International Student and Scholar Services

• You have been in F-1 status for 2 semesters as a full-time student. Graduate students in programs which require immediate participation in an internship may begin Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before completing 2 full-time semesters.
• Employment must be authorized by International Student Services before your first day of employment.
• Employment must be related to your major.
• You must enroll in internship credit during the semester you participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Typically, the start of employment needs to align with semester dates but can be authorized to cover break periods between semesters.
• You must be a full-time student while participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) unless it is your final semester before graduation.

1. Find a job or internship
2. Review internship requirements and complete the internship registration form through the Career Center. You must complete this form before your first day of employment or before the add/drop deadline for the semester you are participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), whichever comes first. You cannot begin working until Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorized on your I-20.
3. Pick up new I-20 from International Student Services.
4. If you plan to repeat Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in a future semester, you must complete the internship registration form again and register for internship credit.

• You must have been in lawful F-1 status for two full-time semesters.
• You must have applied for graduation.

• All employment must be directly related to your major.
• You must work at least 21 hours per week in one position.
• You may have multiple employers at the same time and/or multiple employers during the 12 month period.
• The employment can be located anywhere in the U.S.
• The employment can be paid or unpaid but an unpaid position should not violate U.S. labor laws.
• You may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during the 12 months OPT period.

While on OPT, you must report the following to International Student Services or through the SEVP Portal. If you do not report employment information, you will be considered unemployed.

• Company name
• Company address
• Start date/end date
• Position title
• Number of work hours per week
• How does the employment relate to your course of study
• Any periods of unemployment
• Home address, phone number, e-mail address

Travel outside of the U.S. with a pending OPT application or while on OPT always has risks. You should consult with International Student Services before traveling outside the U.S. while on OPT.

If you travel while on OPT, you must bring documentation demonstrating you have a pending or approved employment authorization. You must show the following documentation upon entering the U.S.:

• Valid passport and visa
• I-20 with OPT recommendation and travel signature
• EAD card (if OPT has been approved) or receipt notice (if OPT is pending)

You can apply for OPT 90 days prior to graduation and up to 60 days after graduation. You do not need a job offer to apply. USCIS takes on average 3 months to process an OPT application. Apply early because if you wait to apply after graduation, you will lose time on your 12 months of employment.

You cannot begin working on OPT until:

• Your application has been approved.
• You receive your EAD card in the mail.
• You have reached the start date on the EAD.

International Student Services holds an OPT workshop in fall and spring semester. If you plan to apply for OPT, you should attend one of the workshops. International Student Services will support you through the application process but ultimately, you are responsible for completing the application correctly and accurately. If you have questions, contact International Student Services.

1. Meet with International Student Services and receive an I-20 with an OPT recommendation. You MUST have an I-20 with an OPT recommendation before filing for employment authorization. You must file the OPT application within 30 days of the date the I-20 was issued.
2. Go to https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 and click File Online. You can file a paper application but filing online is recommended.
3. Create an account with USCIS.
4. Select File a form online.
5. Select Application for Employment Authorization (I-765).
6. Read instructions carefully.
7. Select eligibility category c(3)(B) Post-Completion OPT. It is essential that you select the correct eligibility category.
8. Complete online I-765 application. If you do not know how to answer a question, contact International Student Services. You must list an address where you receive mail without issue and where you will be living at the time the employment authorization document is approved, typically 3 months after your application has been submitted.
9. Submit evidence.
   • 2x2 Photo of You: You can take your own picture or have a professional passport style photo taken. Read the photo requirements carefully.
   • I-94, Arrival and Departure Record: Print a copy of your Most Recent I-94.
   • Employment Authorization Document or Government ID: Upload a copy of the identity page of your passport.
   • Previously Authorized CPT or OPT: If applicable, upload a copy of all I-20s with CPT authorization and/or a copy of both sides of an EAD card for OPT.
   • I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status: Upload a copy of the I-20 with the OPT recommendation.
10. Additional information (only if applicable).
    • Prior SEVIS numbers: If applicable, upload copies of I-20s from previous SEVIS numbers. The SEVIS number is on your I-20. If you have paid the I-901 SEVIS fee more than once, then you have more than one SEVIS number.
    • Evidence to support two full-time semester eligibility requirement: If you do not meet the requirement of being in F-1 status for two full-time semesters prior to applying for OPT, include evidence demonstrating why you believe you should be eligible for OPT.
11. Review and submit. If you would like International Student Services to review your application before submission, download the “draft snapshot” and e-mail it to International Student Services.
12. Pay the application fee.
    • Pay with a credit card.
    • Pay with a withdrawal from a checking or savings account. You will need your bank account number and routing number.

• Biology 26.0101
• Business Computer Information Systems 11.0101
• Chemistry 40.0501
• Computer Science 11.0701
• Environmental Studies 03.0103
• Geology 40.0601
• Mathematics 27.0101
• Neuroscience 26.1501
• Physics 40.0801
• Psychology 42.2799

• Be in valid F-1 status.
• Be currently working in a period of post-completion OPT.
• Have a degree in an eligible STEM field. You may be eligible to use a prior STEM degree earned in the U.S. for this requirement. To use a prior STEM degree, you must meet the following requirements.
  • The qualifying STEM degree must come from a U.S. institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and certified by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) within the last 10 years.
  • The qualifying STEM degree must be on the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time you submit your STEM OPT extension application (rather than at the time you received the degree).
  • The job must be related to the qualifying STEM degree not the most recent degree.
• Have a job offer that meets the following requirements:
  • The job is with an employer enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify program.
  • The job offers at least 21 hours of work per week.
  • The job will provide formal training and learning objectives directly related to your qualifying STEM degree.
  • Be able to complete the I-983 Training Plan with your employer.

• The employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
• The employer has an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• The employer has sufficient resources and personnel available to provide the training specified in the Form I-983.
• The employer signs the Form I-983 Training Plan, agreeing to the wage, working conditions, supervision, site visit, and reporting obligations set forth on the form and in the regulations.

• Every 6 months:
  • Full legal name
  • Phone number
  • E-mail address
  • Current address
  • Name and address of current employer
  • Start date of current employment
• At 12 months and 24 months: Page 5 of the I-983 Evaluation on Student Progress must be completed and submitted to the International Center.
• Within 10 days of any change:
  • Residential address
  • Change in employer
  • Unemployment
  • Material changes to the I-983 Training Plan

During the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, maintenance of your F-1 status depends on your employment. You are not permitted to accumulate more than a total of 150 days of unemployment for the entire period of OPT (including the first 12 months of OPT prior to the STEM OPT Extension). The limits of unemployment time are 90 days for the first 12-months of OPT and 60 days during the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Accumulating more than 150 days of unemployment during the OPT period is a violation of your immigration status that could result in termination of your practical training.

Travel outside of the U.S. with a pending STEM OPT application or while on STEM OPT always has risks. You should consult with International Student Services before traveling outside the U.S. while on STEM OPT.

If you travel while on STEM OPT, you must bring documentation demonstrating you have a pending or approved STEM OPT employment authorization. You must show the following documentation when traveling through customs and immigration:

• Valid passport and visa
• I-20 with OPT recommendation and travel signature
• STEM EAD card or receipt notice (if STEM OPT is pending)

International Student Services supports students through the application process but ultimately, you are responsible for completing the application correctly and accurately. If you have questions, contact International Student Services.

1. Complete the I-983 Training Plan with your employer and submit it to International Student Services.
2. Meet with International Student Services and receive an I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation. You MUST have an I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation before filing for employment authorization.
3. Navigate to https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 and click File Online. You can file a paper application but filing online is recommended.
4. Log-in to your existing account with USCIS or create a new account if you did not previously file for OPT online.
5. Select File a form online.
6. Select Application for Employment Authorization (I-765).
7. Read instructions carefully.
8. Select eligibility category c(3)(C) STEM Extension. It is essential that you select the correct eligibility category.
9. Complete online I-765 application. If you do not know how to answer a question, contact International Student Services. You must list an address where you receive mail without issue and where you will be living at the time the employment authorization document is approved, typically 3 months after your application has been submitted.
10. Submit evidence.
    • 2x2 Photo of You: You can take your own picture or have a professional passport style photo taken. Read the photo requirements carefully.
    • I-94, Arrival and Departure Record: Print a copy of your most recent I-94.
    • Employment Authorization Document or Government ID: Upload a copy of OPT EAD card.
    • Previously Authorized CPT or OPT: Upload a copy of all I-20s with CPT and a copy of both sides of your OPT EAD card.
    • I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status: Upload a copy of the I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation. (Note: a submitted I-20 must have both the DSO and student's signature on page 1.)
    • College Degree: Upload a copy of an official transcript for the STEM degree.
    • Institution accreditation (only required if applying based on prior STEM degree): Upload evidence of U.S. Department of Education accreditation and SEVP certification for school where previous STEM degree was earned. Consult with International Student Services for recommended evidence.
11. Additional information (only if applicable).
    • Prior SEVIS numbers: If applicable, upload copies of I-20s from previous SEVIS numbers. The SEVIS number is on your I-20. If you have paid the I-901 SEVIS fee more than once, then you have more than one SEVIS number.
12. Review and submit. If you would like International Student Services to review your application before submission, download the “draft snapshot” and email it to International Student Services.
13. Pay the application fee.
    • Pay with a credit card.
    • Pay with a withdrawal from a checking or savings account. You will need your bank account number and routing number.

J-1 students may work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week during fall and spring semesters while school is in session. Students may work more than 20 hours a week during official school breaks when classes are not in session. On-campus employment must be authorized by International Student Services. If you wish to work on-campus, visit International Student Services before beginning employment.

J-1 students may participate in Academic Training which is employment related to their field of study.

Length of Academic Training

• You may participate in Academic Training for the same amount of time you are studying in an academic program (semester exchange student can participate in 16 weeks of Academic Training).
• Academic training can be done while studying full-time in a program or after completion of your academic program.
• You must begin Academic Training within 30 days of completion of your academic program.

Employment Requirements

• Employment or training experience must be related to your field of study.
• Can be paid or unpaid.
• Academic training while studying is limited to 20 hours per week. Academic training after completion of your academic program can be full-time, more than 20 hours per week.

Academic Training Authorization

Students interested in academic training must meet with International Student Services before seeking employment to discuss the process for authorization. Students participating in an exchange through the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) will complete the authorization process with ISEP and should seek guidance from International Student Services at least a month prior to the intended start date of the employment or training. Students who wish to participate in academic training after completion of their academic program must seek approval at least a month before their DS-2019 expires.