{"id":6,"date":"2013-09-13T17:40:26","date_gmt":"2013-09-13T17:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international?page_id=6"},"modified":"2023-10-16T18:28:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T18:28:31","slug":"international-employment-opt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/student-services\/employment-overview\/international-employment-opt\/","title":{"rendered":"Optional Practical Training"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"hero-secondary\">\n  <div class=\"relative bg-black\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"adhere object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/westernu\/basic-slider\/slide-default-00.jpg\" alt=\"slide-default-00\">\n      <div class=\"adhere gradient-overlay\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"relative container pt-56 md:pt-112 pb-144 md:pb-192\">\n      <div class=\"md:flex md:justify-between px-12\">\n        <div class=\"sm:w-8\/12 md:w-6\/12 xl:w-5\/12 px-12\">\n                      <div class=\"mb-20\">\n              <div class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-14 text-white leading-130\">\n  <span class=\"inline-block\">\n    <a href=\"\/\" class=\"block hover:underline\">WesternU<\/a>\n  <\/span>\n      <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">Office for International Students and Scholars<\/a>\n          <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/student-services\/\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">International Student Services<\/a>\n    <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/student-services\/employment-overview\/\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">Employment Overview<\/a>\n    <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n    <span class=\"inline-block\">About Optional Practical Training (OPT)<\/span>\n  <\/div>            <\/div>\n                                        <h1 class=\"t-h1-sans  text-white\">About Optional Practical Training (OPT)<\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-start\">\n              <div class=\"w-full lg:w-5\/12 2xl:w-4\/12 -mt-80 md:-mt-112 mb-48 px-12 lg:pr-32\">\n                              <nav class=\"py-28 px-40 2xl:px-64 rounded-5 md:rounded-8 bg-gray-darker text-white mb-40\">\n            <ul>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/student-services\/employment-overview\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Employment Overview<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/student-services\/employment-overview\/international-employment-cpt\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Curricular Practical Training<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/student-services\/employment-overview\/international-employment-opt\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Optional Practical Training<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/nav>\n                            <\/div>\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content lg:w-7\/12 2xl:w-7\/12\">\n        <h2>Pre-Completion of Studies<\/h2>\n<p>Students must be in status for a full academic year. OPT allows you to work part time while school is in session or full-time during official school breaks or annual vacations. Only twelve (12) total months are available for OPT. Any training completed before your degree is awarded will be deducted from the 12 month total and reduce the time available after your degree is awarded. For this reason, students prefer to apply for OPT post-completion of studies.<\/p>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <h2>Post-Completion of Studies<\/h2>\n<p>Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows you to work in the United States after you complete your degree provided that the proposed employment is in your area of study. You do not need an offer of employment in order to apply for post-completion practical training. The period of time allowed for post-completion practical training is 12 months. Twelve (12) months must be used within 14 months of completion of study. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept applications for Post-Completion Optional Practical training up to 90 days prior to program end date and within 60 days after program completion. Post-completion OPT applicants may not request a start date that is more than 60 days after the student&#8217;s program end date. Approximately 2-4 weeks after you mail your application to USCIS, you should receive a &#8220;Notice of Action&#8221; (form I-797) stating that your documents have been received, and that the &#8220;processing time is approximately 90 days from the date of this receipt notice.&#8221; We cannot guarantee that you will receive the exact starting date that you request from the USCIS. Employment is permitted only after you receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, and only during the period specified on the card.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\" vue-app>\n  <div class=\"container\">\n        <app-accordion class=\"px-24 lg:w-4\/5 mx-auto\">\n              <app-accordion-item class=\"accordion-group block leading-1 opt-1\" content-class=\"accordion-group__panel wysiwyg-content\">\n          <template #accordion-trigger=\"{ href, visible, setRef, clickHandler }\">\n            <a :href=\"'#' + href\" \n              :ref=\"setRef\"\n              :class=\"['accordion-group__button scroll-mt-160', {'accordion__trigger_active': visible}]\"\n              @click.stop.prevent=\"clickHandler\"\n            >\n            <span class=\"block py-10\">\n              Application Procedures for OPT\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"accordion-group-icon relative flex w-56 h-56 ml-20 justify-center items-center bg-black rounded-full flex-shrink-0\">\n                            <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-down\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l192-192c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L256 338.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l192 192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n              <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-up\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 105.4c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L256 173.3 86.6 342.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l192-192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n                          <\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/template>\n          <template #accordion-content>\n            <p>Please prepare the following documents and make an appointment with your Designated School Official (DSO) at Western University of Health Sciences for processing.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Completed <a href=\"\/media\/international\/opt-request-form.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Optional Practical Training Request Form<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Completed Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization.<\/strong> Select the link to download the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/portal\/site\/uscis\/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a\/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010vgnvcm10000048f3d6a1rcrd&amp;vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010vgnvcm10000045f3d6a1rcrd\">I-765 Form<\/a>. For question 20, enter (C) (3) (B) for post-completion OPT. For further information and instructions please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/portal\/site\/uscis\/template.print\/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a\/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010vgnvcm10000048f3d6a1rcrd&amp;vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010vgnvcm10000045f3d6a1rcrd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USCIS<\/a> website.<strong>Note:<\/strong> If you know you will have a change of address after you submit your OPT application, please use WesternU&#8217;s mailing address on the I-765 Application form.Western University of Health Sciences, Attn: OISS, 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Letter from your College signed by your Dean or Associate Dean recommending OPT and expected date of completion of studies.<\/strong> See sample letter below.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Two (2) color photographs.<\/strong> Please view the <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/passports\/requirements\/photos.html\">Composition Checklist <\/a>for photographs provided by the U.S. Department of State. Write your name on the back of each photo and enclose your photos in a small envelope so they are not damaged when they are mailed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Processing fee for Form I-765.<\/strong> Check or money-order in the amount of $550.00 payable to Department of Homeland Security.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Photocopy of Passport.<\/strong> Include pages containing expiration date of your passport and your photo.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Photocopy of your I-94 card &#8211; <\/strong>paper if traveled into the U.S. by land or electronic Form I-94 if traveled into the U.S. by air.\u00a0\u00a0<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Photocopies of current I-20 and all I-20s issued for CPT.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Photocopies of previous EADs <\/strong>(if applicable)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>After you have prepared the above application materials you can drop them off to OISS.\u00a0 Your DSO will verify all documents and prepare your OPT I-20. A cover letter stating that you are applying for a work permit under Post-Completion Optional Practical Training will also be prepared for you to mail with your application. If you would like your EAD card mailed to an address different than the one you indicated on your I-765 form, please inform your DSO in writing.<\/p>\n<p>Your DSO will prepare your application packet for you to mail. It is recommended that you mail all documents by &#8220;certified mail with a return receipt.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n          <\/template>\n        <\/app-accordion-item>\n              <app-accordion-item class=\"accordion-group block leading-1 opt-1\" content-class=\"accordion-group__panel wysiwyg-content\">\n          <template #accordion-trigger=\"{ href, visible, setRef, clickHandler }\">\n            <a :href=\"'#' + href\" \n              :ref=\"setRef\"\n              :class=\"['accordion-group__button scroll-mt-160', {'accordion__trigger_active': visible}]\"\n              @click.stop.prevent=\"clickHandler\"\n            >\n            <span class=\"block py-10\">\n              Sample Letter from Your College\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"accordion-group-icon relative flex w-56 h-56 ml-20 justify-center items-center bg-black rounded-full flex-shrink-0\">\n                            <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-down\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l192-192c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L256 338.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l192 192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n              <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-up\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 105.4c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L256 173.3 86.6 342.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l192-192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n                          <\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/template>\n          <template #accordion-content>\n            <table style=\"width: 600px\" border=\"2\" cellpadding=\"3\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>SAMPLE LETTER FROM YOUR COLLEGE <\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">To Whom It May Concern:<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">This is to certify that (<strong>student&#8217;s Name<\/strong>) will complete all of the requirements for his\/her (<strong>type of degree<\/strong>) as of (<strong>date<\/strong>). I feel that it would greatly complement his\/her formal education if he\/she were to obtain permission to engage in practical training in a field related to his\/her studies. (<strong>Note: please be as specific as possible here<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">Sincerely,<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">(<strong>To be signed by your Associate Dean of College<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n          <\/template>\n        <\/app-accordion-item>\n          <\/app-accordion>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":4,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-6","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":866,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions\/866"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/international\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}