Students who have graduated from Middlebury College may be eligible for up to 12 months of employment authorization, also known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), immediately following graduation. Students on OPT maintain their F-1 student status, and remain under the sponsorship of Middlebury College for the duration of their OPT period. Please see the SEVIS link to the right for information on how to maintain your F-1 status while on OPT.
You may travel outside of the U.S during your OPT period. However, you should have your EAD card AND AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT before leaving the United States. You must have an offer of employment in order to re-enter the United States. You cannot enter the United States to look for employment.
F-1 status is automatically broken, and your OPT ends, if you:
- leave the United States for 5 consecutive months
- enter the United States in B-1/2 (tourist/business) status, under the Visa Waiver Program, or in any other status other than F-1.
Upon completion of OPT, you have three options:
- Depart the United States within your grace period
- Transfer your SEVIS record to another U.S. institution
- Change to another visa status in the U.S.
For more information, please refer to the Post-Completion OPT guidelines.
International Student and Scholar Services
Meeker House
46 Porter Field Road
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753
Phone: 802-443-5382
Fax: 802-443-2063
Email: isss@middlebury.edu
Last updated August 17, 2007