Savanna Hoffman
The United States offers various internship opportunities for students, including international students, to gain valuable work experience. The eligibility criteria for internships in the U.S. vary depending on the type of internship and the organisation offering it. For instance, the USCIS Student Volunteer Employment Program (SVEP) requires interns to be U.S. citizens, 16 years or older, and enrolled in an accredited educational institution. On the other hand, F-1 visa students, who are enrolled in academic programs, are eligible for on-campus employment and, after the first academic year, certain types of off-campus employment. Unpaid internships are also available, but these are subject to strict regulations by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to ensure they provide academic benefits and are not in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Work authorization | F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year; M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies |
| Off-campus employment | F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment after the first academic year, including STEM OPT; Off-campus employment authorization is valid for one year |
| Social Security number | Only aliens who have permission from DHS to work can apply for a Social Security number |
| Form I-9 | Unpaid interns do not need to complete Form I-9 unless they receive remuneration or benefits in exchange for their labor or services |
| USCIS Student Volunteer Employment Program (SVEP) | Provides students with an opportunity to gain work experience while in school; Requirements: U.S. Citizen, 16 years of age, enrolled in at least half-time academic or vocational course load in an accredited educational institution |
| U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program | Eligibility requirements: U.S. citizen, Undergraduate (juniors and seniors) or Graduate Student, enrolled in a degree-seeking program in an accredited college or university, able to receive security clearance |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
USCIS Student Volunteer Employment Program (SVEP)
The USCIS Student Volunteer Employment Program (SVEP) offers students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while they are still in school. Whether it's to build their resume or to fulfil an internship requirement, USCIS will help students achieve their goals. USCIS managers across the nation are looking for students with different interests and skill sets to help fulfil the mission of USCIS.
To qualify for the USCIS SVEP, students must be US citizens, at least 16 years old, and enrolled in at least a half-time academic or vocational and technical course load in an accredited educational institution. Students can send their resumes to be considered for potential positions across the nation. To apply for a non-paid internship with USCIS, students should send an email to [email protected] with their preferred location(s) in the subject line and their desired area(s) of interest in the body of the email.
USCIS managers will have 30 days to consider the submission. If no contact is made within 30 days, the student will need to resend their email if they still want to be considered. If a student is contacted for a volunteer opportunity, their hiring manager will guide them through the next steps. The availability of non-paid internships depends on the needs of each individual location, so there is no guarantee that every location will have volunteer needs.
The Student Volunteer Program offers unpaid, professional training opportunities to undergraduate and graduate college students. These opportunities provide work experience related to the students’ academic programs and allow them to explore career options and develop their personal and professional skills. These are uncompensated positions and do not count towards existing vacancies. Students should note that they may be required to fill out Form I-9, "Employment Eligibility Verification", if they receive remuneration, such as no-cost or reduced-cost meals, lodging, or other benefits.
International Student's Guide to Moving from US to Canada
You may want to see also
Explore related products
F-1 Visa requirements
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will generally need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories: the F and M visas. The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the US as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or in a language training program.
To obtain an F-1 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program.
- Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
- You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
- You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
- You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study.
- You must maintain a residence abroad that you do not intend to give up.
F-1 students are generally not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. 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) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). To work off-campus, F-1 students must obtain authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
To apply for an F-1 visa, you must complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country. You will also need to provide a photo that meets the Photograph Requirements, the application fee payment receipt, and the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students, Form I-20. Your school will send you Form I-20 once they have entered your information into the SEVIS database, and you and your school official must sign it.
It is important to maintain your F-1 student status by fulfilling the purpose for which the visa was issued and following associated regulations. F-1 students must also complete at least one full academic year at an SEVP-certified school to be eligible for annual vacation and intend to register for classes in the following term.
Attracting Global Talent: Strategies for UF's Future
You may want to see also
Explore related products
M-1 Visa requirements
To enter the United States as a full-time student, you will generally need a student visa. The M-1 visa is one of two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The other is the F-1 visa.
To be eligible for an M-1 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be enrolled in a vocational or other non-academic program (other than language training).
- Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
- You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
- You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
- You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study.
- You must maintain a residence abroad which you have no intention of giving up.
To apply for an M-1 visa, you will need to fill out Form DS-160 (officially called "Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application"), which will require you to upload a photograph satisfying the State Department's regulations. Be sure to print out the confirmation page when you're finished, as you'll need this at your interview. Unless you are under 13 or over 80, you will need to schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence. While you are technically permitted to apply in another country, this could result in a much longer application process. Depending on the embassy, you may need to pay a $160 application fee prior to your interview. You should also gather the following materials: Form I-20, signed by both you and an official from your study program.
During the interview, the officer will ask questions to determine whether you qualify for the M-1 student visa, as per the eligibility requirements. The officer may take digital fingerprints—though this doesn't occur at every embassy. If your visa is approved, you may have to pay an issuance fee, depending on where you're located. In some cases, more administrative processing may be required.
H4 Visa Holders: International Students or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Employment Eligibility Verification
To work in the United States, full-time students generally need a student visa, which can be either an F or M visa. F-1 visas are for academic students and allow them to enrol in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. M-1 visas, on the other hand, are for vocational students and include students in vocational or other non-academic programs.
For international students to work off-campus, they must obtain an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS. 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. 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 Severe Economic Hardship. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies. For both F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus training or employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
In terms of employment eligibility verification, all U.S. employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of each employee, including citizens and non-citizens. This is done through Form I-9, "Employment Eligibility Verification". Both employees and employers (or their authorized representatives) must complete this form. On the form, employees must attest to their employment authorization and present acceptable documents as evidence of their identity and authorization to work. Employers must examine these documents to determine their authenticity and relation to the employee and then record this information on the employee's Form I-9.
It is important to note that unpaid interns generally do not need to complete Form I-9 unless they receive remuneration, such as no-cost or reduced-cost meals, lodging, or other benefits in exchange for their labour or services.
Deferring a Semester: Options for International Students
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Department of Labor (DOL) rules
The Department of Labor (DOL) rules regarding student interns and their benefits are primarily concerned with determining whether interns are entitled to minimum wages and overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA requires "for-profit" employers to compensate their employees for their work. However, interns and students may not be classified as "employees" under the FLSA, in which case they are not entitled to minimum wage or overtime pay.
To determine whether an intern or student is an employee under the FLSA, courts apply the "primary beneficiary test." This test examines the "economic reality" of the intern-employer relationship to identify which party benefits primarily from the arrangement. The following seven factors are considered:
- The extent to which the intern's work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while providing significant educational benefits to the intern.
- The understanding between the intern and the employer that the internship is conducted without entitlement to a paid job at the conclusion.
- The extent to which the intern and the employer understand that there is no expectation of compensation.
If the analysis of these factors reveals that an intern or student is an employee, they are entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay under the FLSA. On the other hand, if the analysis confirms that the intern or student is not an employee, they are not entitled to such compensation.
In addition to the DOL rules, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also have regulations regarding student interns. For example, F-1 students on a visa must not plan to work off-campus and must demonstrate their ability to afford school and living expenses. USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one academic year or in emergent circumstances defined by the DHS.
Pet Ownership for International Students in the USA
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The USCIS SVEP provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while in school. Students looking to build their resumes or fulfill an internship requirement can benefit from this program. USCIS Managers across the nation are looking for students with varying interests and skill sets to help fulfill the mission of USCIS.
To qualify for the USCIS Student Volunteer Employment Program (SVEP), students must be US citizens, at least 16 years old, and enrolled in at least a half-time academic or vocational and technical course load in an accredited educational institution.
To apply for a non-paid internship with USCIS, send an email to [email protected] with your preferred location(s) in the subject line and your desired area(s) of interest in the body of the email. Attach a copy of your resume and school transcripts (unofficial or official) to the email.
USCIS managers will have 30 days to consider your submission. If you have not received any contact within 30 days of submitting your information, you will need to resend your email if you still want to be considered.
