International Student Services 2019-2020 OPT Workshop

International Student
Services
2019-2020 OPT Workshop
Welcome!
You are about to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) online
workshop. During this workshop, you will learn everything you need to know about
how to apply for OPT and how to maintain your F-1 status once you’re authorized to
work in the U.S.
You will receive all the necessary application documents at the end of this
workshop.
Note: This workshop does not discuss pre-completion OPT. If you are interested in
applying for pre-completion OPT, please read the information on the Berklee ISS
webpage: https://www.berklee.edu/international-student-services/pre-completion-
opt
* 1.
Are you graduating at the end of this current semester? (This does
not mean that you are walking in the graduation ceremony this
semester. This means that this is your final semester of required
studies, and you are completing all graduation requirements now.)
Yes, Finally!
No, not yet.
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Heads up!
This workshop is geared toward students who are completing all graduation
requirements in the current semester. If you are not completing all graduation
requirements in this semester, you’re welcome to participate in the session so that
you can start planning ahead, but you will need to do it again during your final
semester of study.
OPT dates are semester specific, and the regulations may change.
Note: You can submit your OPT application documents to ISS no earlier than the
dates listed in the chart below. We will not accept applications earlier. F-1
regulations do not permit post-completion OPT recommendations more than 90
days prior to a student's I-20 end date.
Good job for getting a head start!
2019-2020 OPT Start Date Windows
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Great! So, what is OPT?
OPT is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity

to use what they learned at Berklee while working in the U.S. after graduation. The
employment is authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) and you'll know that you've been approved for OPT once you
are issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as an OPT
card.
You can have up to 12 months of full-time post-completion OPT after completing

your studies at Berklee.
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OPT is NOT a Visa
OPT is a benefit of your F-1 student status. OPT is an application to the U.S.
government to allow you to work because you have met all of the eligibility
requirements attached to your F-1 status. While participating in OPT, you will still be
in F-1 student status and use your F-1 visa and I-20 to enter the U.S.
While on OPT you are required to maintain valid F-1 status. More information on how
to maintain status is provided in this presentation.
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Before You Apply: Check Eligibility for Post-Completion OPT
Eligibility for post-completion OPT is dependent on your anticipated graduation

status. F-1 visa regulations allow students to apply for post-completion OPT only in
the time period between 90 days before their I-20 program end date to 60 days
after.
You are eligible to apply for post-completion OPT if you meet all of the following
criteria:
1. You are currently in valid F-1 status.
2. You have maintained valid F-1 status for at least one academic year prior to the
desired start of OPT.
3. You will be completing ALL of your Degree or Diploma requirements by the end
of the current semester (including required internships or practicums).
4. You must be listed as "graduated" in Berklee's system no later than 21 calendar
days after final grades are available online.
5. You have not exceeded 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training
(CPT) authorization (part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility)
6. You have not had previous USCIS-approved OPT authorization at the same
degree level
What if I have already had post completion OPT at another school?

You only get post-completion OPT once per academic level (bachelor's degree,
master's degree, etc).
This means that if you have already used post completion OPT after completing
a previous degree at a U.S. school at the same academic level , you do not
qualify for OPT from Berklee (even if your previous degree was in a completely
different subject).
You DO get post-completion OPT once for undergraduate studies, and once for
graduate studies, so if you graduated from an undergraduate program at
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Berklee and are now completing a master's program at Berklee, you are eligible
for OPT for your graduate program.
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What kind of work can I do while on OPT?
You may only work in a field directly related to your studies at Berklee, and you
must be able to make a logical connection between your studies and your
employment.
OPT is not employer specific; you can change employers and/or have multiple
employers.
You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT. You may be employed by a
business, have an internship, volunteer (unpaid positions still count as
employment), and/or be self-employed.
Many Berklee students on OPT are self-employed musicians. You are considered
self-employed if you do any of the following, whether collaborating with others or
working on your own material:
Freelance
Give lessons
Gigging
Busking
If you are self-employed, time spent preparing materials for work, rehearsing for a
gig, auditioning, making phone calls, and sending emails all count as employment.
This is all part of a musician's career!
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Examples of acceptable OPT work:
Examples of acceptable employment:

Teaching children how to play piano
Working with a producer to produce your album
Performing at Boston Calling Music Festival
Composing/performing an advertising jingle for the Boston Red Sox
Examples of NON-acceptable employment:

Teaching children how to do karate
Working at Newbury comics sorting albums
Serving drinks at the bar at Boston Calling Music Festival
Playing baseball for the Boston Red Sox
* 2. Can I work at a cafe making coffee?

Yes
No.
* 3. Can I work at a cafe performing with my band?

Yes
No
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Types of Employment Quiz
Can I work at a cafe making coffee?

No! Working at a cafe making coffee does not relate to your studies at Berklee and
does not require a degree from Berklee, so it is not allowed on OPT.
Can I work at a cafe performing with my band?

Yes! You can play a gig at a cafe. Even if you weren't a performance major, you
completed Berklee's core music curriculum which includes ensembles and private
lessons.
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Can I do volunteer work on OPT?
You may volunteer in an area not related to your studies, if you are otherwise
maintaining valid F-1 status (working 20 hours a week in an area related to your
studies) and are not receiving any compensation for the volunteer position.
What is volunteering?
A volunteer position is one that has historically been unpaid, and is a role that
serves the community. An example of volunteering is playing music for patients in
the hospital, helping at an after school program for children, or serving food at a
soup kitchen for homeless people. See our web page for more information about
Volunteering vs Employment.
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How much and how little can I work while on OPT?
You are required to work at least 20 hours per week between your USCIS-approved
start and end dates; however, you can work more if you want, and you can spread
out these 20 hours per week however you want. For example, you can work five
hours each day, or you can work 20 hours all in one day.
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What if I can't find a job?
F-1 regulations limit unemployment time to 90 days between your USCIS-approved

OPT start and end dates. Each day that you’re not employed must be subtracted
from your allowed 90 days of unemployment.
If you do not report your employment on time, this will also count as
unemployment.
Travel outside of the U.S. is considered unemployment unless one of the following
conditions apply:
You are traveling abroad as part of your employment, and you will
subsequently re-enter the U.S. to resume employment.
You are traveling outside the U.S. during time off authorized by your employer,
i.e., for vacation.
Even doing volunteer work in your major field of study counts as employment. It
doesn't need to be paid work. For example, performing at your church or teaching
free music classes at a community youth program counts can be reported as OPT
employment.
If you are unemployed or out of the U.S. for more than 90 days, your OPT will
automatically be cancelled.
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Now for a couple more employment quiz questions...
* 4. Since I can have more than one job, can I have another job that's not
related to my studies at Berklee but makes me more money, like
driving for Uber?
Yes, sure!
No way!
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No!
You cannot do miscellaneous jobs such as drive for Uber, babysit, or work as a
bartender. Any job that you have while on OPT must relate to your studies at
Berklee or the Boston Conservatory and require a music, dance or theater degree!
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Self-employment
While on OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week. If you are self-employed,
you will report your employment as "self-employed" – you do not need to report
each individual gig/job you take that make up your self-employment.
For your own records (and future work visa applications), keep a record of all of your
jobs and the work that you do to support that job, such as auditioning, rehearsing,
traveling to gigs, buying instrument parts, tuning your instruments, emailing,
promoting yourself on social media, etc.
Even if you are between gigs, but are doing these things, this this is all part of a your
career, and can be considered employment.
* 5. In order to be self-employed, I need to establish my own business in

the U.S.
True
False
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Self-employment
The U.S. is very relaxed in its self-employment laws, so you don’t need to have an
established business. Your job just needs to relate to your studies. However, be
sure to keep records of payment because you will be required to file taxes on your
income!
* 6. I'm a musician, but I'm not gigging every day. How do I show
employment?
I just report my three-hour weekly gig, and I’m good to go.
I need to record all of the work that goes into gigging, including auditioning, rehearsing,
emailing for self-promotion, and buying equipment for my instrument, as well as the actual
gig itself.
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Why and how should I keep a record of my employment?
Consider what you use in your day-to-day life to keep track of your engagements:
Google calendar events, emails with people you're working for or collaborating with,
your daily to-do lists, etc.
You may also like to keep a journal detailing the hours that you worked and the
payments that you received.
Keep all of your receipts related to your work, including those for traveling to
and from a gig, audition, rehearsal, etc; or for buying instrument-related
equipment.
Keep a physical record of all payments received. If you were paid by check,
make a copy of it before you cash it. If you were paid in cash, ask for a receipt.
Are you playing gigs that are promoted online or in print? Keep a copy of it!
Even if your name isn't on the promotional material, keep a copy anyway, and
ask the person who hired you to write a short letter confirming the date(s) you
worked with them and what your job was.
If you have questions about record keeping, the Berklee Career Center is a good
resource. Read more what the government requires of musicians here.
Once your OPT is approved and you begin working, report your employment here.
Don't worry, we'll email you this link and remind you of your obligations to report
employment once you get your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in the
mail.
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Travel While OPT Application is Pending With USCIS
F-1 students may travel and re-enter while their post-completion OPT application is
pending with USCIS.
While ISS has a rigorous protocol in place to support the success of your OPT
application, ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure that your OPT
application is correct, complete, and filed within the appropriate time frame. If you
are outside the U.S. and your application is rejected or denied, it may not be
possible for you to return to begin or resume your OPT. If you choose to travel while
your application is pending, be sure that you are monitoring your Berklee email and
USCIS Case Status online. Contact ISS right away if there is a problem with your OPT
application.
You must mail your OPT application to USCIS before you leave the U.S. If you leave
the U.S. without mailing your OPT application to USCIS, you will permanently lose
the opportunity to apply for OPT at your current education level.
Always re-enter the U.S. using your F-1 visa, I-20, and EAD (after OPT has been
approved). If at any point during your OPT you choose to enter the U.S. using a
different type of visa, such as ESTA or tourist), you will lose your OPT and may
potentially be found in violation of those visa regulations.
Documents Required for Re-Entry While OPT is Pending:

1. Valid passport
2. Valid F-1 visa (not required for citizens of Bermuda and Canada)
3. OPT I-20, signed for travel every 6 months
4. If you are re-entering the U.S. while your OPT application is pending with USCIS,
you can bring your I-797C Notice of Receipt with you. ISS will email this notice
to you when we receive it, usually around 30-45 days after your application is
received by USCIS. Read more about what to expect while waiting for your EAD.
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5. If you are outside of the U.S. when your OPT is approved, ISS will email you a
scanned copy of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and/or I-797
Notice of Approval and you may use this to re-enter the U.S. You should also
bring proof of upcoming employment or job interview; immigration officials may
or may not request to see it when you re-enter.
Don't worry if you're not in Boston when you need a new travel signature. Email
iss@berklee.edu – we can issue a new I-20 to you with an updated signature, and you
can complete a shipping label online so we can mail it to you. Bookmark this page on
our website for future reference: https://www.berklee.edu/international-student-
services/travel-while-opt/getSig
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Travel Between USCIS-Approved OPT Start and End Dates
Travel outside the U.S. is permitted between your USCIS-approved OPT or STEM OPT
start and end dates as long as you have not exceeded the maximum unemployment
time allowed under OPT.
The following documents are required for re-entry in F-1 status:

1. Valid passport
2. Valid F-1 visa (not required for citizens of Bermuda and Canada)
3. OPT I-20, signed for travel every 6 months
4. Proof of employment
5. Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If you are outside of the U.S. when
your OPT is approved, ISS can mail your EAD to you or email you a scanned copy
of your EAD.
See the ISS Travel While On OPT page for more information.
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Is the F-1 student visa in your passport expiring?
It is okay to stay in the US after your F-1 visa expires, as long as your I-20 is valid. If
you want to travel outside the U.S. after your visa expires, you will need to apply for
a new F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country before you re-
enter.
Before applying for a new F-1 visa, make sure your OPT has been approved by USCIS.
Documents Required for Applying for an F-1 Visa During OPT:

1. Most recent, valid I-20 with OPT dates on page 2, signed within the past six (6)
months.
2. Your EAD card.
3. Show ties to your home country.
4. Show funding documents, typically what funding is listed on your most recently
issued I-20.
5. Show proof of employment: evidence that you have a reason to return to the
U.S. to begin/resume your OPT.
6. As we mentioned earlier, you are still in F-1 status while participating in OPT, so
its important to be prepared to explain to the U.S. Embassy what OPT is.
Read more information on our website: https://www.berklee.edu/international-

student-services/travel-while-opt#OPTvisa
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Now that I know everything there is about OPT, when should I apply?
You can apply as early as 90 days before your final semester end date. If you wait to
submit your OPT application until after the semester ends, the process will take
longer. USCIS may take 110 days or longer to process your application, so plan
accordingly. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible!
The latest USCIS can receive your application is 59 days after the semester end date.
However, the longer you wait to submit, the less OPT time you may be approved for.
Warning: if you leave the U.S. after your last semester but before applying for OPT,
you will lose eligibility for OPT!!
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Before You Apply: Confirm Your Graduation Status
You must be completing all graduation requirements in your final semester

before you want to begin OPT.
You may only take one required course online (through Berklee Online or
another school) during your final semester.
We will confirm your anticipated graduation status with the Office of the Registrar.
Berklee students: Prior to submitting your OPT application to ISS, carefully review
each section of your degree audit. If your degree audit is incorrect, contact the
Office of the Registrar to confirm what you need to do to have it updated.
Boston Conservatory students: if you have missing credit(s) for graduation, you
must obtain a letter from your Division Dean explaining how the missing credit(s)
will be accounted for.
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How do I apply?
1. Complete the Online OPT Workshop (you're almost done!)

2. Prepare all of your application documents to submit to ISS
3. Meet with ISS during drop-in hours (or schedule an appointment) to submit your
application.
4. We will review your application, confirm your graduation status, issue you a new
I-20 with your OPT request, and prepare your complete application for you to
mail to USCIS. This process can take up to two weeks; you will receive an email
when your final documents are ready for you to pick up.
5. Once you pick up your application from ISS, you will mail it to USCIS.
More information about the OPT application process is on our website:

https://www.berklee.edu/international-student-services/how-apply-post-
completion-opt
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What if I’m not in Boston to submit my OPT application to ISS?
No worries! You can send us your application via email to iss@berklee.edu. Once we
review the application materials, we will mail them to an address of your choice.
Note: Don't forget that you must be in the U.S. when submitting your OPT
application. You cannot submit it from abroad, you must mail it to USCIS before
leaving the U.S.!
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Choosing Your OPT Start Date
You must select the date within the 60 days after your I-20 program end date (your
60-day grace period) that you would prefer to start working. ISS will enter the date
in SEVIS and it will appear on page 2 of your I-20.
Consider the following when choosing your OPT start date:

The current average USCIS processing time is between 90–120 days from the
date that USCIS receives your OPT application; however, it can take longer.
Official USCIS processing time posted on egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ is
between 2–5 months.
It is not possible to change the dates after OPT is recommended in SEVIS.
There is no way to guarantee a specific start date, accurately predict when
USCIS will approve your application, or expedite USCIS processing.
You cannot begin working until you have your EAD card in your possession and
the current date is on or later than the start date on your EAD card.
If you will be traveling outside of the U.S. while your OPT application is pending,
consider when you plan to return to the US. Remember that time spent outside
of the U.S. between your OPT start and end dates will be subtracted from your
allowed 90-days of unemployment time.
**Note: Music Therapy majors will have different OPT dates depending on their
internship dates. Please reach out to ISS for more info.
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Choosing Your OPT Start Date (continued)
If USCIS approves your application within your 60-day grace period:

If approved before your selected start date, then you will likely receive your
selected start date + 12 months of OPT.
If approved after your selected start date, USCIS will likely move your start date
to the day they approve your application,
and may move the end date to 12 months later.
If USCIS approves your application after your 60-day grace period:
You will receive fewer than 12 months of OPT.
USCIS will move your start date to the day they approve your application;
however, the latest your OPT can end is 14 months after your I-20 program end
date.
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Find Your OPT Start Date Window
This chart will be on Berklee's OPT application for your reference.
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Application Materials
Your complete OPT application will include all of the items listed below.
The Application for Post-Completion OPT and Form I-765 with instructions will be
available at the end of this workshop.
*Note: YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN PHOTOCOPIES*
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I-765 Form
You will need to complete the new I-765 Form. On the last page of this training, you
will find a link to the I-765 instructions and form.
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I-20s
Try to find all of your I-20s. Maybe even look under your bed! ISS does not keep
copies of old I-20s.
Don't worry if you find that you are missing any past I-20s – USCIS no longer requires
submission of ALL previous I-20s. However, we recommend that you submit copies
of any previously-issued I-20s that you have.
NOTE: Students who have completed periods of authorized Curricular Practical

Training (CPT) at Berklee or any other school must provide copies of all I-20s where
CPT was authorized. If you did an internship and lost your I-20 with the CPT
authorization, please contact your International Advisor.
YOU MUST MAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR DOCUMENTS to submit for your OPT
application. ISS will no longer make photocopies for students.
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Electronic I-94 Record
Retrieve and print your most recent electronic I-94 record here . Carefully check
whether the "Most Recent Date of Entry" in the I-94 is the actual date of your entry
to the U.S. and that you were entered in F-1 Student status.
If you cannot locate your I-94 online:

First, try these suggestions from US Customs and Border Protection.
If you tried everything and still cannot locate your I-94, you will need to visit
the US Customs and Border Protection Deferred Inspections Office at Boston
Logan Airport.
Here are instructions for visiting Deferred Inspections (we suggest you call first,
they may be able to assist you over the phone).
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New OPT I-20
Remember when we said that you are still on F-1 student visa status? When you
apply for the OPT benefit, ISS will issue you a new OPT I-20 which shows that you are
still in F-1 Student status.
This is what your new I-20 will look like with the OPT request on it. Be sure to send
the copy with your application, and keep the original.
Note: unlike your old I-20s, the travel authorization signature on your OPT I-20 is
only good for 6 months.
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Mailing your OPT Application
ISS will take no more than 2 weeks to process your OPT documents and email you
when they are ready to be picked up. Your packet will contain detailed instructions
for your next steps and three sets of documents:
1. Your original OPT recommended I-20, which you will use to travel. Do NOT mail
this to USCIS.
2. A copy of your OPT application for your own records.
3. Your OPT application that you will mail to USCIS. You will need to include a
$410 check or money order made payable to “Department of Homeland
Security and two passport photos.
Mail your completed OPT application right away! There will be mailing instructions
included. Make sure you save your mailing receipt/tracking number to verify when
USCIS receives your application!
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Passport Photos
As we mentioned, you need to submit 2 passport-sized photos when you mail your
application to USCIS ( not when you bring it to ISS)
Tips for your passport pictures:

Your pictures must be from the last 3 months. For example, do not use the same
picture that you used for your passport picture, because your application will
be denied.
We recommend getting your pictures taken at the post office. Pictures taken at
CVS tend to be lesser quality.
You cannot wear glasses in your picture.
On the back of each photo, write lightly in pencil your name and your I-94#. Do
not press too hard when writing or smear the ink!
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Then you wait...a very long time
ISS will receive a Receipt Notice from USCIS approximately 30 days after USCIS
receives your OPT application. We will scan and email you a copy of the receipt
notice. Check it carefully for any errors, such as the spelling of your name or your
birthday. If anything is incorrect, contact ISS immediately.
You can follow the progress of your case online using the number assigned on your
receipt notice.
Remember that USCIS takes 110 days or longer to process your OPT
application.
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Communication
All mail regarding your OPT application, including your EAD card, will be sent to
Berklee's ISS Office. We will email you with any updates.
Remember to activate and check your Berklee alumni email account

because this is the only way we send any updates.
Here is the information for Berklee graduates to activate their alumni accounts.
Note: Boston Conservatory students email will not change to an alumni address
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OPT Approval and EAD Cards
Once your OPT application is approved, you will be issued an EAD (employment
authorization) card. The card will be mailed to Berklee, and we will email you once it
arrives to our office. You can either come to ISS and pick it up, or we can mail it to
you, even if you are out of the country.
If you are outside of the US, you will need your EAD card along with your OPT I-
20 to re-enter. The original card or a scanned copy of your card are acceptable.
If you are not in Boston, we recommend having the card sent via UPS express
mail. Regular mail does not have tracking and can be slow and unreliable. If
your EAD card is ever lost, you must pay another $410, and wait another 90 days
for the card.
You must wait to start working until you have your EAD card in your hands.
You will be informed about how to report your OPT employment.
* 7.
I see on MyUSCIS.com that my OPT has been approved. Can I start
working now?
Sure, go ahead!
No, I must wait until the EAD card is in my hands.
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When can I start working?
Once you physically have your EAD card in your hands, AND the start date of your
OPT as listed on your EAD card has arrived, you can start working!!
Explain to your employer that you are waiting for your immigration benefit to be
processed and you cannot start working beforehand. Working before you have your
OPT approval is considered unauthorized employment and can jeopardize both you
and your employer!
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End of OPT
Once your OPT end date passes, you have a 60-day grace period in which you can:
leave the country
transfer to a new school
request a change to your immigration status (from F-1 to a different status)
travel and finally enjoy the U.S.!
If you choose not to apply for OPT after completing your studies, you still have the
60-day grace period from the date of graduation.
* 8. I love my job. Can I continue working in the U.S. after my OPT ends?
Yes.
No.
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Can I work after my OPT ends?
No! Once your OPT work authorization ends, you must stop working. If you continue
working, your SEVIS record may be terminated for “unauthorized employment,”
which could result in your deportation from the US.
You are allowed to stay in the US for 60 days after your EAD card expires.
Some students may have an opportunity to transition to another type of work visa
which permits employment beyond the expiration of their OPT. Every semester ISS
invites an immigration attorney to speak about employment visa options. Check the
iss@berklee.edu calendar for any scheduled events.
Note: Choosing to work without authorization may hurt your chances for future visa
applications or Change of Status petitions!
* 9. Can I extend my OPT?

Yes.
No.
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Can I extend my OPT?
Starting Summer 2018, graduates from the following majors may be eligible for the
STEM Extension to extend their OPT for an additional 2 years:
Contemporary Writing and Production
Electronic Production and Design
Film Scoring
Music Production and Engineering
Graduates of these majors must apply first for their initial year of OPT as outlined in
this workshop. Then 90 days before their EAD expires, they would be eligible to
apply for the STEM Extension.
Application details are on the Berklee ISS page here:
https://www.berklee.edu/international-student-services/stem-opt
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Health Insurance While on OPT
Students who have pending or approved UCIS approved Optional Practical Training
qualify for the insurance plan offered through Gallagher Student Health & Special
Risk (Gallagher) at the published student rates.
Berklee’s student health insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield and can be used
throughout the United States and abroad (except in a student’s home country).
To sign up, go to gallagherstudent.com/berklee and click "Forms and Applications"

on the navigation on the left. You’ll need to log in, then you'll find the appropriate
form to fill out for OPT.
More information about the policy is on the Gallagher website.

If you have any further questions, you can contact Gallagher Student Health &
Special Risk:
800 391-8057
Berkleestudent@gallagherstudent.com
gallagherstudent.com/Berklee
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Part-Time Enrollment While on OPT
Part-time enrollment at any institution is possible while on OPT. If you choose to

take a class at Berklee, you will have to fill out the part-time request form. If you
want to take a class at another school, you don’t need to notify Berklee.
Some internships may also require college credit, while others will not. If you do
need to enroll in Berklee to get college credit for an internship, you will also need to
request part time.
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So, to sum it up...
Remember your obligations during OPT:

1. Report your employment information via the online form at
tiny.cc/OPTreporting as soon as your OPT start date has arrived and you have
started working.
2. Get a new travel signature on your I-20 after 6 months if traveling.
3. You are limited to a total of 90 days of unemployment time between your OPT
start and end dates, and you will accrue unemployment time if you delay or fail
to report your employment information. Time outside the US during OPT will be
subtracted from your allowed unemployment time.
4. You should be working at least 20 hours per week, either paid or unpaid.
5. All employment must be directly related to your area of study. Remember to
document your employment.
6. You must complete federal and state tax forms for each year that you are in the
US. You will be required to submit state tax forms for each state where you live
or work during your OPT period.
7. You are allowed to stay in the US for 60 days after your EAD card expires. You
may not work during this time unless your immigration status changes to a visa
category that permits employment.
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Services
Almost Finished!
10. Full name as it appears on your passport
11. Berklee ID#
12. Berklee e-mail address
13. Expected semester of graduation (for example Summer 2018)
14. Our online OPT workshop is still pretty new! Is there anything you
would like our office to know about the workshop? (Keep in mind that
you will get a pdf of this presentation for your reference and the OPT
application documents on the next page!)
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Services
Next Steps
Congratulations, you're ready to apply for post-completion OPT! Here's what you need to
do:
1. Download the Berklee Application for Post-Completion OPT. Click here to download.
2. Follow the checklist on Page 1 of the application to prepare your application.
3. Download Form I-765 and follow instructions in the presentation to fill out each
question on the form accurately. Click here to view the instructions and download
the form.
4. After you've completed all of your application documents as listed on the
Application Checklist, bring your application to ISS during drop-in hours, or make an
appointment with your advisor.
A PDF of this presentation can be found here! Save this PDF for your future
reference.
**Completing this workshop does not mean that you have applied for OPT. You will need to fill out the
documents above and submit them to ISS to apply for OPT.**
Still have questions? We’re here to help!
International Student Services

617-747-6600
iss@berklee.edu
56

International Student Services 2019-2020 OPT Workshop

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No, not yet.

Good job for getting a head start!

2019-2020 OPT Start Date Windows

Great! So, what is OPT?

OPT is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity

You can have up to 12 months of full-time post-completion OPT after completing

OPT is NOT a Visa

Before You Apply: Check Eligibility for Post-Completion OPT

Eligibility for post-completion OPT is dependent on your anticipated graduation

What if I have already had post completion OPT at another school?

What kind of work can I do while on OPT?

Examples of acceptable OPT work:

Examples of acceptable employment:

Examples of NON-acceptable employment:

* 2. Can I work at a cafe making coﬀee?

* 3. Can I work at a cafe performing with my band?

Types of Employment Quiz

Can I work at a cafe making coﬀee?

Can I work at a cafe performing with my band?

Can I do volunteer work on OPT?

How much and how little can I work while on OPT?

What if I can't ﬁnd a job?

F-1 regulations limit unemployment time to 90 days between your USCIS-approved

Now for a couple more employment quiz questions...

* 5. In order to be self-employed, I need to establish my own business in

Why and how should I keep a record of my employment?

Travel While OPT Application is Pending With USCIS

Documents Required for Re-Entry While OPT is Pending:

Travel Between USCIS-Approved OPT Start and End Dates

The following documents are required for re-entry in F-1 status:

Is the F-1 student visa in your passport expiring?

Documents Required for Applying for an F-1 Visa During OPT:

Read more information on our website: https://www.berklee.edu/international-

Before You Apply: Conﬁrm Your Graduation Status

You must be completing all graduation requirements in your ﬁnal semester

1. Complete the Online OPT Workshop (you're almost done!)

More information about the OPT application process is on our website:

What if I’m not in Boston to submit my OPT application to ISS?

Choosing Your OPT Start Date

Consider the following when choosing your OPT start date:

Choosing Your OPT Start Date (continued)

If USCIS approves your application within your 60-day grace period:

Find Your OPT Start Date Window

This chart will be on Berklee's OPT application for your reference.

*Note: YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN PHOTOCOPIES*

NOTE: Students who have completed periods of authorized Curricular Practical

Electronic I-94 Record

If you cannot locate your I-94 online:

New OPT I-20

Mailing your OPT Application

Tips for your passport pictures:

Then you wait...a very long time

Remember to activate and check your Berklee alumni email account

OPT Approval and EAD Cards

No, I must wait until the EAD card is in my hands.

When can I start working?

Can I work after my OPT ends?

* 9. Can I extend my OPT?

Can I extend my OPT?

Health Insurance While on OPT

To sign up, go to gallagherstudent.com/berklee and click "Forms and Applications"

More information about the policy is on the Gallagher website.

Note: YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN PHOTOCOPIES