How to Apply for OPT in 2020 - Checklist for International Students

Рет қаралды 22,370

Alexandra | Zillennial Lifestyle & Career

Күн бұрын

How to apply for OPT in 2020? To be clear, your college's international student office will always have the latest information. But today, I want to share what I wish I had known!
In this video, I walk you through the complete checklist of every document and cost you need to prepare for before you can even submit the application for post-completion Optional Practical Training.
Even if you'll only be applying for OPT one or two years from now - and even if you're not sure whether you even want to apply for OPT yet - it's important to take note of everything you need as early as possible so that you can have enough time to get it done.
For example, did you know it costs $550 to apply for OPT? Finding out about this only two months before I needed to apply added so much necessary stress to my senior year, which is already a very stressful time. If I had learned how to apply for OPT much earlier, I could have saved myself a lot of time and money. I could have been much more prepared for the OPT application process.
Are you thinking about working in the US after graduation? Is there anything you still don't know about the OPT application process? Let me know in the comments below.
While I can answer your questions as best as possible based on my experience, I recommend that you reach out to your school's international student office to confirm that you have all the right information you need. They are the best source.
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ACRONYMS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
• OPT - Optional Practical Training
• EAD - Employment Authorization Document
• USCIS - United States Citizenship for Immigration Services
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SAY HI ON INSTAGRAM:
@alexxhemmer
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WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:
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SOUND CREDITS:
"Bell, Counter, A.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org
"Swipe Whoosh" by qubodup (qubodup.github.io/) of Freesound.org

Пікірлер: 73

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

*IMPORTANT:* Always double-check everything with your school's international student office! Also, remember that there are two types of OPT you can apply for: • *Pre-Completion OPT* - Used while you're still a student. Some people use this for internships if their school doesn't have CPT • *Post-Completion OPT* - Used after you've graduated already. The checklist in this video is mainly based on *post-completion OPT* FINALLY, this video is just a checklist of all the documents and costs you need to prepare for. If you want me to film a part 2 where I talk about *when* the best time to submit the application is, comment below!

@jvblanc9532 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Alex, I just received an email from the international office of our school. They said that the OPT application fee will increase from $410 to $550 starting October 2. :)

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

@@jvblanc9532 omg thank you for telling me. That is CRAZY! As if it wasn’t expensive enough 😞 I will update my video accordingly 👍🏼

@jvblanc9532 3 жыл бұрын

@@alexandra-zillennial I just thought I would let you know :). The OPT fee is getting really expensive😞😞😞😞. Plus, our tuition and fees are increasing too!

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

@@jvblanc9532 Yeah that is so crazy! International students shouldn't have to be facing higher fees during this pandemic 😣😣 Thank you for letting me know about the new OPT fee... It's ridiculous :( Also, I wanted to let you know that my cover letter video will only be coming out next week! I'm realizing that I'm really busy this week so I won't have time to film and edit the video, but it will definitely be up on KZfaq next week! Sorry for the delay!! Feel free to let me know what you want to see in the video in the meantime 🙂

@jvblanc9532 3 жыл бұрын

Hi @@alexandra-zillennial! I totally understand being soooo busy. It's only the 3rd week of my classes, but I feel so behind. 😣😣 It would be nice if you can include tips for international students. How should we make our cover letters unique? Should we mention in our cover letter that we are international students and that we have CPT or OPT time where there's no sponsorship needed? I am now trying to write a cover letter for internship positions. I'm soooooo excited to hear tips from you. Take your time Alex. I hope you are doing well there in Boston. :)

@michaelgetachewtadesse9678 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video - thank you for sharing! I liked how you emphasized even the smallest details

@malhk 2 жыл бұрын

So glad I found your channel, Alex. Thanks for the information

@mirabeltamukong8771 3 жыл бұрын

I just love you. My first time coming across you. I am preparing to apply for my OPT extension and was looking up stuff.

@randyessikpe8688 2 жыл бұрын

I am watching this exactly a year after this post was first published. Its been very helpful Alex. Thank you so much.

@wanjanjama 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this! This was very informative and insightful! Super helpful!

@dicheng9576 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you ALEX, I am about to apply for my OPT and this video is helpful !!

@ImmigrantLife 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely crisp and clear 👍

@karlacastillo3220 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Alex!! I hope you are well, your video helped me a lot, thanks for the guide, I am finishing my Master's next semester and the truth is that initially before I started studying I had no idea that it was possible to work as an international student after finishing my studies. I’m about to start the process and I would like you to maybe make a video or give us more detail about your experience in the search “the adventure” of finding a new job, maybe you can give us some tips! Thank you in advance 😉

@gilmara2854 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all the information 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@kaileygurl22 3 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful! Thanks

@duongminh6839 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your sharping. It really helps.

@kimberleyvanaudenaerde5602 Жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you so much

@sullymori8730 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@shashwat7089 3 жыл бұрын

I think you just need to have the photo copy of your opt recommended i-20, not every I-20 you've ever had. Thank you for the help though.

@lintouchablediallo7759 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much

@camilavasquez7376 3 жыл бұрын

How can I check and make sure how many I20 I had since I started as international students in USA? There is any website where I’m able to check that, what you recommended to make sure I don’t miss any of my I20. Please help 🙏🙏

@varma_s 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the quality information, Alex! And yes, we would like you to make a part 2 discussing the best time to apply for OPT.

@vupham5252 3 жыл бұрын

you should do that in the beginning of the last semester of college when you're sure you're graduating after that. the sooner the better!

@varma_s 3 жыл бұрын

@@vupham5252 Thanks Nguyen!

@pattiyashenilaperies8634 3 жыл бұрын

Im graduating in May so would February be early enough?

@vupham5252 3 жыл бұрын

@@pattiyashenilaperies8634 yeah, Feb is great! Cuz you can only apply for opt 3 months b4 graduation anyway. Im graduating in May 15th so I can start as soon as Feb 15th. But start the paperworks early tho, cuz they'll takes awhile.

@pattiyashenilaperies8634 3 жыл бұрын

@@vupham5252 Thank you Nguyên ! Good luck to you

@yerusalemchurch945 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Alex. Thank you so much for this video. But I had a question about the I20s.I don't know if you came as a high school student or just college student, but if you came as a high school student or changed colleges, did you submit the i20s from that school only, or did you submit all the i20s from all the schools you went in the US. Thank you so much for your time.

@user-lf8gl1nu9f 3 жыл бұрын

How come you don't get more views. This is sooo important

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

Feel free to share it with your friends! I'm glad you find it helpful :)

@AdrianeLealFilenga 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video! Your English is perfect, I would never tell you're an international student! Congratulations

@wanjanjama 3 жыл бұрын

This can be such a problematic thing to say Adriane! It is touchy to comment on someone's fluent command of the English language.

@AdrianeLealFilenga 3 жыл бұрын

@@wanjanjama I didn't understand what you mean. I was making a compliment. I'm an international student and I wish my English was that good! I don't know what you understood about my comment and why you thought it was a bad one.

@najibnajib8019 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex

@jvblanc9532 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Alex! Your channel is my new DSO now 😂🤭. The DSO in our school did not even mention that there is a fee. I only found out about the $410 on my own.. Will definitely recommend your channel during international student orientation 👏

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

Haha aww I am so happy I can help 🤗 But omg I know right! Schools need to share that information earlier. $410 is A LOT! 😱

@jvblanc9532 3 жыл бұрын

@@alexandra-zillennial Hi Alex. Can you please do a video about cover letters 🤭😄? Just want some help on how to tailor a cover letter for a specific company. What should be on the letter, what should be or shouldn't be on the cover letter, etc. Thank you!

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

@@jvblanc9532 That's so funny that you ask because that's actually my next video 😂So it will definitely come next week 🤗 Thanks for asking!!

@jvblanc9532 3 жыл бұрын

@@alexandra-zillennial oh my god!! What a coincidence 😂😂😂😂! I look forward to watching another helpful video 👏👏👏

@andym417 3 жыл бұрын

Having graduated from a diploma, certification and associate degree, could I apply for OPT? Lest suppose that the certification and diploma lasts 1 year each

@luisenriquepeinadomarmol5279 3 жыл бұрын

What kind of schools, colleges or institutions, give opt?

@mohammadfoadalmrazeg7574 Жыл бұрын

Hi, Alex, I am a mechanical engineer from Jordan is it worth applying to this program? and if it is how can I apply and what should I do?

@user-zx4be2tp9q 4 ай бұрын

Forensic opt jobs in usa please update

@amirnks7654 3 жыл бұрын

Is it true that companies pay less for opt applicants

@rare6071 2 жыл бұрын

Hiii How are you? this is Maher.recently i came to US through F1 student .i want to complete my Master's program.So is it possible to get PR after complete my master's program.and how long it will take the final destination ?

@MuhammadUmairuos 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video 👍 So, I don't have entry stemp on my passport idk why. The officer just gave my passport back and said you are good to go. However, I do have I94 record online which shows my latest entry to the US. Is that something I should be worried about?

@rajuramlall 3 жыл бұрын

That’s fine

@avicamhi5311 3 жыл бұрын

Can you make a video on how to get a SSN as an international student?

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

Hey! I would talk to your international student office. They will help you get one!

@Someone-uc2hb 3 жыл бұрын

Hi~ I was wandering if all required documents need to be printed in color.

@abishek1997 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, Color copied recommended.

@sultanalanazi5654 2 жыл бұрын

i like it i am doing it :#

@mileyxiao9731 3 жыл бұрын

Hey! How long did it take your OPT to process?

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

It took me about 87 days until I finally got the letter from USCIS! This was summer 2018

@claroscorp5052 3 жыл бұрын

Hello guys, I have doubt: to apply for a OPT do I need to be an undergraduate student or do I must be a Master student?

@jennyh64 2 жыл бұрын

You can be either one. I'm a DSO, and you can actually enroll in OPT once at each level of education (associates, bachelors, masters). You just can never do it twice for the same degree, or backwards (eg complete a masters OPT, then do a bachelors the following year.)

@vyhkddg3196 2 жыл бұрын

Where are you from

@moseswan44 3 жыл бұрын

Savior!

@julianomarcelino9341 3 жыл бұрын

You sound American, where are you from?

@phamhatrang8652 3 жыл бұрын

Why don't you have more views? I can't understand

@alexandra-zillennial 3 жыл бұрын

Feel free to share this video with your friends if you find it helpful!! This information would have been so helpful for me when I was applying for OPT.

@fzlHRIDOY 2 жыл бұрын

You look so much like Catriona Grey

@ifechimacaroni2297 3 жыл бұрын

If you seeing this, Jesus loves you and died for you, have a blessed day 💜💜

@Sanyu-Tumusiime 2 жыл бұрын

if you're from netherland why would you ever stay in the USA? you could get jobs back at home.

@davisgomer6842 Жыл бұрын

Me enamore de ti😻♥️🤩🥰💗🌹

@yo-2029 2 жыл бұрын

Do I need to apply for OPT before I apply for jobs, or after I get an offer for the job?

@alexandra-zillennial 2 жыл бұрын

Depends on your priorities. I like applying as early as possible so that by the time you get an offer, you can be flexible with your start date instead of keeping the company waiting.

@yo-2029 2 жыл бұрын

@@alexandra-zillennial got it! Thank you so much