Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Academic Training (AT)
OPT and AT are types of temporary work authorization granted
to F-1 and J-1 students.
Optional Practical Training
A faculty, research, or staff position may be filled by a
new international employee through OPT. This authorization is available to
students with an F-1 status. The process is simple:
- Step 1: The
international student applies for OPT prior to graduating from a US university
or college by submitting an application to the US Department of Homeland
Security.
- Step 2: When
the authorization is granted, the student is issued an Employment Authorization
Document (EAD) which provides a beginning and end date of the employment
authorization. The student must receive the EAD prior to beginning employment
at Northern Arizona University. The EAD is valid for up to a year, with a
possible 17-month extension for those with degrees in certain STEM related
fields.
It is important that the department chair/director and the
employee contact the International Scholar Adviser by the time the person is hired. The
International Scholar Adviser will review the EAD end date and discuss options
for continuing employment authorization.
The EAD is appropriate for the positions of:
The employment must be directly related to the student’s
area of academic study level.
It is important that the original recruitment and hiring of
faculty gives the Center for International Education time to file a petition
for US Lawful Permanent Residence if all other eligibility requirements
are met.
Academic Training
A teaching, research, or staff position may be filled by a
new international employee through AT. This authorization is available to
students who have a J-1 status. AT must
be granted before the person begins employment at Northern Arizona University.
The authorization is granted by the student’s International
Student Adviser at the school where he or she is enrolled. The student’s
immigration document (DS-2019) and a letter from the International Student
Adviser will indicate the beginning and end dates of authorized employment.
The period of authorization depends on several factors in the
student’s academic program, and the International Student Adviser will consider
this when issuing the authorization, varying from a few months to 18 months.
Employees with a PhD may be eligible for an additional 18-month extension.
It is important that the department chair/director and the
employee contact the
International Scholar Adviser by the time the person is hired.
The International Scholar Adviser will review the work authorization end
date and discuss options for continuing employment.
Academic Training is appropriate for faculty, research, and
staff positions. The employment must be directly related to the student’s area
of study and educational level.
The original recruitment and hiring of faculty needs to
allow the Center for International Education time to eventually file a petition
for US Lawful Permanent Residence if all other eligibility requirements
are met.