CAN I WITHDRAW MY POST-OPT APPLICATION?
Each withdrawal situation is different. Therefore, to determine the right advisem*nt you should join Drop In Immigration Advisingimmediatelyso we can provide you further immigration advisem*nt. The situation becomes critical as you approach the completion date listed on your I-20. Withdrawing is not always guaranteed. The USCIS filing fee is non-refundable.
WHAT IF I DO NOT COMPLETE MY DEGREE PROGRAM AS REPORTED ON MY OPT APPLICATION?
You must visit or contact theISSCimmediately so we can provide you further immigration advisem*nt. The situation becomes critical as you approach the completion date listed on your I-20. Therefore, as soon as you suspect you will not complete your program of study you must contact the ISSC. This situation may have serious immigration consequences.
CAN I DO A SECOND POST-OPT AFTER I FINISH A SECOND DEGREE?
You are eligible for 12 months of OPT (Pre and Post) at each higher degree level. For example, if you have been granted OPT at the bachelor’s level previously, you will not have OPT available again at the bachelor’s level. Also, if you are pursuing dual majors at the same degree level (minors do not count), you will need to decide which major to use when applying for Post-OPT.
CAN I CHANGE EMPLOYERS WHILE ON POST-OPT?
Yes, so long as the new employment is directly related to your field of study and you work a minimum of 20 hours per week. No special permission is required to change employers. Remember, you must update your employer information via theSEVP Portalwithin 10 days of the change.
DO I NEED TO REPORT EMPLOYMENT WHILE ON POST-OPT?
Yes, you will do this via theSEVP Portal(not in My ASU). Once your OPT is approved and the start date is current, you will receive an email fromdo-not-replay.SEVP@ice.dhs.govwith directions on how to set up your SEVP Portal account. Check your SPAM and JUNK email folders if you do not receive this email once your Post-OPT is approved and the start date is current.
For more information on the SEVP Portal, please read throughhttps://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevp-portal-help
I DID NOT RECEIVE MY SEVP PORTAL EMAIL
You will be mailed an invitation to create an SEVP portal account on the start date (valid from date) printed on your EAD card. It can take up to 72 hours from your start date to receive the email. If you did not receive an email fromdo-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.govwith the subject line:Optional Practical Training Approval,please check the Spam folder in your ASU email account.
If you still cannot find the email, please do the following:
- Go to theMyISSC eForm Portal.
- Under F-1 Practical Training, submit theSEVP Portal IssueseForm.
- The ISSC cannot process theSEVP Portal IssueseForm until you have submitted thePost-OPT EAD UploadeForm found under F-1 Practical Training in theMyISSC eForm Portal
After your eForm has been processed by theInternational Students and Scholars Center(ISSC), which may take up to 5 business days,SEVP will send an email containing the subject line: Optional Practical Training Approval - the next step. You are required to use your ASU email address as listed on My ASU to create your SEVP Portal account.
If your password is entered incorrectly 3 consecutive times or if you have not logged into your SEVP Portal account for 45 days or more, the account will be locked automatically. You should receive an email from SEVP containing the subject line: Your account has been locked for too many SEVIS ID validation failures. Please follow the instructions on that email.
If you did not receive this email, try to reset your password by the following steps:
Click on “Reset password,” then enter your ASU Public Email address (as listed on your My ASU Profile) and your SEVIS ID (It starts with N00 andis listed on your Form I-20) and click on “Update Password.”
Next, check your ASU email to see if you have received a temporary password and a link from the SEVP Portal. If not, check your Spam folder.
After following the link, enter the temporary password as the “current password,” and set a new password.
If resetting your password does not work, submit theSEVP Portal IssueseForm found in theMyISSC eForm Portalunder F-1 Practical Training.
CAN I APPLY FOR LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OF POST-OPT AND SAVE THE OTHER MONTHS FOR LATER USE AT THE SAME DEGREE LEVEL?
There is no problem with breaking months in a Pre-OPT situation (separate filing fees apply); however, breaking Post-OPT time into different months is not recommended because the ISSC cannot guarantee that you will be granted use of the remaining months later.
MY OPT APPLICATION HAS BEEN PROCESSING FOR 90 DAYS, WHAT DO I DO?
As long as your application was received by USCIS, you are allowed to stay in the US until your application is adjudicated. You do not need to leave the US simply because your OPT was not approved within 90 days. Please visitUSCIS Case Status Onlineand enter your receipt number (YSC########) to monitor your application progress. CheckUSCIS processing timesto see how long they are taking on I-765 applications for Potomac, and if they are outside of their normal processing time, submit aCase Inquiry. Nevertheless, you cannot work, intern, or volunteer, and you should not travel until your application is adjudicated. If your OPT application has been approved you need to wait until your EAD card arrives (1-3 weeks after approval). You are NOT considered unemployed when your application is still pending.
CAN I START WORKING AFTER I FILE WITH USCIS?
No. You cannot start working until your application is approved, the start date is current, and you have your EAD card in-hand. This includes intern or volunteer work.
MY 60-DAY GRACE PERIOD HAS ENDED BUT MY APPLICATION HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED, WHAT DO I DO?
As long as your application was received by USCIS, you are allowed to stay in the US until your application is adjudicated. You do not need to leave the US simply because your OPT was not approved within your 60-day grace period. Nevertheless, you cannot work, intern, or volunteer until your application is adjudicated.
I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR ALMOST 90 DAYS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you accumulate 90 days or more of unemployment during Post-OPT, you are in violation of status and will be accumulating unlawful presence in the U.S. Please be prepared to depart or make other arrangements to keep your record free from unlawful presence accumulation. If you have a job offer that will start after your 90 days of unemployment, we do not suggest taking it since you will be accumulating unlawful presence. A student may be denied future immigration benefits that rely on the student’s valid F-1 status if DHS determines that the student exceeded the limitations on unemployment.
CAN I CHANGE MY REQUESTED START AND END DATES?
If you have NOT mailed your application to USCIS, you can request a change of your OPT start date. Please visit the ISSC with your application for further instructions. However, if you HAVE mailed your application to USCIS, it is very difficult to change dates, which requires withdrawing your application, and may result in losing your Post-OPT benefit. Withdrawing the OPT application can be difficult and the fee is non-refundable. It can take up to 30 days for USCIS to respond to the withdraw request, and your application may be approved by then. Once OPT has been approved, no changes can be made.
WHAT IS MY VISA STATUS AFTER I COMPLETE MY PROGRAM?
You will remain in F-1 status while your application is adjudicated, during your Post-OPT and your 60-day grace period after OPT.
ARE THERE ANY EMPLOYER OR LOCATION RESTRICTIONS FOR WORKING IN THE U.S. WHILE ON POST-OPT/STEM?
If you are authorized for Post-OPT, there are no employer or location restrictions; however, please choose a job that will have you work in the U.S., not in another country. The job duties, not the job title or employer, must be related to your course of study.
WHAT IF I LOST MY EAD CARD?
To replace a lost EAD card, you must file a new I-765 application with USCIS for a replacement. This cannot be done if you are outside the U.S. as these applications must be filed within the U.S.
When you file your replacement application with USCIS, we recommend including a letter explaining that you lost your card and need a replacement. We also recommend submitting an updated I-20 that shows your OPT as Approved (rather than Requested). You can obtain an updated I-20 by submitting the Replacement and Travel I-20 Request through the MyISSC eForm Portal.
If you did not receive your EAD card that USCIS mailed, you can also submit an inquiry on the non-delivery of a card.
MY EAD CARD SAYS “NOT VALID FOR RE-ENTRY” ON IT, DOES THIS MEAN I CANNOT TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.?
This simply means that you must carry other documents to show proof of your eligibility to re-enter the U.S. such as your I-20, passport and valid F-1 visa stamp. The EAD alone is not enough to re-enter the U.S.
CAN I ENTER THE US ON A DIFFERENT VISA STATUS AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON POST-OPT/STEM?
No. Do not enter the U.S. on any visa other than F-1 or you will lose your F-1 status and your Post-OPT will be invalidated.
CAN I TAKE CLASSES WHILE ON POST-OPT/STEM?
The primary purpose of Post-OPT/STEM is working. Taking classes can be done as an incidental part of your stay. Students are allowed to enroll in non-degree seeking classes. A full-time or degree-seeking program of study while on OPT/STEM is not allowed.
If you decide to go back to school full-time, you will need to request a forSEVIS transfer outfrom the ISSC to transfer your SEVIS Record and I-20 to the new school.
If you willstart a new degree program at ASU, you need to request a new degree I-20 from the ISSC before the new degree program start date or before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT/STEM expiration date, whichever is earlier.
If you decide to transfer your record to another institution or pursue a new degree program, your Post-OPT/STEM will be invalidated once you receive the new degree I-20.
CAN I EXTEND MY POST-OPT?
No, there are no extensions of Post-OPT unless you are STEM eligible. After your OPT ends you have a 60-day grace period to either change your visa status, transfer to another school, pursue a new degree program at ASU, or return home. You are not authorized to work during the grace period (unless you have a pending STEM OPT extension application).
CAN I START A NEW DEGREE PROGRAM WHILE ON POST-OPT/STEM?
Yes. However, if you decide to pursue a new degree program, your Post-OPT/STEM will be invalidated once you receive the new degree I-20. If you willstart a new degree program at ASU, you need to request a new degree I-20 from the ISSC before the new degree program start date or before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT expiration date, whichever is earlier.
If you will start a new degree program at another institution, you have to request forSEVIS transfer outfrom the ISSC. This must be done before the end of the 60-day grace period following the Post-OPT expiration date.
HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN THE U.S. AFTER MY POST-OPT/STEM ENDS?
You have a 60-day grace period after your Post-OPT/STEM ends to either change your visa status, transfer to another school, pursue a new degree program at ASU, or return home. You are not authorized to work during this time (unless you have a pending STEM OPT extension application).
CAN I CHANGE MY ADDRESS WHILE MY POST-OPT/STEM APPLICATION IS PENDING?
Changing your address while your Post OPT application is pending with USCIS may cause issues with your EAD card being mailed to you correctly. Even if you follow the procedures to update your address with USCIS, there is no guarantee that information will be processed by USCIS before the approval of your OPT application and your EAD card may still be mailed to your former address. Therefore it is recommended to avoid changing your address once your application is pending, if at all possible. If you know you will be moving while your application is pending, we recommend you put the mailing address of a reliable friend or family member on your application.
If you must change your address while your application is pending, you must do all of the following:
- Update your address through yourMyUSCISaccount
- File anAR-11 change of address form
- Update your address withUSPS
- Update your Local Address throughMyASU.
Note:You must update your address within 10 days of moving
WHAT IF THERE ARE ERRORS ON MY POST-OPT/STEM EAD CARD?
Please refer to the Replace an EAD section of the USCIS webpage. Make sure to read the instructions carefully as the instructions for replacement depend on the type of error and whether the error was made by USCIS or due to a mistake in the student’s application information.
I AM LOCKED OUT OF THE SEVP PORTAL
If your password is entered incorrectly 3 consecutive times or if you have not logged into your SEVP Portal account for 45 days or more, the account will be locked automatically. You should receive an email from SEVP containing the subject line: Your account has been locked for too many SEVIS ID validation failures. Please follow the instructions on that email.
If you did not receive this email, try to reset your password by the following steps:
Click on “Reset password,” then enter your ASU Public Email address (as listed on your My ASU Profile) and your SEVIS ID (It starts with N00 and can is listed on your Form I-20) and click on “Update Password.”
Next, check your ASU email to see if you have received a temporary password and a link from the SEVP Portal. If not, check your Spam folder.
After following the link, enter the temporary password as the “current password,” and set a new password.
If resetting your password does not work, submit theReporting SEVP Portal IssueseForm found in theMyISSC eForm Portalunder F-1 Practical Training.
I RECEIVE AN ERROR WHEN TRYING TO CREATE MY SEVP PORTAL ACCOUNT
You will be mailed an invitation to create an SEVP portal account on the start date (valid from date) printed on your EAD card. It can take up to 72 hours from your start date to receive the email. You will be unable to create an SEVP Portal account until you receive this email.
If you receive an error while trying to create an SEVP Portal account, please do the following:
- Go to theMyISSC eForm Portal.
- Under F-1 Practical Training, submit theSEVP Portal IssueseForm.
- The ISSC cannot process theSEVP Portal IssueseForm until you have submitted thePost-OPT EAD UploadeForm found under F-1 Practical Training in theMyISSC eForm portal
CAN I SEND MY APPLICATION TO ANY SERVICE CENTER?
No. You must submit the POST-OPT/STEM application to the appropriate lockbox designated by USCIS. Please checkUSCIS’s I-765 lockbox addresseshttps://www.uscis.gov/i-765by scrolling down toWhere to file. To avoid this issue, the ISSC highly recommends all students utilize myUSCIS to file their application online.
DO DEPENDENTS OR SPOUSES GET A NEW POST-OPT/STEM I-20?
Yes, they will, however, you will NOT provide USCIS with copies of their I-20s for your Post-OPT/STEM application. Only provide USCIS with your I-20.
CAN I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY POST-OPT/STEM APPLICATION AFTER I SUBMIT IT TO USCIS?
Yes. If you applied online, simply log into myUSCIS to check the status of your application. If you submitted a paper application, you must wait to receive a text/email or USCIS I-797A Notice of Action (i.e., receipt notice with receipt number), visitUSCIS Case Status Onlineand enter your receipt number (YSC########). You can also call USCIS. Their phone number is 1-800-375-5283. Be sure to have your receipt number ready before you call. You can also set up an account with them. (When their phone prompts, your receipt number letters YSC = 972).
CAN YOU EXPEDITE MY POST-OPT/STEM APPLICATION?
The ISSC takes up to 7 days to process Post-OPT/STEM requests. Our processing times can vary due to caseload; therefore, cases cannot be expedited and will only be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. USCIS has an average processing time of 90 days; however, please visitUSCIS’s Processing Timeswebsite for their most up-to-date processing times. If you are interested in expedited processing from USCIS, please visit theirPremium Processingwebpage for details.
