Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Name:
LU Student ID#:
General Information: OPT is a benefit for F-1 international students at the completion of their associates, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. It offers students up to 12 months of employment authorization to gain practical experience in their major area of study. Qualifications: 1. You may apply up to 90 days before and no more than 60 days after your official degree conferral (graduation) date. 2. You must complete your program during the semester in which you apply for OPT. If there is a possibility that you might not complete your degree requirements, you should consider applying after your degree is conferred. Note: This is likely not the date of the graduation ceremony. 3. A specific job offer is not required. 4. Unless you graduate with a STEM degree, OPT cannot be extended past 12 months total. All OPT must be used within 14 months following graduation. 5. You are not eligible to apply for OPT once you begin a new program of study. 6. Your passport must be valid. How to Apply STEP 1–Attend an OPT workshop and bring the following items to meet with your International Student Advisor (ISA): 1. Completed Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) typed not handwritten. 2. Completed form G-1145 for electronic filling updates (optional) typed not handwritten. 3. Color photocopies of your Form I-20 (including all previous I-20s ever issued). Do not staple! 4. Color photocopies of your Passport (visa and photo page) 5. Color photocopies of your Form I-94 (White card usually stapled inside the passport. Copy both the front and the back side of the card.) OR copy of I-94 stamp inside the passport AND electronic copy found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. 6. Money Order for $410.00 made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security or completed Form G-1450 7. Two passport-type photos (Must meet US CIS Color Photograph Specifications). Photos must be less than 30 days old and can be taken at Card Services Office. Lightly write your name in pencil on the back of photos. 8. Color photocopies of any previous Employment Authorization Documents. 9. Verification that your degree will be conferred this semester. That means you have no remaining courses or other requirements beyond the current semester. (Signature required below) 10. Approval from the Embedded International Student Accounts Representative. (Signature required below) TO BE COMPLETED BY THE ACADEMIC EVALUATOR (Registrar’s Office): Expected Degree Conferral Date: ____/____/______ Program of Study: _______________________________ Academic Evaluator Name: __________________________________________________________________ Academic Evaluator Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Notes: ____________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ STEP 2 – Pick up your OPT I-20 two business days after meeting with your International Student Advisor (ISA). STEP 3 – Mail OPT application by FedEx within 20 days to (use address below if mailing from Virginia): USCIS Attn: NFB AOS DO NOT 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business LEAVE THE US Suite 400 WHILE WAITING Lewisville, TX 75067 FOR OPT STEP 4 – Receive OPT application receipt from USCIS in about 30 days. STEP 5– Receive OPT card from USCIS (can take 90 days or more from application date). STEP 6– Send copy of your OPT card to your ISA by fax or email. Create your SEVP Portal account and update your employer information. International Student CenterLiberty University, 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, VA 24515 Phone (434) 592-4118Fax (434) 582-2969
[email protected] www.liberty.edu/isc Updated 11/1/2018
To be completed by the Embedded International Student Accounts Representative: All students must receive approval from the Embedded International Student Accounts Representative verifying that your account is satisfactory. Student Accounts Representative Name: _____________________________________________________ Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ____/____/____
To be completed by the Student: Alternate/ Non-Liberty Email Address: _________________________________________________________ Current Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ Home Phone number: (____) - ____ -_______ Cell Phone Number: (____) - ____ -_______ Proposed OPT Start Date: ____/____/____ Proposed OPT Expiration date: ____/____/____ Please initial each of the lines below to indicate you have read, understand, and agree to the following statements: ______ I understand that I am considered to be in F-1 (Student) non-immigrant status while on OPT. ______ I agree to check my Liberty e-mail on a regular basis. ______ I realize that the travel signature on page 2 of my Form I-20 is valid for only 6 months while I am on OPT. ______ I understand that I must to be employed at least 9 of my 12 months of OPT full-time (more than 20 hours per week). I understand that the U.S. government may terminate my status if my reported unemployment exceeds 90 days. ______ I agree to immediately provide required OPT information including my local address and employment information once my OPT employment begins by either accessing the SEVP Portal or emailing
[email protected] ______ I agree to immediately notify my ISA of any changes to my employer’s name, address, or dates of employment. ______ I understand that I will no longer be automatically enrolled in the Liberty International Student Health Insurance plan once I am not enrolled as a residential student. (Students on OPT can apply to purchase insurance but only within the time frame determined by our insurance carrier. Check at the International Student Center for deadlines) ______ I understand that if I do not complete my degree requirements at the end of the current semester, I must extend my program before the end date on my I-20 and must satisfy full-time enrollment requirements the following semester. Students who fail to extend their program before the end date on their I-20 will forfeit all OPT. ______ I understand that while I am on OPT, I may not be enrolled in any classes at another education level unless they are recreational or avocational in nature. ______ (STEM Majors Only): I understand that if I wish to apply for a STEM extension on my OPT, I must apply before the end date of my current OPT but may apply up to 90 days before the end date.
Student Signature:
Date: ____/____/______
International Student CenterLiberty University, 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, VA 24515 Phone (434) 592-4118Fax (434) 582-2969
[email protected] www.liberty.edu/isc Updated 11/1/2018
