If you are an F-1 student, you have the option of working in the United States by engaging in practical training during your program or after it ends. Practical training can provide valuable work experience by sharpening and adding to the skills you are learning in school.
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OPT must relate to your major or course of study.
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You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor’s level and another 12 months of OPT at the master’s level).
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The Office of International Admissions will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for this employment.
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For work authorization, you must mail a completedapply for work authorization Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and paying a filing fee. USCIS will send you a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” (EAD) upon approving your Form I-765.
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Wait to start work until after you receive your EAD.
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While school is in session, you may only work 20 hours per week.
Reporting Requirements for OPT
All students on Post-Completion OPT (including Cap Gap and STEM extension students) are still considered to be in F-1 status for the period authorized and during the 60-day grace period afterwards.
F-1 regulations require all students who are on Post-Completion OPT, Cap Gap, or STEM OPT to report any changes in employment or personal information to the Office of International Admissions within 10 days.
How to apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT)? (Easy! It only takes 9 steps!)
Please complete the following steps before scheduling an appointment with the Office of international Admissions at international@sunypoly.edu. It will take 5 business day to process your I-20 with OPT authorization.
Step 1: Fill out the OPT application form (pdf). Do not submit this form to the USCIS
Step 2: Read the Instructions for I-765, Application for Employment Authorization before you begin to fill out the I-765 form.
Step 3: Fill out the I-765 form (Tips for filling out this form:)
- I am applying for: Permission to accept employment
- US Address: Must be your own address. Your correspondence and EAD card will be mailed to this address. Please do not use SUNY Poly address.
- Item 16. Eligibility Category ( c ) ( 3 ) ( b )
Step 4: A copy of Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record (front and back), if available
Step 5: All the I-20s in your possession, including the most current I-20 with OPT authorization
Step 6: A copy of your last EAD (front and back). If no prior EAD has been issued, you must submit a copy of your passport showing your picture, name, and date of birth
Step 7: You must submit two identical color photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of filing your application. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched. The passport-style photos must be 2" by 2". The photos must be in color with full face, frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1" to 1 3/8" from top to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8' to 1 3/8" from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious order of which you are a member. REMEMBER!!! Using pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and Alien Receipt Number on the back of the photo.
Step 8: The filing fee for Form I-765 is $410. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or other financial institution located in the United States and must be payable in U.S. currency; and
Step 9: Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Where to file?
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If you live in: |
Mail your application to: |
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Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, |
USCIS Phoenix Lockbox For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries: USCIS For Express mail and courier deliveries: USCIS |
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Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, |
USCIS Dallas Lockbox For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries: USCIS For Express mail and courier deliveries: USCIS |
Form G-1145. Use this form to request an electronic notification (e-Notification) when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accept your immigration application. This service is available for applications filed at a USCIS Lockbox facility.
Questions?
International Student Services
Email: iss@sunypoly.edu
