International Students & Co-op/CPT :

As an International Student with an F-1 Visa, you must receive work authorization from International Education Services (IES) in Rm. 3117 of the Mitchell Building in order to work off-campus in the United States. Through IES, you are eligible to apply for a type of work authorization called Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if you are enrolled in the Co-op Program, and if you have been in lawful F-1 status for nine (9) consecutive months.

Co-op Enrollment for International Students in Engineering (pdf) - This document explains step-by-step the process for enrolling in the Engineering Co-op Program (ENCO099/098), which you must do before requesting Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from IES.

Co-op/Intern & Supervisor Agreement Form (pdf) - This form must be signed by you, your supervisor, and the Engineering Co-op Office before you can receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from IES.

Questions about Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT)? Visit the International Education Services (IES) website or call IES at 301-314-7737.

Job Search Related Links

WORK VISAS, OPT & GREEN CARDS: What You Should Know to Find a Job (WORKSHOP VIDEO, Fall 2007) - Confused about options for staying and working in the United States after graduation? Worried about the H1B quota? The School of Engineering sponsored a seminar, presented by an experienced immigration attorney, discussing US work visa options and permanent resident green card options. The video link includes a detailed discussion of the H1B visa, pursuing permanent residence through employment, practical strategies for talking to employers about work visa issues during interviews, and much more.

H-1B and Green Card Online Database - This database contains a list of American companies who are known to have offered H-1B jobs to international professionals. There is also a database for "green card" holders with permanent residency. It does not list current open jobs but rather it will provide you with a list of potential leads. We pay for a yearly subscription, which is password protected. To find out the username and password you must login and be authenticated as a UMD student after entering your UMD Directory ID and password. It is unlawful to share the username and password with anyone who is not a student here.

American Immigration Network - Immigration information, assistance, news, and do-it-yourself kits for H-1B, L-1 and K-1 visas.

InternationalStudent.com - A comprehensive Internet resource providing international students with advice, useful links, scholarships, grants and other information.

VisaNow.com - This organization allows foreign students/workers to process their visa applications online by providing online documents that need to be completed, providing a review by an immigration attorney, and submitting the application to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services/Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

International Careers Consortium (ICC) - An article that addresses when and how to reveal your visa status to potential employers.