Employment

Information for F-1 students on employment

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT must relate directly to the student’s major area of study and be an integral part of the school’s established curriculum. Permission must be given from your dept in order for the DSO to recommend it. It can be full-time when classes are not in session and part time no more than 20 hours per week when classes are in session.

On Campus Employment

On-campus employment is work that F-1 students whose status is Active in SEVIS may apply for. On-campus employment is specific work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university, tutoring center etc.

Active F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. In order to apply, talk to your DSO. If approved, your DSO will provide you with an  on- campus approval form.  If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week while  school is in session.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Students are eligible to apply for post completion OPT in their last semester:

Optional practical training is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study. Their DSO will advise the them of the necessary forms that need to be completed:

While a Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT in SEVIS, it is the student who must apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If the OPT is approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The student must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.