You may only take courses that are recreational in nature. You cannot enroll in an academic degree/certification program while on 12-month Post-Completion OPT.

No. OPT employment authorization is automatically terminated when the student begins study at another degree level or in another field of study. You will need to contact the International Student Center for advisement on obtaining a new I-20.

Any OPT authorization ends on the transfer release date for a student who requests a transfer to another SEVP-certified school. You will need to contact the International Student Center for advise on the SEVIS transfer process.

While you are on OPT you will remain in F-1 status. Consequently, while you are on OPT you will be responsible for the maintenance of your F-1 status.

Failure to maintain F-1 status can result in the termination of your F-1 SEVIS record and loss of F-1 benefits. Terminated records are subject to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement review, which could result in denial of future immigration benefits or even deportation.

To ensure that you maintain your F-1 status while on OPT, you will need to:

Report certain information to the International Student Center by submitting the OPT Reporting Form for periodic SEVIS record updates. Note that this is a regulatory requirement, and you will be considered to have violated your F-1 status if you do not comply. Areas of required reporting for SEVIS Compliance include:

• Changes in your personal information (ex. local/home country addresses, email address, name as listed on your passport, departure from the U.S. without intentions of return, etc.) within 10 days of the move and/or update.
• Employment information (ex. employer contact information, breaks in employment, employer changes, etc.) immediately as updates and/or changes occur.
• Changes in academic plans (admittance to a degree program at another institution) as soon as the changes and/or updates have occurred.
• Changes in immigration status to a visa status other than F-1 as soon as you have receive your Notice of Approval of change of status or entered the U.S. under another status.

Note, you are not required to have a valid visa to stay in the United States. Once admitted into the US on your visa stamp, your status is governed by your I-94 and your I-20s/OPT. That said, next time you depart the US you must have a valid F-1 visa stamp to re-enter.

F-1 visa rules still apply while you are on OPT. Therefore, if you will travel abroad with an expired F-1 visa, you will need to obtain a visa renewal prior to your return, as a valid F-1 visa is required for re-entry.

Note, you are not required to have a valid visa to stay in the United States. Once admitted into the US on your visa stamp, your status is governed by your I-94 and your I-20s/OPT. That said, next time you depart the US you must have a valid F-1 visa stamp to re-enter.

Next time you do go for visa processing, you will need to complete a DS-160 (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/) and then schedule a visa appointment with a US consulate abroad. Note, it can be very difficult at many consulates to obtain a timely visa appointment, so you may need to plan your visa appointment well in advance. At your visa interview, you will need your DS-160 confirmation page, I-20 endorsed for travel, STEM OPT EAD, employment verification letter, and a few recent paycheck stubs.

Exception for return to the U.S. after travel to Mexico, Canada, and the neighboring islands/U.S. territories: Automatic Visa Revalidation Benefit. This benefit allows you to return to the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa under the following conditions: visit is not more than 30 days and the purpose is pleasure or vacation only; you maintained F-1/OPT status at all times; you are in possession of your F-1 documents required for travel; you have NOT applied for a visa renewal during that particular visit; and you are NOT a national of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Cuba, or North Korea.

In any case, if your visa is expired and you plan to travel abroad, please consult with the International Student Center before you travel to go over your situation and options.

• Do not submit an online application if you have already filed by mail. Mailing instructions can be found below. Duplicate applications may be denied by USCIS.
• You may only file Form I-765 online from within the U.S. You are not eligible to apply for OPT from outside the country.
• Once you submit your application, you cannot go back to edit or change information. Please contact the ISC immediately if you believe you have provided incorrect or incomplete information when filing Form I-765. Failing to do so can result in Requests for Evidence (RFEs), processing delays, or the denial of your application by USCIS.
• USCIS has the discretion to require biometrics appointments on a case-by-case basis.
• The following documents are needed for you to apply for work authorization. Please consult with the International Student Center before you apply.
  • OPT endorsed I-20 (you must apply for this via the ISC Portal)
  • Passport sized (2in by 2in) photo
  • Any previous I-20s with work authorisation (CPT or Pre Completion OPT)
  • I-94 Record
  • Copy of your passport
  • Pre-Completion applications will also require proof of enrollment, such as a transcript

The following documents are needed for you to apply for work authorization. Please consult with the International Student Center before you apply.

There are now two ways to apply, below is the physical form option. Online applications are also available (see instructions above).

Application materials (submitted in this order):

• G-1145, Use this form if you wish to receive email or text confirmation (Within 1 week) of your receipt number from the lockbox facility. Clip the form to the front of the OPT application. Find the form at https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/g-1145.pdf
• OPT Filing fee. Make check payable to the "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Send personal check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank, NO CASH.
• Two "passport" photos. Print your name and I-94 number on the back of each photo. No dark or tinted glasses can be worn in the passport photos. Use powder to prevent glaring and be sure there are no shadows in your photos! You may put the photos and check in an envelope and attach carefully to the front of the I-765 (do not staple photos!). Instructions can be found here https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photos.html
• Original I-765 form. View a sample form.
• A copy of the new OPT I-20 which should be endorsed. This I-20 must be less than 30 days old when it arrives at USCIS or OPT will be denied.
• A copy of ALL previously issued I-20 documents dating back to the start of F-1 status (be sure they are signed).
• A copy of your most recent I-94 record.https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search
• A copy of the photo page (identification page) and expiration date page of your passport. A copy of the most recent F-1 visa page in your passport (even if expired).
• A copy of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) OPT card, if you have had one.
• Submit your documents and application to USICS via mail. The address varies depends on your address so please see the I-765 Form for addresses. The International Student Center must review your application before you send it to the service center.
• Please use the ISC Portal to request OPT through the ISC.

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

• USCIS
  PO Box 805373
  Chicago, IL 60680

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

• USCIS
  Attn: I-765 C03
  131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
  Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Be sure to use an address in the U.S. where you can receive the receipt and EAD. Note that the U.S. postal system will not forward the EAD.

• A copy of the most recent F-1 visa page in your passport (even if expired).
• A copy of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) OPT card, if you have had one.
• Submit your documents and application to USICS via mail. The address varies depends on your address so please see the I-765 Form for addresses. The International Student Center must review your application before you send it to the service center.
• Please use the ISC Portal to request OPT through the ISC.

Currently, information about an employer is not initially required, but applications for OPT. However, you do need to know the exact dates you want to work. It is very difficult to change the dates for OPT after the application is submitted or to have time restored if you decide not to use it, so be sure of your plans before you apply.

You can apply for work authorization starting 90 days (3 months) before graduation or up to 60 days after. You can apply for pre-OPT up to 90 days before your state date. Most students apply around spring break for work beginning in the summer. If you are a senior contemplating working in the United States after Swarthmore, plan ahead!

PLEASE NOTE: Application must be submitted from within the U.S., not from outside the U.S. The questions on form I-765 assume that a student is residing in the U.S. If you are studying abroad and wishes to apply, you must return to the U.S. to apply for OPT. If you will be studying abroad in the Spring but are also planning to work in the U.S. during the summer, please make an appoint with one of the advisors in the International Student Center to discuss your options.

• You will receive a receipt notice. You should hold on to this receipt.
• If you applied online, all your notices will be available in your myUSCIS account.
• Keep a copy of your complete application, the receipt and the EAD.
• https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ shows that it can take anywhere between 3 - 5 months for I-765 application to be processed.

Do not assume the process has ended after you receive your EAD. Here's a list of things we recommend you do:

• Complete a Document Upload request in the ISC Portal to upload a copy of your EAD Card.
• Make sure you have submitted your OPT Reporting and your employer information is correct.
• Check the dates on your EAD to make sure that the dates you plan to work match those on your card.
• Make copies of the EAD. You will need copies( front and back) of all your previous EADs when you apply for a new one or you can scan them.

For any sort of typo go to https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/displayTypoForm.do to fix the mistake as soon as possible. Or head to the USCIS website for more information.

Current F-1s/OPT students must be in possession of their immigration and immigration related documents and information. This includes but is not limited to:

• All F-1/OPT I-20s ever held (from Swarthmore College as well as any other school you have attended)
• All EAD cards received from U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Valid Passport
• F-1 visa stamp in passport
• Electronic copy of I-94
• Any receipt notice or documentation issued from USCIS, Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration Customs and Enforcement, etc.
• School transcripts, diploma, certificates, etc.
• Record of ALL US and home country residential and mailing addresses
• Record of employment history: names of employers, positions held/job titles, proof of employment duration, employer and supervisor contact information, description of positions held, breaks in employment, etc.
• Record of ALL reports made to the International Student Center (accessible via the ISC Portal)
• Former F-1/OPT holders should keep their immigration and immigration-related documents and/or copies of these documents indefinitely.

Yes. While you are on OPT you remain in F-1 status and therefore must maintain a valid I-20 that reflects your OPT recommendation on page 2.

Here are a list of options to obtain health insurance while on OPT if not provided by your employer:

• Compass Student Insurance
• Cultural Insurance Service Intl
• International Student Insurance
• ISO Insurance
• LewerMark Individual Insurance Plans
• PSI Health Insurance

You will need to carry your F-1 documents: your I-20 that has been endorsed for travel by our Office within the last 6 months; the valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) from the USCIS; your valid passport valid for 6 months into the future; and proof of current/future employment, such as a letter from your employer stating you are returning to a job in the U.S. (listing the name and contact information of the company, your job title, salary, job duties and beginning date)

You should also be prepared to discuss how this job experience will apply to the job market in your home country, and how you intend to apply it there.