Date Calculators for Immigration Processing (version 3-0)

CLICK ON A WORKSHEET TAB BELOW TO OPEN THE CALCULATOR OF YOUR CHOICE

The calculators in this file have been developed as tools to help international student and scholar advisors determine time
used and time remaining for various types of immigration eligibility. The Days From and Days Prior calculators can also
be used in a variety of ways such determining the earliest or latest date an application can be submitted. No doubt, you
will find a number of different uses not anticipated in the development. After entering the data, you can print the result
for your files, should that be of use.
Both the OPT-CPT calculator and AT calculator use a "+1" calculation in the date formulas so that authorizations are
inclusive of the start and end dates. For example, if you enter 12/10/2007 to 12/11/2007 without the "+1" in the
formula, the result is "1", implying there was only one day of authorization when, in fact, you must count both days when
subtracting from overall eligibility. With the "+1" in the formula, both days are included and the result correctly states
that the individual was authorized for two ("2") days of employment.

About the Calculators:

OPT-CPT Calculator: Use this calculator to determine how much Curricular Practical Training (CPT) has been used by a
student in F-1 status and to determine if the student is still eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). The calculator
can also be used to determine remaining OPT eligibility at the same educational level without entering any CPT
information. Entering a start date returns the exact end date for that student's authorization given the remaining
eligibility.
OPT-CPT Calculator (Long): Occasionally, a student will be authorized for many separate periods of CPT (or even
OPT). This calculator is the same as the "short" version except that it has rows for up to 20 part-time authorizations and
8 full-time authorizations in both CPT and OPT. The short version is easier, visually, to use and to print, but it seemed
necessary to include the long version for those rare students with a great deal of CPT or OPT.

AT Calculator: Use this calculator to determine how much Academic Training time has been used and how much
eligibility remains. Entering a start date returns the exact end date for that student's authorization given the remaining
eligibility.
AT Calculator (Long): Occasionally, a student in J-1 status will be authorized for many separate periods of Academic
Training (AT). This version is the same as the "short" version except that it has rows for up to 20 authorizations. The
short version is easier, visually, to use and to print, but it seemed necessary to include the long version for those rare
students with a great deal of AT. Use this calculator to determine how much Academic Training time has been used and
how much eligibility remains. Entering a start date returns the exact end date for that student's authorization given the
remaining eligibility.
OPT STEM Calculator: This tool helps international student advisors determine the "validation report" deadlines for
students in F-1 status who have been granted a 17-month extension of their Optional Practical Training employment
authorization. This type of extension is available to students in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) under a rule promulgated on April 8, 2008. [8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10)(ii)(C); 68 Federal Register 73 (April 8,
2008) pp. 18944-18956]
Days FROM: This calculator helps you figure out the date that falls a certain number of days after the date you enter
into the calculator. It can be useful for determining SEVIS reporting deadlines, employment authorization end dates
(when you don't have to factor in previous authorizations), and other useful dates.
Days PRIOR: Use this calculator to determine the date that is a certain number of days before (prior to) the date you
enter into the calculator. This is useful when trying to figure out, for example, what is the earliest date a student can
apply for OPT if they can only submit an application 90 days prior to meeting the one academic year minimum.

240 Days: Rules governing employment authorization and Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) allow an
employer to employ an individual for up to 240 days, in certain circumstances, if an extension application/petition has
been filed to extend the individual's current employment authorization [8 CFR 274a.12(b)(20)]. This calculator allows
you to figure out the last day the individual can work under the 240 day rule given the start date you enter.

H, J, Other: This calculator is useful for determining the period to request when submitting an I-129 or to enter into
SEVIS in order to produce a DS-2019 when there is a specific limit to the period of time the individual may be authorized
for a given status. It can be used for any status -- or calculation of any type -- that includes a time restriction. Since
most restrictions are in terms of years, the calculator uses 365 days -- and multiples thereof -- as its base calculation and
expects you to enter years, rather than days, of eligibility. However, you can enter a six-month restriction (for J-1 Shortterm scholars, for example) by entering ".5" (half of one year).

H, J, Other (Long): This calculator functions exactly the same way as the regular "H, J, Other" calculator, but provides
more rows for entering periods of time to be re-couped.

Two-year Home Residence (212e) Calculator: Scholars and students who are subject to the two-year home
residence requirement under J-1 Exchange Visitor regulations sometimes attempt to argue that they have met the
requirement in the aggregate by spending time in their home country for several shorter periods of time over a number of
years. This tool helps to determine if the periods spent in the home country add up to two years or more. At the
discretion of the international student/scholar advisor, a printout of this calculator (with all of the dates filled in), might be
included in an application for a benefit such as change of status, or presented to a consular official to help make the case
that 212e has been satisfied.
Note that the calculator defines "two years" as 365 days times two. It is possible, though unlikely, that a USCIS or DOS
official could define it differently. For example, if you enter 8/25/2006 to 8/24/2008 in the calculator, the calculator tells
you that the individual was home for 730 days and, therefore "YES" the requirement has been met. A consular officer
might say that the individual needed to be home on or past 8/25/2008 to meet the requirement according to what the
officer considers the two-year mark to be. Again, this is unlikely, but it is important to point consider that "two years" can
be defined differently.
PERM Special Handling: This calculator allows you determine the latest date PERM must be filed if the case is being
filed under "Special Handling." It also helps you determine what the earliest date is that you can file PERM based on the
last day of the "posting notice" (i.e., the 10th day of the 10 day posting requirement). Finally, it is a place to record how
long the Prevailing Wage Determination is valid. The results can be printed to be kept with the case file, if needed. For
this reason, we have included a place to enter the beneficiary's name.

PERM Deadlines: This calculator assists with regular PERM cases (i.e., not Special Handling) and allows you determine
various key dates in the process. It is also a place to record how long the Prevailing Wage Determination is valid. The
results can be printed to keep with the case file, if needed. For this reason, we have included a place to enter the
beneficiary's name.
CSPA Age Calculator: With this tool, you can decide if an applicant for certain benefits may retain classification as a
child even if he or she has reached the age of 21, as permitted under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).

Most of the calculators in this tool were developed by James E. Leck, Associate Director of Boston University's International Students &
Scholars Office. The PERM calculators were developed by Tina Tan, Director of International Students & Scholar Services at the
University of Colorado at Boulder. Connie Burk of The University of Tennessee Health Science Center's Office of International Affairs
suggested the CSPA calculator. Should you have any suggestions or find any errors, please email James at jleck@bu.edu.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This tool does not imply legal advice or authority in any way. Use of the calculators in this tool is at your own
discretion and risk.

Practical Training Calculator

Enter Student's Name
Previous Periods of PART-TIME CPT1
CPT Start

Total Days
Used

CPT End

TOTAL PART-TIME DAYS USED

Previous Periods of PART-TIME OPT

Total Days Used

Toward OPT
Ineligibility

TOTAL PART-TIME DAYS USED

Total days used against OPT

Does the CPT used

prohibit OPT?

TOTAL FULL-TIME DAYS USED

Total days of OPT used

toward 12 month limit

Total days used:

Days of OPT eligibility remaining:

Days Remaining of
OPT Eligibility

NO

Total days of OPT eligibility (12 months):

Previous Periods of FULL-TIME OPT

Total Days2 Used

Toward 12 month
limit

Total Days
Used

OPT End

Previous Periods of FULL-TIME CPT

TOTAL FULL-TIME DAYS USED

OPT Start

365

365
0
365

Enter proposed OPT start date:

The student may work until:

It is not actually necessary to list part-time CPT because no amount of part-time CPT counts against eligibility for OPT. The "Total Days Used
Toward OPT Eligibility" column will always show "0". This section is included in case you wish to list these periods of CPT to be printed for the
record.
1.

2.

Rounded up
Developed by James E .Leck

Boston University

Rev. February 2008

Practical Training Calculator - Long Form 3

Enter Student's Name
Previous Periods of PART-TIME CPT1
CPT Start

Total Days
Used

CPT End

Previous Periods of PART-TIME OPT

Total Days Used

Toward OPT
Ineligibility

OPT Start

0
TOTAL PART-TIME DAYS USED

Previous Periods of FULL-TIME CPT

TOTAL PART-TIME DAYS USED

0
0

Total days used against OPT

Does the CPT used
prohibit OPT?

TOTAL FULL-TIME DAYS USED

Total days of OPT used

toward 12 month limit

Total days used:

Days of OPT eligibility remaining:

Days Remaining of
OPT Eligibility

NO

Total days of OPT eligibility (12 months):

Previous Periods of FULL-TIME OPT

0
TOTAL FULL-TIME DAYS USED

Total Days2 Used

Toward 12 month
limit

Total Days
Used

OPT End

365

365
0
365

Enter proposed OPT start date:

The student may work until:

It is not actually necessary to list part-time CPT because no amount of part-time CPT counts against eligibility for OPT. The "Total Days Used Toward
OPT Eligibility" column will always show "0". This section is included in case you wish to list these periods of CPT to be printed for the record.
1.

2.

Rounded up

This version is offered to use for those students who are granted numerous CPT and OPT authorizations. The calculations are all the same as the short
version; this version simply adds several more rows to enter authorizations.
3.

Developed by James E .Leck

Boston University

Rev. February 2008

OPT STEM Reporting Dates

Enter name of student:
OPT STEM Start Date

Enter the current

OPT end date:

OPT STEM End Date

to

Six-Month Reporting Period

Reporting period begins1 (first day DSO can record validation in SEVIS)
[15 days prior to 6-month reporting due date]
6-MONTH REPORTING DUE DATE
[This date is exactly six months from the OPT start date]
Last day for student to submit validation report to DSO
[10 days after 6-month reporting due date]
Reporting period ends (last day DSO can record validation in SEVIS)
[31 days after 6-month reporting due date]
SEVIS record will terminate (if validation report is not recorded)
[32 days after 6-month reporting due date]
Twelve-Month Reporting Period

Reporting period begins1 (first day DSO can record validation in SEVIS)
[15 days prior to 12-month reporting due date]
12-MONTH REPORTING DUE DATE
[This date is exactly 12 months from the OPT start date]
Last day for student to submit validation report to DSO
[10 days after 12-month reporting due date]
Reporting period ends (last day DSO can record validation in SEVIS)
[31 days after 12-month reporting due date]
SEVIS record will terminate (if validation report is not recorded)
[32 days after 12-month reporting due date]

1. OPT 6 Month Reporting

Schools will be required to report that an F-1 student with an Approved status OPT extension is participating
in the employment segment. The reporting due dates will be 6 months and 12 months after the
employment start date. The schools will have two reporting periods which will be 15 days before plus 31
days after each reporting due date.
If the school does not report that the student is participating in the OPT extension, or does not update the
OPT extension information within the reporting period, the student will automatically be set to Terminated
status with a new reason of Failure to Report while on OPT 32 days after the reporting due date.
SEVIS Release 6.0 Anticipated System Changes
January 22, 2009

Developed by James E. Leck

Boston University

February 2009

Academic Training Calculator

Enter Student's Name:
Enter the total number of months for which the
student is eligible for AT (18 or 36):
Enter the proposed start date of the next AT
authorization:

Academic Training Periods Previously Approved

AT Start

AT End

TOTAL

Months and Days1

Total In
Days Only

Total months of eligibility (from above):

Total months used (rounded to nearest month):
Months remaining (rounded to nearest month):
Therefore, given the following proposed start date of:
the student may work until2:

1.

Read: "Between AT Start and AT End is X months plus Y days. Example:

"This student worked from 9/1/2006 to 12/20/2006 and, therefore, used 3
months and 19 days of AT authorization"

2.

Calculated using Excel's "Month" function (within the Date functions) for
months of eligibility and months used, then converting to the number of days
in those actual months in order to determine the exact end date.

0
0

##
###
###
###

Academic Training Calculator - Long Form3

Enter Student's Name:
Enter the total number of months for which the
student is eligible for AT (18 or 36):
Enter the proposed start date of the next AT authorization:

Academic Training Periods Previously Approved

AT Start

AT End

TOTAL

Months and Days1

Total In
Days Only

Total months of eligibility (from above):

Total months used (rounded to nearest month):
Months remaining (rounded to nearest month):
Therefore, given the following proposed start date of:
the student may work until2:

0
0

End Date Calculator

Enter known date -- the date
you want to start from:
21 Days from the above date is:
30 Days from the above date is:
60 Days from the above date is:
90 Days from the above date is:
120 Days from the above date is:
180 Days from the above date is:
240 Days from the above date is:
Other: Enter # of days:

Prior Date Calculator

Enter date:
14 Days prior to the above date is:
30 Days prior to the above date is:
60 Days prior to the above date is:
90 Days prior to the above date is:
100 Days prior to the above date is:
120 Days prior to the above date is:
180 Days prior to the above date is:
Other: Enter # of days:

Developed by James E. Leck

Boston University

January 2007

240 Day Rule

Enter expiration date of
current approval period, or
start date of employment

1.

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(20)

240 days from

date entered is:

H-1B, J-1 (and other) Eligibility Calculator

Enter Scholar's Name:
Enter the total number of years for which the employee
was originally eligible for authorization (e.g, 6 if H-1B, 5 if
J Professor, .5 if J Short-term Scholar, etc):
Enter the proposed start date of the next period of
employment authorization:

Periods of Previous Sponsorship or Employment Approval/Authorization

Start Date

Total
Days Used

End Date

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL

Time Recouped (Days Spent Outside U.S.), if Any1

Start Date

Total
Days Recouped

End Date

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL

Total days of eligibility (365 x years entered above):

Total days used:

Total days recouped:

Total days of eligibility remaining:

Therefore, given the proposed start date of:

the employee may work until:
If restricted to 3 year maximum; can only work until:

1.

USCIS Memo HQPRD 70/6.2.8, 70/6/2/12, AD 06-29, Michael Yates (December 5, 2006).

Developed by James E. Leck

Boston University

Rev. May 2007

H-1B, J-1 (and other) Eligibility Calculator

Enter Scholar's Name:

Enter the total number of years for which the employee
was originally eligible for authorization (e.g, 6 if H-1B, 5 if
J Professor, .5 if J Short-term Scholar, etc):
Enter the proposed start date of the next period of
employment authorization:

Periods of Previous Sponsorship or Employment Approval/Authorization

Start Date

Total
Days Used

End Date

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL

Time Recouped (Days Spent Outside U.S.), if Any

Start Date

End Date

Total
Days Recouped
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

TOTAL

Total days of eligibility (365 x years entered above):

Total days used:

Total days recouped:

Total days of eligibility remaining:

Therefore, given the proposed start date of:

the employee may work until:
If restricted to 3 year maximum; can only work until:

1.

USCIS Memo HQPRD 70/6.2.8, 70/6/2/12, AD 06-29, Michael Yates (December 5, 2006).

This version is offered to use for those students who are granted numerous CPT and OPT
authorizations. The calculations are all the same as the short version; this version simply adds several
more rows to enter authorizations.
2.

Developed by James E. Leck

Boston University

Rev. February 2009

Two-year Home Residence (212e) Calculator

Enter Name Below:

Name of Exchange Visitor:

Periods spent in home country
Start Date

Total
Days in Home Country

End Date

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL

Total days needed to satisfy 212e (365 days x 2):

730

Total days in home country:

Total days in home country equals approximately:

0
0.00 years, or 0 year(s) and 0 month(s)

No

Has the Exchange Visitor satisfied 212e?:*

* NOTE: If an Exchange Visitor becomes subject to 212(e) for a second (or subsequent) time after re-entering the US
in a new J program, any time spent in the home country before the re-entry will not count toward satisfying the home
residence requirement.

Developed by James E. Leck

Boston University

Rev. December 2008

Special Handling Deadline Tracking

Enter Name Below

PERM Being Filed on

Behalf of (employee name):

Job Offer Date:

18 month deadline1 based on Special Handling:

Last day (of the 10 day posting requirement 2) that
the notice was posted:
30 days after posting:
(PERM cannot be filed before this date)
180 days after posting:
PERM must be filed no more than 180 days following the
last
day of posting3, or prior to the 18 month deadline in
Special
Handling cases, whichever is earlier. Therefore, in this
case,
PERM must be filed before:
Date of Filing PERM:

Prevailing Wage Determination valid until:

Labor Certification approved on:

The I-140 must be filed no later than 180 days after the
Labor Certification was approved. 180 days from the
approval date (above) is:4

1.

4.

20 CFR 656.17(e)(1)(i) 2. 20 CFR 656.10(d) 3. 20 CFR 656.17(e)(1)(i) and 656.10(d)(3)(iv)

72 Fed. Reg. 95 (May 17, 2007), pp 27903-27947 final rule amending 20 CFR 656

Developed by Tina Tan, University of Colorado at Boulder

Adapted by James E. Leck, Boston University / Rev. May 2007

PERM Deadline Tracking for

Basic PERM processing
Enter Name Below

PERM Being Filed on

Behalf of (employee name):

1st Recruitment Start date

PERM must be filed within 180 days of 1st recruitment
date:1
Last day (of the 10 day posting requirement 2) that the
notice was posted:
Earliest PERM can be filed is 30 days after last day of
notice of posting coming down:

Date of Filing PERM:

30 days before PERM filing:

180 days before PERM filing

Notice of filing and mandatory recruitment steps must

be provided/conducted at least 30 days but not more
than
180 days before the PERM filing.3

Prevailing Wage Determination valid until:

Labor Certification approved on:

The I-140 must be filed no later than 180 days after the
Labor Certification was approved. 180 days from the
approval date (above) is:4

1.

4.

20 CFR 656.17(e)(1)(i) 2. 20 CFR 656.10(d) 3. 20 CFR 656.17(e)(1)(i) and 656.10(d)(3)(iv)

72 Fed. Reg. 95 (May 17, 2007), pp 27903-27947 final rule amending 20 CFR 656

Developed by Tina Tan, University of Colorado at Boulder

Adapted by James E. Leck, Boston University / Rev. May 2007

Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)

Enter Name Below

Name of Child:
Worksheet for Calculating Age

1. Alien's Date of Birth:

2. Date Immigrant Petition Filed:
3. Date Immigrant Petition Approved:

4. Length of Time Immigrant Petition Pending (#3 minus#2):

5. Date Immigrant Petition Became Current
(i.e. Date Immigrant Visa Became Available)
6. Age of alien on date immigrant visa became available (#5 minus
#1).
7. Age for CSPA Purposes: Age at time immigrant visa became
available
minus length of time immigrant petition pending (#6 minus #4). If
this number is below 21, CSPA applies.
8. Receipt date of Form DS-230, Part I.
(If age for CSPA purposes (#7) is under 21 years AND the applicant
submitted Form DS-230 Part I either before or within one year of
visa
availability, the applicant can receive a visa under CSPA.)
Does CSPA apply?

Who is eligible for the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)?2

The CSPA may apply to any immigrant visa application in cases in which:
1. The immigrant petition was approved on or after 8/16/2002.
2. If the immigrant petition was approved before 8/6/2002:
The alien aged out on or after 8/6/2002; or
If the alien aged out before 8/6/2002, the alien was refused a visa under 221(g) between 8/6/2001 and 8/5/2002.
3. For immigrant visa preference (family or employment-based) applications, the calculated alien's age using the age
formula in the worksheet above is under 21.
4. For IR2 immigrant visa applications, age is determined using the age of the child on the date the immigrant petition
was filed.
In addition:
5. In immigrant visa preference cases, the alien must submit the completed DS-230 Part I within one year of a visa
number becoming available.*
6. If the principal applicant (PA) adjusted to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status in the U.S., the PA must have
filed an I-824 for the child within one year of an immigrant visa number becoming available.
* "A Visa Number Becoming Available" means that a priority date is current for family and employment preference
cases of approved petitions.

On August 6, 2002, the President signed into law the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), Public Law 107-208, 116 Stat. 927, which amends
the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) by permitting an applicant for certain benefits to retain classification as a child under the Act, even if
he or she has reached the age of 21.
1.

This worksheet, and the eligibility information above, were adapted from a worksheet found on the web site of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul,
South Korea (http://seoul.usembassy.gov/child_protection_act2.html).
2.

Developed by James E. Leck

Boston University

Rev. September 2008