work authorization information

Eligibility:

The student must meet these eligibility criteria:

• Student has been in F-1 status for one academic year (three terms) at current degree level 
• Student is in good academic standing with Bellevue University (minimum 2.0 GPA for undergraduate students and minimum of 3.0 GPA for graduate students)
• Student is maintaining F-1 status, including pursuing a full course of study 
• Student must not be on Academic Warning, Probation, or Suspension at the time of application.
• Other employment opportunities (such as on-campus employment) are not available or are otherwise insufficient 

Student has severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control. Examples of acceptable financial circumstances may include (final determination is made by USCIS): 

• Loss of financial aid
• Loss of on campus employment without fault on the part of the student 
• Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate 
• Inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs
• Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support
• Medical bills
• Other substantial and unexpected expenses

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an opportunity for F-1 international students to participate in professional, temporary employment that is directly related to their major area of study, but not a part of the academic curriculum. This may be done during studies (pre-completion OPT) or after degree completion (post-completion OPT) for a period of up to 12 months full time.

Please note: This information is provided as general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Processing times and eligibility decisions are made by USCIS and may vary. Students are responsible for maintaining their status and ensuring timely, accurate filings.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for OPT, you:

• Do NOT need a job offer to apply
• Must be in legal F-1 Status and in the United States
• Must have been enrolled for the past academic year (typically 9 months, not including summer term)
• Must NOT have been previously authorized for 12 months of Full-Time CPT at the same degree level 
• Must NOT have been previously authorized for 12 months of OPT at the same level, or any OPT at a higher degree level

When to Apply for OPT

For pre-completion OPT, please talk with a DSO in ISS about when and how to apply.

For post-completion OPT, your application must be RECEIPTED BY USCIS* no earlier than 90 days prior to and no later than 60 days from the program completion date. USCIS must also receipt the application within 30 days of the OPT recommendation from ISS.

* The term “receipted” refers to the date the USCIS filed your application as received and the date on which a Receipt Notice was issued. This does not simply mean the date they received it. For an application to be considered “receipted,” the Receipt Notice must have been issued. The receipt notice is provided to the applicant and includes a receipt number and receipt date. 

NOTE: If your current I-20 end date is in a future semester, the end date will be shortened to reflect the anticipated completion at the time your Post-Completion OPT recommendation I-20 is issued. 

Consequences for not applying early

• Possible driver’s license renewal problems (in most cases, cannot renew until OPT is approved)
• May not get the OPT dates you requested. 
• Depending on how late you apply and current USCIS process times, you may not receive the full 12 months of OPT, as the end dates cannot go beyond 14 months from your program end date. 
• Possible late rejection of application. By the time you find out that it was rejected and try to reapply, you may be ineligible due to being past 60-days from I-20 end date.

How to Apply for OPT

Pre-Completion OPT: Please contact ISS to get started.

Post-Completion OPT: Please review the 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Checklist for full details on your steps to applying for OPT. You must first receive an I-20 from ISS before applying for OPT. Do NOT file your OPT application until you have been issued an OPT-Recommendation I-20! Contact ISS if you have questions.

OPT Reporting Requirements

Throughout the entire OPT period, you will still be in the US on F-1 status. To maintain your F-1 status, you must continue to report all changes to ISS WITHIN 10 DAYS of any change.

• Once your OPT has been approved:
  • Send a copy of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card to iss@bellevue.edu. 
• As soon as you have your first job offer:
  • You must report your employer to ISS within 10 days. Submit the online OPT Student Update Form to report your employer
• Within 10 days of the change, you must report any changes to:
  • Your employment – Report all changes in the OPT Student Update Form
    • This includes any loss or termination of employment, new or change of employer, or edits to your current employer 
  • Your US address, telephone number, or email address, even if employment has not changed. Report any changes in the Change of Address Form.
  • Your immigration status (ex. F-1 to H-1B)
  • Your passport name
  • Your OPT plans, such as leaving the US and forfeiting the remainder of your OPT

NOTE: Failure to submit your information in a timely manner to Bellevue University International Student Services via the online OPT Student Update and Change of Address forms may result in the cancellation of your OPT and/or F-1 status. Please contact International Student Services if you have any questions or concerns.

The STEM OPT extension extends the initial period of post-completion OPT for an additional 24 months (for a total eligibility of up to 36 months) for students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 

Please note: This information is provided as general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Processing times and eligibility decisions are made by USCIS and may vary. Students are responsible for maintaining their status and ensuring timely, accurate filings.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the STEM extension for OPT, you must:

• Maintain your F-1 Status 
• Currently be on an approved period of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) (OPT must not be expired!) 
• Apply for the STEM extension based on study in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
• Work for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to your major area of study in the STEM field 
• Have a job offer from an employer for a position that meets all of the employment requirements: 
  • Must be a paid position working at least 20 hours per week
  • Employer must be registered with E-Verify 
  • Work must be directly related to the student’s STEM degree
  • Must have specific training goals and objectives outlined in the Training Plan, Form I-983
  • Cannot be self-employed (you cannot sign your own I-983 as an employer)
  • Cannot be employed through “temp” agencies or consulting firm arrangements that provide labor for hire, or any other relationship that does not constitute a bona fide employer-employee relationship
• Not have previously received the STEM OPT extension twice before
  • For a second extension, your second STEM degree must be at a higher level than the previous STEM degree used for your first STEM OPT extension.

E-Verify Employer List:

• To find E-Verify employers, visit the USCIS website and search for ‘E-Verify Employers’. The list is available under the page titled “E-Verify Employer Search”. 

When to Apply:

Applications for the STEM OPT extension can be filed up to 90 days prior to the end of the regular period of post-completion OPT, but USCIS must receipt the application before the current OPT expires.

ISS recommends you apply as early as possible (within the required timeframe described above). Please note that USCIS processing times may vary and can affect your ability to renew state documents like a driver’s license. 

If the STEM application is receipted BEFORE the current OPT expiration date, the student can continue working until a decision is made (up to 180 days from the end of the current OPT expiration). All STEM OPT requirements must be met for all employment taking place after the initial 12-month OPT expiration date.

How to Apply:

Please review the How to Apply for STEM OPT Extension Checklist for full details on your steps to applying for the STEM OPT extension. You must first receive an I-20 from ISS before applying for the STEM OPT extension. Do NOT file your application until you have been issued the STEM OPT-Recommendation I-20! Contact ISS if you have questions. 

Tips After Submitting Your STEM OPT Application:

• Students who have properly filed the Form I-765 (for STEM OPT extension) prior to the end date of their current post-completion OPT will be able to continue employment while their extension application is pending until a final decision is made on the I-765 or for 180 days, whichever comes first. The application must be receipted by the USCIS before the current OPT period ends.
• If your STEM OPT application is receipted before your current OPT expires, you may continue working for up to 180 days while your application is pending. Once approved, your 24-month extension period begins the day after your original OPT end date, not on the date of approval. (see 8 CFR § 274a.12(b)(6)(iv)) 
• You can Check Your Case Status on the USCIS website by entering your receipt number. 
• When you receive the STEM OPT EAD, send a copy to iss@bellevue.edu.

STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

Throughout the entire OPT period (including the STEM OPT extension period), you will still be in the US on F-1 status. To maintain legal F-1 status during the STEM OPT extension period, you must report all changes to ISS WITHIN 10 DAYS of any change, and complete the required 6-month reporting due every 6 months from the start of your STEM OPT period. Please refer to the STEM OPT acknowledgement that you sign when you apply for OPT for details about your reporting requirements and continue to check your email address and respond to all emails from ISS throughout your STEM OPT period. If you have any questions about your reporting requirements, please contact ISS.

Links for STEM Reporting

• To update your contact information: https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/international-services/change-address-form
• Employment Updates: https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/international-services/opt-student-update
• 6-Month Validations (due every 6 months): https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/international-services/opt-6-month-validation
• Self-Evaluations (due every 12 months or when you leave a job): This is page 5 of the I-983. Submit completed self-evaluations to ISS by email.

STEM OPT Info from the SEVP

The Federal government has put together a STEM OPT Hub with detailed information on such topics as: 

• Eligibility requirements
• Reporting responsibilities
• Form I-983
• Employer responsibilities
• Eligible STEM fields

• Initial 12-Month OPT 
  • Initial 12-Month Post-Completion OPT Checklist
• 24-Month STEM Extension
  • 24-Month STEM OPT Checklist
  • STEM OPT Employer Verification Form
  • STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan Recommendations
  • STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan Information and Instructions provided by Study in the States 
  • STEM OPT Hub provided by Study in the States (for both students and employers)
• USCIS Check Your Case Status Tool

• Change of Address Form – Complete this form if you are on OPT or STEM OPT and need to report an update in address, email address, or phone number.
• 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) Student Update – Complete this form if you need to report a job update while on the initial 12-month OPT period.
• STEM OPT 6 Month Validation Report – Complete this form if you are on STEM OPT and you need to submit a required 6, 12, 18, or 24 month validation report.
• 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) Student Update – Complete this form if you are on STEM OPT and you need to report a job update.

 Traveling outside the U.S. while your OPT application is pending is not recommended. If you must travel, you should have a written job offer and a reliable way to receive your EAD card abroad, in case your OPT is approved while you are away.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has final authority on admission decisions at the port of entry. Students should consult with ISS and review official USCIS and CBP guidance before traveling.

If the OPT is Pending

• OPT Receipt Notice
• Passport 
• F-1 Visa
• I-20 with a recent travel signature 

Once OPT is Approved

• OPT EAD (Employment Authorization Document) 
• Proof of Employment (i.e. job offer or recent paycheck stub) 
• Passport 
• F-1 Visa 
• I-20 with a travel signature within the last six months

If your F-1 visa has expired you will need to apply for a new one while abroad if you plan to return to the U.S. to continue with OPT. It is sometimes more difficult to obtain an F-1 student visa while on OPT since you have already completed your degree and you are only returning to work. In addition, all new visas require a security check that could take time. Please carefully consider these risks before traveling outside the U.S.

 CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT) is an opportunity for international students in F-1 status to participate in professional, temporary employment such as an internship, co-op program, practicum or similar situation, which is undertaken prior to the completion of studies. The training must either be a required part OR an integral part of the established curriculum and the student must receive academic credit for the employment that will count toward degree requirements.

CPT is only valid for the term it is authorized for. If employment extends through multiple semesters, the student must enroll in a required CPT course each term and must be re-authorized each term. 

• For additional information about CPT, Contact iss@bellevue.edu. 

Academic Credit Requirement

For the employment, the student must enroll in a class for credit and the class MUST either be required for the degree or the class must qualify to count toward academic credit required for the student’s degree. 

The period of employment should normally fall within the limits of a given academic term. Students participating in CPT during a fall, winter, or spring semester must continue to pursue a full course of study. Both failure to enroll in the specific course for which the CPT is approved and to complete the employment during the period of authorization will result in a violation of immigration status.

CPT Eligibility

• Students are eligible for CPT after completing one academic year (three terms at Bellevue University).
• Employment may be either full-time (over 20 hours a week) or part-time (20 hours or less a week). 
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: If you accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same degree level, you will no longer be eligible for post-completion OPT for that degree. Part-time CPT or fewer than 12 total months of full-time CPT will not affect OPT eligibility.
• Employment may be paid or unpaid. Unpaid positions may still require CPT authorization if they meet eligibility criteria. Please consult a DSO in ISS with any questions about unpaid/volunteer work.
• A DSO in International Student Services authorizes CPT. Employment may not begin until the proper authorization is obtained on page 2 of the student’s I-20 and must end by the authorized completion date.

Regulations and interpretations can change. For the most up-to-date information about CPT, students are encouraged to consult a Designated School Official (DSO) in ISS and refer to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i) for CPT-specific guidance.

How to apply for CPT

1. Talk with a DSO in ISS and your Student Coach before applying for CPT to be sure that you are eligible. If ISS has determined that you would be eligible for CPT, continue to step 2. 
2. Request the CPT Form from ISS. This is sent through DocuSign. To request this, ISS will need the name and email address for your employer. Once you recieve the DocuSign, complete Section A of the form and submit it.
3. Once you submit Section A of the form, DocuSign will automatically send a request to your employer. Be sure to inform your employer that they will need to complete the CPT form as soon as possible. Your employer must complete section B of the form for it to route to your student coach, who will complete section C of the form. Once your student coach has completed section C, it will route automatically to your instructor or department to complete section D. Once sections A through D are complete, your form will be reviewed by ISS.
4. ISS will verify your F-1 status and confirm that the employment meets the curricular requirements. If the CPT is approved, a new I-20 will be issued. You may be required to meet with ISS to finalize this before receiving the new I-20. Please respond to all emails to avoid processing delays.

Employment may begin only after ISS has authorized the CPT by endorsing your I-20.
The I-20 is the official document authorizing the Curricular Practical Training employment.

Important: CPT cannot be authorized retroactively. You must receive your new I-20 with CPT authorization before beginning employment. Working before CPT approval is a violation of F-1 status.