Resources for International Students

Detroit Mercy Law supports international students with student visas (required for enrollment) and practical training authorizations (required for gaining legal experience in the US).

 

Student Visas for Incoming Students

Incoming international students must have a valid passport and an F-1 student visa to enroll.

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    Contact Director Winbigler with questions

    Director Stephanie Winbigler is the Designated School Official who supports incoming international students with obtaining their F-1 student visas.

    winbigsn@udmercy.edu | 313-596-9841

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    Complete an I-20 Application by or before July 15

    Incoming international students must submit: (1) a completed I-20 application and (2) supporting financial documentation. Failure to timely submit may result in forfeiture of your seat in the incoming class.

    Instructions for the I-20 forms

    US JD I-20 Application – to be completed by international students enrolling in the US JD program

    Dual JD I-20 Application – to be completed by all students enrolling in the Dual JD program who are not dual citizens of the US and Canada

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    Some student visas may require additional time

    Students who are not citizens of the US or Canada may need consular approval for student visas. If you are not a citizen of either country, please allow additional time for visa processing.

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    Important notice about visa eligibility

    Visa eligibility is at the discretion of the US Department of Homeland Security and the Canadian Border Service Administration. Although you may qualify at the onset for a student visa, US and Canadian laws are subject to change, which may impact your ability to continue your studies.

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    Participation in “Crossing Days” is required

    Students who require a visa for enrollment are required to participate in Crossing Days with their immigration documentation. Crossing days are typically scheduled the week prior to orientation. Dates will be posted on the Admitted Students Webpage.

Practical Training Authorizations for F-1 Students

F-1 students interested in gaining legal experience in the US must ensure eligibility and obtain proper authorization—either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT)—prior to beginning any legal experience.

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    Contact Director Iacoban with questions

    Director Daniela Iacoban is the Designated School Official who supports international students with obtaining practical training authorizations, including OPT and CPT.

    iacobada@udmercy.edu | 313-596-0223

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    Volunteering is generally not permitted

    Volunteering by F-1 students involves a complex intersection of labor law and immigration law. Many not-for-pay opportunities do not qualify as volunteering, and violations can result in serious consequences for students, schools, and employers. As such, Detroit Mercy Law students seeking legal experience with an employer for an unpaid position should do so through the externship program with CPT authorization.

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    Extern for Credit with CPT

    Many international students participate in the Externship Program to gain hands-on experience in judicial chambers, public interest organizations, and government offices while earning academic credit.

    REQUIREMENTS

    Students must meet all Externship Program eligibility requirements and obtain CPT authorization prior to beginning an externship. CPT requires enrollment in F-1 status on a full-time, in-person basis for one full academic year—both the fall and winter semesters at Detroit Mercy Law.

    PROCESS

    1. Confirm eligibility for externship program.
    2. Reach out to CSO for support with applications and interviewing.
    3. Notify Director Simkins-Nowak immediately upon receiving an offer to confirm approval of the placement and eligibility prior to formally accepting (students may accept pending approval).

    UPDATED I-20, START DATE, HOURS PER WEEK

    After your placement is approved, Director Iacoban will authorize your practical training in SEVIS and provide you with an updated I-20 that includes the dates you are authorized for your practical training.

    You must receive your updated I-20 prior to beginning the training experience. You cannot begin before the start date listed on your I-20 and you cannot continue after the end date. Externships cannot begin before the first day of classes and must end by the last day of the term for which your CPT was granted.

    Detroit Mercy Law will authorize international students enrolled full-time for part-time CPT (20 hours per week or less). Please note Dual JD students are enrolled full-time during the summer following their first year. Students with 12 months or more of full-time CPT, are ineligible for OPT (part-time CPT is fine and will not stop you from doing OPT).

    BORDER CROSSING TIP

    When crossing the border, students should be specific.  For example, state, “I am crossing for practical training/CPT,” instead of, “I am crossing for employment/work.”

    QUESTIONS

    Externship eligibility: Director Simkins-Nowak, simkinrg@udmercy.edu | 313-596-9409

    CPT: Director Iacoban, iacobada@udmercy.edu | 313-596-0223

    Best practices for applying/interviewing for an externship: Career Services Office, cso@udmercy.edu | 313-596-0223

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    Work for Pay with OPT

    F-1 students may request Optional Practical Training (OPT), a temporary employment authorization, to complete paid legal work in the US. Students are encouraged, but not required, to have a job offer before applying for OPT. Students may not begin work prior to receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card or prior to its “valid from” date.
    https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students

    Eligibility
    To qualify for OPT, students must:
    •  maintain legal F-1 status,
    •  pursue legal employment, and
    •  be a full-time, in-person student for at least one academic year before starting work.

    Application Fees & Timelines
    Fees and timelines are determined by USCIS. Standard applications often take over 90 days to process ($470 USD). Premium processing usually takes 2-3 weeks ($1,685 USD). A separate application is required for each type and duration of OPT.

    Maximum Length: 12 months
    Students may request up to 12 months of OPT authorization before or after graduation. Full-time is over 20 hours per week. Part-time is 20 hours per week or less. Part-time OPT is deducted from the 12-month total at a 50% rate. For example, if you work part-time for two months prior to graduation, it counts as a one-month deduction from your total OPT eligibility. Any approved OPT time counts towards the 12 months, even if you are not working during the time period. Unused OPT is lost and cannot be reinstated.

    Pre-Completion OPT (employment before graduation)
    While school is in session, OPT must be part-time. Students are considered “in-session” during the fall and winter terms. During the summer, OPT can be full-time, except for Dual JD students during the summer following their first year.

    Post-Completion OPT (employment after graduation)
    Employment that begins after program completion must be full-time. Applications must be received no more than 90 days before the program end date, and no more than 60 days after the program end date. Students that accrue more than 90 days of unemployment while on post-completion OPT cannot maintain their F-1 status.

    Steps to Apply

    1. Notify the DSO (Director Iacoban) of your intent to pursue OPT.
    2. Receive Your New I-20. The DSO will assist you with processing a new I-20, which may take up to two business days.     OPT start and end dates are required for this. Students will verify the information and sign the student attestation section of the new I-20.
    3. Submit your OPT application (Form I-765) to USCIS online and pay the application fee. You must be physically present in the US (on a US-based internet connection or network) to apply. The below documents are required.

     After You Apply

    1. Track your application. Keep a copy of the Form I-797 receipt notice. Use your receipt number to check your case status.
    2. Receive Your EAD Card. After you receive your EAD card, you may begin OPT employment on its “valid from” date.
    3. Maintain documentation of employment, including job titles, work duration, supervisor contacts, and job descriptions.
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    Additional Resources

    https://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training

    https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/training-opportunities-in-the-united-states

Contact the DSO Team

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University Information & Resources

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