On April 8th, 2008, USCIS published a new rule regarding a 17 month extension of Optional Practical Training for F-1 students.

Q: What is the new rule?
A: Certain students who are currently participating in their 12 months of post-completion OPT will be allowed to file for an additional 17 months of OPT.

Q: Who is eligible for this extension?
A: To qualify you must:
   • Be approved for your initial period of 12 months of post-completion OPT.
   • Have a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
   • Be currently working in a position directly related to the degree obtained and for an employer who participates in the USCIS E-Verify system. E-Verify information can be found in the FAQs at www.uscis.gov
   • Not have previously obtained the 17 month extension based on a prior degree.

Q: What STEM fields qualify?
A: Actuarial Science, Computer Science Application, (except Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications) Engineering and Engineering Technologies, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Military Technologies, Physical Sciences, Science Technologies and Medical Scientist (MS, PhD level only).

The specific Georgia Tech programs that qualify as eligible STEM programs are listed at http://www.oie.gatech.edu/optextension/ .

Q: When should I apply?
A: You must apply before your current EAD expires. As long as your application is received by USCIS before this date, you will be allowed to remain in the US and continue employment for 180 days or until a decision is made on your application. USCIS recommends that you apply 90-120 days before the expiration of your current OPT.

Q: How can I apply?
A: OIE has developed a process to allow students to request the new I-20 online. Information about this process can be found at www.oie.gatech.edu.  

After requesting the OPT extension from OIE, you will receive a new I-20 reflecting this. You will then file an I-765 application with the $340 filing fee to USCIS. The OIE website also contains application instructions. Please read these carefully before submitting your extension request application and all supporting materials to USCIS.

Q: What must the student do after being granted the 17 month extension?

A: The student must report to the DSO within 10 days any change in:

Legal name;

Residential or mailing address;

Email address;

Employer name;

Employer address.

The student must also report to the DSO the information above every six months even if there have been no changes.

OIE is currently developing a way for F-1 students to report this information. Information on how to satisfy these reporting requirements will be posted on the OIE website.

Q: My employer does not know what E-Verify is, what should I do? 

This notice is to inform F-1 students of an upcoming reporting requirement. Please read carefully.

The Department of Homeland Security has recently mandated that students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) must inform their schools of the name of their employer and their employer’s address so that the schools can report this information through SEVIS by June 15, 2008.

OIE is developing a way for students to report this information electronically. Further details, including what to report if you are still looking for an employer, will be released shortly. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR EMPLOYER’S NAME AND ADDRESS TO ADVISORS DIRECTLY.

Students who have applied for OPT or are working on OPT should look for further information in future editions of InTECHnational News, on the OIE website and through their official Georgia Tech e-mail account.

Do you plan to work off-campus this summer? You must receive prior authorization to work off campus as either CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training).

You can be eligible for CPT at Georgia Tech in one of two ways:

1.       Co-op program

2.       Required Internship in Building Construction (undergrad), City Planning, Information Design and Technology only (graduate)

*Note: In both cases, you are eligible for CPT only if you are in F-1 status and have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year.  The proposed work must be in the field of study listed on your I-20.

Students planning to work off-campus doing Co-op during the Summer need to have the work approved by the Division of Professional Practice and must be authorized by OIE before starting the employment.

To be authorized for CPT work, the student must drop off their letter of approval from the Co-op office and their current I-20 at OIE. After receiving approval the student must register for the corresponding credits. It takes OIE five business days to process CPT authorizations.

Please note that you cannot do full-time CPT in your final semester if all other degree requirements are completed.  If all of your degree requirements are completed, then you should apply for OPT.

If your I-20 expires before the end of August and you won’t complete your program of study by then, you should EXTEND your I-20 as soon as possible. If your I-20 expires, you are considered to be out of F-1 status and cannot work on-campus at Georgia Tech.

To extend your I-20 you should meet with an advisor who will give you the Program Extension form with the amount of funding you need to show. Have your Academic Advisor or Graduate Coordinator complete the form, then submit the form and the proof of funding to OIE.

The new I-20 will be ready 5 business days after submitting the form to OIE.

If you are an F-1 visa holder and you plan to work in the U.S. after graduation, you must attend an OPT session prior to applying for Optional Practical Training. OIE strongly recommends students who are completing their program this May to apply for OPT as soon as possible to be considered eligible for this benefit. Those students completing in August are able to apply for OPT in May but must be first registered for summer semester.

MANDATORY OPT sessions are held in Rm. 308 of Savant building.

May
May 5 -- 10:30am
May 16 -- 1pm
May 19 -- 11:30am

Additional dates and times can be found at www.oie.gatech.edu.

Please do not be late as the workshop will begin on time.

If you are a student traveling outside the US during the summer, you will need to:

• have a passport valid for at least 6 months into the future,
• valid I-20/DS-2019 with a travel signature less than 1 year old,
• valid F-1/J-1 visa to reenter,
• carry transcripts and proof of financial support,
• check out with an inspecting officer if you are a Special Registrant.

Frequently Asked Questions on Reentering to the US are on the Immigration and Custom Enforcement Website: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm

If you need to renew your visa, you should contact OIE for details. Have a safe trip!

Student Assistant (Summer)

Office of International Education (OIE): International Student and Scholar Services

Pay rate:  $8/hour

Work hours:  15/week

This position is open to all students, but is not a Graduate Assistantship.

Position Description:  This position will work closely with the Administrative Assistant and other staff to provide administrative support to the Office of International Education.

Tasks include:

·         Create flyers, make copies, and prepare packets for distribution in the office and at meetings, orientations, and other events.

·         Data entry using Excel.

·         Assist with filing and other record keeping procedures.

·         Occasionally assist with OIE events such as receptions, orientations, and cultural programs. 

·         Other projects as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Prefer previous on-campus or other office/administrative work experience
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize; strong organizational skills
• Ability to work with minimal supervision; self-motivated
• Computer skills

Approximate Start Date: May 12, 2008

Application Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2008

*If selected for an interview, candidates will be contacted by May 7th.

How to Apply:

Please send a resume AND cover letter by:

Email: brittny.sherrill@oie.gatech.edu    

Or Fax: 404-894-9682

Or In Person: Drop off at OIE front desk

Thank you for your interest. Please no phone calls.

All international students are invited!

Saturday, April 19, 2008, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.  Student Center Commons, First Floor, Sound Stage.

Come early for free food.  Stay and visit with your friends.  Enjoy good music!

Hear Janie Chu, whose performance will combine rich vocals, passionate guitar, and piano playing.

Hear songs from Janie's CD, “Roots” (2006).

This food and special event is sponsored by RUF (International) at Georgia Tech.

http://www.internationalbuzz.org/springevent.html.

Question: My employer has applied for an H1B visa for me and my OPT expires before September 30. What should I do?

Answer: The Department of Homeland Security has put in place a Cap-Gap OPT Extension that you may be able to take advantage of.  It is not, however, ‘automatic’. You should send the appropriate document to OIE by fax (404-894-9682) or by e-mail to info@oie.gatech.edu.

• If your have an Approval Notice for the H1B, send a copy of the Approval Notice to OIE.

• If you do not have an Approval Notice, but you have a Receipt Notice, send a copy of the Receipt Notice to us.

• If you do not have a Receipt Notice, but you have a Wait List Letter from USICS, send a copy of the Wait List Letter to us.

• If you do not have a Wait List Letter, but your employer properly filed the H1B application, send us proof that your H1B was properly filed. This will be the Mailing Receipt for the application.

It is your responsibility to communicate with your employer regarding your H1B application and provide OIE with the necessary information so that you can take advantage of the new Cap-Gap provision. OIE will need to take action on your SEVIS record so that your OPT will be considered extended. OIE does not, however, receive information from the government about the status of H1B applications.

Some students have reported receiving e-mails from the IRS requesting information such as Social Security Numbers. Please note that the IRS NEVER e-mails for information. Any student that receives such an e-mail should report it to the IRS. Please see the following link for details: http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html.

Similarly, CINTAX will not request your Social Security Number from you.

If you have comments on the CINTAX software, the company would like to hear from you. Please note these comments are related to the actual software, NOT how OIE provides the software or the OIE workshops. Also, as you send your feedback, please note that:

1)      The IRS does not allow nonresidents to file their taxes electronically. This is not a CINTAX issue.

2)      CINTAX does not assist with taxes for residents, because there are many programs already available for resident taxes.

Please send feedback to: support@cintax.us

All CINTAX licenses were used up as of April 15^th. Because of this, CINTAX is no longer available through Buzzport. If you already have an account in CINTAX, you can access it until June 15^th by logging in at: https://www.cintax.us/nr-login.asp.

For those students who are graduating with the degree as reflected on their I-20, and who are NOT applying for OPT, you have 60 days from May 3 to either:

• Get a new I-20 for a new program at Tech;
• Complete the Transfer Out form (http://www.oie.gatech.edu/isss/forms/) and bring it with your acceptance letter to OIE, if you are transferring to a new school; or,
• Leave the country.

As a reminder, F-1 students are eligible for a vacation semester in the summer only. For the summer to be considered a vacation semester, you must be eligible and intending to register in the Fall. This means:

Ø      Fall and Spring: All students must be full-time, unless they have been approved for a Reduced Course Load.

Ø      Summer: This is a vacation semester and is an optional semester for all students, if you will register in the Fall.

If you have questions regarding this, please email info@oie.gatech.edu.

I-20s for students who either transferred to Georgia Tech or changed degree levels this summer semester will be ready for pick up at the front desk of the Office of International Education from Monday May 26th. Please make plans to pick up your new I-20 by Friday May 30th.

Students who change their degree level for the Summer semester should notify OIE using the “Change of Degree Level” form by Friday May 16^th. Any requests for a new I-20 due to a change of degree level received after this date will receive the I-20 for their new degree level beginning in the Fall semester.

The Change of Major/ Degree Level form is available on our website at: http://www.oie.gatech.edu/isss/forms/

Presidents of GT Student Organizations are encouraged to send the following information to liz.bryan@oie.gatech.edu :

• Name of your organization
• Name, title, and email address of new officers
• Preferred contact person for OIE to send updates
• Month when officer elections are held

With this information OIE will send updates via email to the preferred contact regarding leadership programs, culture break funds, and other services provided by OIE.

SAVE THE DATE- OIE Student Leadership Retreat