Are you graduating in Fall 2022? If so, now is the time to apply for Optional Practical Training! Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit for students with F-1 status. OPT authorizes students to work in the United States for up to 12 months after graduation to gain practical… read more
Graduating in Spring 2021? Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Are you an F-1 student who will graduate in spring 2021? 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… read more
STEM OPT Extension Info Session
In March 2016, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published amended F-1 rules for certain STEM majors. These changes provide for an extension of the OPT period by 24 months (a STEM OPT extension). The amended rules will go into effect on May 10, 2016. As such, the International Office… read more
Update for Potential Changes to the STEM extension
The STEM extension deadline was for February 12, 2016. Was a decision made yet? There has not been a final decision made on this case. However, on January 23, 2016, the District Court gave Department of Homeland Security an extension to appropriately implement the STEM extension. Now DHS has a… read more
Potential Changes to the STEM extension
You might have heard about changes to the program surrounding the Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension. We wanted to provide you with information to help clear up any questions you might have. What are the changes about? In March 2014, there was a court case, Washington Alliance of Technology… read more
Spring 2015 Graduates, It’s Time to Apply for Post-Completion OPT!
Are you an F-1 student graduating in May 2015? If you are interested in gaining work experience after completing your degree, now is the ideal time to start the application process for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a type of work authorization allowing eligible F-1 students to work… read more
Is it too early to apply for Post-Completion OPT if I am graduating in Fall 2014?
So you might be wondering when is the appropriate time to apply for Post-Completion OPT if you will graduate in Fall 2014 or defend your dissertation within the next 120 days. The answer to your question is now! For some students who already have a full-time job offer to begin… read more
OPT Workshop schedule during Summer 2014
If you are wanting to apply for OPT during the month of July and August (ex: if you will defend your dissertation during this time or will graduate in Summer 2014), please be aware that there are fewer OPT workshops during this time. Our office will only have the OPT… read more
Limited Advising Appointments for August 2014
The month of August is International Student & Scholar Services’ busiest month! During this month, our office is welcoming all our new incoming international students and holding numerous International Briefing and Check-Ins (IBC). So what does this mean for current international students? This means there will be fewer advising appointments… read more
Spring Graduates: Apply Now for OPT!
Are you an F-1 student interested in gaining work experience in the U.S. after completing your degree at UT? If so, you should consider applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows students in valid F-1 status to gain up to 12 months of work experience in their field of study.… read more
