Responsibilities During 12-month OPT
I confirm that I have been informed by International Student Services (ISS) of my responsibilities during OPT. I must comply with the following:
- USCIS must receive my OPT application within 30 days after my OPT I-20 is issued
- Check my name and OPT dates when I receive OPT receipt, approval notice and EAD card. If error occurs, contact ISS immediately
- I CANNOT work until I receive the EAD card and the start date is current
- I must work a minimum of 20 hours per week
- I must report my OPT employment and/or any changes to my employment within 10 days when it occurs through Forms Library under MyUB at www.bridgeport.edu
- ALL my jobs must be DIRECTLY related to my major. I can work for multiple employers. Examples for work:
- Work for hire
- Self-employed business owner
- Employment through an agency or consulting firm
- Paid or unpaid employment
- Within 10 days, notify ISS the following changes:
- Name
- Telephone number
- Residential and mailing addresses
- I will also contact USCIS by calling the number of National Customer Service as listed on my OPT receipt or by going to the USCIS website: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa if my OPT is pending
- I CANNOT be without work for more than 90 days during my 12-month post-completion OPT
- I understand that the following reasons could lead to my OPT termination or cancellation:
- I did not complete degree requirements by my program end date due to poor academic performance
- I transfer to another school or begin study at another educational level
- I change my non-immigrant status to another category and the start date is in effect
- I understand if my OPT has been approved and I depart before I get a job, my OPT ends and I cannot reenter the US.
- Traveling outside the U.S. for 5 months or more will lead to violation of my F-1 status and cancellation of my OPT. I need the following to travel outside the U.S. during OPT:
- Visit myUB at http://www.bridgeport.edu/myub, select Travel Signature Request Form under Forms Library; Fill out the form and print it
Travel signature endorsed by an International Student Advisor within the last six months - If I cannot come in person to ISS for a travel signature, I must mail my original documents to ISS with a self-addressed and pre-paid envelope (No FedEx is accepted)
- Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
- Valid F-1 visa and passport
- Proof of employment (letter of permission for travel from employer)
- Following travel, I must scan/email my I-94 card to internationaloffice@bridgeport.edu