ISSS Staff Initials & Date Notes (for official use only) Pickup: Student Initials & Date UNCG International Student and Scholar Services DOCUMENT REQUEST FORM I. General Information 1. UNCG Student #: 2. Visa Type: 3. Family (Last) Name in Passport: 4. Given (First) Name in Passport: 5. Middle Name in Passport: 6. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy): / / 7. Gender: Male Female 8. City and Country of Birth: 9. Country of Citizenship: 10. Phone number: 11. E-mail address: II. Academic Information 12. Educational Level: Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Masters Doctorate Certificate: what type? 13. Primary Major: 14. Secondary Major: 15. Minor: 16. Date you started your current program at UNCG (mm/dd/yy): / / 17. Date you plan to complete your program at UNCG (mm/dd/yy): / / III. PLEASE INDICATE DOCUMENT(S) NEEDED: Signature on I-20 for travel Approval for Less Than Full-Time Enrollment Certification of Enrollment Certification letter for a Social Security Number (must provide job offer letter with nature of employment, hours/week, workplace, and supervisor name, email and signature) Approval for Concurrent Enrollment Year: Fall Winter Spring Summer Name of other school: MUST FILL OUT BACK SIDE FOR: New I-20 or DS-2019 (include funding documents) *Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Authorization *Optional Practical Training(OPT) Recommendation *Other Off-Campus Work Authorization (Academic Training, Severe Economic Hardship, Int l Org, SSR) Letter of Invitation (provide name(s), date of birth, relationship, passport numbers of visitors and reason) Certification of Estimated Expenses Other: If all supporting information is accurate and complete, documents will normally be prepared in 5-7 working days. I understand that I must pick up the documents myself. I hereby authorize the release of any information necessary for this request. Signature: Date: 8/21/09
COMPLETE THIS PAGE IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR A NEW I-20 IV. REASON FOR REQUESTING NEW I-20(Attach financial documents) Extension of program (academic advisor s recommendation and/or degree evaluation required) Change in: major source of funding name citizenship dependent information Re-entry to US after absence of more than 5 months: Expected date of re-entry: / / Replacement due to loss, damage, or theft of previous I-20 Addition of dependents (spouse/children): Expected date of entry: / / Out of status: Reinstatement Re-enter US as Initial Attendance: Expected date of re-entry: / / Change of status: From (visa type): To (visa type): Transfer back to UNCG from another school: Expected start date at DU: / / V. Financial Information 19. Source of funds (in U.S. dollar amounts): a. Personal/family funds: $ b. UNCG : $ What UNCG dept(s)? c. Private U.S. Sponsor: $ Name of sponsor: d. Private foreign Sponsor: $ Name of sponsor: e. U.S. government: $ Which agency? f. Home government: $ Which country? g. International organization: $ Which organization? Submit original financial documents less than 12 months old to verify appropriate funds for the next 9 months. VII. Dependent Information For dependents on F-2 visa only; attach additional sheets if necessary Dependent 1 20. Family (Last) Name in Passport: 21. Given (First) Name in Passport: 22. Middle Name in Passport: 23. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy): / / 24. City and Country of Birth: 25. Country of Citizenship: 26. Country of Permanent Residence: 27. Gender: Male Female 28. Relationship: Spouse Child (must be 21 years old or younger) Dependent 2 29. Family (Last) Name in Passport: 30. Given (First) Name in Passport: 31. Middle Name in Passport: 32. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy): / / 33. City and Country of Birth: 34. Country of Citizenship: 35. Country of Permanent Residence: 36. Gender: Male Female 37. Relationship: Spouse Child (must be 21 years old or younger) 8/21/09
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Practical Training is work experience related to a student's academic field of study. It is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in your field of study. Its purpose is to "round off" or complement your academic work. The employment must be directly related to your major field of study. While most students apply for post completion OPT (i.e. for use after finishing your degree program), OPT authorization prior to completing your academic program may be appropriate. OPT employment may occur anywhere in the United States. Definition and Eligibility Requirements Procedures and Forms (including complete package with instructions) Your Responsibilities as an F-1 Student in OPT Special Topics for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training Types of Approved Employment For further information, please make an appointment to speak with the International Student Advisor at the International Programs Center.
Definition and Eligibility Requirements Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work experience related to a student's academic field of study. It is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in your field of study for a maximum of one year. An additional 17-month period of OPT can be granted to a student on post-completion OPT who completed a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree and meets other minimum requirements. There are two types of Optional Practical Training: Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training and Post-Completion Optional Practical Training. Pre-Completion Optional Practical is OPT authorized for off-campus employment before the student s program end date. Students with approved pre-completion OPT may work up to 20 hours per week (unless on thesis or dissertation period before which all coursework has been completed) while school is in session. Students who are enrolled for the next term, and are eligible otherwise, may apply for full-time work authorization when the school is not in session. Post-Completion Optional Practical is OPT authorized off-campus employment beginning after the student s program end date. Note if applying for both pre-completion and post-completion OPT you must complete and submit two separate applications and fee payments. General Eligibility Requirements: Must have been registered full time, in legal student status, for a minimum of one academic year, prior to beginning OPT. Must have valid passport at time of application. Graduate students are eligible upon completion of all required coursework. Post-Completion Optional Practical May apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before their program end date and up to 60 days after their program end date. Although, application for OPT too far out after your program end date is not recommended. Important! Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications require that you select a start date of employment at the time of application. Therefore, careful consideration must be made when selecting the start date of employment, which must fall within the period of 60 days from the completion of your academic program. In order to best determine the start date of employment, please consider the following: Have you had any job interviews? Is there an employer requesting that you start working as soon as possible? When there is no employment in sight, some students decide to start employment as late as possible, within the sixty-day time frame from the completion of your academic program. Pre-Completion Optional Practical Upon completion of one academic year of full-time enrollment, may apply up to 120 days in advance of the desired start date of employment or 90 days before completing a full academic year. Important! Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications require that you select a start date of employment at the time of application. When applying for pre-completion OPT you should already have a job arranged or in mind.
Procedures and Forms (including complete package with instructions) Processing time of this application is approximately 90 days from the date the U.S. government receives your application for Optional Practical Training. If applying for Pre-Completion Optional Practical (have satisfied one academic year of full-time), submit your application up to 120 days in advance of the desired start date of employment in a timely manner. Important! Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications require that you select a start date of employment at the time of application which is determined based on a job arranged or in mind. If applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical, submit your application for OPT up to 90 days before their program end date and up to 60 days after their program end date. For processing purposes, applications must be submitted to IPC at least two weeks prior to the 60 th day after your program end date. Important! Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications require that you select a start date of employment at the time of application. Therefore, careful consideration must be made when selecting the start date of employment. For Post-Completion OPT the employment start date must fall within the period of 60 days from the end date of your academic program. In order to best determine the start date of employment, please consider the following: Have you had any job interviews? Is there an employer requesting that you start working as soon as possible? When there is no employment in sight, some students decide to start employment as late as possible, within the 60-day time frame allowed by the U.S. government. Bring to the International Programs Center at the front desk the documents listed below: Application for Employment Authorization (I-765) form filled out and signed by student Sections 1-9 are biographical information Section 10 is your I-94 Departure number listed in the upper left area of your I- 94 card Sections 12-15-Please find the answers to these questions in your I-94 card. Section 3 is your departure number listed in the upper left area of your I-94 card. Copy of SEVIS I-20 form (issued for curricular practical training) endorsed by designated official Certification by Designated School (I-538 form) complete and sign section A Copy of I-94 Card copy of front and back Departure number listed in the upper left area of your I-94 card. Passport ID page copy & visa page copy Two photos that must be full-frontal face position, Write your name as it appears on your application and your I-94 departure number in the back of each photo. Please visit the following website to download the specifications for these pictures http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html We recommend you present these specifications to the corresponding photographer, some places you could visit to obtain these pictures are: Kinko s or at Eckerds in the Four Seasons Town Center). $340.00 check or money order payable to Department of Homeland Security (This is subject to change) -Please ensure there are sufficient funds to avoid penalties and delays in processing time.
Your Responsibilities as an F-1 student while in Optional Practical Training Once you are authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT), please be aware of the following responsibilities: 1. OPT training is limited to a maximum of 12 months, unless approved for a STEM related 17-month extension. Please note the start and end dates mentioned on your Employment Authorization (EAD) card. You cannot start working off-campus earlier than the authorized start date or continue working after the authorized end date. 2. OPT cannot start prior to receiving work authorization. 3. You are required to update IPC with any changes to your current U.S. local address, within 10 days from the date you move, so that IPC may report this information in SEVIS. Send the information to ipc_iss@uncg.edu within 10 days from the date you move. Failure to maintain a current address with IPC will terminate your OPT. Failure to maintain a current address with IPC will terminate your OPT. 4. You are required to inform IPC of the following employer s information, including for multiple employers and new employment: name of employer, physical address of employer including for multiple employers and new change of employer s details. (If self-employed, indicate self-employment and address). Send the information to ipc_iss@uncg.edu within 10 days of starting employment or changing employers. 5. You are required to provide IPC with your current email address, so that we can communicate with you regarding any regulatory updates while you are in OPT. 6. For Post-Completion OPT, within 60 days from the end date of OPT a student is expected to prepare for departure from the U.S., to transfer to another institution or be accepted into a new degree program. 7. OPT ends when the student: a. Registers for classes in a degree program at the next academic level (i.e. undergraduate to graduate) at the same institution. b. Transfers to another institution for a degree program. 8. Unless UNCG transfers the record to another institution prior to the completion date of OPT, SEVIS will complete the student s record on the 60 th day following the end date of OPT automatically. 9. Travel Overseas: To reenter the United States while in Post-Completion OPT, in addition to presenting a current visa, passport, I-20 form endorsed for overseas travel, and I-94 card, and employment authorization document (EAD card), please have available a letter from your employer describing your relationship with the company and the starting or return date for work. For pre-completion OPT, as long as you are returning as a full-time student at UNCG, you are not required to present employment information upon arrival. For information regarding overseas travel while unemployed, please select unemployment [optunemployment.html]. 10. In order to maintain your F-1 status while employed and traveling overseas, you will be expected to return to the United States within five months from the date of your departure. For information regarding overseas travel while unemployed, please select unemployment [optunemployment.html]. Return to OPT Overview[optionalpracticaltraining.html]
Types of Employment There are different types of employment for which students in OPT must keep a record while engaged in optional practical training. The employment must be directly related to the student s degree program. There is a 10-day allowable gap between employers, which does not count towards the 90-day unemployment time. There are four types of employment: One Employer: Paid employment with one employer in your field of study. You can work part time or full time, but at least 20 hours per week. Multiple employers: Paid employment with multiple employers in which all employment must be related to your degree program. For pre-completion Optional Practical Training, employment cannot exceed the allowed per week cumulative hours. For Post-Completion OPT, employment must be at least 20 hours per week. Short-term multiple employers Musicians and other performing artists for example, may work for multiple short term employment (gigs). The student must maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration. If requested by the U.S. government, students must be prepared to provide evidence showing a list of all employment. Employment must be at least 20 hours per week. Work for Hire: Individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. If requested by the U.S. government, student must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company. Employment must be at least 20 hours per week. Self-employed business owner: Students on OPT may start a business and be selfemployed. In this situation, the student must work full time. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student s degree program. Employment through an agency: Students engaged in post-completion OPT must be able to provide evidence showing they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency. Unpaid Employment: Volunteer or unpaid internships are acceptable where this does not violate labor laws. The work must be at least 20 hours per week for students on postcompletion OPT. The students must be able to provide evidence from the employer that the student worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.