October 18, 2024 Immigration Advisory

1. Plan ahead! OPT processing times can range 90-100 days
2. On-campus employment
3. Do you have an International Programs hold?
4. Open advising hours

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1. Plan ahead! OPT processing times can range 90-100 days

Are you graduating in December 2024 and interested in participating in a post-completion internship in your field in the United States? If so, then you may want to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit of your F-1 status that allows you to work off campus after you graduate as long as you work in a field related to your major.  

This benefit is requested through USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and they are currently taking approximately 90-100 days to review requests. So, if you are interested, do not wait to apply! In addition, you do not need a job offer to apply. Therefore, there is no reason to wait if you know you wish to pursue OPT. 

The application process starts in myPassport: 

• Log in to myPassport
• Under Employment/Internships, choose Optional Practical Training application. 
• See the online tutorial and complete all forms. 
• After providing the requested information hit “submit.” 

We will contact you in about 5 business days to give you the I-20 needed for the OPT submission to USCIS. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office. 

2. On-Campus Employment

As a reminder – if you are an F-1 student, you are eligible to work on campus without ISSS authorization. However, you are limited by immigration regulations to only 20 hours per week of employment.  

J-1 students can also work on campus up to 20 hours per week but DO NEED approval from ISSS to work on campus BEFORE they can begin working. So if you are a J-1 student, please speak with an International Student Advisor about your limitations. 

Please keep these limitations in mind and be careful not to go over 20 hours. You can potentially lose your F-1/J-1 status.  

Additionally, if you are transferring from another WSU campus, please remember that your SEVIS record must be transferred to the new campus BEFORE you can begin work there. 

3. Do you have an International Programs hold?

All international students in F-1 and J-1 status should have an INTL Programs Drop Hold for fall 2024. This hold will NOT prevent you from registering for your spring 25 classes. It is there only to ensure that you do not mistakenly drop below full-time status when you drop or withdraw from courses. Therefore, this hold only keeps you from dropping or withdrawing courses on your own. All drop/withdraw requests need to go through ISSS first. Graduate students: These requests need to be made through the graduate school.  

If you have the INTL Programs hold (not the drop hold), this WILL prevent you from registering for your spring 2025 classes. This hold was placed on your account because you did not complete the ISSS international orientation offered throughout the fall semester.  

You can speak with an advisor to learn how to have the hold removed. We have open advising hours Monday through Friday, 1-3 p.m. Please visit our virtual office to join our Zoom session.

4. Open advising hours for all campuses

Do you have questions or concerns about your immigration status (F-1 or J-1)? If so, our office has open advising hours every Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 509-335-4508 or join over zoom between 1 and 3 p.m. weekdays to meet with an advisor. We cannot accommodate same-day appointments with advisors, or meeting students outside the hours above. So, relying on the open advising hours is the fastest way to get assistance.  

Remember: Do not rely on friends and/or an internet search for immigration advice – ask International Student and Scholar Services!