HOW TO

The student must apply to the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) by filing before graduating through their Designated School Official (DSO) in the International Student Services Office (ISSO). Students are not required to have a job offer to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permit.  Students must telephone a make an appointment in the ISSO three (3) days in advance of applying (filing) since this process requires professional assistance and preparation of several documents. OPT appointments are not scheduled for Friday afternoons.

The student will fill out an I-756 form provided by the ISSO with the DSO to apply or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).  The EAD card will not take effect before the student completes the course of study and will terminate no later than 12 months from the date of receiving it.  Students must return home within 60 days of their expired EAD card.

Those students who graduate at the end of the fall semester, must complete an I-756 form provided by their DSO in the ISSO in September.  Those students who graduate at the end of spring semester, must complete an I-756 form provided by their DSO in the ISSO in February.  Those students who graduate at the end of a summer session, must complete an I-756 form provided by their DSO in the ISSO in May. 

The USCIS will take over 90 days (over 3 months) to mail your EAD card.  You cannot travel outside the USA nor work while waiting for your EAD card.  You can travel the USA and/or mail resumes and/or interview for jobs and/or go to Disneyland and/or stay at home before you receive your EAD card.

•  $340 money order or personal check made out to the USCIS
• Two (2) color full-frontal face photograph (passport picture)
• Your I-94 arrival/departure card
• Your passport
• Proof of international health insurance

Expectations: USCIS Code of Federal Regulation - CFR 214

The primary purpose of OPT is to find a job after you graduate commiserate to your academic degree so that you to gain skills that will enhance your future employment opportunities back home.  It is essential that you work at a level of employment that requires the bachelor or master degree you earned at CSUDH.

• Social Security Taxes. In general, you do not have to pay social security (FICA) taxes if you have been in the U.S.A. less than five years.  To obtain non-resident easy tax forms go to www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040nr.pdf and www.ftb.ca.gov/forms.
   
• Federal, State, and Local Taxes. Your earnings may be subject to federal, state and local taxes, and these amounts should be withheld from your paychecks. Foreign students should check to see if there country of citizenship  has a treaty-trader tax agreement with the US.  All employed student must file an income tax return on or before April 15th of each year, which will determine if any of the withheld taxes can be reclaimed.