ISSO Services for BU Graduates on F-1 OPT Who are also working at BU
You’re now a Dual Client! You are both a BU graduate in F-1 student status and a BU employee or visiting researcher. In ISSO words you are both our “student” and our “scholar.”
So how does this work? Because you now have two affiliations with the ISSO, you will work with both ISSO advising teams – F-1 student processing will still happen with your ISSO International Student Advisor, but employment-based processing and long-term immigration processing will be handled by your ISSO International Scholar Advisor.
International Student Advising Team
Your ISSO Student Advisor is a Designated School Official (DSO) for BU’s F-1 student program, and will advise you on maintaining your F-1 status, monitor your F-1 SEVIS record, and assist you in applying for F-1 benefits of status.
ISSO student services:
Present EAD
When you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) approving your OPT employment, present this card to your ISSO Student Advisor to update your student record. We will verify that the dates of your authorization match the OPT dates for which you were recommended.
Issue Corrected I-20s
An ISSO Student Advisor will reissue a new I-20 for you if your approved OPT dates don’t match the dates on your recommendation.
SEVIS Reporting Requirements
The ISSO Student Advising team will outline your requirements for updating your OPT Employer address in the BU Student Link so that your SEVIS record is up-to-date.
I-20 Travel Signature
Only a member of the ISSO Student Advising team (an F-1 Designated School Officials or “DSOs”) can sign your I-20 prior to international travel. A travel signature is required within the past six months if you travel on OPT.
Advice on F-1 Visa Renewal
An ISSO Student Advisor will advise you on the process of applying for a new F-1visa if you are traveling abroad, but may not be aware of pending processing that the ISSO Scholar Team may be assisting you with that might affect your travel permission.
Assist with OPT STEM Extension Application
Your ISSO Student Advisor will issue anew I-20 to assist you in applying for the STEM OPT extension if you qualify. Before we recommend you for a STEM extension, however, you must first receive approval from the ISSO Scholar Team.
International Scholar Advising Team
Your ISSO Scholar Advisor will advise you on questions you may have as a BU international employee (or visiting researcher), including verifying and monitoring your continued work permission and facilitating long-term immigration planning.
ISSO scholar services:
Complete I-9
As a new employee you must come to the ISSO during one or our Scholar I-9 Hours to complete Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification in order to be put on BU Payroll as a non-student employee.
Advice on Affect of International Travel
While your ISSO Student Advisor will sign your I-20 for travel, you should also inform your BU hiring department and ISSO Scholar Advisor if you will be out of the U.S. for an extended time or if you will be applying for a visa during your travel abroad. This is particularly important if the ISSO is assisting you with a change of immigration status as the timing of international travel might either facilitate or complicate pending immigration processing that is happening on your behalf.
Receive BU Approval for Employment under STEM OPT Extension
If your hiring department wishes to continue your BU employment beyond the end of your OPT, you must work with them to complete and submit a Request for Immigration Sponsorship before your ISSO Student Advisor can recommend you for an OPT STEM extension.
Discuss Long-Term Planning for Employment-Based Sponsorship
If you will continue BU employment after OPT, your ISSO Scholar Advisor can discuss a plan for transitioning from OPT to a next step of employment authorization. In most cases, scholars who qualify for the STEM OPT extension will be advised to use this benefit first. In order to begin immigration processing for you, a completed Request for Immigration Sponsorship is required – including a Form A from the hiring department, a Form B from you the employee, and supporting documents outlined in the checklist.
FAQs
Can I continue working at BU immediately after graduation?
No. Your F-1 or J-1 on campus employment authorization as a student ends when you complete your program. Any employment at BU will require different work authorization.
For F-1: After your on-campus work permission ends, you must stop employment until USCIS has approved your OPT and you have received your EAD.
For J-1: After your on-campus work permission ends, you must stop employment until your receive J-1 Academic Training approval.
What steps are required with the ISSO when I first receive my EAD?
Present it to the ISSO student team so we can update your student record, correct dates, and reissue your I-20 if needed.
If you have a BU job offer, attend Scholar Walk-In Hours to complete the I-9 so you can be placed on non‑student payroll.
You may complete both steps in one visit if your EAD and job start coincide; otherwise you may need separate visits.
What is required for my hiring department to request ISSO immigration processing on my behalf?
Before the ISSO can begin to evaluate your options for continued immigration sponsorship after F-1 OPT, your hiring department must submit a completed Request for Immigration Sponsorship and all required support documents to the ISSO.
What happens when I end my BU employment?
If you end BU employment before your OPT end date, you will no longer be a Dual Client but can remain on F-1 OPT. You must report the end of BU employment to both ISSO teams:
Scholar team: Ask your hiring department to submit the End of Employment/Activity Form to your ISSO Scholar Advisor.
Student team: Update your OPT employer/location in BU Student Link to keep your SEVIS record current.
Also tell ISSO if you will continue OPT with a different employer or if you plan to end OPT and leave the U.S. permanently.
