IF YOU ARE GRADUATING IN DECEMBER, PLEASE 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 website at: http://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 (up to 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.
OPTION 3:LEAVE THE U.S. within 60 days of completion for F-1 students or within 30 days of completion for J-1 students.
OPTION 4: APPLY FOR A CHANGE OF STATUS to another immigration status with US. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This must be done within 60 days of completion for F-1 students or within 30 days of completion for J-1 students.
Remember, once you complete your program, it is a status violation to use your current I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the US--even if the dates are still valid--unless you have received work authorization.
If you have questions or situations not covered by this email, our website or office handouts, contact our office by phone at 412-268-5231 or email at oie@andrew.cmu.edu. For more complex questions or problems, schedule an appointment with an advisor by calling 412-268-5231. For emergency situations, call or visit the office - DO NOT SEND EMAIL. Please be sure to address correspondence to the appropriate advisor:
NESLIHAN OZDOGANLAR: Advisor to CIT
CORTNEY STEWART: Advisor to Heinz, SCS (All but ETC and HCI)
JENNIFER MCNABB: Advisor to CFA, Tepper, MCS, H&SS, ETC and HCI (in the School of Computer Science)
We wish you the best for a successful final semester here at CMU!
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
