Employment

On-campus employment refers to employment where a student is hired by an office or department of the University of Northern Colorado campus and paid by the university. A new F1 or J1 student can begin working as early as 30 days prior to the start date on their F1/J1 immigration document, the form I-20/DS-2019. Students who are transferring their F1 or J1 records to UNC can start working once their F1 or J1 transfer has been accepted by the university.

F1 and J1 international students maintaining status at UNC can work on campus a maximum of 20 hours per week during school and full time during the breaks (e.g., winter or summer) if they are returning to classes the following term. An F1 or J1 student who works more than 20 hours a week on campus when school is in session could jeopardize their F1 or J1 immigration status.

To obtain a social security number (SSN), an F1/J1 international student needs a letter from the Office of Global Engagement verifying their eligibility, which Office of Global Engagement (OGE)  issues when a student submits the Employment Letter form and the job offer letter. An F1/J1 international student must have a legitimate job offer in order to apply for an SSN as well as the letter from Office of Global Engagement.

International students wishing to work off campus must obtain permission before doing so. Any work they do must be directly related to their area of study.

Students studying in the US on an F1 Visa have three programs they can utilize to work off campus: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship. CPT is approved by one of the International Advisors at the Office of Global Engagement. OPT and Severe Economic Hardship are approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Students studying in the US on a J1 Visa have one program they can utilize to work off campus: Academic Training (AT).  Academic Training is available for students part-time while they are in school or full-time during vacation periods. In some cases, students may interrupt study to work full-time. AT must be approved by one of the International Advisors at the Office of Global Engagement.

Students in F-1 status who want to engage in practical learning, such as internships, student teaching, practicum, co-operative education, fieldwork, required professional experience, or other “hands on” learning activities off-campus must first apply for and be granted authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Federal law at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10) defines CPT as “Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”

According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) in the US Department of Homeland Security, CPT “is only available to F-1 students when it is an integral part of an established curriculum. In practical terms, ‘integral part of an established curriculum’ means an opportunity must be required by the curriculum or, if not required, the student must receive credit for the training… There is no restriction on compensation during CPT. Compensation is not a consideration when determining whether an opportunity qualifies as CPT,” however, CPT authorization is absolutely required for any curricular activity that is or should be compensated.

Practical Training activities may be an optional or required part of your program of study, but must be an integral part of the curriculum and directly related to your major area of studies. That means that you must receive academic credit or your program explicitly requires all students to engage in off campus training activities.

The ISSS team authorizes CPT for F-1 students to engage in qualifying opportunities through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and I-20 is issued to show the authorization.  CPT must be authorized before any CPT activities, paid, or unpaid, may start.

CPT Information and Resources from the Department of Homeland Security

• Study in the States F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Study in the States CPT blog post July 3, 2019
• Study in the States CPT reminders blog post December 12, 2019
• Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) CPT Fact Sheet

Students apply through the UNC Global Portal.  Please remember to start only one application per CPT opportunity.  You can go back to any application you have started from your user home page.

CPT FAQs For Employers

Does CPT require visa sponsorship?
No! CPT is a benefit of F-1 status, and does not require “sponsorship” from any employer, but the student must have a practical training offer from the employer and an endorsement from their academic advisor before they can apply for CPT authorization.

What do I need to do to hire a student on CPT?
An F-1 student will need an offer from your company or organization. This letter must be on letterhead, signed by the supervisor or hiring authority and provide the name of the company or organization hiring the student, the dates of the proposed employment, internship, or practicum, the position title, a description of the position the student will fill, the physical address where the student will work, supervisor name, and supervisor contact information.

The student must upload the completed offer letter their online CPT request in  the Global ISSS portal, and the information will be shared with their academic advisor for their endorsement. If CPT is approved, an I-20 will be issued to the student, which can be used for I-9 purposes.

A student cannot start employment (including training), until the I-20 has been issued.

Who authorizes CPT?
CPT is authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO) on the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Status. . An F-1 student must request authorization from the school at which they are enrolled full-time with their F-1 I-20 in order to be authorized.  It may take 10 business days to review and approve a student’s CPT request after submission and endorsement from the student’s academic department, and not all CPT can be approved.

What about CPT for volunteering?
CPT is both for paid and unpaid experiences. Remuneration of any kind, including parking, meals, housing, books, etc., may be considered payment for immigration purposes, so CPT is recommended for any off campus training opportunity, regardless of employment status and Department of Labor criteria for internships and volunteer positions.

I’m interested in hiring an F-1 student for CPT, but I still have questions.  Who do I call?
You can reach out to a member of the International Student and Scholar Services team at the Office of Global Engagement: 970.351.2396.  We must still follow federal privacy regulations when it comes to individual student information (even if they have applied to work with you), but we will be happy to explain CPT information to you and provide general guidance.

Depending on their individual program and program sponsor, J-1 international students may be eligible for Academic Training (AT) directly related to the student’s field of study at UNC or at their home institution. J-1 students can do AT either before or after program completion — as long as the request for Academic Training is submitted in time to be approved before their DS-2019 expires. It requires the support of the academic advisor, Dean or director, who must complete a recommendation form for the student as well as an evaluation after AT is completed. Academic Training can be either paid or unpaid, on- or off-campus, depending on the opportunity.

Eligibility

• You must be maintaining valid J-1 status on UNC’s DS-2019
• You must be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing
• You must find an AT experience that is directly related to the major listed on your DS-2019 (or for dual degree students, your major at your home country institution); UNC is required to determine that the opportunity aligns with Department of State guidance directives on avoiding unskilled placement for Academic Training
• AT must be approved before the end date on your DS-2019

Limitations

• Bachelor’s and Master’s student may be authorized for up to 18 months of AT — but no more than the time you spent enrolled in a full course of study (so a one year’s Master’s program student may only receive 9 months of AT)
• Doctoral students doing AT during their program can be authorized for up to 18 months of AT before to completing the program
• Doctoral students who complete program can be authorized for up to 36 months for a postdoctoral position (provided they have not engaged in any previous AT)
• Students in a Exchange or non-degree program  may be authorized for AT that does not exceed the amount of time they spent enrolled in a full course of study (a one semester exchange student is allowed only 4 months of AT)
• Academic Training can be either full-time when classes are not in session (or if the program requires it) or part-time, but full and part time AT authorizations count equally towards the limit

Maintaining Status During AT

• You are still a J-1 “student” during Academic Training, even if you participate after course/degree completion
• As during your academic program, you must report any changes to your physical address, phone, contact information, or name to the to ISSS within 10 days of any changes
• During pre-completion AT, updates should be submitted through Ursa
• During post-completion Academic Training, changes can be reported through UNC Global
• Completing an evaluation at the end of AT is required
• Students participating in AT are still Exchange Visitors in the U.S. and expected to continue to engage in and report on cross-cultural activities and programs during the period of authorized AT
• Students participating in Academic Training and their dependents must continue to carry health insurance that complies with Department of State and UNC International Student Insurance requirements.  J-1 visitors who do not maintain valid health insurance must have their programs terminated by UNC

Related Resources

• UNC’s Center for Career Readiness can help with job searching, resume/C.V. preparation, and interview skills
• Information for current J-1 program participants from the U.S. Department of State

What is OPT?

OPT is a chance for F-1 students to get practical experience in your field of study. At each higher level of study (except English language learning) you are allowed 12 months of Optional Practical Training authorized by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

OPT can happen during your studies (“pre-completion”), or after you complete your degree (“post-completion”) or while writing a thesis or dissertation (also “post-post completion”), and the 12 months can be broken up into multiple periods. We usually recommend waiting until the end of your studies, since there is a substantial cost to the application, and a long wait for approval.

Some students in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math (STEM) fields may be eligible for an additional two-year STEM Extension OPT period.

When Can I Apply?

F-1 students who have been enrolled for a full academic year in valid status (this may include starting out in another status that permits full time enrollment) or who will have been enrolled a full year by the requested start date are eligible to apply.

For post-completion OPT, undergraduate students can apply no more than 90 days before the last day of final exams in their last term.

For post-completion OPT Graduate and doctoral students may apply no more than 90 days before completing all course work, even if they still need to complete a thesis or dissertation after course work is complete. For students enrolled in thesis or dissertation credits who expect to defend during their final term should discuss the “completion date” with their immigration advisor.

USCIS must receive and acknowledge your application by the 60th day after your last day of exams or program completion.

When Does OPT End

Although you are allotted 12 months of OPT authorizations, post completion OPT must end no more than 14 months after your program of studies or “end date”. Applying late may mean that you receive less than 12 full months of training authorization.

OPT also ends if you accrue 90 days or more of unemployment time during post-completion OPT.

Do I Have to Use all 12 Months At Once?

No. You may split your 12 months per level into parts, however, each time you will have to pay separate application fees and wait until USCIS makes a decision. USCIS often takes 3 months or more to make a decision, so it is usually to your benefit not to break up your time too much.

If you apply for part time, pre-completion OPT, the time counts at half the rate as full time (6 months of part time OPT counts as 3 months of your 12 allowed at each level).

However, you know you are going to go on to a second degree at the same level and want to have practical training for both, you may want to consider applying for only part of your time for the first degree. You can then use the remainder for your second degree at the same level. However, if you go on to a higher level, the time used at the lower level is no longer available to you.

If I Want to Use Pre-Completion OPT How Does That Work?

You may use OPT:

• during your annual vacation and other times when school is not in session if you are currently enrolled, eligible, and intend to register for the next semester.
• while school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed 20 hours per week.

However, it is important to remember that it takes several months for USCIS to approve OPT applications, so you will want to plan well in advance if you intend to take advantage of the opportunity during your studies.

Is OPT the Same as a Work Visa or Green Card?

No. Students who participate in OPT remain F-1 students for the duration of OPT. You will still need to maintain contact with ISSS, report your activities, have a valid F-1 visa to come into the US if you travel while you are on OPT, and a signature on your OPT I-20.

Because it is attached to your F-1 student status, it is important to remember that all of your employment activities during OPT must be directly related to your major area of studies. You cannot supplement your employment with other jobs, like driving for Uber or Lyft.

When Can I Start OPT Employment?

Students doing pre-completion OPT can start anytime after receiving the authorization from USCIS if they have been enrolled full time for an academic year. Employment must end by the last day of authorization.

Student on post-completion OPT pick a requested start date between 1 and 60 days after completion, but may only begin working after the work authorization is received and the start date on the card has been reached.

Can I Work Full-Time on OPT?

Students on pre-completion OPT must be authorized for part time OPT (no more than 20 hours per week) if school is in session, but may request full time authorization (anything more than 20 hours per week) during official breaks. These are separate authorizations, so timing is critical.

Students on post-completion OPT are required to apply for “full time” authorization, and must be actively engaged in an “employment” activity related to their studies more than 20 hours a week. There is no upper limi9t to the number of hours you may work during post-completion OPT.

No more than 90 days of unemployment (including holidays and weekends) is allowed during post-completion OPT, so finding “employment” related to your studies is critical to maintaining your status.

What Counts as Employment During OPT?

• Regular paid employment in a position directly related to your program of study that equals 20 or more hours per week.  This may be for multiple employers at the same time
• Multiple short term employers (“gig” work).  SEVP guidance says “Students, such as musicians and other performing artists, may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). The student should [report] all gigs, the dates and duration” during OPT, and be sure that the total hours (include rehearsals) is over 20 hours per week to be considered “employed”.
• Work for hire, or  1099 employment” where you perform a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship.
• Self-employed business owner. Per SEVP, “Students on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. The student should be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to his or her degree program.”  No self employment is allowed for STEM OPT.
• Employment through an agency. According to SEVP “Students on post-completion OPT must be able to provide evidence showing they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.” There are serious limits on agency employment for STEM OPT.
• Volunteers or unpaid interns: SEVP guidance says “Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this practice does not violate any labor laws. The work should be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT. A student should be able to provide evidence, acquired from the student’s employer, to verify that he or she engaged in at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.”

You may also combine some or all of the above kinds of employment, concurrently or sequentially during authorized periods of pre-completion or post-completion OPT, but the rules for STEM extensions are very different.

Any or all “employment” activities like those listed above must be directly related to your major area of study and should be appropriate to your degree level.  You will be required report how your activities are related to your studies when you report your employment to the Department of Homeland Security, so it is important that you be able to directly explain how your job relates to your major classes.

Volunteer activities that are not related to your studies should not be related as “employment” during OPT.

Is Pre-Completion OPT the Same As CPT (Curricular Practical Training)?

No. If you qualify for CPT, it is usually more beneficial than trying to apply for pre-completion OPT. The advantage of OPT is that you are not limited to a single employer or activity during your authorization, but you do pay for the application fees and must wait until authorization is granted (3 months or more) before you start working, so by the time you know you want OPT, the job offer may be gone.

CPT is directly tied to your studies (for credit or required by your program), but there is no additional cost for the application (if you are in a class you pay tuition), and the authorization is done by ISSS staff, so it’s available much more quickly. However, you are strictly limited to the authorized employer, activity, and dates.

How do I Apply for OPT?

AFTER you complete the OPT request in the Global portal:

Online Application with USCIS

We are now recommending you use USCIS online application, since students are finding it faster and easier to file, and approvals come more quickly with an online application.  It is important to include the correct I-20 endorsed for OPT at the time of filing (a special I-20 has to be issued to recommend OPT, which we issue after we review your request and documents and verify your eligibility).  Failure to have the OPT endorsement from OGE prior to filing will result in denial (and no refunds are available).  The required supporting documentation is also simpler when you file the online form.  If you decide you want to use the online filing, please use the “View draft snapshot” function to get a draft for us to review BEFORE you submit.

Do not submit your final I-765 request to USCIS online or pay the fee with pay.gov until you have reviewed your application with our office and received your OPT recommendation I-20 and added it to your online application.  You must complete your submission within 30 days, including the new I-20, within 30 days of the I-20 being issued (regardless of when you actually get it).  You may be denied for submitting without the OPT recommendation I-20 or for submitting too long after the I-20 was issued.  Refunds of your application fee are not available for denied applications.  If a denial comes before the end of your 60 grace period, you may reapply, but if you are denied after the end of your grace period, there is no appeal.

If you choose to use the online I-765, we recommend reviewing the USCIS webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWAqJF_AK0I and the follow up questions and answers from the CIS Ombudsman’s office.

Paper Application with USCIS

Several documents are required for your OPT application, and it is more complicated than the online version.  Forms must be typed in, printed out, signed and sent by paper mail to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  OGE’s administrative fee must also be paid in advance to UNC.

• Completed and signed Form I-765
• Form G-1145
• USCIS Fee -check or money order payable to: “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”
• Copy of your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (either a printout from the website or a photocopy of a paper form stapled in your passport), and/or I-797A Notice of Action granting F-1 status
• Copy of your current, valid passport information page (and signature page if different)
• Two new, passport style photographs, taken within the last 30 days
• Copy of your most recent US visa (even if it is not F-1 or if it is expired)
• Copy of any previous I-765 EAD cards (if you have had previous OPT, Economic Hardship, or other work authorization from USCIS)
• Copy of a new OPT recommendation I-20, you will receive after meeting with your immigration advisor and providing all of your other documents for review
• Printout of your SEVIS employment history, you will receive after meeting with your immigration advisor and providing all of your other documents for review

When you have done as much as you can on your own, you will complete the UNC Global request online, and upload your documents for your immigration advisor to view.  When your advisor is satisfied that your documents are complete and correct they can issue a new “OPT Recommended” I-20 for you, a copy of which goes into your packet for USCIS.

You must submit and USCIS must receive and receipt your application within 30 days of your OPT I-20 endorsement, including the new I-20, within 30 days of the I-20 being issued (regardless of when you actually get it).  You may be denied for submitting without the OPT recommendation I-20 or for submitting too long after the I-20 was issued.  Refunds of your application fee are not available for denied applications.  If a denial comes before the end of your 60 grace period, you may reapply, but if you are denied after the end of your grace period, there is no appeal.

When Should My “Start Date” Be?

Choosing your start date for OPT can be difficult. No matter when you apply, you must select a start date that is within the 60 days after you finish your studies. Remember that you cannot start employment until you have the card in hand AND have reached your employment start date, but you also cannot accrue more than 90 days of unemployment during your authorized OPT period.

If you apply early and know that you have a job waiting for you, you may want to select a date early in that 60 day window. If you apply late, or think it’s going to take a long time to find a job, then you might want to pick a later start date.

Students who apply early but are not sure about their job prospects often pick a date in the middle.

The I-765 Looks Scary–How Should I Fill it Out?

You should carefully read the USCIS instructions, but we have also made some tips and sample I-765 forms for you to look at.

What Should My Final Packet Have When I Mail It?

• Application fee (be sure you make the check or money order to US Department of Homeland Security, that it is dated and signed, we also suggest you annotate with “OPT” and your SEVIS N number
• Completed G-1145
• I-765 – be sure ALL pages are complete (check page 7), and included, be sure you’ve signed it in black ink!
• Copy of new I-20 with DSO endorsement for OPT, issued within the past 30 days – keep the original with you (be sure to sign it before making a copy)
• Printout of most recent I-94 or copy of I-94 paper card (front & back)
• Copy of passport information page (and update/modification/extension pages, if applicable)
• Copy of current or most recent student visa or change of status notice
• Passport photos (less than 30 days old with name and SEVIS ID number on the back), in a small envelope or passport photo holder taped closed on the three open sides, so that your photos cannot fall out,
• SEVIS employment page or copies of previous Forms I-20 (information pages only) ONLY if they include employment information, with the newest first working backwards to the oldest, making sure that each I-20 both pages
• Copy of previous EAD(s), if ever issued
• ISSS cover letter/checklist (if you have completed your application with an ISSS advisor)

Where Do I Send My Application When It’s Ready?

Make a copy before shipping, and get it all in the mail (or by a courier) immediately since it must be received by USCIS no more than 30 days after OPT has been recommended in the SEVIS system.  We strongly recommend using a courier or some other form of traceable service.  eShip Global offers a discount on many carriers for UNC students, but you are not required to use their services.

All OPT applications (as of January 8, 2021) should be sent to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox.  We recommend sending by courier requiring signature (FedEx, UPS, DHL):

USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

If sending by US Postal Service:

USCIS
PO Box 805373
Chicago, IL 60680

Okay! I Applied. Now What?

USCIS can take a while to make a decision.  You can remain in the United States, while you wait for your card, even if you have passed the end of your 60 day grace period.

You remain an F-1 “student” during OPT, and have reporting requirements to maintain your F-1 status.

Please make sure you update Ursa with a personal “preferred” email.  Because you will lose access to your BearMail account about 6 months after you finish your studies, and CIE still needs to be able to contact you.

Applied for or Approved for OPT

I Applied. Now What?

To check on the progress of your application, go to https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/mycasestatus.do, type in your receipt number (i.e., LIN0123456789). This site is updated when applications are processed, and states the mailing date or requests for information.  While it is helpful, we do find that it is not always up to date.

Am I Still a Student During OPT?

While on OPT you are still in F-1 status and you must still maintain ties with the University of Northern Colorado and OGE as your SEVIS record remains active through us.

I Got my Receipt or EAD In the Mail. Does OGE Need a Copy?

Yes. Please be sure to get us a copy of any document you receive from USCIS regarding your OPT application & approval.

Can I Take a Trip After I Applied for OPT?

Travel and reentry after applying for OPT:
Prior to graduation, travel is the same as before you applied for OPT, except that the travel signature on your I-20 cannot be more than 6 months old when you return.
After you finish your program, you may travel while your application for OPT is pending, although it is not advisable. If you decide to travel while OPT is pending, you will need to carry with you a copy of your receipt notice for reentry into the U.S.  If your OPT is approved while you are away, you will need your EAD card and a job to return to.

Once your OPT has been approved, carry:

• OPT I-20, signed within the 6 months
• valid EAD (OPT card)
• valid F-1 visa
• valid passport
• letter of employment or other proof of employment

I Got My Card. Can I Work Now?

Once your application is approved, USCIS will issue you an EAD. Submit a scanned copy of your EAD card to OGE.

You may begin working when

• you have received the EAD card (you may not begin employment if your OPT has been approved but you have not yet received the EAD in the mail).
• and the start date on the card has been reached.

Any employment must be directly related to your major field of studies. Other employment (Uber, Lyft, or other supplemental employment) is unauthorized and is a substantive violation of your status.

What Else Do I Need to Do?

You will receive an email from SEVP on the day your OPT authorization starts to create your SEVP Portal account for OPT reporting.

EMAIL SUBJECT:  Optional Practical Training Approval – the next step. Create an SEVP Portal account.

Follow the instructions carefully to create your SEVP Portal account.  You will use the SEVP Portal to comply with reporting requirements during OPT.

For more information on the SEVP Portal see the Study in the States website.

The SEVP Portal

As of March 23, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will require students on F-1 OPT to update the mandatory SEVIS reporting requirements of personal and employment changes through the SEVP Portal, including initial employment.

SEVP Portal communications will be sent to your primary and preferred email in Ursa. Make sure that your primary and preferred email address is up to date at the time of your OPT application.

What Do I Need to Report?

Within 10 days of any change, report an/all

Changes to your name or address (mailing or physical)

Employer (name)

Start date

End date

Employer address

Description of how this position is related to your field of studies.
Starting, ending, or changing details of any employment, including “volunteer” activities that count as employment during post-completion OPT

What If I Decide I Don’t Want to do OPT After All?

If you decide you do not want to participate in OPT, before you are approved, you can withdraw your OPT request with USCIS.  Your fees will not be refunded.

If you decide during your authorized period that you want to depart the United States with no further participation in OPT, please let your immigration advisor know, and provide your departure date.  After you leave, your SEVIS record will be updated to reflect your departure and appropriate completion of your OPT.

Can I Start on My New Degree?

OPT ends when you begin a new program of studies, whether or not it is full time and whether or not you actually transfer your SEVIS I-20 record to a new school or get a new level I-20 from UNC. You should never enroll in a program of studies (except avocational or recreational) during OPT.

Need help finding a job?  Visit Center for Career Readiness to learn how they can help you look for employment opportunities.