There are limited opportunities for eligible international students and new graduates
to work on campus and/or to gain practical experience in their major fields of study.
International students on F-1 and J-1 visas have specific rules to follow if they
want to work while studying in the U.S. Students should review all information about
employment on the International Office website before pursuing any work or internship
opportunity.
A Note of Caution:
Students should not begin any off-campus employment (paid or unpaid) before obtaining
employment authorization. Working off-campus without employment authorization is a
serious violation of student status and could have a significant impact on your immigration
status, academic goals, and future entries to the U.S.
On-Campus Employment
To be eligible for on-campus employment, you must be in valid immigration status and be enrolled full-time during the academic
year. On-campus employment includes jobs that are paid by Illinois Wesleyan University,
or jobs performed on-campus by commercial firms that are contracted to provide services
for students (i.e. the bookstore and dining services).
To be eligible for on-campus employment at Illinois Wesleyan University, students
must be enrolled in the equivalent of full-time status, in valid immigration status,
and studying physically in the U.S.
Students in F-1 statusdo not need to apply for any type of employment authorization to work on campus.
Students in J-1 status sponsored by IWUmust submit a request to the International Office to obtain a "J-1 On-Campus Employment
Letter." The International Office must approve and authorize on-campus employment
for J-1 students BEFORE they may begin work.
In general, eligible international students in valid immigration status are permitted
to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and may work more than
20 hours per week during official university breaks. Students must follow both immigration
regulations and University policy regarding on-campus employment.
For more detailed information about University policy limitations and procedures for
on-campus employment, contact the Financial Aid Office.
Students can locate on-campus jobs by reviewing the Student Job Openings page on the Financial Aid website.
If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will need to apply for one
in person at the Social Security Administration Office. Visit the Social Security Number information page for the details on how to apply for a social security number.
Bring your receipt from the Social Security Administration Office to the Financial
Aid Office. There, you will complete remaining employment and tax paperwork. Once
those items have been completed, you may then begin your on-campus job.
On-campus employment will end immediately when you withdraw from or complete your
program. You may not continue to work on-campus once you have stopped being a student
or finished the requirements for your program.
In most cases, your last day of employment will be the final day of your final semester,
which is the last day of the final exam period as listed in the IWU Academic Calendar.
Students who graduate in the spring semester have the option to work until their commencement
date. It is up to you to ensure that you comply with this requirement and to contact
the International Office if you have any questions.
All off-campus employment for F-1 students including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, Cap Gap Extension, and Economic Hardship has specific eligibility requirements, application processes, limitations and require
prior authorization.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative
education, or other type of required practicum that may be available to F-1 students.
It is an opportunity for F-1 students to participate in off-campus employment/training
during their program of study to gain practical experience in their major field of
study. The employment/training must be an integral part of the school’s established
curriculum and relate directly to the student’s major field of study. This means that
the student must be enrolled in an appropriate internship course, or the internship
isrequiredfor the degree program.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time
During the academic year (required semesters), CPT is limited to part-time (no more
than 20 hours per week) and you must continue to be enrolled as a full-time student.
Full-time CPT (more than 20 hours per week) is generally available to students only
during the summer break or vacation semester.
Students who use 12 months of full-time CPT are not eligible for OPT.
CPT Application Process
To be eligible for CPT at IWU you must:
Be a full-time degree-seeking student in F-1 status
Have declared a major
Have been enrolled full-time for at least a full academic year (2 consecutive semesters)
Have secured an internship/job offer
Be enrolled in the appropriate internship course to receive academic credit for your
proposed CPT employment.
If students are completing the CPT in the last semester of the program, the CPT course
cannot be the only course on their schedule. Students must enroll in an additional
in-person or hybrid to maintain status.
Your CPT employment dates are determined based on the IWU University Academic Calendar.
If a student is in their final term, CPT can only be authorized through the last day
of final exams.
Your CPT dates must fall within the term dates listed in the Academic Calendar.
If a Summer Session is the final term, the last day of CPT must be on or before the
last day of final exams for that Session term.
All employment on CPT must be related to your major field of study. Academic minors
do not apply. All paid positions will require CPT, and unpaid or volunteer positions
may also require CPT employment authorization. If you have any questions about whether
you need to apply for CPT to engage in a certain type of employment you should speak
with the International Office.
Once you have an offer of employment you will need to obtain an official "Employment
OfferLetter" written on the company letterhead and signed by your employer. The letter
must contain ALL of the following elements:
Employer's name (offer letter must be on company letterhead)
Job title
The physical address of the employment location (street, city, state, and zip code)
Exact employment start and end dates
Your CPT start date must be a date that is at least 2 weeks into the future.
The start and end dates for CPT must fall within the dates of the academic term for
which you are enrolled in the CPT course.
Specification if the job is full-time (more than 20 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours/week
or less)
Students must complete the Internship Learning Contract with the Hart Career Center. This process can take some time as it requires signatures
from the student, a faculty supervisor, and the internship/training supervisor. If
students have questions or concerns about completing the Internship Learning Contract,
they must contact the Career Center.
After the Internship Learning Contract is completed and signed, students must then
complete the CPT Request Form.
To avoid delays in processing, you must submit your CPT request via the International Office Receive Link at least 5-7 business days before your CPT start date.
To request CPT, students must submit the following documents:
Employment/Training Offer Letter
Internship Learning Contract
CPT Request Form
Failure to submit completed documents may result in the delays of a student's training
opportunity.
Once the International Office has reviewed and determined if the request meets all
requirements, the request will be approved. The International Office will authorize
CPT and issue a new CPT I-20. The I-20 will be sent in a separate, secure email.
When you have downloaded the new I-20, you must:
Review page 2 to ensure that the dates and the employment information are correct.
It is your responsibility to make sure that your employment information is correct
before you begin your CPT.
Print your Form I-20, and sign and date page 1.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
You cannot begin your CPT employment until your CPT Form I-20 has been issued and
you have reached your CPT start date.
You must report any change in your CPT to the International Office.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment option available to students in
F-1 status to gain practical experience in their major field(s) of study.
TheUSCIS websitehas detailed information about OPT including eligibility and responsibilities for
students.
Types of OPT:
Post-Completion OPT is work authorization used after the completion of a degree and is authorized full-time for
a maximum period of 12 months at each degree level. For more detailed information on Post-Completion OPT please see the information below.
Pre-completion OPT is work authorization granted before the completion of a degree
and may be authorized part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during semesters of required
study, and full-time during break periods (summer or winter vacation). Students must
maintain full-time enrollment during Pre-Completion OPT. Any OPT time authorized before
the student's program completion will be subtracted from the total 12 months of OPT
available. Part-time Pre-Completion OPT time will be subtracted at half the rate.
Pre-Completion OPT may be difficult to obtain promptly. Please speak with the International
Office if you are interested in applying for Pre-Completion OPT.
Post-Completion OPT Stages
Confirm Your OPT Eligibility
To be eligible for OPT you must:
Be maintaining valid F-1 status
Have been enrolled full-time for at least two consecutive terms
Have earned or are enrolled to earn a degree
Determine Your Program End Date
The earliest USCIS will accept a Post-Completion OPT application is90 daysbefore your program end date, that is, the day when you complete all requirements
for your degree. Your degree conferral date may or may not be the same as your Form
I-20 program end date. Please ask the International Office if you are not sure about
your completion date.
All employment, including on-campus employment, research, and CPT must end by your
actual program completion date unless you have approved OPT for continued employment
and the job is in your major field of study. To determine your program end date, see
the guidelines below:
ForSpring Semester: The program end date is the graduation/commencement date.
For May Term/Summer: The end date will be the last day of the May Term/Summer session you were enrolled
in for your final coursework.
ForFall Semester : The program end date is the last day of finals in December.
Before applying for OPT you must consider your timeline.
The earliest date that you can apply for OPT is 90 days beforeyour completion date
The latest date you can apply for OPT is 60 days after your completion date
Your OPT start date can beany date between your completion date and 60 days after your completion date.
USCIS will accept your OPT application only90 days before your completion date and 60 days after your completion date.
The International Office recommends that students apply for OPT as early as possible,
as the application can take up to 2 months to process once submitted to USCIS. Go
to theUSCIS's website for the most up-to-date processing times.
Premium Processing
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) offers premium processing
for certain F-1 students applying for OPT. Premium processing provides expedited processing
(30 calendar days) of an OPT application for an additional fee filed with Form I-907. The 30 calendar day premium processing timeframe does not include the time it takes to produce an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
The EAD will be produced within 1-2 weeks after the OPT/STEM OPT approval.
We recommend that you monitor USCIS I-765 processing times and consider the points below before deciding to pay for premium processing:
The date your OPT application was received by USCIS
Choose “I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service” in the drop-down menu under
“Select the form you want to file online.”
Click “Start Form”
Your pending OPT case should display under “Add Premium Processing to a Case."
For details, go down to OPT Application Process.
While you are on OPT you are still in F-1 status and to maintain status while you
are on OPT you must:
Abide by the Department of Homeland Security OPT regulationswhile participating in OPT.
Set up your SEVP Portal - You should receive an email from USCIS with instructions on how to set up your SEVP
Portal.
The SEVP Portal is an important tool that lets you report your employment information
directly to USCIS.
You shouldreceive the instructions on how to set up your SEVP Portal by email on, or around,
your OPT start date.
Set up your SEVP Portal immediately.
If you do not receive the instructions by email, check your spam folders and then
contact the International Office for assistance.
Report all changes of address or employmentinformation through the SEVP Portalwithin 10 daysof the change. You should also update your address in your USCIS Account.
If you do not report your employment in the SEVP Portal, your unemployment days will
begin to be calculated from your OPT start date.
Print or save a copy of your SEVP Portal Record. You have access to the SEVP Portal for up to six months after your OPT ends. SEVP
encourages you to print or save a copy of your portal record for future reference,
including your Event History.
Request a reprint of your I-20 from the International Office after submitting an employer update to the SEVP Portal to receive an updated I-20 with your new employer information.
Work at least full time (20+ hours a week)- You can hold more than one position as long as all positions are related to your
field of study and hours of employment add up to a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Types of employment- OPT employment positions can be paid, unpaid, regular, internship, or volunteer
as long as they are directly related to your major field(s) of study. You may work
for multiple employers (including short-term gigs, self-employment, contract work,
or work for hire).
Do not accumulate more than90 daysof unemployment during your entire 12 months of Post-Completion OPT. Unemployment
time begins to accrue after your OPT start date (as written on your EAD card) if you
have not reported your employment in the SEVP Portal. Unemployment does not accrue
while your OPT application is pending.
Notify the International Office regarding any updates or changes to your visa status
within 10 days of the change.
Leave the U.S., transfer to a new school, or change your visa status within 60 days
after your OPT end date. You have a 60-day grace period to remain in the U.S. to
prepare for departure.
Post-Completion OPT Application Process
Follow the steps below for guidance on how to apply for Optional Practical Training
(OPT).
Reminder: Do not submit your OPT application to USCIS until you have received your Form I-20
with your OPT recommendation from the International Office.
Review the OPT Stages
Meet with the International Office staff for an advising appointment and/or attend
an OPT Info Session
F-1 students must request approval and a recommendation from the International Office
in to apply for OPT from USCIS. To do this, you must request a new I-20 recommending
you for OPT:
NOTE: Your program end date must reflect when you will complete your degree requirements
before requesting an OPT I-20.
It is recommended to file your OPT application online. If you have any questions or
concerns about filing online, reach out to the International Office. You may schedule
an appointment with the International Office to help walk you through the online application.
When filing your OPT application online, follow the instructions carefully. You will
need to prepare the items below as uploadable files:
OPT Form I-20-Review the information for accuracy, sign, and date the bottom of page
1
Copy of passport identification page (if applicable)
Copies CPT Form I-20(s) and/or OPT Form I-20(s) (if applicable)
Copy of previous Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) (if applicable)
Filing fee - See the USCIS I-765 page for current fee information. You may pay using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. If you use a credit
card, the card must be issued by a U.S. bank.
According to the USCIS I-765 instructions, students must be physically present in the U.S. to submit an OPT application.
Do not begin your application with USCIS until you receive the new OPT I-20 recommending
you for OPT from the International Office. Submitting your OPT application before
obtaining the OPT I-20 will lead to the denial of your OPT application.
You must submit your OPT application within 30 days of the issuance date on the bottom
of page one of your new OPT I-20.
A duplicate paper Receipt Notice will be sent to you by mail at a later date
Track the status of your case
Communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox
Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
Premium Processing
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) offers Premium Processing
for F-1 students applying for OPT/STEM OPT. Premium Processing provides expedited
processing (30 calendar days) for OPT/STEM OPT applications for an additional fee
filed with Form I-907. For more information on Premium Processing see the USCIS website.
The 30 calendar day premium processing timeframe does not include the time it takes to produce an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
The EAD will be produced within 1-2 weeks after the OPT/STEM OPT approval.
We recommend that you monitor USCIS I-765 processing times and consider the points below before deciding to pay for premium processing:
The date your OPT application was received by USCIS
Choose “I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service” in the drop-down menu under
“Select the form you want to file online.”
Click “Start Form”
Your pending OPT case should display under “Add Premium Processing to a Case."
Once you have submitted your OPT application to the USCIS within the required timeline,
you are eligible to remain in the U.S. in F-1 status until your OPT application has
been processed. You should receive three documents from the USCIS: 1) a Receipt Notice,
2) an Approval Notice, and 3) your Employment Authorization Document (EAD.)
The Receipt Notice is evidence that USCIS has received your OPT application. You are
permitted to remain in the U.S. while your OPT application is pending.
After your program end date, you may not work on or off-campus until your OPT has
been approved, you have received your EAD and your OPT start date has been reached.
If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), please contact the International Office
for assistance.
After you have submitted your OPT application you must follow theStage 4 instructions on Maintaining F-1 Status on Post-Completion OPT.
You can use the USCIS' Case Status Online page to find the USPS tracking number for your EAD delivery. If you do not receive
your EAD within 30 days from the OPT/STEM OPT approval date you can submit an online case inquiry to ask about your missing EAD.
If You Change Your Address
If you change your address after submitting your OPT application, you should update
your address with USCIS to ensure you receive all notices and documents in a timely
manner and avoid possible delays related to your case. Individuals should notify USCIS
as soon as possible and no more than 10 days after a change of address.
Update your address using your USCIS online account (the account used to submit your
application)
Update your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
Travel on OPT
Students on OPT are still in F-1 status and must continue to be aware of F-1 regulations
regarding the maintenance of status. If you plan to travel while you are on OPT, you will need a valid F-1 visa to return
to the U.S. Before any travel, communicate with the International Office.
How risky is travel outside of the U.S. before my program completion date while my OPT application is either pending or approved?
You do not need a job offer or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to travel,
as long as you return to the U.S. before you have completed your degree requirements.
To be readmitted in F-1 visa status, you will need a “valid academic reason”. (Attending
a graduation ceremony is not considered an “academic reason." However, finishing classes
or takings exams are examples of “valid academic reasons.”)
If your OPT application is pending, bring your OPT Receipt Notice with you when you
travel. If the OPT application is approved, bring your EAD and a job offer letter,
if available.
How risky of travel outside of the U.S. after I complete my program and while my OPT application is pending?
Travel and re-entry is not recommended after your program completion date and while
your OPT application is pending unless you have a valid job offer. There is risk involved
if you have not received an EAD. Once your OPT application is approved, both a job
offer letter and an EAD are needed. We recommend reviewing and printing out the information
online from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regardingtravel on OPT.
How risky of travel outside of the U.S. after I complete my degree and my OPT has been approved but I do not have a job offer?
Once your OPT application is approved by USCIS, having an EAD to present at the Port
of Entry to return to the United States provides less risk, but also having a job
offer letter is ideal. During an approved OPT period, you can only return to the U.S.
to resume employment.
STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension
F-1 students with degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math
(STEM) and are currently engaged in Post-Completion OPT may be eligible for a 24-month
extension of OPT. Please review this web page and see the USCIS website for detailed information about STEM OPT including eligibility criteria, and responsibilities
for students and employers.
STEM OPT Extension Stages
Confirm Your STEM OPT Eligibility
To be eligible for an OPT STEM Extension you as the student must:
Be maintaining valid F-1 status
Be on an authorized period of Post-Completion OPT
Have a degree in an eligibleSTEM field as indicated by the DHS(from a SEVP-certified school that is accredited when the student submits their STEM
OPT extension application to USCIS).
Students who are currently on Post-Completion OPT may be eligible for the STEM OPT
Extension if they earned a prior bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from IWU
or another SEVP-certified school with a CIP Code listed on the DHS STEM Designated
Degree Programs List. The prior degree must have been earned within 10 years of applying
for the STEM OPT Extension.
Have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Agree to the terms of STEM OPT by completing their sections of theForm I-983.
Students can apply for STEM OPT up to90 daysprior to the end of their current OPT period (the end date listed on your EAD).
A STEM OPT request for an I-20 recommendation must be submitted to the International
Office no later than 14 business days prior to the end of your current post-completion
OPT.
The OPT STEM application must bereceived by USCIS within 60 days of your STEM OPTrecommendation date.
USCIS must receive the STEM OPT application before the expiration of the current OPT
period (the end date is listed on your EAD card and OPT approval from USCIS).
If your STEM OPT application is filed in a timely manner (before the OPT end date)
you may continue workingup to 180 days past the OPT end date noted on your EAD.
If your OPT application is filed in a timely manner and your application is pending
for over 180 days you must stop working but may remain in the U.S. until your application
is processed.
Processing times vary but may take on an average of 2-3 months.
For details, go down to STEM OPT Application Process.
To maintain status while you are on STEM OPT you must:
Be in a paid position (volunteer employment and unpaid internships are not allowed
on STEM OPT)
Have an employer (not self-employment)
Hold a position that is directly related to your STEM degree
Be employed for at least20 hours per week. If you have multiple employers at the same time,eachposition must be at least 20 hours per week
Complete all STEM OPT Reporting Requirementseverysix months (as described above)
Report all changes to your employment informationto the International Office within 10 days of the change.
Notify the International Office regarding any updates or changes to your immigration
status within 10 days of the change
Unemployment time is limited: You must not accumulate more than 150 unemployment days over the total time of your OPT and STEM OPT. Unemployment days are cumulative between both your initial 12-month OPT and your
STEM OPT. (For example, if you used 30 days of unemployment during your initial 12-month
OPT, you would have a balance of 120 unemployment days left during your STEM OPT)
Unemployment days are days when you are not employed with a company. Weekends, holidays,
and days that you take off for vacation (can be inside or outside the U.S.) arenotconsidered unemployment days if you will return to continue your employment.
Remember that you do not have a grace period after reaching your 150-day unemployment limit.
After your STEM OPT ends you will have a 60-day grace period to remain in the U.S.
to prepare for departure. During this time you may leave the U.S., transfer your
SEVIS record to a new school, or change your visa status.
Reporting Requirements
If you are authorized for STEM OPT you are still in F-1 status and to maintain your
status, you must:
Submit a STEM OPT Validation Report every six months.Validation Reports are due at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 monthsafter the start date of STEM OPT.
Submit your STEM OPT Validation Reports to the International Office.
You may receive automatic email reminders from the SEVP Portal when your Validation
Reports are due. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to keep track of when your Validation Reports
are due, and to submit them in a timely manner.
Validation Reports must be submitted within 10 days of the due date.The International Office will review your "STEM Check-In" Request and submit the STEM
Validation Report to SEVIS to validate your employment information and/or to report
any changes in the Form I-983 training plan.
6-month check-in:It is your responsibility to submit a "STEM OPT Check -In" Request to the International
Office at the 6 month mark of your STEM extension to confirm that you are still working
for your employer with the same responsibilities as initially reported on the Form
I-983 training plan. No section of the Form I-983 needs to be submitted at this time.
12-month check-in: It is your responsibility to submit a "STEM OPT Check -In" Request to the International
Office at the 12 month mark of your STEM extension to provide your annual evaluation.
The evaluation section is located on page five of the Form I-983. Page five of the Form I-983 must be submitted.
18-month check-in: It is your responsibility to submit a "STEM OPT Check -In" Request to the International
Office at the 18 month mark of your STEM extension to confirm that you are still working
for your employer with the same responsibilities as initially reported on the Form
I-983 training plan.No section of the Form I-983 needs to be submitted at this time.
Final Evaluation:It is your responsibility to submit a final evaluation when you complete your STEM
employment OR if you leave your job and switch to a new employer. The final evaluation
can be found on page 5 of the Form I-983. Complete the validation report by submitting
the "STEM OPT Check-In" Request to the International Office and verify your employer
and address are correct. Page five of the Form I-983 must be submitted.
During Cap Gap:STEM OPT reporting requirements continue during the Cap-Gap Extension (every 6 months).
Material Changes
In addition to the required six month STEM OPT Validation Reports, you must also report
any material changes to or deviations from the original Form I-983 Training Plan within 10 days of the
change to the International Office.
Material changes or deviations may include but are not limited to:
Any change of the employer’s EIN
Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
Any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training
opportunity
Please contact the International Office if you have questions about updating your
STEM OPT information when there is a change.
What happens if I miss the deadline for one of my STEM OPT Validation Reports?
If you do not submit your Validation Report on time, the International Office will
not have the ability to submit your report to SEVIS and the status of the STEM OPT
Validation or Evaluation will remain as “past due” in your SEVP Portal.
If I end my STEM OPT before my STEM OPT end date, do I still need to submit the Validation
Reports that are due after I have ended my STEM OPT?
No, you only need to submit Validation Reports that are due while you are actively
on STEM OPT. However, you will need to submit the Form I-983 Final Evaluation to report
you that you are ending your STEM OPT Extension.
STEM OPT Application Process
Follow the steps below for guidance on how to apply for STEM OPT.
Many different types of employment are allowed while on the OPT STEM extension but
there may be some types of employment that do not meet the USCIS guidelines. Unpaid
or volunteer work is not allowed on STEM OPT.
Employment Allowed
Multiple Employers:You may work for more than one employer, but you must submit a Form I-983 training
plan for each job before it begins. All employment must be directly related to your
STEM degree program, all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must work
at least 20 hours per week for each employer.
Start-ups & Entrepreneurship:You must be abona fideemployee of the employer signing the Form I-983. You may not provide employer attestations
(i.e., signatures) on your own behalf or sign your own Form I-983.
However, STEM OPT applicants can participate in a start-up or small business so long
as all regulatory requirements are met. The employer that signs the Form I-983 Training
Plan must be the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training
experience. The employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and be able to comply with
the training plan proposed on the Form I-983.
Per USCIS guidance, the following arrangements may not be able to demonstrate a bona fide employer-employee
relationship and are therefore may not qualify:
Self Employment/Sole Proprietorships
Employment through Staffing/Temporary Agencies and Independent Contractors: The regulations require a “bona fide employer-employee relationship” for STEM eligibility,
and states that the employer that signs the Form I-983 must be the same entity that
provides the practical training experience to the student.
For more detailed guidance, please see theUSCIS website's STEM pageand consult with your employer for more information.
Please note that while the International Office can provide guidance on these matters,
determinations on whether or not your job will qualify as STEM OPT employment are
ultimately up to USCIS' discretion.
Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure that the Form I-983 is complete,
has the correct dates, the proper signatures, and accurate information. If the form
is not completed properly, the processing of your STEM OPT request may be delayed.
You can request a STEM OPT Extension as early as 90 days before your OPT completion
date, at which point you may consult with the International Office.
Note:Submitting a STEM OPT application to USCIS without a new I-20 recommending you for
STEM OPT will result in denial of your application and possible forfeit of your STEM
OPT.
Once you have received your new I-20 recommending you for STEM OPT, you may file your
application. It is recommended to file your OPT application online. If you have any
questions or concerns about filing online, reach out to the International Office.
You will need to prepare the items below as uploadable files:
Completed Form I-765 (a part of the online filing process)
STEM OPT I-20, review the form for accuracy, sign, and date the bottom of page 1
Make sure that your Form I-20 lists the E-Verify employer’s company name on page 2
Copy of previous Employment Authorization Document(s) (EAD)
Copy of your IWU diploma
If you are applying based on aprior STEM degreeinclude:
Copies of the STEM-eligible diploma and transcript
Institutional accreditation- contact the school that conferred your STEM-eligible
degree for proof of accreditation
Filing fee - See the USCIS I-765 page for current fee information. You may pay using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. If you use a credit
card, the card must be issued by a U.S. bank.
Do not begin your application with USCIS until you receive the STEM OPT I-20 from
the International Office. Submitting your STEM OPT application without the STEM OPT
I-20 will lead to the denial of your OPT application.
You must submit your STEM OPT application within 60 days of the recommendation date
on the bottom of page one of your new I-20 and USCIS must receive your application
before your current OPT period ends.
Once you have followed all of the instructions and uploaded all the required documents
to your USCIS account, you can submit your STEM OPT Extension application
Note:Submitting a STEM OPT application to USCIS without a new I-20 recommending you for
STEM OPT will result in the denial of your application and possibly forfeit your STEM
OPT.
Premium Processing
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) offers Premium Processing
for certain F-1 students applying for STEM OPT. Premium Processing provides expedited
processing (30 -calendar days) of a STEM OPT application for an additional fee. For
more information on Premium Processing see the USCIS website.
Premium Processing would rarely be needed for STEM OPT applications since STEM OPT
applicants are allowed to continue their employment up to 180 days after the end date
of their OPT.
We recommend that you monitor USCIS I-765 processing times and consider the points below before deciding to pay for premium processing:
The date your OPT application was received by USCIS
Choose “I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service” in the drop-down menu under
“Select the form you want to file online.”
Click “Start Form”
Your pending OPT case should display under “Add Premium Processing to a Case."
The average processing time for a STEM OPT application is 90 days from the receipt of the application.
If you file your STEM OPT application in a timely manner, you will be able to continue
employment while your application is pending, until a final decision is made by USCIS
or for180 days beyond the expiration of your post-completion OPT,whichever comes first.
You will receive 3 documents from USCIS: a Receipt Notice, an Approval Notice, and
your STEM OPT Extension EAD.
You can check the status of your application on theUSCIS websitewith your Receipt Notice case number.
If your STEM OPT application is denied after your regular OPT expires, you will not
be able to re-apply, so please review your application carefully.
If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), please contact the International Office
for assistance.
After you have received your STEM OPT EAD you must follow the instructions for Stage
4 "Maintaining Status" on this page above, which details reporting requirements.
H-1B Cap-Gap Extension
A Cap-Gap extension is a regulatory provision that extends an eligible F-1 student's
OPT or STEM OPT employment authorization past the OPT/STEM OPT end date based on an
appropriately filed “change of status” H-1B petition with an October 1st start date.
Eligibility
You are eligible for a Cap-Gap extension if your employer submits a timely filed change
of status to H-1B petition to USCIS on your behalf. You may be eligible for one of
two Cap-Gap Extensions:
If your employer filed your H-1B petition and received a USCIS Receipt Notice prior
to your OPT/STEM OPT end date, you are eligible for an extension of your OPT employment
authorization through September 30th.
If your employer filed your H-1B petition during your 60-day grace period, you will
receive the automatic extension of your F-1 status, but will not be authorized to
work. You can remain in the U.S. through the extension date but you are not authorized
to work.
How to Apply for a Cap-Gap I-20
The Cap-Gap Extension for F-1 students is typically automatic. When an employer submits
an H-1B petition to USCIS, the Cap-Gap Extension for F-1 students usually appears
within SEVIS. However, Students should contact the International Office to see if
their Cap-Gap Extension has been automatically updated in SEVIS and how to request
a Cap-Gap I-20.
If Your OPT Ends Before April 1st
A student whose OPT expires prior to April 1st and is in their F-1 grace period, is
eligible for an extension of status ONLY, but not work authorization. The student
may begin employment with the H-1B petitioner when the H-1B petition is approved,
or October 1st, whichever is later.
Can I Travel Internationally During Cap-Gap?
Consult your employer's immigration attorney or Human Resources Department about all
international travel, once you have applied for H-1B status.
STEM OPT Extension During Cap-Gap
Students may apply for a STEM OPT Extension during the Cap-Gap period. Due to the
limited SEVIS database technical functionality, the dates on the STEM OPT I-20 do
not print accurately, since they overlap with the Cap-Gap Extension. Please consult
with the International Office and your Immigration Attorney for clarification on this
process.
Volunteering, Unpaid Internships, and Entrepreneurship
It is important to be aware of both the Code of Federal Regulations for F-1 and J-1
students as well as U.S. labor laws so that you do not participate in unauthorized
employment. Before volunteering, accepting any unpaid internship, or pursing an entrepreneurial
opportunity, please consult the International Office to find out if employment authorization
is required.
It is important to understand the difference between a volunteer and an employee.
Some think the only difference is that an employee gets paid and a volunteer does
not, but that is not true.Unpaid work can still be considered employment.
Whether the Department of Labor (DOL) considers you an employee or a volunteer is
based upon several factors and focuses on the relationship between the employer and
potential employee.
Individuals may volunteer time to religious, charitable, civic, humanitarian, or similar non-profit organizations as a public service and not be covered by the FLSA. Individuals generally may not,
however, volunteer in commercial activities run by a non-profit organization such
as a gift shop. A volunteer generally will not be considered an employee for FLSA purposes if the
individualvolunteers freely for public service, religious or humanitarian objectives, and without
contemplation or receipt of compensation. Typically, such volunteers serve on a part-time basis and do not displace regular
employed workers or perform work that would otherwise be performed by regular employees.
F-1 and J-1 students are permitted to perform volunteer work that meets the DOL criteria
without any prior authorization. Some examples include volunteering to hand out blankets
at a homeless shelter, visit the elderly in a nursing home, or fold bandages for the
Red Cross.
If you are unsure whether an opportunity qualifies as volunteer work, the Internatioanl
Office recommends you reference theDepartment of Labor websiteand consult with an immigration attorney and a labor attorney. The linkherewill guide you to a list of attorneys in the state of Illinois that specialize in
labor and employment law. You can find linkshereto help you find an experienced immigration attorney. If the "volunteer" work you
performed is later deemed by U.S. labor laws to constitute employment, then you would
have worked without employment authorization, or unauthorized. Unauthorized employment
can impact your legal status and future visa applications and your employer could
be at risk for substantial fines.
If the volunteer opportunity is through IWU, then you should consultwith the International Officeprior to performing any volunteer work.
It is important to think about immigration implications if you are in the U.S. as
an international student and you want to start or run your own business. The U.S.
federal government considers most entrepreneurship to be “work” even if you are not
yet personally earning money from the venture. That means that appropriate U.S. employment
authorization is needed for most of the entrepreneurship activity you do while you
are physically present in the U.S., including starting any type of U.S. business.
In addition, you would need a U.S. employment authorization to work remotely for your
non-U.S. business. You need employment authorization even if you do all your work
from an on-campus location or through an on-campus entrepreneurship class or project.
The U.S. federal government takes employment authorization very seriously. Working
without appropriate authorization can have long-term negative consequences. If you
are not sure about whether your business development and entrepreneurial activities
might need U.S. employment authorization, please consult an experienced immigration attorney.
If your work is related to your field of study, then employment authorization options
for F-1 student visa holders include Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional
Practical Training (OPT). Both of these types of employment authorizations are of
limited duration and may be restricted to less than 20 hours per week while you are
completing your degree. The International Office can advise on both of these employment
authorization options.