From: sridhar@enuxha.eas.asu.edu (Sridhar Venkataraman ) Newsgroups: alt.visa.us Subject: Post-Completion Practical Training (was Re: F1 visa extension question) Message-ID: <1992Aug6.153726.1012@ennews.eas.asu.edu> Date: 6 Aug 92 15:37:26 GMT krzys@icase.edu (Krzysztof Wlodarski) writes : )Yes, that's right. Under the new regulations (in force since Oct 1, 91) )a graduationg student has to apply for practical training within some )period (I think 30 days) from the graduation (completion???) date. )One does not have to have a job offer, however a letter from an advisor )stating what kind of work is related to the field of studies is )necessary. The work permit is good for one year and there is no need for )renewal after 6 months. Also INS issues some kind of id that a student )should present to an employer. Thanks to the people who have provided all info on F-1 on the gopher at U. of Iowa here is the section on Pract. Training. Could anyone on the NAFSA list please forward any info that comes through on that list (to this group). Thanks... ------ Post-Completion Practical Training for Students in F-1 Status Purpose This handout is designed for students in F-1 status. It will provide you with information on a type of employment opportunity which is available for a maximum of twelve months after you complete a program of study. Definition of "Post-Completion Practical Training" Post-completion practical training is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in your chosen profession for a maximum of one year. Its purpose is to "round off" or complement your academic work. Eligibility Requirements The work must be directly related to your major field of study and it must be appropriate for someone having your level of education. The work may be full time or part time, and may occur anywhere in the United States. In order for you to be eligible to apply for post-completion practical training, you (1) must have been in lawful student status for at least nine months and (2) must submit your application during a 120-day period based upon the date you complete all program requirements (see next section). Students enrolled in English language training programs are not eligible for practical training after completion of studies. Application Deadline You must first submit an application to your international student adviser during the 120-day period which begins 90 days before you complete your program of study and ends 30 days after its completion. If your international student adviser recommends that you be allowed to participate in practical training, you must then submit an application for an "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD) to the INS office having jurisdiction over the place you are living at that time. This application must be received by the INS during the same 120-day application period. Importance of the Actual Date you Complete Your Program of Study INS regulations refer to the date you complete all requirements for a program of study, not to the date you participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate or diploma. The Service ignores your graduation date because it realizes that many students, especially graduate students in thesis or dissertation programs, may complete requirements for a degree any day during the year. This means that the last day of an academic term may not be the date you complete program requirements. Your lawful F-1 status expires 60 days after the date you complete degree requirements and you are expected to leave the country by that date unless you file a timely application for practical training or make other arrangements to lawfully remain in the U. S. Application and Authorization Procedures Recommendation by Your International Student Adviser. With your I-20 ID (Student) Copy in hand, visit your international student services office. You will need to complete Section A of a Form I-538. If a letter from your academic adviser is required, you will be informed of that requirement by your international student services office. Upon the fulfillment of all application requirements, your international student adviser will complete Section B of the Form I-538 and "recommend" post-completion practical training on your I-20 ID (Student) Copy. Authorization by the Immigration Service. Your permission to begin post-completion training is not finalized until you have received an "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD) from the INS. You must submit (1) INS Form I-765, (2) a $70.00 filing fee and (3) your I-20 ID (Student) Copy (bearing the recommendation of your international student adviser) to the INS office having jurisdiction over the place you are living at that time. A personal appearance at that office is required so that your picture may be taken for the EAD. Consult with your international student adviser regarding this requirement since some INS offices may offer immediate "walk-in" service and others may require that applications be received by mail with a personal appearance scheduled at a later time. The INS work permission on the EAD will begin either on the date of completion of studies, as reflected by your international student adviser's recommendation on INS Form I-20 ID (Student) Copy, or the date the EAD is issued, whichever occurs later. Making a Decision Regarding Participation in Post-Completion Practical Training Only One Twelve-Month Period of Post-Completion Training Is Available During Your U. S. Studies. You are allowed to have this type of employment permission only once during your stay in the U. S. in F-1 status. If you obtain permission for post-completion practical training after a bachelor's degree, for example, and plan to continue study for a master's and perhaps a doctoral program, you will not be eligible for post-completion practical training after completion of those graduate programs. Only two types of F-1 students have post-completion practical training rights restored after those rights have once been used: (1) students who spend at least a year outside the U. S. and then return in F-1 status; and (2) students who change from F-1 to another status, spend at least a year in the other status and then change back to F-1 status. Authorization May Not Be Rescinded. Once authorization to engage in practical training after completion of studies is granted, it may not be rescinded or cancelled. This means that, after post-completion practical training is authorized by the INS, unexpected delays in completing degree requirements, inability to find an appropriate job or loss of a job may result in loss of otherwise eligible time to work. Once permission to work for twelve months has been given, it is gone regardless of subsequent occurrences. Actual Date Practical Training Employment May Begin You may not begin work until all three of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) you have obtained an EAD from the Immigration Service, (2) the date is reached when the EAD authorizes employment to begin and (3) you have actually completed all requirements for your program of study. Change of Employer After Post-Completion Practical Training Has Been Authorized You may change employers after you have begun authorized employment provided the new job is (1) directly related to your major field of study and (2) appropriate for someone having your level of education. Travel Outside the U. S. Reentry provisions of the regulations require students in post-completion training to present (1) INS Form I-20 ID (Student) Copy, endorsed for travel by the international student adviser "within the last six months", and (2) the "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD). Students who do not meet both of these requirements may not be allowed to reenter the U. S. Be sure to consult with staff in your international student services office when contemplating travel outside the U. S. and reentry to continue post-completion training. Further Information Additional information on employment is available from the international student services office on your campus. Staff of that office are pleased to offer information, counseling and assistance on all federal regulations related to maintaining your student status. F-1 Handout EM-105 Revised 01/92 Government Regulations Advisory Committee NAFSA: Association of International Educators ----- )Krzysztof Sridhar.