Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is authorization for employment in your field of study either before or after completion of a degree. Most F-1 students do post-completion OPT after graduation. Post-completion OPT is 12 months of employment authorization. Students apply directly to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for OPT. During OPT, students are required by law to report information about their employment, contact information, and location to CIE and DHS.
OPT Workshop
Each semester CIE holds OPT Workshops to provide information about applying for OPT. During the workshop you will learn about OPT and the steps of how to apply. The Immigration Coordinators will explain requirements, timelines, the application process, and more!
Applying for OPT
To apply for OPT, CIE must recommend you for OPT in SEVIS and issue you a new I-20 for your application to USCIS. CIE requires at least one week to issue your OPT-recommended I-20. After receiving this I-20, you must make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator before submitting your application online or through the mail to USCIS. DO NOT apply for OPT without your OPT-recommended I-20.
To request your OPT Recommended I-20, login to your ISSS Connect portal and find the request under the Documents & Requests section.
OPT Reporting
As a student on OPT/STEM OPT, you are required to report to us when certain events occur. Use the options below to complete this requirement. CIE will use this information to make updates to SEVIS that are mandated by law. Please note this is required even if you are using the SEVIS student portal.
Note: Students on OPT who do not have access to login to the ISSS Connect portal need to email opt@uwm.edu for further instructions.
OPT STEM Extension
Certain students who earned degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). To apply for STEM OPT Extension , CIE must recommend you for STEM OPT Extension in SEVIS and issue you a new I-20 for your application to USCIS. CIE requires at least one week to issue your STEM OPT-recommended I-20. After receiving this I-20, you must make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator before submitting your application online or through the mail to USCIS. DO NOT apply for STEM OPT Extension without your STEM OPT-recommended I-20.
OPT STEM EXTENSION WORKSHOP: Click here to view the OPT STEM Extension Information Video
To request your STEM OPT Recommended I-20, login to your ISSS Connect portal and find the request under the Documents & Requests section.
OPT Workshop
Each semester CIE holds OPT Workshops to provide information about applying for OPT. During the workshop you will learn about OPT and the steps of how to apply. The Immigration Coordinators will explain requirements, timelines, the application process, and more!
Applying for OPT
To apply for OPT, CIE must recommend you for OPT in SEVIS and issue you a new I-20 for your application to USCIS. CIE requires at least one week to issue your OPT-recommended I-20. After receiving this I-20, you must make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator before submitting your application online or through the mail to USCIS. DO NOT apply for OPT without your OPT-recommended I-20.
To request your OPT Recommended I-20, login to your ISSS Connect portal and find the request under the Documents & Requests section.
OPT Reporting
As a student on OPT/STEM OPT, you are required to report to us when certain events occur. Use the options below to complete this requirement. CIE will use this information to make updates to SEVIS that are mandated by law. Please note this is required even if you are using the SEVIS student portal.
Note: Students on OPT who do not have access to login to the ISSS Connect portal need to email opt@uwm.edu for further instructions.
OPT STEM Extension
Certain students who earned degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). To apply for STEM OPT Extension , CIE must recommend you for STEM OPT Extension in SEVIS and issue you a new I-20 for your application to USCIS. CIE requires at least one week to issue your STEM OPT-recommended I-20. After receiving this I-20, you must make an appointment with an Immigration Coordinator before submitting your application online or through the mail to USCIS. DO NOT apply for STEM OPT Extension without your STEM OPT-recommended I-20.
OPT STEM EXTENSION WORKSHOP: Click here to view the OPT STEM Extension Information Video
To request your STEM OPT Recommended I-20, login to your ISSS Connect portal and find the request under the Documents & Requests section.