Upcoming Events...

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• SPRING 2009 New International ORIENTATION

• OPT application information; select a semester below
  
• • Fall 2008 is your final semester
    
  • Spring 2009 is your final semester
    
  • Summer 2009 is your final semester

• FALL 2008 OPT APPLICATION WORKSHOPS

• U.S. TAX FILING INFORMATION

Spring 2009 Orientation
For New International Students

Thursday January 22, 2009

North Academic Center,
3rd Floor Faculty Dining Room

9:00am to 3:30pm
Breakfast and lunch provided

All new International Students, (Freshmen, Transfers and Graduate students), beginning study at The City College in the Spring 2009 semester, are warmly encouraged to attend our Orientation Program for new students. This will be your chance to meet the staff of the International Student & Scholar Services Office and your fellow students. This is also a great opportunity to have ALL those immigration related questions answered. We look forward to meeting you at the Orientation Program and to welcoming you personally to The City College of New York.

For more information regarding Orientation and new students, click here.

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F-1 and J-1 students who did
NOT earn income
in the year 2007 MUST
complete FORM-8843 (Part I and Part III)

OPT
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training

Applying for Post-Completion OPT Fall 2008
Completing Program Requirements Fall 2008

• Final semester of lecture coursework: Fall 2008
• When to apply for Post-Completion OPT: Begin application process October, 2008
• Employment Begin-Date Choice: Choose any day to BEGIN OPT employment between 2/1/2009 and 3/30/2009
• Employment End-Date: OPT employment is automatically given for one-year and will end twelve months after your OPT employment start date.

Note, while USCIS regulations stipulate that students may apply for OPT after 2/1/2009, please be aware that you must make your intentions to apply in February or March known to the international student advisor no later than February 17, 2009. 
Failure to let the international student advisor know you intend to apply for OPT after the start of a new semester may cause your F-1 status to be erroneously terminated in SEVIS.  This is because students who are not registered for classes and have not made their intention to apply for OPT known run the risk of having their SEVIS record terminated for FAILURE TO ENROLL. Records terminated in this way may have the effect of causing the student to lose their OPT benefit at this program level.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training
Details and information regarding OPT eligibility and application.

Applying for Post-Completion OPT Spring 2009
Completing Program Requirements Spring 2009

• Final semester of lecture coursework: Spring 2009
• When to apply for Post-Completion OPT: Begin March 16, 2009
• Employment Begin-Date Choice: Choose any day to BEGIN OPT employment between 6/2/2009 and 7/31/2009
• Employment End-Date: OPT employment is automatically given for one-year and will end twelve months after your OPT employment start date.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training
Details and information regarding OPT eligibility and application.

Applying for Post-Completion OPT Summer 2009
Completing Program Requirements Summer 2009

• Final semester of lecture coursework: Summer Session 2009
• When to apply for Post-Completion OPT: Begin June 8, 2009
• Employment Begin-Date Choice: Choose any day to BEGIN OPT employment between 9/2/2009 and 10/31/2009
• Employment End-Date: OPT employment is automatically given for one-year and will end twelve months after your OPT employment start date.

Note, while USCIS regulations stipulate that students may apply for OPT after 9/1/2009, please be aware that you must make your intentions to apply in September or October known to the international student advisor no later than September 18, 2009. 

Failure to let the international student advisor know you intend to apply for OPT after the start of a new semester may cause your F-1 status to be erroneously terminated in SEVIS.  This is because students who are not registered for classes and have not made their intention to apply for OPT known run the risk of having their SEVIS record terminated for FAILURE TO ENROLL.  Records terminated in this way may have the effect of causing the student to lose their OPT benefit at this program level.
 
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training
Details and information regarding OPT eligibility and application.

FALL 2008 OPT-Workshops/application information

OPT-Optional Practical Training for Fall 2008 graduates

OPT Workshop sessions.   Each OPT Workshop is exactly the same and a student need only attend one session.  All workshops take place in the back of the Hoffman Student lounge located on the first floor of the North Academic Center.  The Hoffman Student lounge is located in the hallway between the bookstore and the Ballroom.

• OPT Workshop Session #1: Thursday October 23, 2008   12:00am--2:00pm
  
  
• OPT Workshop Session #2: Thursday October 30, 2008   12:00am--2:00pm
  
  
• OPT Workshop Session #3: Thursday November 6, 2008 12:00am--2:00pm
  
  

Students enrolled for and completing the last of their program requirements during the Fall 2008 semester may begin application for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) at this time.  Please note, Fall 2008 is the only semester you may be eligible for making the OPT application, this is true even if you expect to complete your thesis or project during the Spring 2009 semester.  If you are having difficulty deciding if Fall 2008 or if Spring 2009 is your final semester, please attend one of the OPT workshops above.  

• Workshop Attendees:  Students who wish to ensure they receive the earliest employment start date are required to attend one session of the OPT application workshop.  At the OPT workshop session students will receive all application forms, application instructions and an appointment information for the International Student Adviser to receive an I-20 with the OPT recommendation.

• No Workshop Attendance: Students who wish to apply for OPT as a Fall 2008 graduate and are NOT concerned about an early employment start date may call or visit the Office beginning November 3, 2008 for an appointment to receive an I-20 with the OPT recommendation.

All applications and instruction materials are available in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.  For eligibility information and details for filing the OPT application with USCIS, go to top of page.

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