CURRENT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
When applying or an Alabama driver’s license please see the Designated School Official to ensure a smooth application process. The Alabama Department of Motor Vehicle office is located at 3402 Demetropolis Road Mobile, AL 36693 251-660-2330
What documentation to bring to the DMV:
- Valid passport with visa (must reflect at least 160 days remaining in the United States)
- Form 1-94, “Arrival/Departure Record’
- Form 1-20
- Form 1-766 “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD), if applicable
- Form 1-797 or Form 1-797A “Notice of Action,” in cases of a change of status
- SSN or a Social Security Administration (SSA) Form SSA-L676, “Refusal to Process SSN Application.”
Students who have authorization to work in the United States may apply for an SSN. In addition, any student who wishes to apply for a driver’s license (in a state requiring an SSN before getting a license) may apply for an SSN
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10181.pdf
The regulations state that curricular practical training must be “an integral part of an established curriculum.” They define curricular practical training as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
Preconditions – Students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis at a DHS-approved school for one full academic year before being eligible for CPT. Available only while student is in F-1 status, before completion of the educational objective.
For additional information see the Designated School Official. Documents to bring with you when you meet with your DSO:
Information necessary to process Curricular Practical Training CPT:
Cannot being CPT until approved by DSO and advisor or dean and listed on I-20.
- Job offer
- Description of job
- Number of hours
- Dates of Employment
- Transcript showing enrolled full-time for at least 1 year
- Degree and major listed
- Letter from academic advisor
OPT allows a student “with F-I status who have completed or have been pursuing their degree for more than nine months to work for one year on a student vise without needing to acquire a work H-IB visa.”
OPT is typically used after a completion of the course of study, or, for a student in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program, after completion of all course requirements for the degree (excluding thesis or equivalent). However, there are three types of OPT.
See Designated School Official for more information.