The primary campus resource for international students is the U-M International Center.
The International Center (IC) advises international students on compliance with U.S. immigration laws and regulations related to F and J visa categories, advises students on adjustment to U.S. society and American culture, academic concerns and community resources, develops cultural and social events to promote active engagement and inclusion efforts between U.S. and international students, advises students interested in education abroad experiences, provides information about the Peace Corps, and much more.
Use these buttons to explore the full details regarding Work Authorization in the U.S.
Support within Taubman College
The Career and Professional Development team will assist you in understanding and developing your skills, exploring and identifying opportunities, and preparing to pursue the work experiences that are most interesting, meaningful and relevant to you.
Our Academic Advising team within Student Affairs is ready to provide the necessary paperwork to help you successfully obtain work authorization through requests for CPT and OPT. This includes authorization you will need for jobs, internships, coursework, and volunteer work.
CPT Process at Taubman College
Once you receive an offer letter, email it to TaubmanCollegeAdvising@umich.edu so the Student Affairs team can prepare the Academic Advisor Recommendation form that you’ll need to include in your materials for the International Center. We’ll also send you instructions to ensure you are registered for a CPT-eligible course.
Although we are happy to meet with you, you do not need to schedule an academic advising appointment just to request CPT paperwork from Student Affairs.
OPT Process at Taubman College
No offer letter is required to request OPT documentation from advising.
Students can begin applying for this authorization a few months prior to graduation and must choose a planned start date within a short period after graduation (see the International Center website for the official timing). It is important to clearly understand the timelines of the allowable gap between graduation and finding work, as well as understanding rules surrounding the EAD card to stay in Visa compliance.
Step 1: Complete your Final Degree Audit
Follow these instructions to apply to graduate and prompt your Final Degree Audit.
Step 2: Obtain your OPT Recommendation Letter
After you’ve applied to graduate and Taubman College Advising completes your Final Degrees Audit, you can request your OPT Recommendation Letter.
Although we are happy to meet with you, you do not need to schedule an academic advising appointment just to request OPT paperwork from Student Affairs.
Please note: No offer letter is required to request OPT paperwork from Student Affairs.
Students can begin applying for this authorization a few months prior to graduation and must choose a planned start date within a short period after graduation (see the International Center website for the official timing). It is important to clearly understand the timelines of the allowable gap between graduation and finding work, as well as understanding rules surrounding the EAD card to stay in Visa compliance.