Douglas Olsen
International students in the US with an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after completing their degrees. This authorization is granted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is valid for one year. Students may also be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is defined as work experience that is required for their degree or for which academic credit is awarded. CPT employment must be authorized by the school's International Student Office and must be for a specific employer and time period. To obtain work authorization, students must complete Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and may need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with USCIS.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 (Academic Student), M-1 (Vocational Student) |
| Work type | On-campus, Off-campus |
| Off-campus work requirements | Must be related to the area of study, authorized by Designated School Official and USCIS prior to starting work |
| On-campus work for F-1 students | Allowed during the first academic year, subject to certain conditions and restrictions |
| Off-campus work for F-1 students | Allowed after the first academic year, including STEM OPT |
| Off-campus work for M-1 students | N/A |
| Severe Economic Hardship work authorization | Granted to F-1 students by USCIS to work off-campus due to unforeseen circumstances, valid for one year |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | Off-campus employment option for F-1 students, requires prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to USCIS, can be part-time or full-time |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Allowed for F-1 students both during and after completion of their degree, requires prior authorization from USCIS and the school's International Student Office |
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What You'll Learn
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is only available to students prior to the completion of their degree program, and they must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment must not delay the completion of the student's academic program, and students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States. For example, a summer internship in the student's home country does not need CPT authorization.
The process for obtaining CPT authorization typically involves the following steps:
- Speak with the employer to obtain a detailed training description.
- Meet with an academic or faculty advisor to discuss CPT plans and obtain a recommendation if the training is deemed integral to the curriculum.
- Gather all required documents and submit a complete CPT application.
- The Designated School Official (DSO) will review and authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies.
- The DSO will provide a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," certifying the student's eligibility for CPT.
- Students must apply for work authorization by filing a Form I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and paying a filing fee.
- USCIS will approve the petition and provide an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
It is important to note that CPT authorization may impact a student's eligibility for other types of employment, such as Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students should carefully consider their options and adhere to the regulations and procedures outlined by their educational institution and the U.S. government.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Students can file for OPT up to 90 days before the program end date on the Form I-20 and no later than 60 days after the program end date. The student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college, university, or other academic institution certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Students cannot begin work on OPT until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) work card, and the validity period has begun.
The OPT application process involves several steps and players. The student's Designated School Official (DSO) must recommend OPT by endorsing their Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The student must then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and supporting documentation.
If a student has already received one year of full-time pre-completion OPT, they will not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization. However, if they have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, they may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. This extension is available to students hired by an employer enrolled in the government's E-Verify Program.
It is important to note that transferring to another school or beginning studies at another educational level will automatically terminate the student's authorization to engage in OPT employment. While their F-1 status will not be affected, they must not work on a terminated EAD as it is no longer authorized for employment in the United States.
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Severe economic hardship
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are usually not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, in the case of severe economic hardship, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant authorization for off-campus employment. To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- They must have been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year (two semesters or nine months).
- They must be experiencing severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, provided they are not at fault.
- They must be in good academic standing and enrolled in a full course load.
- They must demonstrate that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs.
- They must show that off-campus employment will not interfere with their full-time studies.
To apply for work authorization due to severe economic hardship, F-1 students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", along with the required fee to the USCIS. They may also need to provide additional documentation, such as evidence of their economic hardship and a personal statement describing the unforeseen circumstances. The processing time for the application can vary, typically taking around three months or longer. If approved, students will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS, which allows them to work for any employer, anywhere in the US. The authorization is typically valid for one year, after which students may request a renewal if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
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Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
International students in the United States on F-1 visas are generally not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, but this must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emergent circumstances include world events that cause severe economic hardship, such as natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises.
To obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), eligible international students must file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization". This form can be filed online or as a paper application. The application fee can be paid via money order, personal check, cashier's check, credit card, or debit card. After approval of Form I-765, the EAD card should be produced within 2 weeks and will be mailed to the address provided by the applicant. The EAD is generally valid for one year, after which the student must apply for continued employment authorization at least six months before the expiration of the EAD.
If an individual already has an EAD and their immigration status authorizes them to work without restrictions, they can use Form I-765 to apply for an EAD that shows this authorization. Certain aliens in the United States may also file this form to request an EAD. Additionally, principal T and U nonimmigrant applicants are authorized to work based on their status, and an EAD will be issued after approval of their nonimmigrant status petition. However, derivative family members residing in the United States will need to file Form I-765 to obtain an EAD.
In the case of a lost, stolen, or destroyed EAD, a replacement can be requested by filing a new Form I-765 along with the filing fee, unless a fee waiver is requested and approved. If the EAD contains incorrect information due to a USCIS error, no new Form I-765 or filing fee is required, and the necessary corrections will be made at no additional cost.
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F-1 Visa requirements
International students wishing to study in the United States require a student visa. The F-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and enrol as full-time students at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
To obtain an F-1 Visa, students must meet the following requirements:
- Institution certification: The college or university where the student plans to study must be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
- Full-time enrollment: Students must be enrolled full-time at the institution while their academic term is in session.
- English language proficiency: Students must meet the required English language proficiency score of the institution they are attending or be enrolled in courses that will help improve their English proficiency.
- Sufficient funding: Students must prove they have sufficient funds to finance their studies and living expenses while in the US. They must also show an ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the country.
- Valid passport: The passport should be valid for US travel for at least six months after the completion of the student's program.
- Home country residency: Students are required to have a residence in their home country to return to following the completion of their degree.
- Visa application: Students must complete the DS-160 visa application, schedule and attend a visa interview, and pay the necessary fees.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but 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, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). Any off-campus training employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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Frequently asked questions
Work authorization for international students is permission granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for students to work off-campus. This is usually granted in cases of severe economic hardship.
Severe economic hardship is defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as world events that affect a specific group of students and cause them to suffer economic difficulties. This includes natural disasters, wars, and financial crises.
To apply for work authorization, you must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization. You must then work with your Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS.
