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OPT Request

 

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops

If you are graduating in the Fall (undergraduates and graduate students) and would like to apply for OPT (employment authorization) with a January or February date, please read the following message:

  • You must complete and submit an application to USCIS before the end of the semester. Students MUST submit their OPT request before their graduation date.

  • A student is not permitted to submit an OPT requests after the completion of the course of study and/or graduation. This deadline must be met, USCIS will not allow the students to petition OPT even one day after the semester is over.
  • You can petition your OPT 90 days in advance of the last day of the semester.

Definition of OPT

  • Temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study and commensurate with degree level.

  • Allows a maximum of 12 months of practical experience.

  • Students do not need to secure employment before applying for OPT.

  • Requires USCIS approval

Preconditions for OPT

  • Students may engage in OPT after being enrolled for at least one full academic year.

  • OPT is available before and after completion of the educational objective, but different rules apply to pre- and post –completion OPT.

  • Passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future.

  • Prior use of full-time CPT for one year or more makes you ineligible for OPT.

Pre-completion OPT

  • 20 hours/week limit while school is in session and the student still has coursework to complete.

  • Over 20 during official school breaks as long as student is currently enrolled, and intends to register for next term (full-time).

  • Only graduate students can apply for pre-completion OPT

Post-completion OPT

  • Over 20 hours after student has completed all course requirements for the degree while completing a thesis or dissertation.

  • Only full-time OPT can be requested.

  • Undergraduate students can request OPT only after completion of the course of study.

  • Graduate students can apply for OPT after completion of the course of study while completing the thesis, dissertation or equivalent work.

NOTE: Must sign-up 2 days prior to the workshop. Notification will not be sent if the workshops are cancelled if no-one signs up on time.

Workshop Dates for Fall 2009
Location: International Center


OPT Workshops: 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon (F-1 Only)
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, September 22
Tuesday, September 29
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 27
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 17
Tuesday, November 24
Tuesday, December 8
Tuesday, December 15
OPT Workshops: Time: 1:00 p.m.- 3 p.m. (F-1 Only)
Thursday, September 17
Thursday, September 24
Thursday, October 15
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 19
Thursday, December 10
Thursday, December 17


For questions and/or individual meetings concerning Curricular Practical Training (CPT), contact:

Amie Limon: amie_limon@mail.uri.edu


For questions and/or individual meetings concerning Optical Practical Training (OPT), contact:

Chris Cho: chrischo@mail.uri.edu


For questions and/or individual meetings concerning Academic Training appointments, contact:

Dania Brandford-Calvo: brandford@uri.edu Chris Cho: chrischo@mail.uri.edu

 

 

Appointment Request for OPT Workshop

Last Name:
Middle Name:
First Name:
URI ID
Email:
Visa Type:
Telephone Number:
Type verification image: verification image, type it in the box

 


University of Rhode Island • Office of International Students & Scholars • International Center • 37 Lower College Road; Kingston, Rhode Island, 02881

News

International Student Orientation
Date: September 7, 2009
Time: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM- Graduate Students
               &
12:00 NOON to 2:00 PM- UnderGraduate Students

Place: Multi-Cultural Center

December 5, 2008
**IMPORTANT OPT INFO.**

Reporting responsibilities of F-1 International Students while on (OPT)

October 1, 2009
Fall 2009 OPT workshop schedules are announced.

October 29, 2008
Host Family Application Download in PDF format