Please apply BEFORE November 1

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1 V10NI{O[ COLl[C:;[ C)[T:CE OF STUDEr'~T SERViCES (914) 740 b42u OPT Dates and Deadlines This information applies to F-l students completing a program in December Event Date or Deadline Please apply BEFORE November 1 Progran; End Date - IMPORTANT If you don't complete your degree as planned, you must apply for a program extension BEFORE this date! Saturday, December 16, Day Grace Period Begins First Possible OPT Start Date Sunday, December 17,2017 Last Day for USCIS to Receive OPT Applications Wednesday, February 14, Day Grace Period Ends Last Possible OPT Start Date 5-Month OPT Application Window Closes Wednesday, February 14, 2018 IMPORTANT DEADLINES FOR SUCCESSFUL OPT SUBMISSION No matter when you apply for OPT during the 5-month application window, USCIS must receive your OPT application within BOTH of these deadlines: 1. Within 30 days of when your OPT recommendation is entered in SEVIS by a DSO, AND 2. Before your 60-day grace period ends. If you miss either of these deadlines, USCIS will deny your application for OPT.

2 {' \.j \;10!\!{OL COLLLC:;[ OF STUDFI-..JT SERViCES (914) Apply for OPT in 3 Steps 1. Prepare the documents on the OPT application checklist and drop your application off with a DSO for review. Certificate, associate, and bachelor students drop off at: Student Services in Main Hall, New Rochelle Master's degree students drop off at: International Admissions in 145 Huguenot, New Rochelle 2. When your OPT application has been reviewed, the DSO will contact you for pick-up. We will return your application materials to you with a new 1-20 endorsed for OPT on page Send your complete OPT application to USCIS for processing. If you live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, submit your OPT application to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Express Mail FedEx, UPS, DHL, or other overnight courier USClS P.O. Box Attn: AOS Dallas, TX S. State Hwy. 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX Please confirm your USC/S filing address at this link: h ttps ://WWw. usc is. go v /fo rms/fo rms -i n fo rma tio n/ usc is -p h oe n ix -a nd -do 110 s -Ioc k box -fa c iii tie s USCIS Track your application status online at For address changes, or if your application processing time has exceeded 90 days, contact: USCIS National Customer Service Center Important Deadline t USClS must receive your OPT application within 30 days of when your DSO recommends OPT for you in the SEVIS database. This is often the date your new OPT 1-20 is issued. OPT denials, although rare, are usually the result of students missing this 30-day deadline. If your new OPT 1-20 is more than 30 days old, visit at DSO immediately for an updated 1-20.

3 V10NHO[ COLLEC[ OFFiCE OF STUDENT SERViCES (914) 740 S42e The so-osv Rule for OPT This is the 90-day rule for standard OPT: During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. You may not accrue a total of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT. Each day (including weekends) during the period when OPT authorization begins and ends that you do not have qualifying employment counts as a day of unemployment. If you are approaching a total of 90 days of unemployment during OPT, you need to take immediate steps to protect your F-1 status. Options include: enrolling as a full time student again and getting a new 1-20 to match the new program; transferring schools, and departing the U.S. The SEVIS database can automatically terminate the F-1 records of students who exceed a total of 90 days of unemployment during OPT. You may be denied other immigration-related benefits if you exceed 90 days of unemployment. Here is how to protect your status during OPT: The following activities are considered "employment" during standard post-completion OPT, if the job is directly related to your program of study: 1. Regular paid employment. For post-completion OPT, the work must be for at least 20 hours per week. You may work for multiple employers, as long as it is directly related to your degree. You should maintain a list of all jobs, the dates and duration. 2. Work for hire. You should be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company. 3. Self-employed business owner. You may start a business and be self-employed. You should be able to prove that you have the proper business licenses and are actively engaged in a business related to your degree program. 4. Employment through an agency. You must be able to provide evidence showing you worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency. 5. Volunteers or unpaid interns. You may work as a volunteer or unpaid intern, where this practice does not violate any labor laws. The work should be at least 20 hours per week. 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.

4 MONHOL COLLLC:i[ OFFiCE OF STUDEf'H SERViCES (914) CJ F-l Student Travel During OPT There are always risks with international travel and those risks are increased during the transition between your academic program and OPT. If you are traveling after you finish your program and before, during, or after OPT, you need to travel with additional documentation. Your return to the U.S. to take part in OPT is at the discretion of u.s. Customs and Border Protection. Carefully read the FAQs below from Immigration and Customs Enforcement available at: Can I reenter during the 60-day period after finishing my program or OPT? No. The 60-day "grace" period is only to prepare to leave the country. Can I reenter if my request for OPT is pending? Yes, but traveling during this time should be undertaken with caution. USCIS may send you a request for evidence while you are away, however, so you would want to make sure you have provided a correct U.S. address both to your DSO and on the application and would be able to send in requested documents. Also, if USCIS approves your OPT application, you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Like a request for further information, USCIS can only send the EAD to your U.S. Can I reenter if I left while on OPT? address. If USCIS has approved your OPT you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States, in addition to your Form 1-20, valid passport and visa, and a letter of employment if you have one. If you exceed the limits on unemployment while outside the United States, you will not be eligible to re-enter the United States in F-1 status. Are there any other requirements for travel outside the United States? The questions above outline the general requirements for reentry for F-1 students. However, because individual circumstances vary, consult your DSO, embassy, or legal advisor before traveling. Planning for your trip early ensures that you have enough time to get all of your travel documents in order. If you are not returning to your home country, you should check the requirements of the country you are visiting. Some countries require a visa. You may also need a transit visa for countries where you are making a connecting flight. Be sure to check before you travel. Most countries have immigration websites that provide visa information. Can I renew my visa while outside the United States in a country other than my home country? Yes, but the Department of State recommends that you apply for a visa in your home country. For more information about visa applications, visit the DoS website. Before you travel to a country other than yours to renew your visa, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country. If you exit the United States and apply for a visa, you cannot return to the United States until DoS issues you a new visa. This could require a lengthy stay. If DoS denies your visa application, you will not be able to return to the United States as a student.

5 Vl0~~HOE. COLLCC;C OfT:CE OF STUDENT SERViCES (914) C Automatic Revalidation of Expired Visas You should be aware of an option called automatic revalidation which allows eligible nonimmigrants to re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa under certain conditions: 1. Nonimmigrants who departed the United States for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island (for F and J nonimmigrants) for thirty (30) days or less; 2. Nonimmigrants with a valid (unexpired) admission stamp or paper Form 1-94, Arrival/Departure Record, endorsed by DHS. If you have an expired visa, you meet the two conditions listed above, and would like more information about automatic revalidation, take a look at these websites: I idatio n. htm I /sites/defa u It/fi les/docu ments/a uto reva 3. pdf I/a id/1218/~ /a utomatic-reva I idation-for -certa i n- tem pora ry-visitors DSO Travel Endorsement As with all F-1 travel, you need a valid travel endorsement signature from a DSO on page 2 your Travel endorsement signatures during OPT are valid for six (6) months at a time. The best practice if you plan to travel during OPT is to visit a Monroe College DSO so that you can: 1. Report your OPT employment details. 2. Get a re-print of your 1-20 to show your employment information and to indicate "OPT approved". 3. Get a fresh travel endorsement signature on page 2 of your Be sure to print your 1-94 from after you return to the U.S. Confirm that it reads F-1 and D/S. If not, notify a DSO immediately. Additional Travel Resources cb p.gov /trave I/i nte rn ati ona I-vi s ito rs/ study-exch a nge/ exch a nge-a rriva I s stu dyi nth estates. d hs. gov /w h at - is-seco nda ry-i nspecti on nthestates.d hs.gov /what -is-a-form-i-s1sa

6 Resources for OPT Students u.s. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USClS) F-l Optional Practical Training (OPT) A Department of Homeland Security website with an excellent overview of OPT eligibility and outline of the application process. uscis.gov/eir/visa-gu ide/f-l-opt-optional-practical-training/f-l-optional-practical-tra ining-opt Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Practical Training An Immigration and Customs Enforcement website with a good summary of practical training and access for the F- 1 regulations. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 1-765, Application for Employment Authorization A Deportment of Homeland Security website with details about the employment authorization application which is a form called the "1-765". This is the form used to apply for OPT. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Case Status Online After USCIS receives your OPT application, it will provide you with a case number. Use this Deportment of Homeland Security website to enter your case number and check the progress of your OPT application. Study in the States A user-friendly Deportment of Homeland Security website for students and schools. n ited-states Study in the States STEM OPT Hub A user-friendly Deportment of Homeland Security website with information about the STEM OPT application process for OPT students with a bachelor degree in IT or CIS or master's degree in CS. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Travel An Immigration and Customs Enforcement website with answers about traveling during the OPT application process and after OPT has been approved. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Policy Guidance An Immigration and Customs Enforcement website with an extensive list of answers to your OPT questions. policy guidance pdf

7 1-765 CHEAT SHEET I am applying for: Check off: Permission to accept employment. 1. Name Enter your family name in all CAPITAL letters. Line up your names underneath the prompt. Then enter your first name and middle name. 2. Other Names Used Enter any other legal name you have had. If you have not had any other legal name, leave these lines blank. 3. Address in the United States For line 1: Enter your number and street and apartment letter or number. town or city, state, and zip code. For line 2 Enter your 4. Country of Citizenship/Nationality Enter the name of the country where you hold citizenship. 5. Place of Birth Enter the town or city, state or province & country of your birth. 6. Date of Birth Enter your date of birth in the U.S. format: MM/DD/YYYY 7. Gender Check male or female. 8. Marital Status 9. Social Security Number Check off the box indicating your current marital status. For 9a., answer Yes or No. If you answer Yes, enter your nine-digit SSN for question 9b and then skip to question 14. If you answer No, leave 9b. blank and skip to question Do you want an SSN? If you answered No to question 9a., answer Yes for this question. 11. Consent for Disclosure 12. Father's Name If you answered No to question 9a., answer Yes for this question. If you answered No to question 9a., fill in your father's family name and given name as instructed. 13. Mother's Name If you answered instructed. No to question 9a, fill in your mother's family name and given name as 14. Form 1-94 Number Print your electronic 1-94 from from the print-out into item 14 on the Enter your Admission (/-94) Record Number 15. Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS? 16. Date of Last Entry into the U.S. 17. Place of Last Entry into the U.S. Check "No" if this is the first time you are applying for employment through USCIS. CPT and on campus employment are not processed through USCIS. If your answer is "Yes" enter the location of the USCIS Service Center where your card was issued (check the back of your card) Enter the start date of your work permission and for the results, enter Granted Enter the date you last entered into the U.S. from abroad in the U.S. format: MM/DD/YYYY This is probably the same date shown on your most recently issued Form Enter the city in which you last entered into the U.S. This should be the location where you passed through a CBP check-point. This may be different from your final destination. 18. Status at Last Entry Enter the status in which you entered the U S. most recently, probably F-l Student 19. Current Immigration Status Enter your current status, probably Student 20. Eligibility Category 21. (c)(3)(c) Eligibility Category Enter (C) (3) (B) in the parentheses. This is the code for post-completion OPT directly related to your studies. Leave this item blank. It is only for students applying under category (c)(3)(c) which is the 24- month STEM extension.

8 22. (c)(26) Eligibility Category Leave this item blank. 23. (c)(35) and (c)(36) Eligibility Category Leave this item blank. Certification: Applicant's Signature Leave a spot for your signature, but enter your phone number and the date. The date must be entered in the U.s. format of MM/DD/YYYY Signature of Person Preparing Form, If Leave this item blank. Other Than Applicant

9 Application For Employment Authorization Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services users Form OMS No Expires 02/28/2018 For USCIS Use Only Fee Stamp Action Block Initial Receipt I Resubmitted Received o Application Approved o Application Denied - Failed to establish: Approved 0 Authorization/Extension Valid From o Eligibility under o Economic necessity under 8 CFR 274a.12 8 CIlR 274a.12(c)(14), (18) o Authorization/Extension Valid To (a) or (c) and 8 CFR 214.2(1) A# Subject to the following conditions: 10 Applicant is filing under section Relocated I Completed I Sent Denied ~ START HERE - Type or print in black ink. I am applying for: o Permission to accept employment. o Replacement (of lost employment authorization document). o Renewal of my permission to accept employment (attach a copy of your previous employment authorization document). I. Full Name Family Name First Name Middle Name 2. Other Names Used (include Maiden Name) Family Name First Name Middle Name I 3. U.S. Mailing Address 1 GI Street Number and Name Apt. Number Town or City State ZIP Code 4. Country of Citizenship or Nationality 5. Place of Birth Town or City State/Province Country 6. Date of Birth (rnm/dd/yyyy) 7. Gender 0 Male 0 Female 8. Marital Status o Single 0 Married 0 Divorced 0 Widowed 9.a. Has the Social Security Administration (SSA) ever officially issued a Social Security card to you? DYes DNo NOTE: If you answered "Yes" to Item Number 9.a., provide the information requested in Item Number 9.b. 9.b. Provide your Social Security number (SSN) (if known) ~ 10. Do you want the SSA to issue you a Social Security card? (You must also answer "Yes" to Item Number 11., Consent for Disclosure, to receive a card.) DYes DNo NOTE: If you answered "No" to Item Number 10., skip to Item Number 14. If you answered "Yes" to Item Number 10., you must also answer "Yes" to Item Number Consent for Disclosure: I authorize disclosure of information from this application to the SSA as required for the purpose of assigning me an SSN and issuing me a Social Security card. DYes D No NOTE: If you answered "Yes" to Item Numbers , provide the information requested in Item Numbers 12.a b. Father's Name 12.a. Family Name (Last Name) 12.b. Given Name (First Name) Form /17 N Page 1 of2

10 Mother's l3.a. Family Name (Last Name) 13.b. Given Name (First Name) Name (Provide your mother's bil1h name.) 14. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or Form 1-94 Number (if any) 15. Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS? o Yes (Complete the following questions.) Which uscrs Office? Dates ' ~ ~ Results (Granted or Denied - attach all documentation) o No (Proceed to Item Number 16.) 16. Date of Your Last Arrival or Entry Into the U.S., On or About (mm/dd/yyyy) 17. Place oryour Last Arrival or Entry Into the U.S. 18. Status at Last Entry (B-2 Visitor, F-J Student, No Lawful Status, etc.) 22. (c)(26) Eligibility Category. If you entered the eligibility category (c)(26) in Item Number 20. above, please provide the receipt number of your B-1 B principal spouse's most recent Form Notice of Approval for Form (c)(35) and (c)(36) Eligibility Category a. If you entered the eligibility category (c)(35) or (c)(36) in Item Number 20. above, please provide the receipt number of the Form beneficiary's Form Notice of Approval for Form b. Have you EVER been arrested for and/or convicted of any crime? 0 Yes 0 No NOTE: If you answered "Yes" to Item Number 23.b., refer to Item Number 5., Item H. or Item l. in the Who May File Form section of these Instructions for information about providing court dispositions. Certification I certify, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct. Furthermore, I authorize the release of any information that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services needs to determine eligibility for the benefit I am seeking. I have read the Who May File Form section of the Instructions and have identified the appropriate eligibility category in Item Number 20. Applicant's Signature 19. Current Immigration Status (Visitor, Student, etc.) 20. Eligibility Category. Go to the Who May File Form 1-765? section of the Instructions. In the space below, place the letter and number of the eligibility category you selected fr0111 the instructions. For example, (a)(8), (c)(17)(iii), etc. (0)(0)(0) 21. (c)(3)(c) Eligibility Category. If you entered the eligibility category (c)(3)(c) in Item Number 20. above, list your degree, your employer's name as listed in E-Verify, and your employer's E- Verify Company Identification Number or a valid E- Verify Client Company Identification Number in the space below. Degree Employer's Name as listed in E-Verify Employer's E- Verify Company Identification Number or a Valid E- Verify Client Company Identification Number Date of Signature (mm/dd/yyyy) Telephone Number Signature of Person Preparing Form, If Other Than Applicant I declare that this document was prepared by me at the request of the applicant and is based on all information of which I have any knowledge. Preparer's Signature Date of Signature (mm/dd/yyyy) Printed Name Address Form N Page 2 of2

11 e-notification of Application/Petition Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Acceptance USCIS Form G-114S IWhat Is the Purpose of This Form? Use this form to request an electronic notification (e-notification) when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accepts your immigration application. This service is available for applications filed at a USCIS Lockbox facility.. I General Information Complete the information below and clip this form to the first page of your application package. You will receive one and/or text message for each form you are filing. We will send the e-notification within 24 hours after we accept your application. Domestic customers will receive an and/or text message; overseas customers will only receive an . Undeliverable e-notifications cannot be resent. The or text message will display your receipt number and tell you how to get updated case status information. It will not include any personal information. The e-notification does not grant any type of status or benefit; rather it is provided as a convenience to customers. USCIS will also mail you a receipt notice (I-797C), which you will receive within 10 days after your application has been accepted; use this notice as proof of your pending application or petition. I USCIS Privacy Act Statement AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this form is collected pursuant to section 1 03(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended INA section 101, et seq. PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the information on this form is to request an electronic notification when USCIS accepts immigration form. The information you provide will be used to send you a text and/or message. DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary, However, failure to provide the requested information may prevent USCIS from providing you a text and/or message receipting your immigration form. ROUTINE USES: The information provide on this form will be used by and disclosed to DHS personnel and contractors in accordance with approved routine uses, as described in the associated published system of records notices [DHSfUSCIS-007 _ Benefits Information System and DHS/USCIS-OOI - Alien File (A-File) and Central Index System (CIS), which can be found at The information may also be made available, as appropriate for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security. Complete this form and clip it on top of the first page of your immigration formes). ApplicantiPetitioner Full Last Name Applicant/Petitioner Full First Name ApplicantlPetitioner Full Middle Name Emai I Address Mobile Phone Number (Text Message) Form G /26/14 Y Page 1 of I

12 OPT Employment Reporting Form You are required to report new employment and any changes to a DSO within 10 days. To maintain F-1 status during OPT, you may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment. Use this form to report your OPT employment AFTER you are hired and have begun OPT. Your Name: ~ Stud ent 1 D#: SEVIS 1 D# from you r 1-20: N U.S. Address: _ Cell Phone: _ Persona 1 Ad dress: _ Employer/Com pa ny N a me: _ Employer/Com pa ny Add ress: _ You r Job Title: _ Employment Start Date: Employment End Date: Hours Per Week: Part-time (less than 20 hrs) Full-time (more than 20 hrs) End Date of Prior OPT Job (if any): _ Please explain how this employment is related to your academic program at Monroe College: This information will be used to update your F-l record in the SEVIS database. Your signature below also authorizes us to share your employment information with the Career Services office at Monroe College. Student Signature: Date:

13 Vl0f\f{O[ COLLLC:L OFFiCE OF STUDENT SERVCES (914) C OPT Application Checklist These are the documents you need to provide to your DSO for review (do not send to USCIS): D OPT Request Form completed by you and signed by you and your advisor. D Copy of your degree audit ("EVAL/J) available from your advisor or Student Services front desk. Send all of these documents to USCIS. This list makes up your official OPT application packet D Form G original completed as a PDF online and printed from o Form originals with your signature in blue ink completed as a PDF online and printed from A cheat sheet to help you with this form is included in this packet. Be sure to use the version of this form that expires 02/28/2018. D Form 1-94 printed from D Copy ALL of your 1-20s. Each 1-20 has three pages. Copy them all. o Copy your passport picture page with expiration date. Your passport must be valid. o Copy your F-1 visa (valid or expired) or USCIS change of status approval notice. D If you have done OPT in the past, copy your previous OPT card, front and back. o Have two (2) passport photos taken. They must be 2x2 inches in size with a white background. Print your name and SEVIS 10 number from your 1-20 on the back of each photo. o Purchase a money order for $410. Make it payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In the memo section write: Fee.

14 MONROE C:OLL.EC:L oreiel OF STUDEI\jT SERViCES (914) C OPT Request Form Name: Stu dent 1 D#: SEVIS 1 D# from you r 1-20: N _ Academic Program (circle one): Certificate / Associate / Bachelor / Master's MajorAreaofStudy: Semester and year you are completing your program: Fall 20 Winter 20 Spring 20 U.S. Address: _ Building number and street name; include your apartment number or floor City: State: Zi P Code: _ Cell Phone: _ Persona I Ad dress: _ Select which type of optional practical training you are requesting: o Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (starts after you complete your academic program) o Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (starts before you complete your academic program) Did you ever have OPT or full-time CPT before? Yes No Academic Advisor or Department Chairperson Recommendation This student is applying for permission to obtain practical directly related to his or her academic program. training (real-life experience) in a position Student's expected completion date: Please attach a degree audit (EVAL) Fall 20 Winter 20 Spring 20 1 confirm that this student is expected to complete his or her academic program at the end of the semester listed above. I recommend the student for practical training directly related to his or her academic program. Advisor orcliair Signature:,;;-.~~ ';;-' -'--_---- Date: -~---" - Page 1 of 2

15 Vl0NHOL COLLEC;E OFFiCE OF STUDENT SERViCES 14) C Choose an OPT Start Date Eligible F-1 students can apply for 12 months of full-time OPT. You must choose a date to begin your OPT authorization period. Your start date must fall after the final day of your academic program and before your 60-day post-completion grace period ends. Choose a date to begin your work authorization that is between December 17 and February 14. What date do you want your OPT to begin? _ Student Certification D I cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days (total) once my OPT authorization begins. D My OPT position must be directly related to my field of study. I am responsible for finding and obtaining an appropriate OPT position. D My OPT application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the date my DSO recommends me for OPT in the SEVIS database. D I understand that Monroe College cannot guarantee my approval for employment. I am responsible for submitting a complete application to USCIS including the Form 1-765, fee, and supporting evidence. D I may begin work only after I receive my OPT card and only during the validity period printed on my card. I will not work without pay while I wait for my OPT to begin. D I understand that I cannot begin a new program of study while on OPT. If I decide to take classes toward a new program, I will notify a DSO; get a new 1-20 for my new program; and enroll as a full-time student. D If I choose to travel at any point after applying for OPT, my return to the U.S. is at the discretion of u.s. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and cannot be guaranteed. D When my OPT authorization ends I understand that I have another 60-day grace period to pursue one of the options below. If I make any other arrangements, I will notify a DSO. Enroll full-time in a new program with Monroe College and qualify for a new Form 1-20 Complete the process to transfer my SEVIS record to another school Depart the U.S. D I will report changes to my physical address; employment or enrollment status; and any changes or requested changes to my F-1 status to a Designated School Official (OSO) within 10 days. D I understand that the employer-sponsored H1-B application process is a highly competitive program managed by the U.S. government, not Monroe College. Students choosing to apply for H1-B temporary worker status are strongly encouraged by the College to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before applying through the regular lottery (within the cap for bachelor degree holders). Student Signature: ~ --- Date: Page 2 of 2