Employment

F1 and J1 On-Campus Employment Conditions

F1 Students: 

• You must be enrolled full time during the fall and winter semesters.
• You do not require authorization for on-campus employment.
• You may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
• You may work full time on campus during official College holidays and session breaks.
• You may not engage in on-campus employment after the program end date listed on your I-20.
• Most employers require a Social Security number from their employees in order to process employment paperwork, as a result, F1 student visa holders are required to apply for a Social Security card as soon as they are employed on campus.

J1 Students: 

• You must be enrolled full time during the fall and winter semesters.
• You require prior work authorization for on-campus employment.
• You may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
• You may work full time on campus during official College holidays and session breaks.
• You may not engage in on-campus employment after the program end date listed on your DS 2019.

How long will it take to complete the OPT application process?

The entire process can take 3-5 months to complete, it will take a minimum of 90 days for OPT applications to be processed. 

APPLY EARLY--you do not need to have a job offer to apply for OPT!

You are eligible to apply up for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before your graduation date and NO LATER THAN 60 days beyond your graduation date or end date of your I-20.  Applications are authorized by the United State Custom and Immigrations Services (USCIS).

F1 Pre-Completion Practical Training

Students who have remained in legal F1 status for a full academic year are eligible for off-campus employment through Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT must be in the student’s major field of study. Pre-completion OPT can be used for up to 20 hours during the academic semester and full time during session breaks. The total amount of time for OPT (pre- and post-) is 12 months. Pre-completion OPT will count against the 12-month maximum. 

Please schedule a time to meet with an OISSS adviser to discuss the rules, regulations, and application process for OPT. 

To be eligible for OPT you must:

• Maintain full-time student status for at least one academic year or two full semesters by the requested OPT start date.
• Maintain valid F1 status prior to and at the time of application

You are able to use pre-completion OPT if:

• It is part time during the semester.
• It is full time during annual vacation periods (e.g., summer).
• It is full time once all course requirements are complete and only the thesis requirement is remaining.

F1 Post-Completion Practical Training

To be eligible for OPT you must:

1. Maintain full-time student status for at least one academic year or two full semesters by the requested OPT start date.
2. Maintain valid F1 status prior to and at the time of application.

Post-completion OPT should be applied for up to 90 days before your graduation date and no later than 60 days beyond your graduation or I-20 program end date. 

If you plan to leave the United States at any time during the 60-day grace period, you must apply for OPT before you leave the country. If you leave the United States without applying for OPT, you forfeit the benefit of applying for OPT.  

When you apply, it is important to identify a start date that will:

Prepare you for any possibility and ensure you are eligible to work at the earliest time preferred. The earliest start date is the first day after graduation. You cannot start working before the start date on your OPT card and you cannot change the requested dates after you apply. The latest date requested to start your work authorization is 60 days after graduation.

You do not have to have a job to apply for OPT. 

You are required to have a job during your post graduation OPT period. The-12 month period of OPT allows you to be unemployed for up to 90 days. If you apply for and receive a STEM extension, you can be unemployed for up to 150 days. 

Conditions of Academic Training 

It is flexible and can be applied to paid or unpaid opportunities that offer applicable field related engagement. Academic Training can be pursued part-time (up to 20 hours/week) during your studies and full-time at the end of your program. Academic Training requests can be approved if the position meets the criteria for Academic Training, your J-1 status has been maintained, you have followed the appropriate application procedures, and your stay in the U.S. will remain in the stated time limits. Academic Training is approved on a case by case basis.

The time limits for Bachelor's, Master's and Non-Degree Students are a maximum of 18 months or the length of the program; whichever is shorter. 

If you are considering academic training at the end of your program, your authorization must be processed before your official academic program completion date. In addition, the academic training/employment must begin within the first 30 days after the official academic program completion date.