Tuesday 30 April 2013

What You Have To Know Regarding Optional Practical Training

By Mike Osmond


Many ask what an Optional Practical Training (OPT) is. Well, it's a momentary work permit that gives F-1 visa students the opportunity to acquire the right training in various fields where their studies are concerned. There is no way that work undergone must deviate from what the individual studied in the past or recently.

There are two ways that this training can be done and the first is post-completion which happens after a student has successfully completed their studies. The other option is pre-completion training which is done before the student finishes their course. Most OPT programs are for 12 months but there are some that have a 17 month extended time period.

When applying for the post-completion program, the content must be related to the subject studied. There are certain circumstances which need to be followed for pre-completion training. The student needs to be enrolled for a full academic year and work in a field related to their studies. The student can work full time when school is not in session but only part time when school is on.

The other requirements entrenched in the rules of obtaining an OPT is that the recipient does not have to have jobs lined up. The apprentice can begin looking for a job the minute his /her OPT has been approved. The apprentice needs to start looking for a job very quickly though as the OPT is only available for a year and no more.

Another mandatory document is the bar coded SEVIS original generated form called the I-20 which is a certificate to prove eligibility for students who are not immigrants. This can be obtained from the school, university or college that that student will be attending. It will also be signed by the school official and the student. You will have to have the I-20 with you when you travel as immigration officers at the point of entry will request it.

It is best that you also have other documents that support your application with you. The first as well as the last page of your current passport should be available. The remarks page of the passport needs to be copied too.

On the one hand, when a student receives an OTP, they are required to at least acquire 90 days of work or else their OPT remains inactive. Inactivity of the OPT results in the termination of it by the USCIS, and the student will be asked to leave the US. This means that the first 3 months are critical in order to make success of the OPT.

Other educational supporting documents will be required. Your mark sheet along with your degree certificate is needed. If you do not have the certificate yet a mark sheet a provisional certificate will do. For pre-completion optional practical training programs you must produce scores scored on relevant tests.




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