We're here to help you find all the information you need to be a successful student.
We offer many services to international students; from counseling on immigration matters, assistance with cultural adjustment, and the accessing of electronic resources. We are also responsible for recordkeeping for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
For Current Students:
- Concurrent Enrollment Form (PDF)
- (DHS Form G-1145) E-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (PDF)
- (DHS Form I-765) Application for Employment Authorization
General Employment Information
There are four possible ways that F-1 students can be legitimately employed, according to the BCIS regulations. Under the specified conditions, an F-1 student can be employed in the following ways:
- On campus
- Off campus by being granted Curricular Practical Training
- Off campus by being granted Optional Practical Training
A Note of Caution
Working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. Due to several tracking systems now established in the US, working illegally can be easily traced by BCIS. This tracking is often used when a student reenters the country, applies for Optional Practical Training or applies for a change in status (such as an H1B visa or Permanent Residency). A record of illegal employment will not only cause you to immediately lose your status, but it may lead to deportation and being barred from reentering the US for up to 10 years. Therefore, it is essential that you consider these ramifications and carefully read over the information provided here because it is ultimately your responsibility to comply with all Immigration regulations that apply to F1 students. You can always ask the Director of International Education for guidance if you have any questions.
An F1 student who has been issued a Form I20 by a specific university may work on that campus up to 20 hours a week when school is in session and full time (20+ hours) during the complete weeks when classes are not in session (this includes the ability to work in the summertime).
In addition, a student who has been issued an I20 to begin a new program and who intends to enroll for the next regular academic year, term or session at the institution that issued the Form I 20 may work on campus up to 30 days before their classes begin.
An F1 student may engage in any on campus employment, but must not exceed 20 hours a week of work. If this occurs, s/he will automatically fall out of status and be terminated in the SEVIS system. It is a student’s responsibility to keep track of his/her hours. For this reason, they should NOT allow anyone else to sign off on his/her timecard for them. This includes their supervisors! A student who falls out of status or is waiting for a pending change of status to F1 is not eligible to work on campus until he/she is reinstated by DHS . A student may not engage in on campus employment after completing a course of study.
Additional Information Regarding Employment
- Evidence of Employment Form - Students can receive this form from the OIE office, Hammond 316
- Social Security Application Procedure:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Post-Completion OPT Checklist (PDF)
- STEM OPT Checklist (PDF)