A Guide to Working Off-Campus for UR International

Students

Alternate work/study, internship, cooperation education, or a required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school

F-1 student in good standing

F-1 status for at least 1 academic year EXCEPT for graduate students whose programs require a work experience in the 1st semester

Must be a continuing F-1 student; CPT cannot be used after completion of studies

Work must relate to your major(s)

Must receive UR academic credit during employment period unless work experience is a program requirement

Must be enrolled full-time during employment period except for summer and official school breaks

Paid or unpaid off-campus work anywhere in the U.S.

Must have employment offer

No maximum

Can be authorized in 1 year increments before completion of studies

Can be authorized for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours)

Eligible for CPT at each higher degree level (Master’s, Ph.D.)

20 hour per week maximum including other jobs when school is in session

40 hours per week or full-time equivalent during school breaks for continuing students

Ineligible for OPT at same degree level if you use 1 year or more of full-time CPT; part-time CPT does not count

CPT is employer-specific; can work for multiple employers at the same time as long as separate CPT applications are made for each one

Transfer to another school – CPT ends on transfer date; must apply for CPT with ISA at new institution

Cancellations can be made prior to employment start date

Applications must be made BEFORE employment start date.

Student Statement

Employer Statement

Departmental Recommendation

Students approved for CPT will receive new I-20 with authorization.

December 1st in fall semester

May 1st in spring semester

CPT can be authorized during the summer at least 5 working days in advance of employment start date

Work experience directly related to an F-1 student’s major to provide practical training during or upon completion of a degree program

F-1 student in good standing

F-1 status for at least 1 academic year

Work must relate to your major(s)

Off-campus work anywhere in the U.S.

On-campus work after graduation if work relates to your major

12 month maximum at each higher educational level (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral)

Cannot combine OPT periods – must use after each degree level

29 months for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) extension

Work must relate to major

Paid, unpaid or volunteer positions

Multiple employers

Work for hire as contractor or consultant

Self-employed business owner

Agency or consulting firm

Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify

Volunteering allowed but does not count toward work hours requirement

Pre-completion: 20 hour per week maximum including other

jobs when school is in session

40 hours per week or full-time equivalent during school breaks for continuing students

Post-completion: At least 20 hours per week

An average of at least 20 hours per week in a 1-month period for variable work schedules

Pre-completion: 90 days before completing 1st full

academic year

90 days before employment start date if you have completed 1st full academic year

Post-completion: 90 days before completion of studies

Students must apply separately for pre-and post-completion OPT.

120 days before OPT end date

December 1st in fall semester

May 1st in spring semester

Application must be received at USCIS Service Center within 30 days of International Student Advisor (ISA) recommendation

Start date no more than 60 days after completion of studies

End date no more than 12 months from start date if you have not used pre-completion OPT

Employment can begin or end any time during authorized period

Cannot work until start date on Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

Must be in physical possession of EAD

90 calendar days for post-completion

120 calendar days for STEM extension

Employment travel and periods of authorized leave do not count as unemployment

Department of Homeland Security (DHS), not ISA, is responsible for calculating unemployment time and taking action in SEVIS

Denial of future immigration benefits

DHS could terminate SEVIS record

A job is NOT required except for STEM extension

Employer’s name & address as written on contract if you have a job

Departmental Recommendation

Student Statement

I-765 form from USCIS website http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

I-765 fee (personal check or money order)

I-912 to request fee waiver from USCIS website

2 passport photos

Copies of all I-20s or F-1status letter if you have no I-20s from the institution, I-94 card, passport information page, F-1 visa stamp

Copy of I-20 from ISA with OPT recommendation on 3rd page

Copy of degree for STEM extension only

2-3 weeks after mailing application for USCIS receipt notice (I-797C)

90 calendar days from I-797C receipt date for approval

2 weeks from approval date for USCIS to mail your EAD

Email/text notification of application receipt by completing Form G-1145 from USCIS website

Cancelled bank check with receipt number on the back for pending applications

If your check has been cashed but you have not received the I-797C receipt notice, email lockboxsupport@dhs.gov

USCIS website http://www.uscis.gov to check case status online

If your receipt number does not show up online, email SCOPSSCATA@DHS.GOV

Call National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283) or make appointment (http://infopass.uscis.gov) if application has not been processed within 90 days

Once you receive approval notice, call National Customer Service Center for EAD tracking number and check status on Postal Service website at www.usps.com

Possible without a job

Carry endorsed I-20, I-797C, I-94, passport, F-1 visa stamp

Obtain I-20 travel signature from ISA every 6 months

Explain you are looking for employment

Not possible without a job

Carry endorsed I-20, I-94, passport, F-1 visa stamp, EAD, and contract letter

Obtain I-20 travel signature from ISA every 6 months

Cannot enter the U.S. until EAD start date

Unemployed time abroad cannot be regained

Not permitted during cap-gap period

Not permitted if STEM extension pending and EAD expired

Ineligible to apply for post-completion OPT

May not be allowed to enter U.S.

Must be renewed at U.S. consulate in home country

Present signed I-20, EAD, passport, proof of employment

Especially risky if you have a pending or approved H-1B petition

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) –ineligible for OPT if you use 1 year or more of full-time CPT

Cancellation – possible if done before start date on EAD

Working on campus – not possible after you graduate without using OPT

Failure to complete program – if application is pending it must be withdrawn; if application has been approved can work part-time while completing program and full-time upon program completion

Transfer to another school – OPT ends on transfer date

Departure from U.S. – 60-day grace period after EAD end date

Within 10 Days: Initial job (employer name, start date, mailing address)

Subsequent jobs (employer name, start date, mailing address, end date of former employment)

More than 10 days of unemployment

Address change

Name change

Early departure date from U.S.

Within 10 days: Name change Address change Employer change (employer name &

address) Loss of employment

Every 6 months: Legal name SEVIS ID number Current mailing & residential address Current employer name & address Current employment start date

Email Krittika Onsanit (ISA) at konsanit@richmond.edu

Walk-in hours (2-4 pm, Monday-Thursday each week, 103G International Center)

Email for appointment at other times