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IMMIGRATION UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ask ISSP: Optional Practical TrainingQ: I am an F-1 student and I will be graduating this spring. When should I begin applying for Optional Practical Training? A: You will need to begin applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) sometime during the course of your final semester of coursework, taking into account that it can take any where from 3 to 4 months for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process the request and mail out the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). F-1 students are eligible to work off campus in their field of study through OPT. Most F-1 students choose to use this benefit after completion of their degree or program, although it is also possible to use OPT before completion of the program of study. If you are graduating or completing your program this semester, NOW is the time to apply for OPT! Those who wish to apply for OPT must attend an OPT workshop at the ISSP before submitting the application. OPT gives F-1 students opportunity to work before and/or after completion of their degree. OPT is limited to a total of 12 months and must be in a field directly related to the student’s field of study. OPT can be granted before securing employment, but it is advisable to secure employment so that time granted is not wasted. F-1 students are eligible for OPT if they have maintained their F-1 status for at least one full academic year. OPT can be done part-time while school is in session or full-time after completion of studies and during vacation periods. The application for OPT must be received and receipted by USCIS BEFORE the academic program completion date. As stated above, it takes approximately 3 months or more to receive the EAD after filing for OPT, and F-1 students may NOT work until approval is received. Please note - in order to apply for OPT, F-1 students must first attend one of the weekly OPT workshops given by ISSP. F-1 students do not need to sign up or have an appointment to attend the OPT workshop. Simply show up at the ISSP office (Suite 130 of the North Decatur Building) at one of the designated times. OPT workshops will be given on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays: You may also access a complete listing of OPT workshops by going to ISSP’s website at www.emory.edu/ISSP, and clicking on “Optional Practical Training Workshops” within the “Immigration” box on the ISSP home page. If you are a J-1 student, you may be eligible for Academic Training which is similar to OPT for F-1 students. Please call ISSP at 404.727.3300 or email the ISSP office at issp@emory.edu and request an appointment with the appropriate J-1 student advisor to find out more about Academic Training and relevant application procedures. You may also visit the ISSP website (www.emory.edu/ISSP) to find out more about employment opportunities and procedures for F-1 and J-1 students. |