1. F-1 Visa International Students
On-Campus Employment
F-1 Visa International Students

2. F-1 Student Employment Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to
Identify and describe rules regarding on-campus employment for F-1 students

3. Overview of F-1 Student Employment
F-1 students’ ability to work in the U.S. is limited by law and is governed by the F-1 Student Code of Federal Regulations: 8 C.F.R (f)
DSOs, international students, and employers must be aware of federal regulations and policies for F-1 student employment and practical training.
Students cannot start any employment until they have the proper authorization.
Intro: F-1 visa international students may wish to earn money and/or gain practical experience while in the U.S. attending school.

4. On-Campus Employment
On-campus employment must be performed on the school’s premises.
Employment with independent companies operating on campus is not considered on-campus employment. (Examples: Barnes & Noble, Sodexo, etc.)
Typically, on-campus employment is work that directly supports the student body, or provides services to the student population (for example, working at a school library, admissions office, or residence hall).

5. On-Campus Employment
Students may work up to 20 hours per week maximum when school is in session (Fall & Spring terms).
Students may work more than 20 hours per week during Summer term and when school is not in session (vacation periods).
Students must be authorized by the school’s DSO before beginning employment.

6. On-Campus Employment Student Eligibility:
Students must be in legal F-1 status with a current passport and I-20 form.
Students must be enrolled in classes full-time (Fall & Spring terms).
Students must be in good academic standing.

7. On-Campus Employment
Students can search and apply for on-campus jobs on HIRE-UT, the university’s student employment website.

8. On-Campus Employment
Students may only engage in on-campus employment at the school having jurisdiction over their SEVIS record and I-20 form.
Upon initial entry into the U.S. to begin program of study, an F-1 student may not begin on-campus employment more than 30 days prior to the start of classes.
An F-1 student may not engage in on-campus employment after completing their program.
Mention: F-1 students are not eligible for on-campus Federal Work/Study jobs.

9. On-Campus Employment Pop Quiz!
Kahoot Pop Quiz:

10. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
F-1 Visa International Students

11. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to
Define CPT and describe its rules and eligibility

12. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT Basics: What is CPT?
It is an employment option available to F-1 students where the work experience is a necessary part of the curriculum or academic program and will count toward the completion of the degree.
The employment may be an internship, a practicum, or any other pre-approved work experience.
It must be academic in nature and be an integral part of a degree program.
Curricular Practicum Training is not a “job” but a part of an educational program

13. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT Basics: What is CPT?
CPT must never be used for the purpose of facilitating employment.

14. CPT Basics: Student Eligibility
The student must:
Be a degree-seeking student
Be in good academic standing
Have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year
Have a valid passport and I-20 form

15. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT Basics:
The training must be directly related to the student’s field of study and must be appropriated to the student’s education level.
CPT employment is normally limited to the start and end dates of a semester.

16. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
There are 2 types of CPT:
Type 1 – Internship as required part of a degree program
Type 2 – Internship as an optional part of a degree program

17. Type 1 - CPT as Required Part of Degree Program
Specific training required for all students in a program, necessary for the awarding of the degree. The requirement is stated in the school’s catalog as a degree requirement for all students. (Examples: Nursing program, ID&T)
Student must be registered for the course during the period they are working under CPT authorization.

18. Type 2 - CPT as Optional Part of Degree Program
Includes an elective (internship) course specifically designed to award academic credits for employment experience.
It is supervised by a faculty advisor or internship coordinator.
Student must be registered for an internship credit course during the period they are working under CPT authorization.
CPT for a course credit is authorized for part-time (less than 20 hours/week) employment during spring and fall semesters.
Exception is only for the summer term.

19. CPT – Full-time vs Part-time
CPT may be part-time or full-time.
CPT is normally authorized for part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the regular (Fall and Spring) semesters.
Exception:
If the student’s degree program specifically requires full-time training.
If the student participates in CPT training during the summer breaks.

20. Student Enrollment during CPT
If CPT part-time participation occurs during regular semesters (Fall and Spring), students must continue to maintain a full-time course load of study during the period of employment .
Full time is 12 credits for undergraduate students and 8 credits for graduate students.

21. If the student is also working on campus, the total work hours combined may not exceed 20 hours per week in the Fall or Spring terms.

22. IMPORTANT: Starting any internships/employment without a prior CPT approval on the student’s I-20 form constitutes illegal employment.
Students cannot begin any paid or unpaid internship until the CPT is authorized by the DSO in SEVIS.
Students must be in possession of their new I-20 form with the CPT authorization recorded the second page, before employment starts.

23. Documents Students Need for CPT:
CPT request form completed and signed by their faculty advisor/internship coordinator recommending the internship and indicating course information and major relevance.
Student must have an internship offer letter from the employer
The Internship Offer Letter from Employer must include:
Employer’s full name and name of supervisor
Job title
Start and end dates of employment
Number of working hours per week
A brief job description

24. Additional Documents Needed
Students must also submit one of the following documents to the school’s DSO:
For Type 1: Department’s program description or catalog page listing the mandatory internship/practicum training requirement for all students in the program, or
For Type 2: Proof of enrollment for academic credit (class schedule showing the internship course registration) for the semester the student plans to work.

25. CPT Request: Student Procedure
Step 1: Meet with the school’s DSO to verify eligibility to participate in CPT.
Step 2: Meet with the school’s Career Services Office and/or faculty advisor to start the internship process, and complete internship paperwork.
Step 3: Submit all required CPT paperwork to the school’s DSO for processing.
Step 4: Collect the new I-20 form that reflects the CPT approval within 1 to 2 business days.

26. CPT Request: Student Procedure
F-1 students may not work beyond the end date that is specified on their I-20 form.
CPT authorization is not renewable.
-CPT is not renewable: If the student would like to participate in another internship, they must obtain a new CPT authorization each time.
-Employers may ask the student for a copy of the CPT approved I-20 for their employee file. (recommended)

27. Now it’s time to test your knowledge of the information you have just learned in a game of Jeopardy.
Good luck!