美国留学生OPTbasics

Optional Practical Training for F-1 Stu dents OPT Basics • F-1 students are eligible to participate in optional practical training (OPT) once they have been in continuous, legal, F-1 status for a full academic year. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) defines a full academic year as two complete semesters or nine months. • A nonimmigrant student who is outside of the U.S. on a WFU-approved program of study (i.e. study abroad, etc.) can count the time spent abroad toward fulfilling the 9-month requirement. Likewise, a student will not lose eligibility to receive a period of OPT if he/she spends their last nine months outside of the country on a WFU-approved program of study. • An F-1 student is eligible to receive a total period of 12 months of OPT for each successive degree level that is completed. (Example: A student who completes both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree would be eligible to receive a sum total of 24 months of OPT.) • Permission to participate in the OPT program is granted by the USCIS. An application that has been recommended by the International Student Advisor must be submitted to the Service. • Having a job is not a prerequisite for OPT eligibility. Furthermore, a student who is actively pursuing employment during the approved OPT period is considered to be in legal, F-1 status. • A student is required, however, to engage in employment that is directly related to his/her stated course of study. • Students may work for as many different employers as they choose during the approved OPT period. • A student who has completed a course of study may apply for permission to pursue full-time employment. Prior to the completion of a c...