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Optional Practical Training is off-campus paid employment for F-1 students in their major and/or field of study. This includes off-campus internships. International students are eligible for a total of 12 months of practical training while at Smith, which can be used as follows:
A) Pre-completion Practical Training
During the annual summer vacation, provided you intend to continue your full-time studies the following semester. This is for students in their first year, sophomore, and junior class standings.
Note: You must have a job offer at the time of application.
B) Post Completion Practical Training
After completion of your studies for a period of up to one year. This is for Seniors, AMS students and for Graduate students who are completing their degree. Note: No job offer is necessary at the time of application. STEM majors may apply for an additional 17 month extension during their initial
period of Post-completion OPT if they have a new job or an extended contract. (see separate information on how to apply for STEM extension)
Optional Practical training can be granted in various increments of time. However, any OPT which is authorized prior to completion of studies (as described in "A") will be deducted from the total 12 month allotment for Post-Completion Practical Training. This means that if you used pre-completion OPT during the summer, those months will be deducted from the 12 month total.
- Complete form I-765 and I-538
- Obtain (2) passport size color photos (2x2 inches in size)
- Submit the above documents to the International Students & Scholars Office with copies of all I-20 forms issued to you by Smith and other institutions. Submit your passport, I-94 and a check for $380.00 dollars made out to U.S.C.I.S. (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- Submit letter of employment, if you have already received a job offer from an employer.
The International Students & Scholars Office will then issue a new SEVIS I-20, make copies of your passport and other documents, and give you a completed packet to send to:
Express Mail (any courier service requiring a signature):
USCIS ATTN: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy
121 Business Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
Regular Mail:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266
You will be notified once your petition has been approved (6-8 weeks) by USCIS. Then they will send an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card directly to your mailing address.
Please Note:
You cannot begin to work under Pre-completion OPT program or Post-completion OPT program until you receive the EAD card. Once you have been approved for Post-Completion OPT, you have 90 days from the start date of your OPT to find a job or find a volunteer position in your field, otherwise your OPT will be cancelled. It is your duty to report your new employer and your most current address to USCIS. Please send us the information and we will upgrade your SEVIS record.
DO NOT LEAVE THE U.S. after graduation, UNLESS you have received the EAD card, have found a job, and have a letter employment.
Once you have started working, if you wish to travel outside the U.S. we will endorse your I-20. Please send your most recent Smith I-20 and a copy of the EAD card to our office for endorsement. We will sign and return the I-20 to you for travel. Remember, you are still under Smith College F-1 visa during your OPT.
You may apply for both types of Practical Training Programs up to 90 days before end of classes/graduation. You can apply for Post-graduate OPT up to 60 days after graduation.
Interpreted and updated from U.S.C.I.S. regulations by:
Hrayr Tamzarian, Assoc. Dean
Revised: 10/4/2011
for use by Smith College students
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