F1 Students: Global Internships Explored

F-1 students can intern abroad, but there are several factors to consider. Firstly, if the internship is in the US, F-1 visa students must have US work authorization, and the internship must be authorized as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is available for both paid and unpaid internships, while OPT must be related to the student's major and requires filing Form I-765. Additionally, CPT requires at least one year of full-time study before authorization for off-campus internships. F-1 students experiencing economic hardship may also apply to work full-time during the summer vacation. For internships outside the US, F-1 students are not subject to US visa restrictions and do not need US work authorization, although some companies may prefer it.

F-1 visa requirements for internships abroad

F-1 students can participate in internships, but there are several requirements that must be met. Firstly, F-1 students must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. The program must culminate in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and the school must be authorised by the US government to accept foreign students.

F-1 students can engage in internships through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a full-time or part-time training opportunity available during the school year or annual summer vacation. To be approved for CPT, the internship position must be integral to the student's curriculum and relate to their major. CPT can be authorised by a Designated School Official (DSO) for students enrolled at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary. Students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year before applying for CPT. There is a limit of 6 months of full-time CPT per degree, but no limit for part-time CPT.

OPT is another option for F-1 students and can be full-time during summer vacation. OPT must relate to the student's major, and they must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with US Citizenship and Immigration Services before beginning their training opportunity. Summer internships, whether paid or unpaid, require authorisation if the organisation offering the internship usually hires and pays someone for the position.

F-1 students experiencing economic hardship may apply for authorisation to work full-time during summer vacation in an off-campus job. Additionally, F-1 students are eligible to receive authorisation to work full-time or part-time on-campus during summer vacation. For paid internships, F-1 students must apply for a Social Security Number.

It is important to note that the requirements and regulations for F-1 visa internships may change, and students should always consult with their DSO and refer to official government sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

CPT requirements

CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a type of work authorization for international students on F-1 visas. It allows students to gain valuable work experience by training or interning in the United States during their academic program. CPT is exclusively for F-1 student visa holders and can be authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO) at SEVP-certified educational institutions. Here are the requirements for CPT:

Full-time Student Status:

To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed at least one full academic year and be enrolled as a full-time student. An exception exists for graduate students whose programs require earlier training.

Not Studying English as a Second Language:

Students who are studying English as a second language do not qualify for CPT authorization.

Secured Training Position:

Students must have a valid job or internship offer and provide details of the employer, including the company name and address where the training will take place.

Relation to Field of Study:

The training or internship must be directly related to the student's major or field of study. It should be an integral component of their academic program, and the student must explain how the employment is curricular.

Timing and Duration:

CPT can be authorized on a part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (up to 40 hours per week). The job must start and end before the end of the student's academic program. There is no official limit to the duration of CPT authorization, but full-time CPT is typically limited to 6 months per degree. Additionally, CPT can only be used before graduation.

Authorization:

Prior approval is required for CPT, and students must obtain authorization from their DSO. The DSO will provide a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," indicating their approval. CPT authorization is only required for training or internships inside the United States.

OPT requirements

F-1 students can participate in pre-completion and post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, you must have been enrolled full-time for one academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that is certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Pre-completion OPT must be related 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. While school is in session, you may work up to 20 hours per week, and full-time when school is not in session.

Post-completion OPT can be applied for after you have completed your studies. If you are authorized for post-completion OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week, either full or part-time. Students on post-completion OPT can be unemployed for a total of 90 days. Volunteering and participation in an unpaid internship can be considered employment for the purposes of the initial 12-month period of F-1 post-completion OPT.

There are two instances in which the period of OPT can be extended. Firstly, if you hold a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) degree, are hired by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify government program, and apply for the 24-month extension on Form I-765 with a fee. Secondly, if you have a filed and pending H-1B petition, the extension of status and work authorization is automatic.

It is important to note that you must not begin your pre- or post-completion OPT until your Form I-765 has been approved and you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Additionally, while on OPT, students are required to report any changes in their legal name, address, or employment status to their designated school official (DSO).

Work authorisation

F-1 students can undertake internships in the US, but they must have US work authorization. This includes both paid and unpaid internships. Unpaid internships do not require as much paperwork as paid internships, but for both, you must be eligible to work in the US. This is determined by the type of visa you have.

F-1 students can apply for work authorization for internships through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a type of authorization for off-campus training experiences that can be paid or unpaid. To qualify for CPT, students must have completed at least one year of full-time study (two semesters) in the US before being authorized for an off-campus internship. CPT can be issued by the school and must follow federal regulations. Students must be lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis and have secured a training position. CPT is limited to 20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during the summer, for 12 to 14 months.

Pre-completion OPT is another option for F-1 students, which can be full-time during the summer vacation. This training must relate to the student's major, and they must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to receive authorization before beginning.

F-1 students experiencing economic hardship may also apply for authorization to work full-time during the summer vacation in an off-campus job.

If an F-1 student is located outside the US during their virtual internship, they are not subject to US visa or immigration restrictions and do not need to apply for US work authorization. However, some companies may still prefer that students have work authorization.

It is important to note that F-1 students must speak with their Designated School Official (DSO) to ensure they follow the rules and maintain their student status.

Virtual internships

F-1 students can undertake virtual internships, which have become increasingly popular as companies and organisations transition to online work. However, there are several factors to consider when it comes to the specific rules and regulations.

Firstly, if you are an F-1 student physically located in the US, you must have US work authorisation to undertake a virtual internship, even if the company offering the internship is located outside the US. In this case, you would also need CPT (Curricular Practical Training) authorisation, which is a type of academic program that allows students to gain additional learning in their major field of study through real-world training experiences. To qualify for CPT, you must complete at least one year of full-time study (typically two semesters) before being authorised to do an off-campus internship. It is important to note that CPT is usually limited to a total of six months of full-time employment, and if CPT is done for more than 12 months, it will affect your OPT (Optional Practical Training) eligibility after graduation.

On the other hand, if you are an F-1 student living outside the US and undertaking a virtual internship, you are not subject to US visa or immigration restrictions and do not need US work authorisation, even if the company offering the internship is US-based. In this case, CPT is not required. However, it is up to the individual company to decide whether they can offer an internship experience that is conducted online or remotely, and some US companies may still require interns to have US work authorisation regardless of their physical location.

It is always a good idea to consult with an international student advisor or your DSO (Designated School Official) to ensure you are following the correct procedures and maintaining your student status. They can provide guidance on the specific requirements and help you navigate the process of finding and applying for virtual internships.

Frequently asked questions