International Students and Employment


If you are on an F-1 visa, there are several restrictions you need to follow before accepting employment. There are three different typed of employment available to International Students: On-Campus Employment and Off-Campus Employment [Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)]. Listed below are the rules and regulations to follow when applying for these types of employment.

On-Campus Employment

Any full time International Student in good academic standing is eligible to work on campus. You do not need permission to work on-campus from USCIS. Students can not work more than 20 hours per week during full time enrollment.

Please note that on-campus jobs are limited and are offered on a first come, first serve basis. For more information regarding on-campus employment see your advisor.

Off-Campus Employment
(Curricular Practical Training/Optional Practical Training)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

- WHAT IS CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING?

Curricular practical training is an employment option available to F-1 students where the practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. This employment may be an Internship, or may other pre-approved work experience that is either required for you degree (as defined in the course catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded.

- WHAT ARE THE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS?

To be eligible for Curricular Practical Training

The time you spend on Part-Time Curricular Practical Training will not be deducted from the 12 months of allowable Optional Practical Training. If you participate in more than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training during the degree program, you will NOT be eligible for Optional Practical Training after graduation.

- WHAT IS CONSIDERED PART-TIME?

Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are enrolled for classes is considered part-time Curricular Practical Training. While engaged in part-time Curricular Practical Training you must be simultaneously enrolled as a full-time student in order to maintain lawful F-1.

- WHAT IS CONSIDERED FULL-TIME TRAINING?

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time Curricular Practical Training. You may only work more than 20 hours per week during vacation periods. If you participate in over 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training you will NOT eligible for Optional Practical Training after graduation.

- HOW DO I APPLY FOR CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING?

Optional Practical Training (OPT):  Download Information About New OPT Rules

- WHAT IS F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING?

Optional Practical Training is the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus after graduation. Optional Practical Training is authorized by Immigration Service. This authorization can take several months to obtain so you need to apply well in advance of graduation (Contact the Office of International Programs). The maximum amount time granted to work in F-1 Optional Practical Training status is 12 months.

- WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR F-1 OPTIONAL PRACITCAL TRAINING?

To be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training,
• you must have been in full time student status for at least one full academic year
• you must be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application
• you should intend to work in a position directly related to your major field of study.
As of January 1, 2003, an F-1 student may become eligible for another 12 months of Optional Practical Training when he or she moves to a higher educational level. This benefits, for example, a student who has used 12 months of optional training after completing a bachelor’s degree and is now completing a masters or PhD program.

- HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AUTHORIZATION FOR OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING AND WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

Authorization for Optional Practical Training is granted by the Immigration Service and can take several months to obtain. You may apply for optional practical training 120 days prior to graduation and no later than one month before graduation. You can not apply after you graduate. You will need to receive the employment authorization card by the end of the semester.

- DO I NEED TO HAVE A JOB TO APPLY FOR OPTIONAL PRACITICAL TRAINING?

You do not need to have a job offer before applying for Optional Practical Training.

- HOW TO APPLY FOR OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING?

When you know and have your completion date approved by your advisor, make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to apply for OPT.

- WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?

The International Student Advisor will complete the form I-539, new I-20 document authorizing eligibility to request OPT and put the packet together and send it to immigration for review and approval.

- CAN I BEGIN WORKING BEFORE I RECEIVE THE EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT?

No, you are NOT allowed to begin employment before you receive you EAD from CIS (formerly INS). Working before practical training has been authorized by the Immigration Service constitutes illegal employment that will jeopardize your legal status in the U.S.

For further information, contact Office of International Programs (678-547-6109, Bldg A, Davis Bldg, Suite 210).

H-1B VISAS

U.S. law provides several ways for employers to hire foreign college graduates. For example, CIS (formerly INS) issues tens of thousands of H-1B work visas each year.
H-1B visa is an extremely popular work visa. It is available to foreign national who (a) have at least a U. S. Bachelor’s Degree or foreign equivalent and (b) will be working in a job that requires a Bachelor’s Degree. The employer must submit a visa petition to the CIS. Approval can take as little as two weeks.

• H-1B VISA INFORMATION
U.S. Department of Labor (Employment & Training Administration)
www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/h-1b.cfm
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
http://www.aila.org/

H1 VISA EMPLOYERS DATABASES

This is not a list of available jobs. These databases contain listings of employer who has recently fled the appropriate paperwork to sponsor an international person for an H1 visa. This information will help you determine which employers may be willing to sponsor a visa holder. Please note: There is no guarantee that these employers have available jobs. Or that the employer will sponsor you.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS GUIDE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

There are helpful articles available for international students who are interested in attending a college or university in the United States.
International Student Guide to the United States of America: http://www.internationalstudentguidetotheusa.com/articles/

HOW TO SEARCH MAJORS AND COLLEGES?
If you would like more information on colleges and the majors they offer, you can visit this website:
http://www.petersons.com/

This website offers general information. For more detail information about each college, please go to individual colleges’ websites.

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY GUIDE: FOR WORK PERMIT AND VISA INFORMATION

OverseasJobs.com is a helpful website for students who are looking for the job outside of the United States. They list a country that they currently offers jobs in, as well as links to each country’s embassy, if available online, in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

OveseasJobs.com: http://www.overseasjobs.com/jobSeekers/resources/articles/Country_By_Country_Guide.html

HOW TO CREATE GLOBAL RESUME/ CV

The website below has useful information for how to create the resume if you work outside of the United States.

IMDIVERSITY.COM: http://www.imdiversity.com/Villages/Careers/articles/global_resume_advice_1204.asp

PROFESSIONAL MENTORING FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Intercultural Professional Collaborative (IPC) is offering professional mentoring to international students. The mission of the IPC is to build cultural and professional competency for individuals to be more effective in a globalized workplace. Mercer University students and alumni can be Mentees or Mentors.

Qualifications for Mentees:  Must be at least 21 years old · Must have held a job or attended school in the U.S. for at least 6 months · Must speak and understand English · Must have an interest in pursuing a professional career in U.S.

Qualifications for Mentors: Must be at least 21 years old · Must have lived in the U.S. for at least 6 years · Must have been in current career field for at least 5 years · Must speak and understand English.

For more information, contact Ife Finch at (404) 627-4793 ext. 5 or email program.coordinator@cultureconnectinc.org