Dear F-1 students,
This Fall, ISSS is asking that all F-1 students who are applying for Optional Practical Training or Curricular Practical Training attend a practical training workshop before you submit your application to ISSS. This policy is in effect for all students who submit practical training applications during Fall 2020 semester, and may continue into the future, if successful.
ISSS will offer a series of virtual workshops to help you learn more about the practical training options for F-1 students, and to help you meet this new requirement. You must attend the entire workshop to gain credit for attending that workshop.
When you apply for OPT or CPT, we will check to see if you have recently attended a workshop on the topic. If you have not, then we will ask you to attend a workshop before we will process your application.
ISSS offers the following three practical training workshops. Be sure to attend the workshop relevant to your application:
Post-Completion OPT Workshop– for F-1 students who will soon graduate and apply for Optional Practical Training work authorization to work in the U.S. after graduation, or in the final stages of your thesis/dissertation.
CPT and Pre-Completion OPT Workshop – For F-1 students who want to work or intern off-campus while you are still an active student, or who are enrolled in degree programs with clinical placements or other practical training at off-campus locations (paid or unpaid).
STEM OPT Extension Workshop – for F-1 students who are already on post-completion OPT, and who are preparing to submit an application for STEM OPT Extension. Currently enrolled students who are in STEM majors should attend the regular Post-Completion OPT Workshop for their initial OPT application.
Students who are not yet ready to apply for practical training may also attend the workshops of their choice, if they are interested to learn more about options for future planning.
Find a Workshop:
- Visit the ISSS Events Calendar to find a workshop information and a virtual event link.
- Workshops that list a specific campus in the event name are intended for students who attend that campus (the workshop information may be customized to the academic programs offered at that campus). Workshops that do not include a campus name in the workshop title will provide general information, not customized to a specific program.
- Law School practical training workshops are still being scheduled, and ISSS will announce those dates separately.
Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions.