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AC'CENT NEWS
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IMMIGRATION UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Optional Practical Training WorkshopsF-1 student visaholders are eligible for opportunities to work off campus called practical training. There are two types of practical training: curricular practical training and optional practical training. Curricular practical training (CPT) is a required or optional employment training defined as "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school." Students may only engage in CPT during their academic program. CPT is authorized through advisors in the ISSP office and may begin as soon as this authorization is obtained. In order to qualify as CPT, however, the proposed employment must meet very specific criteria. Students interested in participating in CPT should set up an appointment with one of the international student advisors, Dawn Williams (students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences), Ursula Spitzer (undergraduate students and students in the school of Theology), or Laura Stamey (students in the Schools of Law, Medicine, Public Health, and MBA students), by calling the front desk at 404-727-3300. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the more common and flexible form of off-campus work authorization for F-1 students. OPT gives F-1 students an opportunity to work before and/or after completion of their degree. It is limited to a total of 12 months and must be in a field directly related to the student's field of study. 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 US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) BEFORE the student's program completion date. It takes approximately 3 months to receive the USCIS's approval for OPT, and the student may NOT work until approval is received. Students may also visit the ISSP website to find out more about employment opportunities and procedures for F-1 students. Students should bring all of the following with them to the OPT appointment: Please note - in order to apply for OPT, it is necessary to first attend one of the weekly workshops given by ISSP. The OPT workshops will be given on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays: You 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. Note: J-1 students 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. |