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Student Visa (F-1 Visas)
Foreign nationals who enter the United States to pursue educational degrees
are admitted as F-1 nonimmigrants. F-1 nonimmigrants must be full-time students.
While enrolled they do not have authorization to accept employment off-campus,
with some minor exceptions. F-1 students who are registered as full-time
students may work on campus no more than 20 hours per week while attending
courses when school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during school
breaks. This employment may be for the school or may be for a business located
on the campus that provides direct services to students. However, there are two
basic types of off-campus work authorization available to F-1 students.
Currucular practical
training
Curricular practical training (CPT) is
employment which is an integral or important part of the F-1 student's
curriculum. This would include alternate work/study, internship, cooperative
education or any other required internship or practicum which is offered by
sponsoring Employers through cooperative agreements with the school. The student
must receive academic credit for the employment. The Designated Student Official
(DSO) has the authority to grant requests for either part-time or full-time
curricular practical training. Such practical training is Employer-specific and
USCIS approval is not required. The part-time designation only allows for up to
20 hours of work per week, whereas the full-time designation allows for
full-time employment without enrollment. As long as the eligibility of the
student and the position are maintained, there is no limit on the duration of
CPT employment during the F-1 student's program of study. However, an F-1
student who has completed 12 months or more of full-time CPT is not allowed to
engage in optional practical training.
Optional practical training before and after completion
of studies
An F-1 student may be eligible for up to 12
months of optional practical training. This is available while pursuing or after
completing a course of study. Full- or part-time practical training is allowed;
part-time practical training will be deducted at one-half the full-time rate.
The F-1 student is eligible to apply for practical training only after the
student has been enrolled for nine consecutive months as a full-time student.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) must be related to the student's major area of
study and is available in four instances: (1) while school is in session
(limited to part-time only); (2) during vacations; (3) after completion of all
course requirements for the degree; and (4) after completion of the course of
study. The student must apply to the DSO for endorsement on Form I-20 that OPT
is recommended. Once OPT is recommended the student is required to file form
I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) with BCIS. Once the EAD card is
issued, the student can commence employment. The EAD card is normally valid for
12 months, and regulations mandate that this document be issued within 90 days
from the date of filing.
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