Upcoming Workshops for F-1 Visa Holders

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshop 

Thursday, January 30, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
Monday, February 17, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
Wednesday, February 26, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
Wednesday, March 25, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
The four sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 20 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.
Intended Audience: Classes of 2022 and 2021 F-1 visa holders who intend to work off-campus in the United States during Summer 2020

Session Description: In this workshop, you will learn: 1) CPT eligibility, 2) a step-by-step guide to registering for CSLP 493, and 3) information about maintain your F-1 status while working in the summer.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop 

Thursday, February 6, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
Monday, March 2, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
The two sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 15 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.

Intended Audience: Classes of 2020 and 2021 F-1 visa holders who wish to work in the United States after graduation

Session Description: This workshop will cover: 1) OPT eligibility, 2) a step-by-step guide to complete the I-765 form, and 3) information about maintaining your F-1 visa status while on OPT.  Please bring: 1) your current and all previous I-20s, 2) your passport, 3) your F-1 visa page (if on a different passport), 4) your most recent I-94, 5) your Social Security Card (if you have one), and a pen with black ink (required by U.S. government).

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Q&A 

Wednesday, February 12, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
Monday, February 24, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
Wednesday, April 1, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
The three sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 20 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.

Intended Audience: Classes of 2020 and 2021 F-1 visa holders wish to work in the United States after graduation

Session Description: This is a workshop for students who already attended the OPT workshop and still have questions about the application process. In this session, OISA staff members will answer frequently asked questions such as planning your OPT start date, traveling internationally while waiting for OPT approval and more! Bring your questions to the session.

Life After Wes: Managing your Immigration Status after Graduation

Tuesday, March 3, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
Monday, April, 6, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gorden Career Center
The two sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 30 students.Registration on Handshake is required.
Intended Audience: Class of 2020 F-1 visa holders who have plans to attend graduate school in the United States in the future (including after OPT) or depart the U.S. after graduation.

Session Description: This workshop will cover all different scenarios for F-1 visa holders to understand how to manage their immigration status after they graduate from Wesleyan. We will cover: 1) grace period for staying in the United States after graduation without applying for OPT, 2) deadlines for OPT applications, 3) transferring your SEVIS record to a graduate school and 4) answer additional questions you may have.

OPT STEM Extension Info Session 

Thursday, April 9, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

The two sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 20 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.

Intended Audience: Classes of 2020 and 2021 F-1 visa holders whose major is one of the following: archaeology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, college of integrative science, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, economics, environmental studies, mathematics, molecular biology & biochemistry, neuroscience & behavior, physics and wish to continue working in the United States after their one-year OPT.

Session Description: This session is for students who would like to learn more about OPT STEM extension (an additional 24 months of OPT). We will cover OPT-STEM extension eligibility, the application timeline and other essential information about OPT-STEM extension.