Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Fall OPT Sessions

Are you a student in F-1 status planning to complete your program this semester? Do you want to apply for work authorization to be able to work in the United States following your graduation?

If so, sign up now for an OPT session!

The Office of International Education (OIE) will offer OPT information and application sessions for F-1 students who will be completing their programs in the Fall 2012 semester. If you are planning to apply for OPT this semester, it is mandatory that you attend one of the following sessions. We cannot schedule individual advising appointments to provide this information, so plan ahead to find a session that will fit your schedule.

Note: OPT applications can be filed with USCIS 90 days prior to program completion or within the 60 day grace period following program completion. OIE strongly recommends applying before completing your program because applications can take 60 to 90 days to be approved by USCIS.

Students in J-1 status who are expecting to complete their program this semester should read the handout on Academic Training and schedule an appointment with their J-1 Alternate Responsible Officer (an OIE advisor if CMU issued your DS-2019).

Fall 2012 OPT sessions will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on the following dates:

DATE	LOCATION
October 8	CCR East, First Floor, Warner Hall
October 10	University Center, 2^nd Floor, Dowd Room
October 16	CCR East, First Floor, Warner Hall
October 24 October 30	University Center, 2^nd Floor, Wright Room CCR East, First Floor, Warner Hall
November 7	CCR West, First Floor, Warner Hall
November 12	CCR West, First Floor, Warner Hall
November 20	CCR East, First Floor, Warner Hall
November 27 December 3	CCR East, First Floor, Warner Hall CCR East, First Floor, Warner Hall

Students must register for a session in advance. To register:

Visit CMU’s The Bridge here: http://bit.ly/OIE-OPTsessions
View the OPT sessions by logging in. Click “Log In” in the top right-hand corner. You will then see all of the OPT sessions listed.
Choose the session that best fits into your schedule.
RSVP for the session.

Prior to attending the session, you must read the OPT instructions and should have your academic advisor complete the OPT recommendation form. You may also wish to consult the OPT powerpoint presentation that will guide you through the application process. Bring this form, along with your I-20, passport and I-94 card to the session. We also recommend that you bring the USCIS Form I-765 to the session.

Graduate students in Tepper and Heinz programs may choose to attend a session held in their school. Details about the school-based OPT sessions will be announced separately.

We will look forward to seeing you at one of the sessions soon!