The OPT Essentials online course is required for any student wishing to apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training. The course is offered through the OISS “Homebase” platform (implemented in Fall 2024). If you do not already have a Homebase account Already have a Homebase account? Follow these steps This course is REQUIRED for all students […]
F-1 students may work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during regular fall and spring semesters. An example of on-campus employment is working at the school bookstore or library, or working as a research or teaching assistant. Note: F-1 students are not eligible for any campus jobs classified as Federal Work-Study positions. […]
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization available to F-1 international students who participate in a training experience as part of a curricular requirement. CPT opportunities are called a variety of names at WashU including, but not limited to, practicums (Brown School), externships (Law School), internships (Olin Business and Sam Fox), co-ops (McKelvey Engineering), clinical […]
If the case status on your USCIS account is showing that your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card was mailed, but you never received it, there is a possibility that it was undeliverable or lost by USPS (U.S. Postal Service). Follow these directions from USCIS on how to check your case status online. Replacement EAD lost […]
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is 12-month work authorization available to F-1 international students who plan to seek employment in the U.S. in their fields of study. Post-completion OPT authorization allows F-1 students to work in a job directly related to their major after they graduate from WashU or, in some cases, while they work […]
This information is intended for Washington University F-1 students completing the USCIS Form I-765 online application for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension. The information in this resource is provided to assist you with completing certain sections of the online form in the order they appear. Please note, the I-765 is a personal application, and […]
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) requires schools to maintain certain information in SEVIS for all students on approved Optional Practical Training (OPT). As an F-1 student on OPT (or STEM OPT), you continue to be under WashU’s sponsorship. As such, OISS continues to maintain your SEVIS record so that you remain in valid […]
F-1 students who hold degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) may be eligible to apply for a 24 month extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT), for a total of 36 months of post-completion OPT. Only students who have completed degrees in a STEM designated field qualify for this extension. You can locate your […]
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), requires schools to maintain certain information in SEVIS for all students currently on approved OPT and STEM OPT. As an F-1 student on STEM OPT, you continue to be under WashU’s sponsorship. Therefore, OISS continues to maintain your SEVIS record so that you remain in valid immigration status. […]
The cap-gap extension is a regulatory provision that extends an eligible F-1 student’s status to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 OPT or STEM OPT work authorization and the start of a cap-subject H-1B status, allowing the student to remain in the U.S. during the “gap”. Cap-gap extension eligibility The cap-gap extension is […]