Employment

Off-Campus employment

Authorization from the  United States Citizenship & Immigration Services ( USCIS) is required to work off campus.  The types of Off-campus employment include the following:

• F-1 Curricular Practical Training ( CPT)
• F-1 Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training ( OPT)
• F-1 Work with an International Organization ( IO)
• F-1 Post-Completion Optional Practical Training ( OPT)
• F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• J-1 On-Campus Employment
• J-1 Academic Training ( AT)
• Severe Economic Hardship (OPT)

On-Campus employment

• Employment takes place in a campus facility.
• Permissible from the time of validation for the semester
• Requires that you be “in status” in SEVIS
• Enrolled full-time/good academic standing
• You may not work during “grace period” following degree completion
• Does not require special permission from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS)
• Talk to your DSO before starting any type of employment in the United States
• Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session – accumulated total of all jobs.
• Full-time (21 hours or more per week) during school spring , summer and winter break
• Work on campus does not need to be degree related
• All on campus employment ends the day  after you complete your program requirements
• Students concurrently attending two institutions may work only on the campus of the institution that issued their SEVIS I-20 form

Social Security Information

• An International Student with a valid job offer has to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• The purpose of a Social Security Number is to help the government keep track of an individual’s earnings for tax purposes
• To apply for a Social Security Number, visit one of the local SSA offices to fill out an application.
• Use a stable address that is not expected to change in the next three months.
• All applicants must apply in person at any Social Security Administration Office
• The following documents are required for a Social Security Number (SSN) application:
• Letter of Employment
• Letter from Howard University International Student and Immigration Services Office
• Immigration documents
• The required Immigration documents are:
• F-1 Visa holders: passport, I-94 and I-20
• J-1 Visa holders: passport, I-94 and DS2019

Additional Resources

Forms (pdfs will be provided)

• OPT application
• CPT application
• F-1 Transfer Verification form
• J-1 Transfer Verification form
• J-1 Application Form
• Howard University Statement of Financial Resources

International Student Organizations

• International iPALS
• African Students Association
• Caribbean Students Association
• Saudi Arabian Students Association

• • Curricular Practical Training is defined as employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including, internship and  cooperative education
  • CPT is integral to your major and the experience must be a part of your program of study
  • Eligibility – students must enroll for two full semesters in F-1 status with a declared major
  • Exception for graduate students- At the graduate level, your DSO may authorize CPT during your first semester if your program requires this type of experience for graduation. Ask your DSO for details.
  • Complete CPT application with International Student Advisor
  • Bring completed application and employment offer letter to the International Students and Immigration Service Office
  • Most students are eligible for 1 or 2 semesters of CPT
  • CPT must be authorized each semester
  • CPT is employer specific . You cannot change employers while on CPT. If a change of employer  is needed you will need to submit another application to your DSO.
  • CPT requires a signed cooperative agreement or a letter from your employer
  • CPT permission is given only by the International Students and VISA Immigration Services Office
  • CPT can be Part-Time of Full-Time
  • Part-Time CPT is limited to 20 hours per week while you are enrolled in classes
  • You must be enrolled as  a full-time student and also be enrolled in the appropriate internship course  to maintain your legal status
  • Full-Time CPT permits employment of 21 hours or more per week
  • This option is only available under the following circumstances:
  • During the summer holiday if you will be enrolled full-time  the next fall semester
  • During school holidays if no classes are being held for the entire week ( e.g. Spring Break and Christmas Break, but not Thanksgiving Break)
  • For graduate students whose thesis or project requires a full-time internship and are enrolled in thesis credits
  • CPT authorization  cannot be extended, you have to reapply every semester
  • If you would like to continue CPT, plan ahead and submit another CPT application to the DSO approval two weeks  before the end date of the current CPT
  • Work authorization on CPT Is valid for the employer listed on your I-20 and the dates specified
  • Any work that takes place before after the dates listed on your I-20 is considered unauthorized employment
  • Proof of eligibility to work- Your DSO will provide you a new Form I-20  which shows that your employment has been approved

• Enrolled for two full semesters in F-1 status before eligibility for OPT
• Good Academic standing
• F-1 students are eligible for 12 months total OPT per degree level
• Employment permitted for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year
• Full-time employment permitted during official university  holidays and vacations
• Employment must be directly related to the major field of study

• Enrolled for two full semesters in F-1 status before eligibility for OPT
• Good Academic standing
• F-1 students are eligible for 12 months total OPT per degree level
• Employment permitted for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year
• Full-time employment permitted during official university  holidays and vacations
• Employment must be directly related to the major field of study
• STEM majors are eligible for an additional 24-month extension of work authorization
• Apply 90 days before  date of completion or within 60 days of  program completion

• Students who have earned degrees in certain science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization if they:
• F-1 student who received a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List
• Employment with  an employer enrolled in E-Verify
• Received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.

• Generally, if you are an F-1 student who wants to apply for OPT, you must:
• Request that your designated school official (DSO) at your academic institution recommend the OPT.
• DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing your Form I-20 and making the appropriate notation in SEVIS
• Properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and the supporting documentation

Documents required for an F-1 Pre-Completion OPT Application

• Form I-765
• Application filing Fee – personal check, cashier’s check, money order, debit/credit card
• Two recent passport photos (Write your SEVIS ID Number on the back with a pencil)
• Form G-1145
• Copy of new Form I-20 ( with OPT recommendation on page 2)
• Copies of all previous I-20s
• Copies of previous Employment Authorization Documents ( EADs), if applicable
• Copy of passport biographic page
• Copy of F-1 Visa
• Copy of most recent I-94 Record

Documents required for an F-1 Post-Completion OPT Application:

• Form I-765
• Application filing Fee – personal check, cashier’s check, money order, debit/credit card
• Two recent passport photos (Write your SEVIS ID Number on the back with a pencil)
• Form G-1145
• Copy of new Form I-20 (with OPT recommendation on page 2)
• Copies of all previous I-20s
• Copies of previous Employment Authorization Documents ( EADs), if applicable
• Copy of passport biographic page
• Copy of F-1 Visa
• Copy of most recent I-94 Record

Information will be provided

Information will be provided