Lana Oconnell
International students on an F1 visa can intern in the United States, but they must obtain US work authorization. Students can choose between Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT can be paid or unpaid, but students must have completed their first year at university. OPT internships must relate to the student's major, and they must file a Form I-765. F1 students can also intern abroad outside of the US, in which case they are not subject to US visa or immigration restrictions. However, some companies may prefer that interns have US work authorization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| F1 students' eligibility for internships abroad | F1 students can do internships abroad, but they must have US work authorization. |
| Work authorization | F1 students can get work authorization through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). |
| CPT eligibility | To be eligible for CPT, F1 students must complete at least one year of full-time study (two semesters) in the US before doing an off-campus internship. |
| OPT eligibility | To be eligible for OPT, F1 students must have completed their degree. |
| OPT duration | OPT allows F1 students to work in the US for up to 12 months, with an additional two-year extension for graduates with STEM degrees. |
| CPT duration | CPT internships are limited to 20 hours per week during the school year. |
| CPT nature of work | CPT internships can be paid or unpaid and must be related to the student's degree. |
| OPT nature of work | OPT internships can be unrelated to the student's degree. |
| F1 students working abroad | F1/J-1 students who are physically located outside the US do not require work authorization from OGS. |
| F1 students' summer internships | F1 students can do summer internships in the US, which can help them gain experience and build in-demand skills. |
| F1 students' visa requirements | F1 students must apply for an F1 visa or J1 visa in advance, depending on their circumstances. |
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What You'll Learn
F1 visa requirements
The F-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students wishing to study in the US need to learn about the F-1 student visa application process and the rules and requirements that come with it.
Firstly, the college or university where you plan to study needs to be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement. You must also be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution while your academic term is in session.
Secondly, you must meet the required English language proficiency score of the institution you are attending or be enrolled in courses that will help you improve your English proficiency. You must also prove that you have sufficient funds available to finance your studies and living expenses while in the US.
Additionally, your passport should be valid for US travel for at least six months after your program completion date. It is important to note that F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
If you are an F-1 international student who wants to intern, your first step is to talk to your designated school official (DSO). F-1 students can choose between Curricular Practical Training (CPT), a degree-related internship, or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which can be unrelated to your degree. CPT can be paid or unpaid, but students must have completed their first year at university. They must also apply for authorization on their student visa and receive an updated I-20 form before beginning their internship. Approval for OPT internships must be gained from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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Work authorization
F-1 students can undertake internships, but they must ensure they have the correct work authorization. The type of authorization required depends on the nature of the internship and the location of the student. If the internship is unpaid, it can still be authorized as a practical training experience. Students should consult with their Designated School Official (DSO) to ensure they follow the correct procedures and maintain their student status.
For students located inside the US, F-1 visa holders must have US work authorization to undertake an internship, whether it is virtual or in-person. This is usually in the form of Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is a type of authorization for both paid and unpaid off-campus training experiences. CPT authorization requires students to have completed at least one year of full-time study (two semesters) in the US before being authorized for an off-campus internship. CPT internships must be related to the student's degree or be undertaken for academic credit. Students must also apply for authorization on their student visa and receive an updated I-20/DS-2019 form before beginning their internship.
For students located outside the US, US work authorization is not required, even if the internship is with a US company. However, some internship providers may prefer students to have work authorization, such as CPT. In this case, the same rules apply as for students located inside the US.
F-1 students can also apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which can be undertaken during summer vacation and must relate to the student's major. OPT internships must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and students must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization". After completing their degree, students can apply for post-completion OPT, which allows them to work in the US for up to 12 months, with an additional two-year extension for STEM graduates.
It is important to note that F-1 students experiencing economic hardship may also apply for authorization to work full-time during the summer vacation in an off-campus job. Additionally, F-1 students at SEVP-certified educational institutions can participate in summer practical training, which can be full-time or part-time during the school year or annual summer vacation.
When searching for internships, F-1 students should be aware that only a portion of US companies have the means to hire international students as interns. Some organizations are limited to hiring US citizens only, so students should focus their search on companies that are legally able to hire them.
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On-campus vs off-campus internships
F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus, and this includes working in internships. To qualify as on-campus employment, the work must take place at the school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location. This could include a contractually affiliated company that provides services to students, such as a school bookstore or cafeteria. However, if an F-1 student works for a company that contracts with the school for reasons other than student services, this does not qualify as on-campus employment. For example, an F-1 student can work for a food service company contracted by the school, but only at school facilities, not at any off-campus locations.
F-1 students can also seek off-campus employment, but this requires authorization. Students experiencing economic hardship may apply for authorization to work full-time during the summer vacation in an off-campus job. Summer internships, whether on-campus or off-campus, also require authorization if the intern will be working and training in a position 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 participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), a program for international students who want to do an internship related to their major. CPT internships can be paid or unpaid and can take place at any time of year, including summer. However, if a student participates in CPT full-time for more than 12 months, they will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. OPT is another training option for F-1 students that can be full-time during the summer vacation but must relate to the student's major.
Students can also choose between CPT and pre-completion OPT internships, which can be unrelated to their degree. However, approval for OPT internships must be gained from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. CPT internships must be approved by the faculty advisor or graduate coordinator in the student's academic department.
F-1 students who are offered work opportunities with certain international organizations may be eligible to apply for work authorization based on an internship with an international organization. Students intending to travel outside of the U.S. for study abroad, global co-op, or graduate research abroad should work with the Office of Global Services (OGS) to maintain their F-1 status while outside of the country.
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Virtual internships
F-1 students can intern remotely through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), the most common work authorization for internships while in the US. CPT allows international students to work off-campus, including remote internships, as long as the following requirements are met:
- The student has completed at least one full academic year of study.
- The student has a valid internship offer.
- The internship is related to the student's field of study.
- The internship is an integral part of the student's academic program.
- The internship ends before the student graduates.
Additionally, F-1 students must have US work authorization to do an internship, whether it is virtual or in-person. CPT is a type of authorization for both paid and unpaid off-campus training experiences. The internship may be either to satisfy a degree requirement or an optional internship experience. If the internship is optional, it must be done for academic credit to qualify for CPT.
Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another training option for F-1 students that can be full-time during the 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 to receive authorization before beginning their training opportunity.
It is important to note that the process for securing a virtual internship as an international student can be challenging due to limited remote opportunities, navigating an unfamiliar job market, and understanding work authorizations. Students are advised to start preparing early, network strategically, utilize school resources, and educate themselves on OPT and CPT requirements.
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Finding companies that hire international students
F-1 students who want to intern abroad must first speak with their designated school official (DSO) to ensure they follow the rules and maintain their student status. They can choose between Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT can be paid or unpaid but students must have completed their first year at university. OPT internships must relate to your major, and you must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization".
When looking for companies that hire international students, it is worth exploring virtual internships as they do not require a visa. Global Internships by Intrax is one such company that helps students find internship opportunities and get the necessary documentation.
Some companies that hire international students for internships include:
- Accenture, a professional services company specializing in strategy and consulting, with locations across 51 countries.
- IBM Corporation, a global technology company that provides hardware and software solutions, with nearly 384,000 employees worldwide.
- Intel Corporation, a leading brand in the technology sector, with a focus on shaping the future of technology, employing approximately 110,800 people worldwide.
- Adobe Research, for internships in digital transformation and computer technology.
- Capital One, a financial institution with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and belonging, employing approximately 51,000 workers globally.
- Cisco Systems, a networking and IT brand specializing in cybersecurity, switches, routers, and loT.
Platforms like Glassdoor, Handshake, CareerShift, MyVisaJobs.com, and LinkedIn can help streamline the process of finding internships. International students can connect with professionals, alumni, and recruiters on these platforms to gain valuable advice and referrals. The H-1B Employer Data Hub and H-1B Salary Database are also useful resources for international students to identify employers with high approval rates for H-1B petitions and understand their earning potential.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, F-1 students can intern in the US. However, they must obtain US work authorization through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT internships must be related to your degree, whereas OPT internships can be unrelated.
To qualify for CPT, F-1 students must complete at least one year of full-time study (two semesters) in the US before being authorized for an off-campus internship. CPT internships can be paid or unpaid.
To qualify for OPT, F-1 students must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with US Citizenship and Immigration Services. OPT internships can be full-time during summer vacation but must relate to the student's major.
Yes, F-1 students can intern abroad outside the US. If the internship is virtual, the student must be located outside the US and is not subject to US visa or immigration restrictions. However, some companies may prefer that interns have US work authorization.
