Your responsibilities as an F-1 student while in post-completion OPT

Once you are authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT), please be aware of the following responsibilities:

1. OPT training is limited to a maximum of 12 months, unless approved for a STEM related 17-month extension. Please note the start and end dates mentioned on your Employment Authorization (EAD) card. You cannot start working off-campus earlier than the authorized start date or continue working after the authorized end date.
2. OPT cannot start prior to receiving work authorization.
3. You are required to update IPC with any changes to your current U.S. local address, within 10 days from the date you move, so that IPC may report this information in SEVIS. Send the information to ipc_iss@uncg.edu within 10 days from the date you move. Failure to maintain a current address with IPC will terminate your OPT. Failure to maintain a current address with IPC will terminate your OPT.
4. Department of Homeland Security requires reporting of your employment information. The employer’s information including for multiple employers and new employment include: name of employer, physical address of employer including change of employer’s details.(If self-employed, indicate self-employment and address). Unemployment time must also be reported. For further details visit the section Reporting Employment Information.
5. You are required to provide IPC with your current email address, so that we can communicate with you regarding any regulatory updates while you are in OPT.
6. Within 60 days from the end date of OPT a student is expected to prepare for departure from the U.S., transfer to another institution, or be accepted into a new degree program.
7. OPT ends when the student:
   1.  Registers for classes in a degree program at the next academic level (i.e. undergraduate to graduate) at the same institution.
   2.  Transfers to another institution for a degree program.
8. Unless UNCG transfers the record to another institution prior to the completion date of OPT, SEVIS will complete the student’s record on the 60th day following the end date of OPT automatically.
9. Travel Overseas: To reenter the United States while in OPT, in addition to presenting a current visa, passport, I-20 form endorsed for overseas travel, and I-94 card, and employment authorization document (EAD card), please have available a letter from your employer describing your relationship with the company and the start or return date for work. For information regarding overseas travel while unemployed, please select Unemployment.
10. In order to maintain your F-1 status, while employed traveling overseas, you will be expected to return to the United States within five months, from the date of your departure. For information regarding overseas travel while unemployed, please select Unemployment.

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