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Social Security Card

• Driver's License

  You may want to obtain a Tennessee driver's license so you can drive legally while studying at Bethel. To obtain a Tennessee driver's license, you will need:

  
  

  1. Legal Immigration Status
     1. Bring documents to prove your identity and legal presence:
        1. Valid passport
        2. F-1 or J-1 visa
        3. I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
        4. I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)
  2. Proof of Residency (Local Address)
     1. Most states require 2+ documents showing you live in the state. Acceptable proof might include:
        1. Lease/rental agreement
        2. Utility bill
        3. Bank statement
        4. Official mail from your school
  3. Social Security Number (SSN) or Denial Letter
     1. If you have an SSN, bring your SSN card.
     2. If you don鈥檛 have an SSN, visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) and request a letter of ineligibility (SSA-L676). Many DMV offices require this.
  4. Pass Tests
     1. You'll typically need to:
        1. Pass a written knowledge test
        2. Pass a vision test
        3. Pass a road (driving) test (after getting a learner鈥檚 permit, if required)
  5. School Enrollment Verification
     1. Some DMVs ask for a letter from your university verifying full-time enrollment.
  6. Go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles):
     1. You鈥檒l need to:
        1. Make an appointment (strongly recommended in most states)
        2. Bring all your documents
        3. Pay any applicable fees
        4. Possibly take a photo

• Financial Hardship

  Eligibility Requirements

  
  

  To qualify, you must:

  
  

  -Be in valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year.

  
  

  -Be in good academic standing at your school.

  
  

  -Show that your economic hardship is severe and unforeseen, such as:

  
  

  -Loss of financial support from family or sponsor

  
  

  -Unexpected medical expenses

  
  

  -Substantial currency devaluation

  
  

  -Natural disaster in home country

  
  

  -Unexpected tuition or living cost increases

  
  

  Steps to Apply

  
  

  -Talk to Your DSO (Designated School Official)

  
  

  -Explain your situation.

  
  

  -If they agree you qualify, they'll endorse your Form I-20.

  
  

  -Prepare Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

  
  

  -File under category: (c)(3)(iii) for economic hardship.

  
  

  -Gather Supporting Documents

  
  

  -A letter explaining your hardship.

  
  

  -Evidence (bank statements, letters from sponsor/family, news articles, etc.).

  
  

  -Copies of I-20, I-94, passport, visa.

  
  

  -Pay the USCIS Filing Fee

  
  

  -Currently $470 online (as of May 2025 鈥� check USCIS fee page to confirm).

  
  

  Submit to USCIS

  
  

  You can apply online or by mail (Online is quicker and cheaper).

  
  

  Wait for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) approval before working.

  
  

  鈿狅笍 Important Notes

  
  

  You cannot begin working until you receive your EAD card from USCIS.

  
  

  You may work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks.

  
  

  This does not affect your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

  
  

  
  

• Social Security Card

  A social security card may be issued to F-1 Visa status students IF the student has a job or the promise of a job. To request a social security number, the Social Security Administration requires:
  

  
  

  • Passport
  • An I-94 Arrival/Departure printout
  • An F-1 student visa
  • Letter to prove employment status when applicable

• STEM OPT Guide

  鉁� Eligibility Requirements

  
  

  Currently on Post-Completion OPT (12-month OPT).

  
  

  Hold a Degree in a STEM Field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) from an accredited U.S. institution.

  
  

  Work for an E-Verify Employer: Your employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify program.

  
  

  Job Must Be Related to Your STEM Degree.

  
  

  Paid, Full-Time Employment: At least 20 hours per week.

  
  

  📄 Application Steps

  
  

  1. Complete Form I-983

  
  

  This is a formal training plan completed by you and your employer.

  
  

  Your Designated School Official (DSO) must review and approve this.

  
  

  Includes objectives, supervision plans, and employer attestations.

  
  

  2. Request STEM OPT Recommendation from Your DSO

  
  

  Submit the I-983 to your DSO.

  
  

  If approved, they鈥檒l issue a new I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation.

  
  

  Make sure the DSO signs it and that it鈥檚 dated within 60 days of your I-765 submission.

  
  

  3. Prepare and File Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

  
  

  Online (recommended) or by mail.

  
  

  Include:

  
  

  Form I-765

  
  

  New I-20 (signed and dated)

  
  

  Copy of STEM degree

  
  

  Current EAD card (from initial OPT)

  
  

  Passport-style photo

  
  

  Filing fee ($470 as of 2024)

  
  

  Copy of passport and visa

  
  

  I-94 record

  
  

  4. Submit I-765 to USCIS

  
  

  Online filing:

  
  

  Must be submitted within 90 days before OPT expires and up to the expiration date.

  
  

  USCIS processing takes 1鈥�3 months on average.

  
  

  
  

• Optional Practical Training

  鉁� What Is OPT?

  
  

  OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows F-1 international students to work in the U.S. in a job directly related to their major field of study for up to 12 months (with a possible 24-month STEM extension if eligible).

  
  

  📋 Basic Eligibility Requirements:

  
  

  -Be in F-1 status for at least one full academic year

  
  

  -The job must be related to your major

  
  

  -You haven鈥檛 used 12 months or more of full-time CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

  
  

  🧾 What You Need to Apply for OPT:

  
  

  1. OPT Request Form from Your University

  
  

  Usually an online form or paper request to your Designated School Official (DSO)

  
  

  Your DSO will review your eligibility and recommend OPT in SEVIS (the immigration system)

  
  

  2. Updated Form I-20 with OPT Recommendation

  
  

  Issued by your DSO with the OPT request noted on page 2

  
  

  Must be signed by you and your DSO

  
  

  3. Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

  
  

  Available here:

  
  

  Fill this out carefully; it's your actual application for a work permit

  
  

  4. Filing Fee ($470 online, $520 by mail)

  
  

  You can pay online if filing electronically through a USCIS account

  
  

  5. Passport-style Photos (2)

  
  

  Must meet USCIS photo requirements

  
  

  6. Copy of Your Passport and F-1 Visa

  
  

  Must be valid

  
  

  7. I-94 Record

  
  

  Get it from https:

  
  

  8. Previous EAD (if any)

  
  

  If you've done previous OPT or had a work permit

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  🗓锔� When to Apply:

  
  

  Earliest: 90 days before your program end date

  
  

  Latest: Up to 60 days after your program end date (but you should apply early 鈥� USCIS takes 2鈥�4 months to process OPT)

  
  

  📬 How to Apply:

  
  

  鉃� Online (recommended):

  
  

  Create a USCIS account and file Form I-765 online

  
  

  Upload all supporting documents

  
  

  鉃� By Mail:

  
  

  Mail Form I-765 and documents to the correct USCIS lockbox (based on your location 鈥� check filing addresses)

  
  

  📄 After Applying:

  
  

  You鈥檒l receive:

  
  

  -A receipt notice (Form I-797C)

  
  

  -A biometric appointment (sometimes)

  
  

  -An Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) if approved

  
  

  -You cannot start working until you receive your EAD card and the start date on it has arrived.