There are four off-campus employment authorization categories available to non-immigrants in F-1 status. Students may obtain more detailed information regarding off-campus employment regulations from an IS Advisor.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Employment with an International Organization
Please note: Students must apply for written employment authorization prior to engaging in any employment activity. Unauthorized employment may result in a loss of immigration status.
An F-1 student who has been in status for one academic year and who is in good academic standing is eligible, with the recommendation of his/her IS Advisor, to work off campus in a position which is directly related to the student's field of study. Students are not required to receive academic credit for OPT employment experiences.
OPT may take place:
- while school is in session, provided that it does not exceed 20 hours per week,
- during the summer recess, either full or part time,
- during thesis research, either full or part time (Ph.D. students only),
- after completion of program, full time only.
A student is eligible for a total of 12 months of OPT. Part-time OPT (20 hours or less per week) is deducted from available practical training at one-half the full-time rate. An application for Post-Completion OPT must be received by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before a student completes the 60-day grace period following his/her program of study and the OPT must be completed within 14 months of a student's program completion.
In order to obtain employment authorization under this category, the student must file an application for employment authorization with USCIS. Application processing may take up to 90 days. Upon approval, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Employment may not begin until the EAD card has been received and the effective date has been reached.
When Should I Apply?
Students may apply for OPT 90 days prior to the program end date and they must apply for OPT before completing the 60-day grace period following program completion (for post-completion authorization). Since processing can take 90 days, OIP recommends applying 3-4 months in advance of the requested start date. No specific job offer is required at the time of application. However, students should keep in mind that once an EAD is issued, the length of practical training granted is deducted from the student's 12 month bank, and students must begin reporting any periods of unemployment to OIP. Students seeking OPT prior to program completion are advised that, while no job offer is required, the time requested with the OPT application cannot be altered or canceled if the student does not secure a position.
What is a STEM Extension and When Should I Apply?
An additional 17-month period of work authorization is available to students on post-completion OPT who have graduated with a specialized degree in qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and who have a job offer from an E-Verify employer. To file for the extension, a student must contact his/her IS Advisor and ensure that the Form I-765, the supporting evidence and the fee payment reach the USCIS Service Center before the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT period. USCIS recommends filing 90-120 days before the OPT expiration date.
Apply for a STEM Extension
Limits on Unemployment During OPT Periods
Students are limited to an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during post-completion OPT, including the extension period granted to bridge the gap between the end of the post-completion OPT period and an approved October 1st H-1B employment start date. During the post-completion period open to all F-1 students, positions as volunteers or unpaid interns (for at least 20 hours per week) will count as employment for the purpose of maintaining F-1 status.
Students granted STEM OPT extensions are permitted a maximum of 120 days of unemployment during the entire post-completion training period. Students authorized for a STEM extension must work at least 20 hours per week in an area directly related to their field of study and are not permitted to count any volunteer work or unpaid internships as employment for the purpose of maintaining F-1 status.
Note: if there are less than ten days between periods of employment, the student does not need to report the unemployment time to OIP. Address Changes
If you move while the OPT application is pending, you must notify both OIP and the USCIS Vermont Service Center of your change of address. If you move while working on OPT, you must notify your IS Advisor within ten days of moving. This information may be submitted to OIP online via the Address and Employment Update Form.
Reporting Requirements During OPT Periods
The Department of Homeland Security also requires that you submit employer information each time you accept employment during your OPT period. Please report this information to the Office of International Programs online via the Address and Employment Update Form.
This reporting responsibility is an ON-GOING REQUIREMENT. Failure to submit accurate address and employment information throughout the OPT period may result in the loss of your F-1 status. As indicated above, you are also required to report any periods of unemployment.
Students granted STEM OPT extensions must report the following to OIP:
Within ten days --
- Legal name changes
- Change in residential or mailing address
- Changes in employer, including the employer name and address
- Loss of employment or any period of unemployment greater than ten days
Every six months from the start date of the STEM extension –
- Full legal name
- Current mailing and residential address
- Name and address of the current employer or lack of employment
- Date the student began working for the current employer
Cap-Gap Extensions -- Bridging the Gap Between OPT and H-1B Status
F-1 students who have a properly filed H-1B petition and change of status request pending with USCIS may receive an extension permitting them to remain in the United States and/or continue employment until the requested start date indicated in the H-1B petition. Students who find themselves in this situation must consult with their IS Advisor to confirm eligibility and request documentation of the extension.
Travel Outside the United States after Graduation
If you are graduating and are planning to use the OPT benefit, you must apply for OPT before completing the 60-day grace period following program completion and you must receive the EAD card before traveling outside the United States.
In order to return to the United States, you must have an EAD, Form I-20 signed for re-entry within the past six months, a valid F-1 visa, a valid passport and a letter from your employer, stating that you are returning to the United States to resume employment or begin a new position. While no job offer is required to apply for OPT, proof of employment is recommended if you wish to travel and re-enter the United States during the OPT period.
Should you leave the United States during OPT and require a new F-1 visa, please note that Consular Officers may reject F-1 visa applications made by students on OPT. Employment in the United States may be viewed as a step towards Permanent Residency. Students on OPT remain in F-1 status and thus must continue to prove non-immigrant intent.
In order to work in the United States, you must obtain a Social Security Number. For help in your job search, visit the Georgetown MBNA Career Education Center or view the Guide to Hiring Foreign Graduates.
An F-1 student who has been in status for one academic year* and who is in good academic standing is eligible, with authorization from his/her IS Advisor, to work off-campus in a position which is an integral part of the student's curriculum.
Employment authorization for CPT may only be obtained by students who will receive academic credit for the employment experience. At a minimum, qualifying CPT courses will carry academic credit, be listed in the regular bulletin of course offerings, and have a faculty member assigned to teach the course. It is particularly important that any employment experience required by the course be instrumental to achieving a curricular academic objective.
CPT authorization may be granted for either full-time (summer) or part-time employment. Students are limited by their Department/Program in the amount of curricular practical training they may utilize. Students who receive more than 12 months of full-time CPT will lose all eligibility for Optional Practical Training.
*Graduate students required to engage in a practicum may be permitted to waive the academic year waiting period.
Please note the following:
- You may not begin work until your IS Advisor has approved the application and has issued a new I-20 Form with the authorization on page 3.
- All related coursework must be submitted within 30 days of the CPT end date.
- Enrollment in the internship course must be maintained throughout the semester of CPT authorization.
In order to work in the United States, you must obtain a Social Security Number. For help in your job search, visit the Georgetown MBNA Career Education Center or view the Guide to Hiring Foreign Graduates.
Apply for Curricular Practical Training
A special situation exists for F-1 students who have been offered employment under the sponsorship of an international organization, as defined by the International Organization Immunities Act. Employment with organizations such as the IMF, OAS, World Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank may be authorized to students who maintain valid F-1 status. Click here for a list of eligible international organizations.
Students may use this employment option during the course of study to work 20 hours per week while school is in session and full time during any school breaks. There is no waiting period prior to filing.
In order to obtain authorization for employment under this category, an F-1 student must first obtain an offer letter from the international organization and a written certification that the employment is within the scope of the organization's sponsorship. The student must then file an application for employment authorization with USCIS. The application process may take up to 90 days. Upon approval, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Employment may not begin until the EAD has been received and the start date noted on the EAD has been reached.
In order to work in the United States, you must obtain a Social Security Number. For help in your job search, visit the Georgetown MBNA Career Education Center or view the Guide to Hiring Foreign Graduates.
Apply for Employment with an International Organization