If you are in F-1 status and will be graduating this Spring 2017 semester and wanting to work in the U.S. after graduation, then you should be thinking about applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a temporary work authorization and benefit for F-1 students that allow them to work in their field of study.
Students wanting to apply for Post Completion OPT must attend the OPT workshop before they can apply for this at ISSS. Students can apply up to 90 days before their official graduation date of the semester through the 60 days following graduation. Students should also plan on applying as early as possible if wanting to work directly after graduation to allow enough processing time which can take up to 90 days or more. The first day a student can apply for Post Completion OPT based on Spring 2017 graduation date is February 20, 2017.
If this is something that you are interested in, we encourage you to apply early. Be sure to sign-up for the OPT Workshop to learn more about OPT. If you are ready to apply, then we request you schedule an OPT Processing Day appointment to get your OPT recommendation from ISSS.
More information about OPT can also be found on our ISSS website.