To participate fully in American life, international students with limited English proficiency must be able to understand and navigate governmental, educational, and workplace systems and key American institutions.

Unfortunately, they usually take the passive approach by waiting for guidance from the Office of International Programs (OIP) on what to do about learning how to access related support services.

Designed to acquaint international students with the range of employment options available to them as "temporary workers," to respect the law that governs their status, and to equip them with the knowledge of how to pursue specialty occupations, thorough coverage of the rules, the process and the forms is presented with specific answers and explanations.

"Self-help is permissible where it is allowed by law.   A little knowledge and good preparation before a job interview, however, will go a long way towards alleviating the stress—and surprises—that will likely result from continuing with process for work authorization beyond Optional Practical Training (OPT)."

NOTE 1: USCIS received enough H-1B petitions to meet the congressionally mandated cap for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 on April 8, 2008.

NOTE 2: USCIS announces interim final rule extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) on April 4, 2008 to offer "cap-gap" relief and 17-month extension for STEM majors.

NOTE 3: Possible Increase to 115,000, Part-Time Off-Campus Employment, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension to 24 Months!

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