OPTReminders

Reminders for students while on OPT

Please keep in mind the following items during your period of OPT employment:

1. You remain in F-1 status during your period of OPT employment, and so Concordia continues to maintain your SEVIS record. We ask that you please report to us (best method is email to Liz Maleki maleki@cord.edu):

a. Change of address of your residence within 10 days. SEVIS system always wants to know the physical address of your residence, not a mailing address.

b. Start date or stop date of any employment, and please provide employer's name and address, and brief description how employment is related to you major field of study.

c. Please let us know any changes to your email address or cell phone number so we can stay in touch.

2. During your OPT period you are allowed to have up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment, and if you exceed 90 days of unemployment you are expected to leave the country.

3. You can travel outside the country and return while on OPT, but ICE Guidance http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm (Question 2.N. and 2.O.) advise that you should carry your EAD card and evidence of employment with you to be able to return to USA. Also, please make sure your I-20 is signed within most recent year and passport is still valid before traveling.

4. You may be eligible for a 17 month extension of OPT if your major is in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). There are certain requirements to apply for and receive this additional period of employment. Please discuss your individual situation with the International Student Advisor.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students