OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING

F-1 Students

F-1 students are eligible to apply for upto 12 months of Optional Practical Training experience before or after graduation.

J-1 Students

J-1 students are generally allowed 18 to 36 months of Academic Training, depending upon their level of study.

You need to plan ahead. Jobs take time to find and the application process should be completed before your graduation. There are detailed handouts available in the ISSS Office. Each semester, the ISSS Office and the Career Development Center hold a special seminar (announced in the CDC calendar and in the Headlines of the ISSS Homepage) on looking for a job in the US and pertinent immigration regulations. We advise you to attend such a seminar at least one year before completing your studies. A lawyer will be present to talk about working after optional practical training or academic training. H1-B visas, permanent residency and 2-year home country residency requirements are discussed.

OPT Forms can be obtained online and also in the ISSS office