Work Authorization Information

Eligibility:

The student must meet these eligibility criteria:

• Student has been in F-1 status for one academic year (three terms) at current degree level
• Student is in good academic standing with Bellevue University (minimum 2.0 GPA for undergraduate students and minimum of 3.0 GPA for graduate students)
• Student is maintaining F-1 status, including pursuing a full course of study
• Student must not currently be placed on Academic Warning, Probation, or Suspension.
• Other employment opportunities (such as on-campus employment) are not available or are otherwise insufficient
• Student has severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control. Acceptable financial circumstances may include:
  • Loss of financial aid
  • Loss of on campus employment without fault on the part of the student
  • Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate
  • Inordinate increases in tuition and /or living costs
  • Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support
  • Medical bills
  • Other substantial and unexpected expenses

How to Apply:

• Gather Documents:
  • Write a cover letter thoroughly explaining your personal situation and assemble documentation to demonstrate your severe economic hardship. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will only consider severe economic hardship which is due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. Documentary evidence might include such items as:
    • Medical bills
    • Letters from family about loss of support, an illness in the family, political or natural catastrophe
    • Bank statements
    • Newspaper, magazine publications or verification from bank indicating a significant devaluation of home country’s currency
    • Statements concerning loss of financial aid or sponsorship
• Put together a budget showing your income, expenses, and the economic shortfall warranting a work permit.
• Complete USCIS Form I-765: Download from http://www.uscis.gov/ under Forms > I-765. Follow USCIS instructions. Type in your answers before printing the I-765. Use the category code (c)(3)(iii) in section number 16 of the form. Print and sign in blue ink.
• OPTIONAL: ALSO COMPLETE USCIS FORM G-1145 while on the I-765 webpage. This form allows you to provide an email address to receive an email and/or a cell phone number to receive a text message when your application is received by the U.S. government. Type your answers before printing the form.
• Complete the Academic Verification Form (sent through DocuSign by your Immigration Advisor – must be signed by you and your student coach)
• Make an appointment with an immigration advisor in ISS. Please allow 60-90 minutes for the appointment. Bring: your personal letter, a simple budget, a completed I-765 (and G-1145, if desired), documentary evidence of your financial hardship, your passport, visa, and I-94.
• An immigration advisor in ISS will review the documents and check your immigration status. If the advisor thinks you are eligible to apply for work authorization based on severe economic hardship, then the advisor will update your SEVIS record and create a new I-20 for you.
• Apply directly to the U.S. Government (USCIS) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) as per Mailing Instructions (provided by your immigration advisor).
• If the U.S. government approves your application, please remember to send ISS a copy of your EAD card at [email protected].
• Employment must not begin until the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by USCIS.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an opportunity for F-1 international students to participate in professional, temporary employment that is directly related to their major area of study, but not a part of the academic curriculum. This may be done during studies (pre-completion OPT) or after degree completion (post-completion OPT) for a period of up to 12 months full time.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for OPT, you:

• Do NOT need a job offer to apply
• Must be in legal F-1 Status and in the United States
• Must have been enrolled for the past academic year (typically 9 months, not including summer term)
• Must NOT have been previously authorized for 12 months of Full-Time CPT at the same degree level
• Must NOT have been previously authorized for 12 months of OPT at the same level, or any OPT at a higher degree level

When to Apply for OPT

For pre-completion OPT, please talk with your immigration advisor about when and how to apply.

For post-completion OPT, your application must be RECEIPTED BY USCIS* no earlier than 90 days prior to and no later than 60 days from the program completion date. USCIS must also receipt the application within 30 days of your immigration advisor's OPT recommendation.

* The term "receipted" refers to the date the USCIS filed your application as received and the date on which a Receipt Notice was issued. This does not simply mean the date they received it. For an application to be considered "receipted," the Receipt Notice must have been issued. The receipt notice is provided to the applicant and includes a receipt number and receipt date.

NOTE: If your current I-20 end date is in a future semester, the end date will be shortened to reflect the anticipated completion at the time your Post-Completion OPT recommendation I-20 is issued.

Consequences for not applying early

• Possible driver’s license renewal problems (in most cases, cannot renew until OPT is approved)
• May not get the OPT dates you requested.
• Depending on how late you apply, you may not get the full 12 months that you were initially eligible for due to a delay in USCIS processing times. By law, post-completion OPT must end by the 14th month after your program end date, so if the OPT period goes beyond that mark due to long processing times, the OPT end date will be cut short to the 14th month mark.
• Possible late rejection of application. By the time you find out that it was rejected and try to reapply, you may be ineligible due to being past 60-days from I-20 end date.

How to Apply for OPT

Pre-Completion OPT: Please contact your immigration advisor to get started.

Post-Completion OPT: Please review the 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Checklist for full details on your steps to applying for OPT. You must first receive an I-20 from ISS before applying for OPT. Do NOT file your OPT application until you have not been issued an OPT-Recommendation I-20! Contact your immigration advisor in ISS if you have questions.

OPT Reporting Requirements

Throughout the entire OPT period, you will still be in the US on F-1 status. To maintain your F-1 status, you must continue to report all changes to ISS WITHIN 10 DAYS of any change.

How to complete required OPT reporting:

• Once your OPT has been approved:
  • Send a copy of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card to [email protected].
• As soon as you have your first job offer:
  • You must report your employer to us within 10 days. Submit the online OPT Student Update Form to report your employer
• Within 10 days of the change, you must report any changes to:
  • Your employment - Report all changes in the OPT Student Update Form
    • This includes any loss or termination of employment, new or change of employer, or edits to your current employer
  • Your US address, telephone number, or email address, even if employment has not changed. Report any changes in the Change of Address Form.
  • Your immigration status (ex. F-1 to H-1B)
  • Your passport name
  • Your OPT plans, such as leaving the US and forfeiting the remainder of your OPT

NOTE: Failure to submit your information in a timely manner to Bellevue University International Student Services via the online OPT Student Update and Change of Address forms may result in the cancellation of your OPT and/or F-1 status. Please contact International Student Services if you have any questions or concerns.

The STEM OPT extension extends the initial period of post-completion OPT for an additional 24 months (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months) for students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the STEM extension for OPT, you must:

• Maintain your F-1 Status
• Currently be on an approved period of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) (OPT must not be expired!)
• Apply for the STEM extension based on study in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
• Work for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to your major area of study in the STEM field
• Have a job offer from an employer for a position that meets all of the employment requirements:
  • Must be a paid position working at least 20 hours per week
  • Employer must be registered with E-Verify
  • Work must be directly related to the student’s STEM degree
  • Must have specific training goals and objectives outlined in the Training Plan, Form I-983
  • Cannot be self-employed (you cannot sign your own I-983 as an employer)
  • Cannot be employed through "temp" agencies or consulting firm arrangements that provide labor for hire, or any other relationship that does not constitute a bona fide employer-employee relationship
• Not have previously received the STEM OPT extension twice before
  • For a second extension, your second STEM degree must be at a higher level than the previous STEM degree used for your first STEM OPT extension.

E-Verify Employer List:

• Google “EVerify Employer List”. Select the uscis.gov website.
• At time of publication of this website, the USCIS website is called "How to Find Participating Employers".

When to Apply:

Applications for the STEM OPT extension can be filed up to 90 days prior to the end of the regular period of post-completion OPT, but USCIS must receipt the application before the current OPT expires.

ISS recommends you apply as early as possible (within the required timeframe described above) to avoid driver’s license renewal issues.

If the STEM application is receipted BEFORE the current OPT expiration date, the student can continue working until a decision is made (up to 180 days from the end of the current OPT expiration). All STEM OPT requirements must be met for all employment taking place after the initial 12-month OPT expiration date.

How to Apply:

Please review the How to Apply for STEM OPT Extension Checklist for full details on your steps to applying for the STEM OPT extension. You must first receive an I-20 from ISS before applying for the STEM OPT extension. Do NOT file your application until you have not been issued the STEM OPT-Recommendation I-20! Contact your immigration advisor in ISS if you have questions.

Tips After Submitting Your STEM OPT Application:

• Students who have properly filed the Form I-765 (for STEM OPT extension) prior to the end date of their current post-completion OPT will be able to continue employment while their extension application is pending until a final decision is made on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first. The application must be receipted by the USCIS before the current OPT period ends.
• The employment authorization period for the STEM OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization, and ends 24 months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved.
• You can Check Your Case Status on the USCIS website by entering your receipt number (ex. PSCxxxxxxxxxx).
• When you receive the STEM OPT EAD, send a copy to [email protected].

STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

Throughout the entire OPT period (including the STEM OPT extension period), you will still be in the US on F-1 status. To maintain legal F-1 status during your approved STEM OPT extension period, you must continue to report all changes to ISS WITHIN 10 DAYS of any change, and complete the 6-month reporting due every 6 months from the start of your stem period. Please refer to the STEM OPT acknowledgement that you sign when you apply for OPT for details about your reporting requirements and continue to check your email address and respond to emails from your immigration advisor throughout your STEM OPT period. If you have any questions about your reporting requirements, please contact ISS.

Links for STEM Reporting

• To update your contact information: https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/international-services/change-address-form
• Employment Updates: https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/international-services/opt-student-update
• 6-Month Validations (due every 6 months): https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/international-services/opt-6-month-validation
• Self-Evaluations (due every 12 months or when you leave a job): This is page 5 of the I-983. Submit completed self-evaluations to your immigration advisor by email.

STEM OPT Info from the SEVP

The Federal government has put together a STEM OPT Hub with detailed information on such topics as:

• Eligibility requirements
• Reporting responsibilities
• Form I-983
• Employer responsibilities
• Eligible STEM fields

• Initial 12-Month OPT
  • Initial 12-Month Post-Completion OPT Checklist
• 24-Month STEM Extension
  • 24-Month STEM OPT Checklist
  • STEM OPT Employer Verification Form
  • STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan Recommendations
  • STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan Information and Instructions provided by Study in the States
  • STEM OPT Hub provided by Study in the States (for both students and employers)
• USCIS Check Your Case Status Tool

• Change of Address Form - Complete this form if you are on OPT or STEM OPT and need to report an update in address, email address, or phone number.
• 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) Student Update - Complete this form if you need to report a job update while on the initial 12-month OPT period.
• STEM OPT 6 Month Validation Report – Complete this form if you are on STEM OPT and you need to submit a required 6, 12, 18, or 24 month validation report.
• 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) Student Update – Complete this form if you are on STEM OPT and you need to report a job update.

Travel out of the U.S. while waiting for OPT approval is not advised unless you have a job offer and you have a way of getting the EAD should the OPT be approved while you are overseas.

If the OPT is Pending

• OPT Receipt Notice
• Passport
• F-1 Visa
• I-20 with a recent travel signature

Once OPT is Approved

• OPT EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
• Proof of Employment (i.e. job offer or recent paycheck stub)
• Passport
• F-1 Visa
• I-20 with a travel signature within the last six months

If your F-1 visa has expired you will need to apply for a new one while abroad if you plan to return to the U.S. to continue with OPT. It is sometimes more difficult to obtain an F-1 student visa while on OPT since you have already completed your degree and you are only returning to work. In addition, all new visas require a security check that could take time. Please carefully consider these risks before traveling outside the U.S.

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT) is an opportunity for international students in F-1 status to participate in professional, temporary employment such as an internship, co-op program, practicum or similar situation, which is undertaken prior to the completion of studies. The training must either be a required part OR an integral part of the established curriculum and the student must receive academic credit for the employment that will count toward degree requirements.

CPT is only valid for the term it is authorized for. If employment extends through multiple semesters, the student must enroll in a required CPT course each term and must be re-authorized each term.

• For additional information about CPT, Contact [email protected].

Academic Credit Requirement

For the employment, the student must enroll in a class for credit and the class MUST either be required for the degree or the class must qualify as an elective course required for the student’s degree.

The period of employment should normally fall within the limits of a given academic term. Students participating in CPT during a fall, winter, or spring semester must continue to pursue a full course of study. Both failure to enroll in the specific course for which the CPT is approved and to complete the employment during the period of authorization will result in a violation of immigration status.

CPT Eligibility

• Students are eligible for CPT after they have completed three full semesters.
• Employment may be either full-time (over 20 hours a week) or part-time (20 hours or less a week). If 12 months of full-time CPT is used then no Optional Practical Training (OPT) is permitted at that degree level. Part-time CPT or less than 12 months of full time CPT will not impact the OPT period.
• An international student advisor in the International Support Services Office (ISS) authorizes CPT. Employment may not begin until the proper authorization is obtained on page 2 of the student’s I-20 and must end by the authorized completion date.

How to apply for CPT

• Talk with an immigration advisor in ISS and your Academic Advisor before applying for CPT to be sure that you are eligible. If ISS has determined that you would be eligible for CPT, continue to step 2.
• Your immigration advisor will send you a DocuSign for the CPT Request Form. Complete Section A of the form and submit it through DocuSign.
• DocuSign will send you a second request to provide your employer’s contact information. Inform your employer that they will need to complete the CPT form and then enter their contact details in DocuSign. As soon as you submit this information, the form will route to your employer automatically. Your employer must complete section B of the form for it to route to your student coach, who will complete section C of the form. Once your student coach has completed section C, it will route automatically to your instructor or department to complete section D. Once sections A through D are complete, your form will be reviewed by your immigration advisor.
• Your immigration advisor will verify your F-1 status and confirm that the employment meets the curricular requirements. If the ISS advisor approves the CPT, a new I-20 will be issued. You may be required to meet with your immigration advisor to finalize this before receiving the new I-20. Please respond to all emails to avoid processing delays.

Employment may begin only after ISS has authorized the CPT by endorsing your I-20.
The I-20 is the official document authorizing the Curricular Practical Training employment.