Line 1.a., check “Initial permission to accept employment.” For Line 27 Eligibility Category, enter code (c) (3) (B) for post-completion or graduation OPT; (c) (3) (C) is for STEM OPT extension, and (c) (3) (A) is for pre-completion.
- Get two recent (no more than 30 days old) immigration Photos (at FedEx, Walgreens, CVS) – write your name in pencil on the back of the photos; keep the card envelope they come in; write your name in sharpie on the card envelope
- Complete Form G-1145 (optional, but recommended).
- Decide the dates you wish to be employed
- Make one copy each of your passport’s picture page, F-1 Visa page and I-94 Form
- Visit Aaron, Kara, or Luyen at ISP to have information entered into SEVIS and produce new I-20.
- Bring check or money order (money order can be purchased at mailing services) for $410 made payable to “Department of Homeland Security”. See the following for more information on how to write a check and what a money order is.
- If you live in Minnesota, mail your Form I-765, photos, copies and check to the USCIS Phoenix lockbox at the following address
For US Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036
For express mail and courier (e.g. FedEx, UPS, DHL) deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: NFB AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
If you do not live in Minnesota, then check the USCIS I-765 Direct Filing Addresses page for information about the mailing address that applies to you.
- Your OPT application must be submitted within 30 days of having your I-20 with OPT recommendation issued
- Time to complete authorization process: approximately 80-120 days
Time to process OPT applications vary depending on the amount of applications the Nebraska Service Center receives. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. You can see the I-765 forms that are currently being processed at the USCIS Case Status website. If your application was sent before the date shown, you should allow 30 additional days to receive your OPT card.
Requirements While on OPT
- Upon receipt of the EAD, email a copy of it to ISP
- Report the following information to ISP via the SEVIS update form within 10 days of any change:
- Change in your name
- Name and/or address of employer and supervisor (or update if change employer or employment location)
- When employment changes or terminates
- U.S. and home country address change(s)
- You may not accumulate more than 120 days of unemployment during the total Post-Completion OPT period.
- Notify ISP if you decide to permanently depart the US during your OPT.
- Notify ISP if you change your visa status during your OPT.
- Failure to follow the reporting requirements above may result in the termination of your F-1 status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I file for post-graduation Optional Practical Training work option?
A: ISP’s recommendation is that you apply for OPT on or soon after February 15. If you file by this time, you will hopefully receive work authorization card by the time you graduate.
Q: When must I file by?
A: If you don’t file by July 1 (for May graduates), you must return home within 60 days from graduation unless you are enrolled to begin graduate school program in the subsequent term. Your F-1 visa status with Macalester ends upon graduation.
Q: How long does OPT allow me to work?
A: It allows you to work up to 12 months full-time. Your OPT must be completed within 14 months of your graduation date.
Q: I have been offered a job after graduation and my employer has agreed to sponsor my H1-B Visa. Do I still need to file for OPT?
A: H1-B visas are not issued until October. Unless your job begins later than October, you need to file for OPT in order to begin working before October. Under the current system you cannot file for an H1-B.
Q: Do I need a job to apply for OPT?
A: No.
Q: Can I leave and return while my OPT is pending? What about after it’s approved? Or while I’m working on OPT?
A: Ask Aaron, Kara, and Luyen about your specific situation. There are a lot of answers depending on if you have a valid visa, a job, job offer, length of stay, graduate school plans, etc. Some general information on re-entry into the U.S. while on OPT can be found at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) travel page.
Q: Is there a limit on how long I can be unemployed?
A: If you are unemployed for a cumulative of 90 days from the OPT start date, you must leave the country. During your employment period, you must work or volunteer in your major field of study for at least 20 hours a week to qualify as employed. However, if your employment is terminated or interrupted in some way and no more than 10 days passes in between starting a new job, no time will be deducted from the 90-day clock.
Q: I have applied to enter graduate school in the fall. Should I apply?
A: We highly recommend you obtain the OPT authorization as a back-up plan. Even if you are going to grad school, you can still work during the summer with OPT.
Q: What if I have a change of address during my employment?
A: You must report EVERY change of name or address (personal and employment) within 10 days of the change. Also report changes in your employer or employment status.
Q: Should I apply for OPT before I renewing my passport?
A: If your passport is about to expire, you should apply for OPT before renewing your passport.
Clocks, Times, Dates
90 days before graduation (mid-February for May graduates): recommended date to apply for OPT in order to receive your temporary work authorization card by the time you graduate (if you are graduating in December apply after mid-September 90 days before you graduate).
3-4 months or more: To process applications and complete the authorization process.
60 days: 60 days after graduation date is the latest date you can apply for OPT (you should apply no later than June 30 in order for application to be received at USCIS processing center. You should plan to leave the U.S. if you have not applied within the 60-day grace period.
12 months: Amount of time you could work full-time on OPT.
14 months: OPT must be completed within 14 months of graduation date.
20 hours: Minimum amount of time you must work or volunteer per week in your major to be considered employed.
90 days: Cumulative number of days you may be unemployed until you have to leave the country.
10 days: If your employment is terminated or interrupted in some way and no more than 10 days passes in between starting a new job, no time will be deducted from the 90-day clock. Must report any change to ISP.
- As of March 2018, Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will send students with approved OPT/OPT STEM instructions on how to set-up their SEVP Portal access. On the SEVP Portal students can update the required data within 10 days of the following changes:
- U.S. home and mailing address
- U.S. and foreign telephone numbers
- Employer name and address
- Supervisor name and contact information.
- You can also report the above information to ISP via the SEVIS update form within 10 days along with:
- Change in your name
- When employment changes or terminates
STEM EXTENSION
If you were a STEM major at Macalester, you may be eligible for a 24 month extension of your OPT.
For an overview of STEM OPT extension rules and regulations from the Homeland Security, review their “STEM OPT Information Hub”
See the eligibility requirements:
- Currently authorized for post-completion OPT and working for a US employer in a job directly related to your field of study.
- Employment is related to major, not a minor or concentration.
- Has a job-offer or is employed by an employer registered with the “E-Verify” federal employment verification system.
- Bachelor’s degree in a field on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program list. (Note that DHS major titles differ slightly from official Macalester titles. Use DHS titles in your application. A list is provided in a drop down menu below)
Application Process
Your STEM OPT application must be received by USCIS before your current EAD expires, but you cannot apply earlier than 90 days prior to the current EAD end date.
NOTE: You are strongly advised not to travel outside of the U.S. while your STEM OPT is being adjudicated, and you should consult with ISP about any travel plans. If your OPT STEM Extension has been approved and you are employed, you can find some general information about re-entry into U.S. by visiting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) travel page.
1. Request OPT recommendation by sending the following to ISP via snail mail or email:
- OPT Application Info Sheet
- Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Download, complete, and sign. Leave page 5 blank. Do not submit to USCIS. Refer to major list below for CIP codes.)
- Page 1 – SEVIS ID # is found on the top of your I-20
- Form I-765 – Sign where needed
- Item #8 – Your A-number is the same as your USCIS# on EAD
- Item #12 – Check “Yes” since you filed I-765 regular OPT
- Item #27 use the code (c) (3) (C) – *lowercase c, 3, uppercase C*;
- Item # 28.a. Degree – list “Name of Major, Major’s CIP Code (handwrite CIP Code if online form does not allow you to type it after your STEM major)”
- Prepaid envelope addressed to you (if sending to ISP via snail mail) or express mail shipping label addressed to you (if emailing to ISP)
- Employer support letter on company letterhead that outlines job duties, pay, location, hours of work per week, E-Verify number
- Copies of the following:
- Official Macalester Transcript
- Passport, recent I-94, F-1 visa
- EAD (or OPT card) – front and back
- Update your employer, mailing address, and other information via the ISP SEVIS Update Form
2. ISP will mail you a new I-20 with recommendation for STEM extension OPT, which you must sign and submit with your STEM OPT application. You must complete the application process within 60 days of this I-20 being issued.
3. Send the following materials to the USCIS lockbox:
- Check or money order of $410, payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” for the OPT application fee
- Two passport-sized photos in color (Write your name and I-94 number in pencil on the back of the photos; keep the card envelope they come in and write your name and I-94 number in Sharpie on the card envelope. Please ensure that photos meet the requirements.)
- Completed Form G-1145 (optional, but recommended)
- Original completed Form I-765
- Supporting letter from employer on company letterhead that outlines job duties, pay, location, and hours of work per week
- Photocopy of I-20 page 1 with your signature and page 2 with OPT recommendation
- Photocopy of the front AND back of your most recent Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as your OPT card
- Photocopy of your most recent Form I-94
- Photocopies of your valid passport picture page and F-1 visa page
- Photocopy of your final transcript
If you live in Minnesota, send these materials to the USCIS Phoenix lockbox at the following address for US Postal Service deliveries:
For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036
For express mail and courier deliveries (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.):
USCIS
Attn: NFB AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
If you do not live in Minnesota, check the USCIS website for information about the mailing address that applies to you.
4. Keep a copy of the above documents for your records. You may check the status of your application at the USCIS Case Status website with your receipt number.
DHS Designated STEM majors
- Biology (CIP: 260101)
- Chemistry (CIP: 400501)
- Computer Science (CIP: 110101)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (CIP: 450603 formerly Economics)
- Environmental Studies (CIP: 030103)
- Geology (CIP: 400601)
- Mathematics (CIP: 270101)
- Neuroscience (CIP: 261501)
- Physics (CIP: 400801)
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (CIP: 422799 formerly Psychology)
When to apply
- Apply up to 90 days (3 months) before your current EAD expires.
- The extension application must be received by USCIS before your current OPT expires.
- Once the application is received by USCIS, you are given 180 days where you can work before your new EAD arrives. This means that if you are waiting to find out if you received your H-1B authorization, you can wait until a few weeks before your current OPT expires.
Wait for USCIS to mail you the EAD
It takes approximately 2 to 4 months for USCIS to process your request and mail your EAD to the address on Form I-765. Several weeks after you apply, you should receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) in the mail from USCIS. Students who file a timely application can continue employment while the extension application is pending, until a final decision on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first. The EAD will reflect the dates of your employment authorization. The authorization period begins the day after the expiration of your initial post-completion OPT employment authorization and ends 24 months later, regardless of the date the extension is approved.
You may also elect to receive an email or text alert when you application is approved by submitting form G-1145.
Requirements while on OPT
- Upon receipt of the EAD, email a copy to ISP.
- As of March 2018, Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will send students with approved OPT/OPT STEM instructions on how to set-up their SEVP Portal access. On the SEVP Portal, students can update the following required data within 10 days of any changes:
- U.S. home and mailing address
- U.S. and foreign telephone numbers
- Employer name and address
- Supervisor name and contact information.
- You can also report the above information to ISP via the SEVIS update form within 10 days along with:
- Change in your name
- When employment changes or terminates
- Contact ISP every six months starting from the date the extension begins to verify your name and address, and your employer’s name and address. Send the report no earlier than 15 days before and no later than 30 days after the 6 and 12 month dates from the start date of your OPT extension.
- You may not accumulate more than 150 days of unemployment during the total 36-month Post-Completion OPT period.
- Notify ISP if you decide to permanently depart the US during your OPT or OPT STEM.
- Notify ISP if you change your visa status during your OPT or OPT STEM.
- After 12 months of OPT STEM, you must submit an updated training plan that includes a completed Evaluation on Student Progress on page 5 of the form I-983.
- After 24 months of OPT STEM or the completion of the OPT STEM period, you must submit an updated training plan that includes a completed Final Evaluation on Student Progress on page 5 of the form I-983.
- Failure to follow the reporting requirements above may result in the termination of your F-1 status.
WORK VISA: H-1B
H-1B is a temporary worker visa designated for individuals coming temporarily to the United States to work in a specialty occupation. Only 65,000 H-1B visas are authorized per year, but this may change with immigration reform. Applicants are selected through a lottery if there are too many applicants.
Macalester College is not responsible for helping students attain a H-1B visa. Students must contact their employer to apply for the visa. More information about the H-1B Visa can be found on the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services website.
The H-1B visa is usually used after OPT ends in order to extend the stay in the U.S. H-1B visas are not issued until October. Therefore, even if the employer has agreed to sponsor the visa, students are required to file for OPT in order to begin working before October.
Applying for an H-1B Visa
Employers must apply for the visa on behalf of the employee. The employee must have graduated before an employer can sponsor a petition. Students and/or employees cannot apply for the H-1B visa on their own.
A petition for an H-1B visa can be started on April 1st in order for it to have effect starting on October 1st. Documents must be prepared before April 1, typically with a lawyer. The company is required to pay the fees incurred through the application process, including fees charged by the lawyers. The application process approximately costs $5,000.
Visa Requirements
- You must have an employer-employee relationship with the petitioning U.S. employer.
- Your job must qualify as a specialty occupation.
- Your job must be in a specialty occupation related to your field of study.
- You must be paid at least the actual or prevailing wage for your occupation, whichever is higher.
- An H-1B visa number must be available at the time of filing the petition, unless the petition is exempt from numerical limits.
Employment Info for Student and Employer
See the below resource for information on how to talk to your potential employer about hiring international students.
What Employers Should Know about Hiring International Students