Friday, April 3, 2009

Are you graduating in May?

Dear International Students,

IF YOU ARE GRADUATING IN MAY, YOU MUST READ THIS EMAIL!!!
This is a reminder to those of you who are completing programs at Carnegie Mellon this semester.  Following are four options for maintaining legal immigration status upon program completion.

OPTION 1: APPLY FOR WORK AUTHORIZATION BEFORE you complete your program. Employment information is available on the OIE web site at:
www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/forstu/jobs.html
Review this information, prepare the necessary documents and call OIE to be scheduled for an OPT session (for students in F-1 status) or an appointment with an OIE advisor (for students in J-1 status).

Note: Students in F-1 visa status can apply for work authorization (Optional Practical Training–OPT) during the 60 day grace period but due to long processing times at USCIS, OIE recommends applying as early as possible (90 days prior to completion of studies).
 
OPTION 2: OBTAIN A NEW CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY (I-20 or DS-2019) for another academic program in the U.S. F-1 students can use their 60 day grace period to get a new certificate of eligibility for a new school or program. J-1 students must get a new certificate of eligibility before the end date of their program not during the 30 day grace period.

Note: If you will change to a new level or program of study at Carnegie Mellon, you must request an updated I-20 or DS-2019 from OIE - even if the dates are still valid on your current document.

If you do not apply for work authorization or obtain a new certificate of eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019), one of the following (option 3 or option 4) must be completed within:

-60 days of completion for F-1 students-
-30 days of completion for J-1 students-

OPTION 3: LEAVE THE U.S.

OPTION 4: APPLY FOR A CHANGE OF STATUS to another immigration status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Remember, once you complete your program, it is a status violation to use your current I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the U.S.--even if the dates are still valid--unless you have received work authorization.

Feel free to contact your Foreign Student Advisor with any questions about this message.

Sincerely,

OIE Advisors
Office of International Education
Carnegie Mellon University
Third Floor, Warner Hall
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 268-5231
Fax: (412) 268-7832
http://www.cmu.edu/oie

Updated 4/3/2009