College students: Understanding your VISA and process guidelines for internships, part time jobs, and full time jobs before and after graduation.

1. Post University International Students
Understanding Your Visa and
Process Guidelines For
Internships
Part Time Jobs
Full Time Jobs
Before and After Graduation
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

2. Post University International Students
Career Services International Student
Services
Dr. Mary Rigali, PMP Joshua Buland
Director of Career Coordinator of
Services International Student
Services
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

3. Immigration Terms
• CPT – Curricular Practical Training
– Before graduation
• OPT – Optional Practical Training
– After graduation
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

4. F-1 Visa
International Student Visa
Before Graduation
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

5. Work
Not eligible to work in the United States Except:
• During the Semester:
– Part time paid work on campus only
– 20 hours or less a week
• Spring Break/Summer Vacation :
– Paid work on campus only
– 40 hours or less total a week
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

6. Internship – only in major
For credit internship No credit internship
Paid or non-paid Non-paid
International Students
Internship Eligibility Form
from Career Services
Curricular Practical
Training (CPT) approval
from International
Student Services
Must have been enrolled at Post for at least one full academic year for a
paid internship requiring official CPT approval
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

7. For credit internship process
1. Review your resume with Career Services
2. Acquire the internship in your major
3. Complete the Internship Eligibility Form and acquire signatures
4. Acquire a letter on company letterhead from the interning
organization containing:
– Statement offering you the internship
– Job description
– Pay rate
– Start and end date of internship
• Provide International Student Services with this letter to apply for
CPT in government database BEFORE DAY 1 AT THE
INTERNSHIP
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

8. F-1 Visa
International Student Visa
After Graduation
Students in general have 60 days to prepare to leave
the country
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

9. OPT: Paid work in your field of study for
up to 12 months after graduation
• 3 months before graduation (mid-Feb the latest, preferably sooner),
complete the Federal application for Optional Practical Training (OPT) with
International Student Services
– Start date is recorded on OPT application
– Fee $380 paid by bank check or money order
• Apply for a job
• Acquire a paid position with an employer
• Wait to receive in the mail OPT approval (up to 3 months) and the earliest
employment start date approval
• Start your job!
You cannot have more than 90 total days of unemployment after
graduation during the 12 month period of OPT otherwise the
OPT and your immigration status are cancelled
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu

10. Career Services can help you
• Resume writing
• Letter writing
• Effective interviewing
• Job search strategies should you want:
• For credit internship on CPT
• No credit non-paid internship
• Work in the U.S. the 12 months after graduation
© Post University - 800 Country Club Road - Waterbury, CT 06723 - www.post.edu