Optional Practical Training Guidelines
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization for those in lawful F-1 status who desire to work in the U.S. in their fields of study. To apply for OPT, an F-1 student must receive recommendation by the international student advisor in the office of multicultural and international student services (MISS) before filing an application to USCIS.

OPT is authorized up to 12 months cumulatively for all students who intend to complete their academic programs at Hampshire College. A 17-month extension after the initial 12 months is available only for certain eligible students with designated CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes. See “17-Month Extension" link for more details.

OPT Eligibility
1. The student must have been enrolled on a full-time basis at Hampshire College for one full academic year (i.e., two semesters).

2. The student has not been engaged in full-time Curricular Practical Training (“CPT” over 20 hours a week) for more than 12 months cumulatively before applying for OPT.

Note: Post-Completion OPT (after your program completion) will be the most applicable to Hampshire students (i.e., after completion of all degree requirements for your degree) versus pre-completion OPT.


OPT Application Procedures
DO NOT APPLY FOR OPT ONLINE. APPLY THROUGH HAMPSHIRE'S OFFICE FOR MULTICULTURAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES.

When to apply:
F-1 students 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. MISS highly recommends that students apply as soon as possible within 90 days of their program end date. In addition, the application must be properly filed within 30 days of the date MISS recommends OPT in SEVIS.

Procedures:
A. Make an appointment with MISS
At your appointment, submit the following materials to the international student advisor in MISS, who will review and process your OPT request. After processing, you will receive a new I-20 with OPT recommendation on page 3.

1. Completed Form I-765 (refer to I-765 instructions and tips for completing form I-765).

Download the form (e.g., save it to the desktop, etc.)
Choose to open the file with either Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. The form cannot be opened with any other application.

2. OPT recommendation letter from student’s Division III chair indicating the expected program completion date. (Sample letter)

3. Two color passport-style photographs (print your name and date of birth in pencil on the back of each photo). Photo specifications can be found here.

4. $380.00 in the form of a personal check or money order made to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Do not abbreviate. A personal check is preferable.

5. Bring all of your previous I-20’s (including any from previous U.S. institutions) to prove whether OPT and CPT were recommended in the past. Make sure that all your previous I-20’s were signed by you. Copies of all the I-20’s for your OPT application will be made during your appointment with MISS. The international student advisor will issue a new I-20 with OPT recommendation on page 3. A copy of this I-20 will be included in your OPT application.

6. Bring your passport so the following copies can be made:

Photocopy of I-94 card (front and back): If you are subject to “Special Registration: National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS),” you also need to include a letter stating the date and location of the Special Registration along with a copy of I-94 with the Special Registration note (on the back side).
Photocopy of the most recent visa page (the visa can be expired and/or of a different visa category other than F).
Photocopy of biographical page(s) of the passport (with expiration date): If your passport will expire within 6 months from the time of filing your OPT application with USCIS, you should renew it at an embassy or consulate of your country before you submit your OPT application.

7. Photocopy of any previous Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), if applicable.

8. During your appointment, you must give MISS an email address, phone number, and mailing address for the best way to reach you after your program end date, so MISS can contact you about the status of your OPT application.

9. E-Notification: If you want to receive an email and/or a text message that your Form I-765 has been accepted at a USCIS Lockbox facility, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the first page of your application.

Download the form (e.g., save it to the desktop, etc.)
Choose to open the file with either Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. The form cannot be opened with any other application.
Note: During your appointment with MISS, copies of all your paperwork will be made for your records.


B. File your OPT application with USCIS:
Order of application materials:

  G-1145 form (optional)
  I-765 form (original signed in blue ink)
  Copies of all I-20's in chronological order
  Former EADs, if any
  Copy of I-94 card (front and back)
  Copy of visa stamp
  Copy of passport (photo and expiration date pages)
  Paper clip check and photos on top of all documents
NO COVER LETTER IS NEEDED

After MISS reviews your materials, you can then send the following documents to one of the addresses below. MISS highly recommends you send via express courier, UPS second day air, to:

File your I-765 applications at: USCIS Dallas Lockbox

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:

USCIS
PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

For express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

C. Receive I-797 (Receipt Notice):
Within a few weeks of having received your application, USCIS will send MISS a receipt notice (I-797). MISS will contact you immediately to pick up the receipt notice, or will send it via postal mail. Carefully review the notice to make sure your name is spelled correctly on the I-797. If it is not, contact MISS immediately.

D. Receive I-797 (Approval Notice):
After processing your OPT application, USCIS will send MISS an approval notice (I-797). This is a notification on your application status, not your work authorization/permission. MISS will contact you immediately to pick up the receipt notice or will send it via postal mail. You can check the status of your I-765 application online.

E. Receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD):
Thereafter, MISS will receive from USCIS an EAD separately in the mail. MISS will contact you immediately to pick up the EAD card or will send it via postal mail.

F. Submit “OPT Employment Update Form”
It is mandatory that you report any changes to your OPT employment information to MISS as soon as possible, so that MISS can report the information to USCIS through SEVIS. This is a regulatory requirement, and you will be considered to have violated your F-1 status if you do not comply. You must submit your employment information online at the link above.

G. Submit “Change of U.S. Address Form”
Students currently on post-completion OPT are also required to report any changes of U.S. residential address within 10 days of moving. Report address changes to MISS online at the link above.