F-1 Off-Campus Employment

In certain circumstances, F-1 students are eligible to apply for off-campus employment benefits. Please see the list of available employment types to learn more about your options as an F-1 student.

The Importance of our Mandatory Reading Material (for Practical Training)

Click here to view the latest "Mandatory Reading Material" for all types of practical training. Reading all of the Mandatory Reading Material is required for any student before meeting with an international student advisor about CPT/OPT and before applying for these benefits.

It is required that all students applying for an F-1 benefit or process understand all the "Mandatory Reading" provided.

So, we strongly suggest that you take adequate time to do so.  We are at your disposal to clarify any questions.  However, it is the sole responsibility of the student to understand the process as well as the relevant regulations and their compliance at all times.

(1) Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students

Practical Training is a type of employment authorization granted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for F-1 students that would like to obtain practical work experience in their field of study.

Want to know more about CPT?

Begin by reviewing the CPT Mandatory Reading MaterialAll application instructions and frequently asked questions are found on this page. 

(2) Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) offers international students the opportunity to obtain up to 1 year of full-time work experience in their field of study. 

How to Apply?

Begin by reading the OPT Mandatory Reading Material. All application instructions and frequently asked questions are found on this page. 

(3) STEM OPT Extension applicants

The 24-month OPT STEM extension is available only to F-1 students currently authorized for and actively participating in an initial period of 12-month OPT who meet the criteria. Students must apply for the extension before their original period of OPT expires and no more than 90 days in advance of the expiration of their OPT. Applications that arrive at USCIS after their original OPT expiration date will be denied.

How to Apply?

Begin by reading the OPT Mandatory Reading Material. All application instructions and frequently asked questions are found on this page. 

(4) Cap-Gap OPT Extensions

Are you currently on OPT and have applied for an H-1B? Click here to find information on the cap-gap extension.

(5) Economic Hardship for F-1 Students

In some instances, students in the F-1 immigration status are able to apply for off-campus work based on severe economic hardship. To be eligible, students must be able to demonstrate economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. For example, death of a student's sponsor, a natural disaster in the student's home country, the devaluation of the country's currency or a very serious medical condition which have led to unforeseen financial expenditures. Students must also provide evidence that they are in good academic standing, are maintaining their immigration status by being registered as full-time students and have been in F-1 immigration status for at least one academic year. Proof must also be shown that on-campus employment is either not available or inadequate to meet the student's needs.

Severe economic hardship applications are determined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If the application is approved, USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) to the student. Students are limited to working 20 hours per week during the academic year on economic hardship. This means that the total number of any on-campus hours plus off-campus work may not exceed a total of 20 hours. However, during summers and school vacations, students are able to work full-time.

F-1 students interested in this employment option will need to make an appointment with an International Student Advisor at the Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services (ISSAS) to determine eligibility.

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