OPT Request

Student Request for OPT

Students wishing to gain practical experience in their field after graduation can apply for Optional Practical Training. The best time to apply for OPT is 90 days before graduation. Submit this form to get started with the OPT process. The final OPT packet will contain several documents and will be mailed to USCIS. An international advisor will meet with you before your OPT packet is finalized.

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Full Name(Required)

UALR T Number(Required)

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Phone Number

Permanent Local Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

What degree are you seeking?

Undergraduate

Masters

Doctorate

Graduate Certificate

What semester did you begin that degree?

Example: Fall 2012

Type of OPT Application

Post-completion OPT (most common)

Pre-completion OPT (uncommon)

What is your major?(Required)

What is your second major?

Name of your academic advisor(Required)

Use correct capitalization. For example: Tugrul Polat

First Last

Name of your dissertation advisor(Required)

Use correct capitalization. For example: Tugrul Polat

First Last

Name of your program coordinator(Required)

Use correct capitalization. For example: Tugrul Polat

First Last

Email address of advisor or coordinator(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Expected graduation date(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Expected date of dissertation defense(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Considerations

Please answer these questions to the best of your ability.

Do you have plans to travel outside the U.S. in the near future?(Required)

Check your passport for your visa expiration date. Know this date in time for your appointment with your international advisor.

Visa expiration date

If you have changed your status from inside the US, please leave blank.

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Most recent date of entry into the US(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Do you currently have dependents in F-2 status?(Required)

Yes

Have you had any US immigration status other than F-1?(Required)

Yes

If yes, explain. Include the dates and classification of your prior status and whether you changed your status from inside the US or received a new visa outside the US.(Required)

Have you ever been authorized for CPT?(Required)

Yes, at UALR in current degree

Yes, at UALR in previous degree

Yes, at another university in current degree

Yes, at another university in previous degree

Other

List dates of previous CPT. Include what classification (undergraduate, etc) the CPT was authorized in and whether it was full-time or part-time.(Required)

Have you ever been authorized for OPT?(Required)

Yes, through UALR

Yes, through another institution

Other

List dates of previous OPT. Include what classification (undergraduate, etc) the CPT was authorized in and whether it was full-time or part-time.(Required)

OPT Start Date

You may choose the OPT start date any time during your 60 day grace period. 90 days of authorized unemployment begins on OPT start date. You may not begin employment before OPT start date or change your date once you apply for OPT.

I get to choose my OPT start date at the time of submitting my OPT application.

I understand

The earliest possible OPT start date is the day after the last day of finals.

I understand

The latest possible OPT start date is 60 days after the last day of finals.

I understand

If you choose an early start date, you can begin working sooner if your OPT has been approved by USCIS. An early start date also begins your 90 days of unemployment begins sooner.

I understand

If you choose a later start date, you will have longer to find a job. However, you cannot start working until on or after this date, even if your OPT has been approved and you've received a job offer.

I understand

You can change your OPT start date at your OPT appointment, but not after your I-20 has been updated recommending you for OPT.

I understand

OPT Start Date(Required)

You may change this date at your OPT appointment with your advisor, but after the I-20 is issued to recommend OPT, this date is fixed.

MM slash DD slash YYYY

OPT Application Checklist and Statements of Understanding

Check the items you have completed.(Required)

All items must be complete before OPT appointment with ISS Advisor.

Attended OPT Seminar

I-765

G-1145

Copy of Immigration Documents (passport, visa, I-94, previous I-20s, previous EAD if applicable)

Money Order for $410 Payable to US Dept. of Homeland Security

Two Passport Sized Photos

Scheduled OPT Appointment with ISS Advisor

I have completed the OPT seminar online. (Required)

I agree

I will complete an OPT seminar before my OPT appointment.

I understand that starting from April 1, 2024, the cost of the OPT application will be $520 for paper submissions and $470 for online submissions. Furthermore, it is understood that this application fee is to be paid to the US Department of Homeland Security and is non-refundable. In the case of payment by personal check, I confirm that the funds will be accessible to USCIS at the time the check is processed.(Required)

I agree

I understand that I must mail my completed OPT application to USCIS within 21 days of the I-20 issue date recommending me for OPT.(Required)

I agree

I understand OPT applications generally take 90 days to process with USCIS. Nevertheless, there are instances where the adjudication process may extend beyond the 90-day mark. (Required)

I agree

I understand that I may not begin working until I have received the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and it is on or past the employment start date on the EAD.(Required)

I agree

I understand that I if I do not successfully defend my dissertation as expected, I will must complete my dissertation during my year of OPT. I will enroll in one credit hour for administrative purposes until completing my dissertation.(Required)

I agree

I understand that pre-completion OPT takes away from the 12 months of post-completion OPT available at each program level.(Required)

I agree

I understand that while I am no pre-completion OPT, I must continue to prioritize my coursework. I will not delay my graduation based on my work authorization. I will only work up to 20 hours while class is in session.(Required)

I agree

I understand that I may apply for a Social Security Number upon receipt of work authorization.(Required)

I agree

I already have an SSN

I understand that by submitting my petition using a paper application, I must provide a reliable permanent address for receiving my EAD card and any Requests for Evidence (RFE) or Information (RFI).(Required)

I do not have a permanent address at the moment, so I will use someone else's address to receive my EAD card.

I will use my own secure, permanent address.

I understand that if I receive any Requests for Information I must respond within 21 days or the request.(Required)

I agree

I understand the travel signature on the I-20 is still required for international travel. I am also aware that OPT work authorization is often not an accepted reason for renewing a student visa.(Required)

I agree

I understand it is not advisable to travel outside the US during my grace period if my OPT application is still pending.(Required)

I agree

I will keep my employer information and mailing address up-to-date by submitting the OPT Update Form available at www.ualr.edu/optupdate.(Required)

I agree

I understand that my Lewermark Health Insurance coverage will end when I graduate (either July 31 for May grads, or January 31 for December grads). I can extend my coverage, if desired, by notifying ISS before enrollment ends.(Required)

For more information, visit ualr.edu/international/insurance.

I agree

I understand that my OPT authorization will end when I reach the OPT end date (unless I have applied for the STEM Extension).(Required)

I agree

I understand that my OPT authorization will end if I begin a new education level.(Required)

I agree

I understand that my OPT authorization will end if I transfer my I-20 to another school.(Required)

I agree

I understand that my OPT authorization will end if I reach 90 days of unemployment.(Required)

I agree

STEM Graduates Only: I understand that I must submit my application for an OPT STEM extension before the expiration date on my post-completion EAD card. Additionally, I am aware that I can file my STEM OPT extension application with USCIS as early as 90 days prior to the end of my current OPT period. If I file my STEM OPT extension application on time and my OPT period expires while my STEM OPT extension application is pending, USCIS will automatically extend my employment authorization for 180 days.(Required)

STEM Graduates: I agree

I am not a STEM graduate.

I will read and comply with all the regulations for OPT found at http://ualr.edu/international/opt-requirements/(Required)

I agree

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Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Student Request for OPT

Considerations

OPT Start Date

OPT Application Checklist and Statements of Understanding

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