F1 Visa Student Internship Options In Europe

The F-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows individuals to enter the United States as full-time students at accredited academic institutions. While the F-1 visa provides opportunities for on-campus and off-campus employment in the US, the rules surrounding internships in Europe are less clear. This is because CPT (Curricular Practical Training) only applies to internships in the US, and there is limited information about internships outside of the country. However, some sources suggest that F-1 students can maintain their visa status while interning in Europe by ensuring that their absence is not considered a disruption to their studies and by seeking leave of absence from their school.

CPT requirements for F1 visa holders

To qualify for a CPT visa as an F-1 student, you must meet the following requirements:

Firstly, you must have been enrolled full-time and lawfully for at least one full academic year at an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary. An exception exists for graduate students whose programs require earlier training.

Secondly, CPT is only authorized for training that is integral to your major field of study and happens within the United States. The training must be central to your course of study and occur before the program end date.

Thirdly, you must secure a training position and obtain a signed cooperative agreement or a job offer letter from your prospective employer. The letter must be printed on the official letterhead of your employer and include specific details, such as the start and end dates of the training.

Once you have obtained the required documentation, you can initiate the CPT work authorization and visa application process with your university-appointed Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO will update your Form I-20, which serves as the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," to reflect your CPT status.

It is important to note that CPT eligibility is dependent on maintaining full-time enrollment in your program and actively pursuing your degree. Additionally, CPT authorization may impact your ability to qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. Therefore, it is advisable to understand your options thoroughly before choosing between full-time and part-time CPT.

OPT requirements for F1 visa holders

F-1 students can participate in summer internships, but these require authorization if the position is one where the organization would usually hire and pay someone. Students can receive authorization to work full-time or part-time on campus during the summer vacation.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment program directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT is available for eligible F-1 students who want to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study. Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies, but all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

To apply for OPT, students must:

• Be enrolled in a US educational institution and have an F1 visa.
• Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students.
• Request that their designated school official (DSO) at their academic institution recommend the OPT by endorsing their Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and supporting documentation.
• Submit unmounted and unretouched photos with their application.

Students may work part-time (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session. While on OPT, students must report any changes in their legal name, address, or employment to their DSO.

F1 visa internship duration limits

F-1 students can undertake internships during their annual summer vacation. However, these internships require authorization if the position is one where the organization would usually hire and pay someone. If the internship is unpaid, it can still be authorized as a practical training experience.

F-1 students can receive authorization to work full-time or part-time on campus during the summer vacation. They may also be eligible to apply for work authorization based on an internship with an international organization. To do so, the student must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization and then work with their Designated School Official (DSO) to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a full-time or part-time training opportunity available during the school year or annual summer vacation. CPT can be authorized by a DSO but must be part of the student's academic program and be integral to their major field of study. CPT is typically limited to a cumulative total of 6 months of full-time work per degree, but there is no limit for employment of less than 20 hours per week.

There are two types of limits on F-1 student employment: the work must take place either at the student's school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location. Work that takes place at the school location could be for an on-campus commercial business, such as a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students.

In the case of emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises, the Department of Homeland Security may temporarily lift the limits on F-1 student employment. Additionally, F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship may apply for authorization to work full-time during the summer vacation at an off-campus job.

F1 visa internship eligibility

F-1 students can participate in summer internships, but they must first receive authorization from their Designated School Official (DSO). This is because it is illegal to work in the United States without authorization.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a full-time or part-time training opportunity available during the school year or annual summer vacation. CPT must be authorized by a DSO, be part of your academic program, and be integral to your major field of study. CPT is only available to students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year. CPT can be used for internships in the US, but it does not apply to internships in other countries. The cumulative limit for CPT is 6 months full-time, with no limit for employment less than 20 hours per week. CPT will influence the total time of Optional Practical Training (OPT) if the internship with CPT is over 12 months.

Pre-completion OPT can be applied for during studies, while post-completion OPT can be applied for after completing the program. Pre-completion OPT must relate to your major and you must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to receive authorization before beginning your training opportunity. Post-completion OPT allows you to work full-time in the US for up to 12 months with approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). With a STEM-related degree, you can request up to two additional years of OPT!

F-1 students who are offered work opportunities with certain international organizations may be eligible to apply for a work authorization based on an internship with an international organization. F-1 students experiencing economic hardship may also apply for authorization to work full-time during the summer vacation at an off-campus job.

F1 visa internship authorisation

Firstly, it is important to distinguish between Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a type of training opportunity available during the school year or annual summer vacation, while OPT refers to training after graduation. CPT is often used for internships, as it does not affect the total time of OPT available to the student. However, CPT must be authorised by a Designated School Official (DSO) and must be integral to the student's major field of study.

To be eligible for CPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and must have a valid F1 visa status for two semesters. The internship must also be directly related to the student's field of study and approved by the faculty advisor or graduate coordinator in their academic department. Additionally, CPT is typically limited to a cumulative duration of six months for full-time internships, while there is no limit for part-time internships under 20 hours per week.

When seeking internship opportunities outside of the United States, such as in Europe, the rules may vary. While CPT does not apply in this case, students must still ensure that their visa status remains valid and that their studies are not disrupted. It is important to consult with the international students' office to understand the specific regulations and maintain their F1 visa status.

Overall, F1 visa internship authorisation involves navigating various requirements and considerations. Students should refer to their university's international office and designated school officials for detailed guidance on maintaining compliance with their visa status and internship opportunities.

Frequently asked questions