you have 2 options. Option 1: work permit based on Economic hardship. Go to your international student advisor and ank about the form and requirements. you have to pay $240 or $360 (i am not sure) for the processing and this process may take upto 3 months. you dont have to work in the field of your major and you can work 20 hrs off campus. you also have to prove that you are facing substancial economic hardship due to your sponser facing something unpresidented circumstances. Option 2; CPT curriculum practical training. Your international student advisor has to authorize this, your major needs you to have an internship or work experience as a part of the curriculum and you will have to enroll in that internship as a course for credits. This process may take 2 weeks. But you will have to produce an offer letter from your employer. You can take part time CPT 20 hrs or full time 40hrs. If you take 40 hrs CPT for 12 months then you cannot get OPT later. hope this helps

pixie · Nov 3, 2009 6:06 PM

I would rather suggest you to find course related job (any)  and talk to your adviser/DSO and have them issue you a CPT authorization. CPT is very easy to get and it doesn't cost you any thing. Also keep in mind that you never use your CPT for more than 11 months and 29 days. If you get CPT for more than 12 months then you'll loose your OPT and it's your choice if you want to use CPT for more than a year. Good luck bro, be strong and always be nice with others especially fellow students.

youwanpras · Nov 3, 2009 9:31 PM

alchi_lagyo, you can use CPT unlimited and won't hurt u a bit in OPT if use it part-time, i.e. less than forty hours week. You can't work more than forty hours during school anyway [legally] as an international student in any form. So, even if you start CPT from now, and work full-time during summer you will not go more than so called 11 mths and 29 days bar and still can get OPT authorised. Drawback for CPT: not all univ/college offer this. Every institute has its own process and rules and reg. Univ where I finished my undergrad "no" CPT but whoever applied for hardship EAD, 99% approved. Bottom line: use google and do research and talk to school DSO, US immigration is harder to understand than women, u always think u know it but u never know. good luck

tha_dude · Nov 3, 2009 9:45 PM