International Student Scholar Services

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• OPT is training that is directly related to an F-1 academic student’s major area of study.  It is intended to provide students with practical experience in their field of study generally upon completion of a degree program (post-completion OPT) at Columbia College Chicago.   Practical training during your studies is through CPT.     OPT requires that all employment or internships be in the student's degree major field of study.

• GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • Students may apply up to 90 days prior to degree completion.
  • You do not need a job to apply for OPT
  • Your start date must commence no later than 60 days after your graduation date.
  • Once your OPT is approved, you have 90 days of unemployment

   

• FALL 2024 OPT INFORMATION SESSIONS

“Coming Soon”

•  Unable to attend an OPT info session? Please see detailed application instructions below. A special thank you to the office of International Student and Scholar Services at Northwestern University for sharing their detailed information.

OPT Application Instructions

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

  CPT is any off-campus employment in the form of internships, practicums, etc. CPT requires employment authorization in advance.  All internships must be approved by the Career Center to be eligible for CPT.  

  All students on CPT must report changes in personal information as well as employment information to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at Columbia College Chicago within 10 days to ensure you maintain your visa status.  

  Here's how to start the process: 

  Once you have an internship, request approval for your internship at Internship Credit Request

  1. Please be sure to fill out all information.  You must include a start date and an end date along with the complete address (including the postal code of the internship site.  I cannot sign incomplete contracts and they will be returned to you for correction if it is sent to me incomplete. 
  2. Once your internship is approved, the career center will send the completed contract to me to sign.  If complete, I will sign it and issue your new I-20 for CPT. 
  3. Do not start your internship (especially if it is paid) until you have a new I-20 as it could be considered a violation of your student visa status. 

• J Visa Information

  Overview

  J-visas are part of an "exchange", often in accordance with an agreement between Columbia College Chicago and another university or organizations.  J-visa holders can also be scholars, professors, or experts here for short-term academic or cultural exchanges. 

  Immigration Documents

  J-visa recepients have a DS-2019, a document that outlines their stay at Columbia. The travel signature on page one is valid for 1 year.  

  Students must remain enrolled full-time throughout their studies at Columbia College Chicago. 

  Any changes to program of study or local residential address should be reported by updating the mailing address on your MyColumbia student account.  

   

• Immigration Information

  This is a quick reference for students currently holding F-1 immigration status in the US. This site contains information regarding on and off campus employment, curricular and optional practical training, full-time and part-time enrollment, and other information in order to maintain valid F-1 status.

  VISIT STUDYINTHESTATES.DHS.GOV