Douglas Olsen
International students seeking internships in the US face several challenges, including the paradox of needing experience to find a job, but needing a job to gain experience. One of the most significant hurdles is understanding work authorization and eligibility requirements, such as the E-Verify system. E-Verify is an online tool that US employers use to determine if newly hired employees are eligible to work in the country. While work authorizations like CPT and OPT provide opportunities for practical training in a student's academic field, they do not guarantee eligibility to work for all companies. Students with F-1 status seeking STEM OPT extensions, for instance, must work with employers enrolled in the E-Verify program. However, it's important to note that the responsibility for managing the OPT process falls primarily on the student, who works with their school's international office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1, J-1, M-1 |
| F-1 visa description | Academic student |
| M-1 visa description | Vocational student |
| J-1 visa description | For internships or trainee programs |
| F-1 visa off-campus employment | Allowed after the first academic year |
| M-1 visa off-campus employment | Not allowed |
| F-1 visa on-campus employment | Allowed in the first academic year |
| M-1 visa on-campus employment | Allowed in the first academic year |
| F-1 visa OPT | Allowed |
| M-1 visa OPT | Not allowed |
| F-1 visa STEM OPT | Allowed |
| M-1 visa STEM OPT | Not allowed |
| E-Verify requirement for F-1 visa STEM OPT | Yes |
| E-Verify requirement for employment | Depends on work authorization type |
| E-Verify requirement for international students | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- International students on F-1 visas can apply for internships in the US
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to intern
- Students must gain work authorization before starting internships
- Employers must confirm international students' work authorizations
- OPT allows international students to work off-campus
International students on F-1 visas can apply for internships in the US
F-1 visa holders can apply for internships, but they must first obtain work authorization. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are two common types of work authorization that allow F-1 students to gain practical experience through internships. CPT is available during the school year or on summer breaks, while OPT can be applied for during or after the completion of a student's program.
To be eligible for CPT, F-1 students must have completed at least one year of full-time study and be enrolled at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. The internship must be related to the student's major and be required to complete their degree. If the internship is optional, CPT may still be approved if the student receives college credit. For OPT, F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during annual vacations or after completing their program.
It is important to note that F-1 students cannot work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment opportunities. Any off-campus employment must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting work. Additionally, most businesses require interns to be enrolled in a university or to have graduated within the last 12 months.
To find internship opportunities, international students can utilize websites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Idealist.org. They can also reach out directly to specific companies or organizations to express their interest and inquire about internship openings.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to intern
International students enrolled in academic programs in the US are typically under one of two non-immigrant student statuses: F-1 or J-1. The F-1 Visa is for academic students, while the M-1 visa is for vocational students. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
CPT is a type of work-based training authorization that allows F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study. It is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, including internships, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum. CPT is only available before the completion of a degree program, and students must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program, and students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT.
To apply for CPT, students must first secure an internship offer directly related to their current degree. The position must be appropriate to the student's level of study and major field of study. Students must then meet with their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans and obtain a recommendation. After gathering the required documents, students can submit their CPT application. It is important to note that CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States.
There are two types of CPT: required and optional. Required CPT is when the academic program mandates practical work experience for all students to graduate. Optional CPT is work experience directly related to the student's field of study but is not required. Graduate students who are required to participate in an internship in their first year may be eligible for CPT without completing one full academic year.
It is important to note that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will result in ineligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Additionally, CPT in the final semester of enrollment is limited to part-time, with a maximum of 20 hours per week.
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Students must gain work authorization before starting internships
International students in the United States can apply for internships as long as they meet the requirements of their student visa. Most international students hold F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant student immigration status. F-1 visa holders are enrolled in academic programs, while M-1 visa holders are enrolled in vocational or non-academic programs.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT. CPT allows students to gain practical experience through internships or cooperative education during the school year or summer break. To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed at least one academic year and be enrolled at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. The internship must be related to their major and required to complete their degree. CPT is only available to currently enrolled students working towards fulfilling degree requirements.
OPT is a work authorization that allows F-1 students who have graduated to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study. Students are eligible for OPT after two semesters of being registered full-time. OPT provides 12 months of work authorization, with the possibility of an additional 24 months for F-1 students with approved STEM degrees.
Students must obtain work authorization before starting internships. Undergraduate students can apply for OPT, which is an extension of F-1 status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in conjunction with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO), grants authorization to work in the US. Students should review their unique status on the ISSO website before beginning their search. Additionally, any off-campus employment must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS prior to starting work.
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Employers must confirm international students' work authorizations
For international students in the United States, the majority are enrolled in academic programs under one of two non-immigrant student immigration statuses: F-1 or J-1. The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows non-citizens to enter the US as full-time students at an accredited academic institution or language training program. The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment under certain conditions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT. CPT allows F-1 students to gain practical experience by working an internship or taking part in cooperative education during the school year or on summer break. The internship must be related to the student's major and required to complete their degree. If the internship is optional, students may still be able to complete it through CPT if they receive college credit. Students must secure the internship before applying for CPT and must have already studied as an F-1 student for at least a year at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school.
OPT can authorize students to work an internship before or after graduation, with a limit of 20 hours per week while in school or full-time during the summer or after graduation. Students who work full-time for 12 months on CPT become ineligible for OPT. Post-completion OPT allows F-1 graduates to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study, with a duration of 12 months of work.
For both F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting work. Employers must confirm an international student's work authorization before the employment start date to prevent any liability for the student and employer. A Social Security Number alone is not sufficient proof of work authorization for international students. All employees must complete their I-9 process at the time their employment begins. Once approved, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card as proof of work authorization for a 24-month period.
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OPT allows international students to work off-campus
International students in the United States are typically enrolled in academic programs under one of two non-immigrant student immigration statuses: F-1 or J-1. The F-1 visa is for academic students, while the M-1 visa is for vocational students. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment under certain conditions.
After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, one of which is Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a type of temporary employment that must be directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. It allows international students to work off-campus, either part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session or full-time when school is not in session.
To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college or university certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies.
Post-completion OPT allows students to work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time after they have graduated. Students who have received a degree in a STEM field may be eligible for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, for a total eligibility of up to 36 months of OPT.
It is important to note that Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and OPT are different. CPT allows F-1 students to gain practical experience through internships or cooperative education during the school year or on summer break. While CPT is often a requirement for graduation, OPT is not. Additionally, 12 months of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT.
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Frequently asked questions
E-Verify is an online system used by employers in the United States to determine if newly hired employees are eligible to work in the US.
For most international students who want to work in the United States, E-Verify is a requirement.
The E-Verify system compares employee information to records available through the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility.
Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and electronically sign an E-Verify memorandum of understanding (MOU). They must also prepare and implement a formal training program to support the student’s academic learning through practical experience.
If the company you are interested in is not E-Verified, you can try to negotiate with the company to enroll in E-Verify.
