Are you an F-1 student who will graduate in spring 2018? Do you want to work in the U.S. after graduation? If you answered yes to both questions, then you want to apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is work authorization for F-1 students that allows you to work in your field of study.
You must attend an OPT workshop (presented at the International Office) before you can apply for Post-Completion OPT. Additionally, the earliest you can apply is 90 days prior (February 19) to the official graduation date of the semester. Applying for OPT early is recommended because USCIS can take around 3 months to approve your application.
If this is something that you are interested in, we encourage you to apply. Sign-up for an OPT workshop now to begin the process.
More information is available online about OPT.
*Note – OPT used prior to graduation is called Pre-Completion OPT. Attendance at an OPT workshop is not required for Pre-Completion OPT.*
Hi there I am interested in this but i am a J1 student. Is this strictly for F1 only?
Yes, OPT is for F-1 students only. J-1 students should consider Academic Training. Please check out this link: https://world.utexas.edu/isss/students/work/j1
If you have any questions after reading the web page, please make an appointment to speak with an international student advisor and we’d be happy to explain the process! If you are an Exchange Student please schedule an appointment with the Exchange Advisor.
Hi, I’m interesting in the workshop, but when I want to sing in, the website send to me to the main page of ISSS to make an appointment, which is ok. The problem is, that after go to make an appointments -OPT-workshop-student-my ID-, then I get into the blog and I imagine that I need to chose the option: to make an appointment and then, the web site show me the all the advisors.
My point is, how can I register to the workshop? Do I need to talk with an advisor? go to the desk?
Thanks in advance
Yes, it is kind of confusing. Sorry about that. To register for the OPT Workshop, please sign into the appointment system: https://utexas-insight.symplicity.com/. After signing in look for “Events.” The event type will be OPT Workshop.