Opt Application - Uwm (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

OPT Summary & Resources

If you are on OPT now or are planning to apply soon, please do not hesitate to contact us at opt@uwm.edu or to see

us at the CIE Main Office for walk-in advising in Garland 138.

Here is an overview of OPT information. Please schedule an appointment with an immigration advisor during walk-in

hours with specific questions.

OPT application deadline changes

The following deadlines are when the packet must be received at SEVP:



May apply for OPT up to 90 days before completion of academic program



May apply for OPT up to 60 days after completion of academic program

2. Limit on Periods of Unemployment

Students may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during their 12 months of post-completion OPT.

Students with more than 90 days unemployment will lose F-1 status and OPT. Your SEVIS record may be automatically

terminated by SEVP for failure to report if you accrue 90 days of unemployment.

On post-completion OPT less than 20 hours a week of employment is considered by Department of Homeland Se-

curity to be unemployment.

Students are required to keep records of hours worked.

Contact on of your immigration advisors directly or the CIE main office through opt@uwm.edu if you anticipate

unemployment to discuss your options.

3. OPT Reporting Requirements– 10 days from an event–failure to comply will result in loss of F-1 status and OPT

All students on OPT must report their addresses (mailing and residential) preferred email and any legal name

change to opt@uwm.edu.

All students on OPT must report their employer and any change in employer to opt@uwm.edu.

All students on OPT must report when they are unemployed to opt@uwm.edu.

You can use the link to report changes.

4. Employment authorization for period between OPT expiration date and cap-subject H1B start date of October 1st

Applies to all fields of study

H1B must be filed in a timely manner and while a student is currently working on OPT

Students with H1B applications submitted during OPT grace period are not eligible for this benefit.

CIE must be notified in order to process an I-20 extension for this period. Please send an email to an immigration

advisor or opt@uwm.edu for assistance.

Additional Resources

Center for International Education– International Student and Scholar Services

Phone 414-229-4846

Garland Hall, Room 138

Fax 414-229-3750

PO Box 413

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413

REV JZ 11/16

Opt Application - Uwm Page 2