On and Off Campus Employment
1. During studies
1.1. On-campus Employment
- Any employment paid by uni or through approved vendor.
- Need to maintain F-1 status
- No authorization needed
- Can work upto 20 hrs/week during academic semesters
- Beyond 20 in breaks
- Need process done with ISSS for SSN
1.2. CPT
- Beyond 20hours a week on campus / Any paid off campus
- must be enrolled in US for 2 semesters
- Job with determined dates
- Related to your major
- Should receive course credit or required to complete the degree OR required to complete thesis/report
- any changes in employer, position or dates, would need new authorization
- Part-time (<20/wk) is unlimited
- >12 months of full-time makes inelligible for OPT
- unauthorized employment will lead to termination of f1.
- work beyond or prior to authorization
- no course credit earned (if through course enrollment)
- Employer needs to provide job offer letter
- advisor should sign off on application and confirm it is related to my major
- CPT for course credit - if during fall/spring, take it in the semester of internship. If during summer, take during either summer semester or succeeding fall semester.
1.3. OPT
- OPT is employment related to the student’s field of study but not integral or required for studies.
- Must be enrolled for 2 reg sems
- No job offer required
- Directly related to major
- Pre-completion will subtract time from Post-completion OPT.
- Part-time subtracts 2:1
- Full time subtracts 1:1
- Can take 3-4 months to approve since done by USCIS
- Will receive EAD to work
1.4. After studies
1.4.1. Post Completion OPT
- No job offer required
- Directly related to major
- Can apply within 90 days of graduating
- Application Process
- Check eligibility with ISSS
- Can’t apply earlier than 90 days of graduating and 60 days after graduating
- Apply through myIO/I-20 issued
- Send application to USCIS
- Add info to SEVP portal
- STEM OPT Extension
24-month extension if
- Received STEM degree
- Currently working on initial 12-month of OPT
- Are working for US company registered with E-Verify employment verification system.
2. How to get course-credit for CPT
At the time of applying for CPT, we have to tick a box that says “I’ll be using course credit” and the dept will let ISSS know the course that we will be expected to choose.
3. Is freelancing legal?
NO. Needs CPT authorization and related to major.