Office of International Services (OIS), MC7971

Office of International Services (OIS), MC7971 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 78229 Tel: (210)567-6241 Fax: (210)567-6240

OPT Application Procedures

I. READ THE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS AND contact an OIS advisor if you have any questions.

II. Complete and bring the following documents to OIS: 1. Completed Form I-765; * Filing Fee $340.00 (Check or money order payable to: Department of Homeland Security); * You may download Form I-765 at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf 2. Completed Form AR-11 if your address has been changed; * You may download Form AR-11at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf 3. Photocopy of ALL original SEVIS Form I-20 issued. 4. Photocopy of Form I-94 (front and back) 5. Photocopy of your passport information page(s) 6. Clear Photocopy of U.S. Visa 7. Two (2) photos with a white background taken no earlier than 30 days before submission to CIS. Please review this link for new photograph instruction: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/compositi on_checklist.html Lightly print your name and I-94 number on the back of each photo with a pencil; 8. Photocopy of your previous EAD Card(s) if applicable. 9. You must obtain an official Enrollment Verification from the Registrar’s Office. You must have been lawfully enrolled for full-time studies at UTHSCSA for one full academic year. 10. Advisor's letter of recommendation for Optional Practical Training. (Sample Included) 11. OPT information form signed by the student.(Sample Included) 12. Written statement indicating the requested start date for your OPT and the position sought.

III. After reviewing all documents mentioned above required for an OPT application, an advisor at OIS will update the student’s record in SEVIS as having been recommended for Optional Practical Training. This will be done by indicating in SEVIS that the employment will be full time or part time, the start date, and the end date of the employment. The advisor will then print the employment page of student’s SEVIS Form I-20 sign it and date it.

IV. The student will mail the necessary documents for the OPT application by certified mail to the US CIS Texas Service Center.

V. After receiving the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from US CIS, the student must give OIS a photocopy of the EAD that will be kept in the student's file as required by regulations.

NOTE: It is currently taking CIS 120 days or more to process OPT applications. Therefore, it is important to apply for OPT as early as possible. Students applying based on completion of the course of study are recommended to complete the entire application procedure up to 90 working days prior to completion of the course of study or prior to completion of course requirement.

March 2008 Office of International Services (OIS), MC7971 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 78229 Tel: (210)567-6241 Fax: (210)567-6240

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) FOR UTHSCSA F-1 STUDENTS

Definition of Optional Practical Training (OPT) OPT is defined as "temporary employment for practical training directly related to student's major area of study". An F-1 student is eligible for a MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS of this type of training while in continuous stay in the US. If a student has used 12 months OPT, he/she is eligible for another 12 month OPT period after changing to a higher educational level. However, part-time OPT (20 hours per week or less) is deducted from the 12 month limit at 50%. Thus, 6 months of part-time OPT would count as 3 month deductions from the available 12 months. Use of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for 12 months or more eliminates the participant's eligibility for OPT, use of less than 12 months of full time CPT or part time CPT does not affect eligibility for OPT. CPT may not be used following completion of a degree whereas OPT may be used as indicated below. CPT is not considered employment, but OPT is temporary employment.

While being on OPT, students are still considered to be F -1 students at UTHSCSA although they may be working elsewhere in the United States. A student with OPT must continue to report name and address changes, and change or disruption in employment to the UTHSCSA Office of International Services. Optional Practical Training is available in the following cases: A. Part-time or full-time during the student's annual vacation and other times when school is not in session if the student is currently enrolled, eligible, and intends to register for the next semester; B. Part-time while school is in session; C. Part-time or full-time after completion of all course requirements for the degree, excluding thesis or dissertation; D. Full-time after completion of the course of study.

The eligibility requirements for Optional Practical Training (OPT)  Students must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one full academic year prior to the start date of OPT. This includes: (1) the time spent studying full-time in a status other than F -1 (at UTHSCSA and/or other schools); (2) the time authorized by a PDSO/DSO to be registered less than full-time during the first year of study; (3) the time spent in study abroad during the course of study as long as a student had spent at least one full academic term enrolled in a full course of study prior to study abroad;  OPT application can be file up to 90 days prior to a student being enrolled for one full academic year provided that the OPT will not begin till the completion of the full academic year;  OPT work must be in a student's area of study.

Limits on Optional Practical Training (OPT)  A student cannot start working until the EAD is actually received and the start date on the card has been reached;  OPT must be requested no later than 60 days after the completion of course requirements or prior to completion of the course of study;  The maximum amount of time that can be granted is 12 months;  12 months must be used within 14 months of completion of course of study;  OPT employment will be automatically terminated when a student begins a new program or transfers to another school, and when the student exits the U.S.A. and re-enters with an I-20 issued by another school rather than the I-20 on which his/her OPT was based;  OPT will be abandoned when the student officially changes major and/or educational level;  Students with OPT cannot be transferred to the facility where the work stoppage is occurring;  Use it or lose it: once you receive your EAD card, you are on OPT. You will lose it all when starting a new program, etc. unless it is officially terminated;  F-1 visas may not be renewed during OPT. Students whose visas have expired are advised NOT to travel outside the US while on OPT as they may have problems returning to the US unless they secure a different visa/status;  I-20's should be extended at the time of OPT application to match the duration of the OPT period. This does not mean that visas can be renewed abroad during this period.  The 17-month OPT extension is limited to majors on the STEM list and e-verify employers.

STUDENT MUST SIGN BELOW I understand the conditions above and hereby agree to these conditions.

Student Signature Printed Name of Student

March 2008 Date: Phone #: Email:

Office of International Services (OIS), MC7971 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 78229 Tel: (210)567-6241 Fax: (210)567-6240

Sample of Advisor's OPT recommendation Letter (Must be submitted on department letterhead)

Office of International Services University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 78229

Dear Sir or Madam:

This letter serves to confirm that , a citizen of , be recommended authorization to engage in (check one) Pre-completion Post-completion OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) OPT 17-month extension. He/she is presently a registered student working toward a degree in the department of at UTHSCSA. This student (check one) will be taking an annual vacation or official school break of 200 & intends to register for the following semester; will be on optional practical training while school is in session; has completed all graduate course requirements excluding the thesis or dissertation; has completed or is expected to complete the course of study on . will complete the current OPT period on_____.

I understand that Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined in the regulations as "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student's major area of study". An F-l student applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) MUST have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a service-approved institution for at least one full academic year. A student who still has coursework remaining in his/her degree program can only work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session. OPT after completion of the course of study will only be granted for full-time use, which must be applied for no later than 60 days after the completion of course requirements or prior to completion of the course of study. Use of full time Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) for 12 months or more eliminates the participant's eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

By my signature below I am attesting that:  The student has been lawfully enrolled full-time for a full academic year; or is eligible for the 17-month OPT extension.  The OPT proposed is directly related to the student's major area of study;  The work sought for OPT is commensurate with the student's educational level.

( Advisor AND Student, please note: ALL the above conditions must be met. Failure of students to fulfill requirements of this document will result in student falling out of F -1 status)

Sincerely,

Advisor Signature Printed Name of Academic Advisor Title Phone #: Email:

STUDENT MUST SIGN BELOW I understand the conditions under which this request is made and hereby agree to these conditions.

March 2008

Student Signature Printed Name of Student Date: Phone #: Email:

Office of International Services (OIS), MC7971 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) San Antonio, Texas 78229 Tel: (210)567-6241 Fax: (210)567-6240

In order to comply with all Federal Rules and Regulations regarding my OPT, I understand:

1. I must notify the UTHSCSA Office of International Services of my employer’s name, address, phone number, and fax number immediately after I get the offer or change to a new employer. 2. I must notify the UTHSCSA Office of International Services of ANY changes in my name and/or address, or any disruption of my employment during my OPT within ten days of the change. (This includes, but is not limited to, moving to a different state, city, apartment complex, apartment unit, receiving a new cellular/home phone number, changing employer or having multi-employers, etc.) 3. I must notify the UTHSCSA Office of International Services should I decide to terminate my OPT early. (This includes, but is not limited to, changing my non-immigrant status, returning to my home country, studying at another level, etc.) 4. My employment must be in the area of my study. 5. I must keep my e-mail address and cellular phone number updated at all times with the UTHSCSA Office of International Services. 6. I must apply for my post-completion OPT 90 days before the program end-date or no later than 60 days after the program end-date. 7. If I am eligible for the 17-month extension, I must apply for this extension before my current EAD expires. 8. While on OPT, my F-1 status is dependent upon my employment. During my initial 12-month period of OPT, I cannot be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days and for an aggregate of no more than 120 days if I receive the 17-month extension. 9. My employer must be an E-Verify employer in order for me to receive the 17-month OPT extension. Also, my employer must agree to report to the UTHSCSA Office of International Services when I leave the employment or am terminated during my OPT. 10. I must submit my OPT application to USCIS within 30 days from the date that OIS requested my OPT and signed my OPT I-20.

I understand that should I not comply with the above statements I may lose my F-1 status. The UTHSCSA Office of International Services may notify the Department of Homeland Security to terminate my F-1 status immediately. Thus, I could become subject to deportation.

Print Name ______

Sign Name ______Date ______

March 2008 March 2008