It is essential that you understand and comply with the Department of Homeland Security restrictive employment regulations. Ignorance of the regulations does not excuse a student from the serious ramifications of unauthorized employment, which may result in deportation. You must obtain appropriate employment authorization before you engage in any type of employment.
"Employment" is any work performed or services provided (including self-employment) in exchange for money or other benefits or compensation (i.e. free room and board in exchange for babysitting).
Individuals who are authorized to be employed in the U.S. must have a Social Security Number in order to be paid.
How to get a Social Security Card
If your I-20 was issued by CSI, you may work part-time (20 hours per week or less) on the CSI campus during fall and spring semesters. If you are not in lawful F-1 status, you are not eligible for on-campus employment. YOU MAY NOT WORK OFF CAMPUS. The CSI budget is limited, and most international students only work 5 hours a week. Do not depend on this employment to be your only means of income, it is insufficient.
Timesheets are required to be turned into the international advisor after each pay term. Timesheets must be filled out in ink, signed by the employee and employer. If students fail to submit this in a timely manner, their paycheck may be postponed until the following month.
Timesheet Example
Practical Training authorization permits an F-1 student to be employed temporarily at a job related to the student's major field of study on-campus or off-campus. There are two types of practical training: curricular and optional. To be eligible for curricular and/or optional practical training, you must have been in lawful F-1 status for one academic year.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | Optional Practical Training (OPT) | |||
| What is it? | Allows any eligible F-1 student to engage in paid off-campus internship/ employment, which is integral to program completion | Allows any eligible F-1 student to engage in internship/employment within major area of study, in most cases upon program completion. | |||
| Eligibility | Full-time enrollment under lawful statues for one full academic year prior to training | ||||
| Students whose program requires immediate participation in training are exempt from the one-year requirement above | Students who have completed all required courses are eligible to start OPT | ||||
| Requires a job offer | Does NOT require a job offer | ||||
| 12+ months of full-time CPT makes students ineligible for OPT at the same education level | |||||
| Duration of Training | No maximum but should be limited to less than 12 months of full-time to be eligible for OPT | Maximum of 12 months full-time. Pre-completion OPT will count against the 12-month limit for post-completion OPT | |||
| Granted by | International Program Office CPT I-20 issued |
U. S. Citizenship & immigration Services; Employment Authorization Document issued | |||
| How to apply | Academic Advisor Recommendation Employment Confirmation |
Fill out Form I-765 | |||
| Application Fee | $0 | $380 | |||
| Processing Time | 2 weeks | Up to 3+months | |||
| Employment Status | Part-time CPT | Full-time CPT | OPT | ||
| 20 hours or less | 20 hours or more | Can be part-time or full-time | |||
| Enrollment Requirements | Requires full-time enrollment | Minimum credits determined by department | Enrollment not required | ||
| Academic Departments Roles |
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Verify completion of all required course for the program | |||
| International Program Office |
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| Denial | Failure to demonstrate CPT is an “integral” part of study | Failure to apply prior to program completion and incomplete application | |||