how does opt work for iupui student whi is taking a course from iu bloomington

Can I work on campus while waiting for opt approval?

OPT is a work authorization, not a separate status. Students may remain in the United States, even after their grace period, if they have a pending application with USCIS. Can I work on campus while I wait for my OPT to be approved? Not after your program completion date-- on campus work authorization ends when your program ends.

How does opt work for students?

OPT allows you to gain practical training and experience related to your major field of study. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for granting authorization for OPT. You are eligible for 12 months of OPT for each higher education level you complete.

Is the class offered at IU Bloomington?

The class isn't offered at IU Bloomington. Your academic program requires you to attend another campus. Have completed at least one term at IU Bloomington. Enroll in the courses at the other IU campus.

How is my enrollment split between IU Bloomington and my home campus?

Your enrollment is split between IU Bloomington and the other campus, with 50 percent of your total term credit hours being taken at IU Bloomington. What’s a consortium? A consortium is a contract between you and IU that allows you to use your financial aid from your home campus at another IU campus.

Can I take courses while on OPT?

Studying while on OPT is generally prohibited. Enrolling full-time, taking classes at a higher educational level, or taking courses at another institution will terminate your employment authorization, even if the dates on your EAD are still valid. Any study while on OPT must be incidental.

Can OPT students work anywhere?

Students on OPT can work anywhere in the United States in a paid or unpaid position, can work with multiple employers at one time, and can change employers as many times as they wish. However, all jobs need to be related to your degree of study. You need to report your employer through SEVP portal.

Does On campus employment count towards OPT?

If you only work on campus during the academic year, it will not affect your OPT situation. So, try to get a job on campus so you can have some work experiences to brighten your resume or just earn some extra cash.

Can students can complete their OPT before they begin their studies?

Students may begin their OPT only after USCIS approves their Form I-765 and the student receives their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Applications may be filed up to 90 days before completion of a full academic year, as long as OPT employment is not started until the completion of one full academic year.

Can I work remotely from the US in OPT?

Students currently participating in OPT, including STEM OPT, may work remotely if their employer has an office outside of the U.S. or the employer can assess student engagement using electronic means. Students are permitted to work fewer than 20 hours per week because of the economic impact of COVID-19.

Do you get paid during OPT?

OPT employment can be paid or unpaid. If a participant is working without pay, they should keep documentation verifying their employment. However, participants must have paid employment if they are participating in a 24-month STEM OPT extension program.

Can I work 80 hours a week on OPT?

There is no maximum number of hours that can be worked while on STEM OPT, but because there is a minimum, it may be difficult to work for more than 2 employers. For example, if you work for two qualifying STEM OPT employers, at a minimum, you would need to be working 40 hours per week.

How many hours should I work on OPT?

20 hours per weekEmployment must be a minimum of 20 hours per week, paid or unpaid, to maintain legal F-1 OPT status. You should be able to provide evidence, acquired from your employer, to verify that you worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.

How many hours can you work while on OPT?

For pre-completion part-time OPT, you cannot work for more than 20 hours a week. For pre-completion full-time OPT, you can work for more than 20 hours a week but not more than 40 hours a week. You need not have a job offer in hand while applying for an EAD card for a pre-completion job.

What are the conditions for OPT?

To be eligible to apply for OPT, you must: (1) have been in full-time student status for at least one academic year by the requested start date of your OPT, (2) be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application, and (3) have not used OPT at the same degree level previously.

Can I stay in US while waiting for OPT?

Yes, as long as you filed for OPT before the end of your grace period, you can stay in the U.S. until your application has been processed, even if that goes beyond the 60 day grace period.

How long does OPT take to get approved?

How long does the application process for OPT usually take? The processing time varies depending on the time of year the application is submitted and how busy the USCIS office is at that time. Generally, it can take up to 90 days after the application is received by USCIS to be approved.

How long does it take to get an OPT?

The applications for OPT need to be received by USCIS no later than 60 days after the completion of the academic program requirements.

How long does it take for an OPT I-20 to be processed?

The application needs to be received by USCIS no later than 30 days after the OPT I-20 is printed.

What do I need to do to maintain status while on OPT?

You may not begin practical training until you receive the OPT card (Employment Authorization Document or EAD card) and may only work during the dates listed on the card (unless your employer has filed an H-1B petition).

How long does it take for USCIS to process an OPT application?

If it will take three to four months for USCIS to process a request for OPT authorization, and if the application is filed one month after completing the program of study, the OPT authorization will likely not be processed for three months from the date that USCIS receives it. This could result in the loss of approximately two months of OPT, so it is best to apply as soon as possible.

What is OPT checklist?

Through OPT Checklists the OIS provides you with information about when to apply for OPT, how to apply for OPT, and how to maintain your F-1 status while on OPT.

How to update OPT information?

A branch of the U.S. government (the Student and Exchange Visitor Program or SEVP) has a portal that allows you to update your OPT employer information and address. You will receive an email invitation from [email protected] after you OPT is approved and your start date is in the past. However, you do not need to do anything. Using the portal is optional, and since there is limited functionality, you still need to use Atlas for most of your reporting obligations. Thus, we suggest using only Atlas to manage all your OPT reporting obligations.

How long do you have to report an OPT to OIS?

As an F-1 student authorized for OPT, you are required to report any of the following to OIS within 10 days of the occurrence:

When I am on OPT, what is my status? Can I extend my OPT like I could extend my I-20?

OPT is a benefit available to people with F-1 status. It is not a work visa. You will remain in F-1 status during OPT.

When does OPT end?

OPT will automatically end when a new I-20 is created for a new program of study (at IU or at another institution).

What is the SEVP Portal?

A branch of the U.S. government (the Student and Exchange Visitor Program or SEVP) has a portal that allows you to update your OPT employer information and address. You will receive an email invitation from [email protected] after your OPT is approved and your start date is in the past.

What is IU’s E-Verify information?

IU’s University Human Resources website provides IU-specific information about E-Verify.

How long is an extension for OPT?

A one-time, 24-month extension of OPT is only possible for students who are completing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in DHS-designated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. If your degree is in a non-STEM field, the maximum amount of time for which you are eligible for OPT is 12 months for each higher degree level. See the information about the OPT STEM extension above.

When does IU expire?

If you graduate between January 1 and July 31, your IU policy expires July 31. If you graduate between August 1 and December 31, your IU policy expires December 31.

Can I travel while I’m waiting for my OPT to be approved?

OIS recommends particular caution when traveling outside of the United States after you have graduated, while you are waiting for your OPT authorization. Your U.S. immigration status is determined by your I-94 document, and because the I-94 information is no longer current when you depart from the United States, establishing your F-1 status while outside the country will be difficult if USCIS has questions about your application. If USCIS sends a request for additional information about an aspect of your application and it is not resolved in a timely fashion, your application will be denied.

How long do you have to use CPT to forfeit OPT?

If you plan to forfeit your opportunity for OPT by using more than 12 months of full-time CPT, contact our office to schedule an appointment with an international student advisor to discuss your options.

How to get work authorization for CPT?

In order to be granted work authorization, your advisor has to certify that you will register in an appropriate course/independent study, internship credit (s), or dissertation credit (s). Speak with your academic advisor to determine your options for a CPT-appropriate course. If your advisor has questions, please have him or her contact OIS for assistance.

What kind of practical training qualifies for CPT?

Practical training that qualifies for CPT has to meet one of the following criteria:

What are the rules I need to follow while on CPT?

You may not use incompletes or deferred grades from a previous semester for CPT authorization.

When to apply for CPT in Atlas?

Your completed application for CPT needs to be submitted to OIS in Atlas at least two weeks before the employment is expected to begin. Please apply earlier when the university is closed for the winter break, at the beginning of a semester, or at the end of a semester, because those are very busy times in the office. Failure to do so can result in delays in processing, during which time you are not eligible to begin work.

How long can you use CPT?

Even if you forfeit your opportunity for OPT by using more than 12 months of full-time CPT, you will be permitted to use no more than two years of full-time CPT.

Is CPT granted semester by semester?

CPT authorization is granted on a semester-by-semester basis only.

What to do before filing a consortium agreement?

Before you file a consortium agreement, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for financial aid. If your appeal is approved, we’ll contact your host campus to collect cost of attendance information. We’ll also monitor your enrollment to make sure you remain eligible for your financial aid.

What is consortium agreement?

A consortium agreement allows your home campus to use your enrollment at another IU campus to determine your financial aid eligibility.

When will my aid disburse?

With a consortium, your aid will not disburse until 10 days before the start of your first class at any IU campus.

How to reinstate students to IUPUI?

Students' chances for reinstatement will be enhanced by carefully following all directions in the petition for reinstatement. This includes submitting a detailed essay that addresses previous academic challenges; what they would do differently to enhance their academic strengths; plans for using academic resources; and if they have attended another institution after their previous dismissal, evidence (such as an unofficial transcript) of their ability to complete successful academic work upon their reinstatement to IUPUI.

What is the minimum GPA required for IU?

Students who are reinstated will be classified as probationary students until their cumulative IU GPA is 2.0 or above. During the first regularly enrolled semester on probation, students must achieve a semester GPA of at least a 2.3. In each subsequent semester on probation, students must achieve a semester GPA of 2.0. Failure to meet the semester GPA requirement will result in dismissal.

How to reinstate a student dismissed twice?

Readmission after a second dismissal is extremely rare. Students dismissed two or more times who are reinstated must remain in good academic standing each semester as there will be no further reinstatements. Students who wish to petition for reinstatement after two or more dismissals must email [email protected] to request an appointment with the director for academic success. Before the appointment, students must submit a detailed plan in writing about their plans to achieve academic success should they be allowed to return. If the director approves the plans, students will then be required to submit a formal petition for reinstatement by the deadline for the semester in which they plan to attend.

How much does University College charge for reinstatement?

Please be advised that University College charges a nonrefundable fee of $55 when submitting your reinstatement petition. A separate email with directions for payment will be sent once your completed petition has been received.

Can I return to IUPUI after two semesters?

Returning after two or more semesters: Complete the returning student application if you have not attended IUPUI or an IU campus within the past two semesters.

Can I enroll in IUPUI if I was dismissed?

Students who have been dismissed from any campus of Indiana University are not eligible to enroll in any courses through IUPUI University College until they have been reinstated. By completing the online reinstatement petition, students are requesting reinstatement to IUPUI University College.

How long can you have a STEM OPT?

DHS regulations permit two periods of STEM OPT in an individual’s lifetime. You may be eligible for a second period of 24 months of STEM OPT after you complete a second qualifying STEM degree at a higher level. If you are eligible based on these criteria and would like to apply, please call OIS at 812-855-9086, option 2 to set up an appointment with an international student advisor.

How many validations are required for STEM OPT?

During STEM OPT you will be required complete 3 validations and at least 2 evaluations. You will be required to use Atlas to do the following:

How many times can you get an extension for STEM?

Please note that you may be granted a STEM OPT extension only once per degree level, and the second STEM OPT request (even for previous degrees) will need to be a higher degree level than the first.

Do I have to pay a fee for STEM extension?

We charge a fee for processing your STEM extension application . We will charge your IU Bursar account after we create your new I-20. Make sure you pay attention to your Bursar bill afterward to pay your bill on time.

Who has to acknowledge and adhere to requirements published on form I-983 in conjunction with the federal regulation?

The employer has to acknowledge and adhere to requirements published on form I-983 in conjunction with the federal regulation.

Is the I-765 online?

In March 2021, USCIS created on online option for submitting the I-765 for OPT application. Both the paper and online version of the application are valid for you to use. As USCIS guidance on how the online application is used has been provided by USCIS only recently, the OIS is not yet able to advise you on the details of its use.

What percent of IU credit hours are taken at Bloomington?

Your enrollment is split between IU Bloomington and the other campus, with 50 percent of your total term credit hours being taken at IU Bloomington.

Does IU require courses?

The courses you’re taking at the other IU campus must be required to earn your degree.

How many credit hours does it take to graduate from IU?

Most degree programs require you to average 15.5 credit hours per semester to graduate in the traditional eight semesters (four-years). *Flat-fee tuition is not available at IU Online.

How many credit hours does Indiana University require?

Indiana University campuses* offer a flat-fee tuition when you register for 12 to 18 credit hours per semester. By maximizing the number of credits you take within this range, you can make the most of your tuition payments and work toward graduating on time. Most degree programs require you to average 15.5 credit hours per semester ...

Am I Eligible For Post-Completion Opt?

When Should I Apply?

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Frequently Asked Questions