F1 Visa Students: Interning In Europe, Possible Or Not?

F-1 visas are the most common visas for internships in the US. They are non-immigrant student visas that allow for practical training or internships after a full school year. However, it is unclear if F-1 visa students can intern in Europe. To intern in a country outside of the US, F-1 visa students may need to consult with their international students office about taking a leave of absence from their school and maintaining their student visa status.

F1 visa students can do internships in Europe

F-1 students can undertake internships in Europe, but it is important to be aware of the various regulations and restrictions that apply. Firstly, the internship must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and adhere to specific guidelines to avoid violating your F-1 status.

For internships in the US, F-1 students can apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows them to gain practical experience related to their field of study. CPT is available for both paid and unpaid internships, and students can work full-time during annual vacations or up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. However, CPT usage impacts the duration of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. If CPT is utilised for more than 12 months, students become ineligible for OPT.

When considering internships in Europe, it is crucial to consult with the international students' office to ensure that your F-1 visa status remains valid during your time away. While the US may not have specific restrictions on internships outside the country, maintaining your visa status and fulfilling the requirements of your F-1 visa are critical.

Additionally, the specific country in Europe where you intend to intern may have its own visa requirements for interns. For example, in France, you must ensure that your visa status is valid within the European Union, according to French immigration law.

Lastly, always consult with your DSO and international students' office before making any decisions. They can provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding internships, visa requirements, and any necessary authorisations or applications.

CPT (curricular practical training)

CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a form of employment authorization for international F-1 visa students in the US. CPT allows students to gain paid or unpaid employment training and work in paid internship positions. CPT is not a separate visa category and does not require sponsorship from an employer. However, it must be authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO) at the student's school and is only applicable for work in the US.

To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed at least one academic year of full-time study and have an offer of employment to apply, as the authorization is for a specific employer. The CPT employment must be directly related to the student's major field of study and is often found in practical courses such as business and engineering. CPT can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or less per week). There is a cumulative limit of 6 months for CPT full-time employment, and no limit for CPT employment of less than 20 hours per week. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for full-time CPT, while those with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for part-time CPT.

It is important to note that CPT does not apply to internships outside of the US. For internships in Europe, F-1 visa students would need to clarify their visa status with the respective country and ensure that their status in the program is not interrupted by the internship.

OPT (optional practical training)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

To be eligible for OPT, you must be 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. You can file for OPT up to 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after the program end date. You do not need a job offer before applying for OPT, and your job may be anywhere in the United States. You may also change jobs during the course of your OPT period.

If you have already received one year of full-time (40 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total time of full-time OPT still available to you will be reduced by one year, or 100% of the previously authorized year at the same education level. In this case, you would not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization. If you have earned a degree in certain STEM fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization.

If you transfer to another school or begin studies at another educational level, your authorization to engage in OPT employment will automatically terminate. However, as long as you comply with all requirements for maintaining your student status, your F-1 status will not be affected by the termination of your OPT authorization.

DSO (designated school official)

A DSO, or Designated School Official, is a regularly employed member of a school's administration. They are designated by the head of a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. Their role is to provide recommendations to F and/or M students enrolled at the school regarding the maintenance of nonimmigrant status. They also support timely and complete record-keeping and reporting to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Federal law requires DSOs to update and maintain student records in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). This includes reporting any changes to a student's enrollment status, such as a leave of absence, which is relevant for students considering an internship outside of the US.

For F-1 visa students considering an internship in Europe, the DSO can provide crucial information and guidance. Firstly, the DSO can advise on maintaining F-1 visa status while interning abroad. This includes ensuring that the internship does not disrupt their studies, as maintaining student status is crucial for the F-1 visa. The DSO can also provide information on the regulations and requirements for taking a leave of absence from the school, which may be necessary for an international internship.

Additionally, the DSO can authorize Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 students enrolled at SEVP-certified institutions. CPT is a training opportunity available during the school year or summer vacation, but it must be integral to the student's major field of study. While CPT is typically used for internships in the US, it may also be applicable for internships in Europe, depending on the specific circumstances. The DSO can help determine if CPT authorization is possible for a particular internship opportunity in Europe.

USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services)

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a government body that manages the United States' lawful immigration system. It is responsible for processing immigration and naturalization applications and establishing policies regarding immigration services. USCIS also provides immigration benefits to people entitled to stay in the U.S.

USCIS plays a central role in administering the immigration system of the United States. It is the responsibility of USCIS to provide immigration benefits to those who are entitled to stay in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented programs to ensure that immigration benefits are not granted to individuals who pose a threat to national security.

In the context of F1 visa students interning in Europe, USCIS is not directly involved in the decision-making process. However, F1 visa students should be aware of the following:

• F1 visa students are eligible to receive authorization to work full-time or part-time on campus during the summer vacation.
• Summer internships may require authorization if the position is typically paid. Unpaid internships can still be authorized as practical training experiences.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a training opportunity available during the school year or annual summer vacation. CPT must be authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO) and must be part of the academic program and integral to the major field of study.
• F1 students who interrupt their studies for an extended period may lose their F1 status. It is important to consult with the international students' office to ensure that student status is maintained.

Frequently asked questions