On- and Off-campus Employment
On-campus Employment
F-1 students are only allowed to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week. Students who have not been approved for practical training are not permitted to work off-campus. (See employment section). The International Student Advisor must approve and document all internships and practicum on the back of the Form I-20 for all F1 visa students at least 1 month prior to participation.
Important: Once a student has completed their program of study, or, optional practical period they are required to return to their home country. This is true even if the completion date found on the Form I-20 has not yet expired. Exceptions may exist where a student has secured another visa situation that allows them to stay.
Students can look for a campus job through the Student Employment Office (262-4099) in the John E. Thomas Academic Support Building.
- F-1 and J-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week, and full-time (40 hours) during office University breaks: semester breaks and official University holidays. F-1 and J-1 students may not work off-campus unless they are participating in an internship, practical training or academic training authorized by the International Student Advisor.
- Once a student has received an on-campus job and a social security card, they must notify the advisor.
Off-campus Employment
To work off-campus, you are required to receive permission from the Office of International Education and Development and the United States - Citizenship and Immigration Services (US-CIS). You must have maintained proper F-1 status for at least nine (9) months and be in good academic standing prior to applying.
Curricular Practical Training - CPT
Eligible F-1 students may participate in curricular practical training (CPT) or internship during their academic career at Appalachian. Students who wish to participate in CPT must meet the following requirements:
- Must have been lawfully enrolled in an U.S. CIS approved school as a full-time student for nine consecutive months.
- Obtain a job offer with a specific employer, location, and period of time.
- Have your Academic Advisor submit a letter of approval to the International Student Advisor. The letter should include:
- Explanation of how the practical training is important to your program of study Employer, location, and start/end dates of practical training
- Number of hours per week that will be spent at practical training (Students participating in a CPT on a full-time basis must be enrolled in at least one course.)
- Make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to complete all necessary steps to get final approval.
Note: Students who participate in a full 12 months of a full-time curricular practical training become ineligible for optional practical training.
Optional Practical Training - OPT
Optional Practical Training allows eligible F-1 students to apply for an Employment authorization cards and engage in temporary employment that is directly related to their field of study for the purpose of practical training. OPT is limited for a cumulative maximum of 12 months and may be done before or after completion of studies, however, most students choose to participate in Curricular Practical Training before graduation and Optional Practical Training after graduation.
Eligibility - Student must have lawfully been enrolled in an U.S. CIS approved school as a full-time student for 9 consecutive months.
Post Graduation Application Process:
- Pick up an OPT application packet from the International Student Advisor. Students should aim to receive their authorization cards around the time of completion of studies. They should apply for OPT early in the final semester. Students must apply for OPT before the date of completion of coursework. You need to allow ample time to send the application to U.S. CIS.
- Make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to complete the Form I-765 and OPT application during the first month of the students final semester.
- Bring following materials to your appointment: Completed form I-765, ADIT-style photos (names printed in pencil on back), check made out to U.S. CIS, signed signature card (sign in pencil), passport, visa, I-94 and all I-20 (past and current).
- The designated school official will confirm completion of form I-765 and document the recommendation for opt participation and produce a new form I-20.
Approval Time: Generally U.S. CIS processes OPT applications within 3 months. Students are not allowed to begin employment until they have received their Employment Authorization Card.
Duration: Optional Practical Training is limited to a cumulative of 12 maximum months during any uninterrupted stay in F-1 status and must be completed with 14 months after the completion of studies. Employment Authorization Cards obtained through the OPT application cannot be extended.
A student may be eligible for a second 12 month period of OPT if after their first OPT eligibility period they depart the U.S. for more than 5 months and return to the U.S. to pursue a new educational objective as a F-1 student. The student would then have to be "in status" for 9 consecutive months before they would be eligible for 12 more months of OPT.
Academic Practical Training
J-1 visa holding students may be eligible to participate in an academic practical training (paid or unpaid), related to their field of study. This option is available after program completion, but application must be processed prior to the completion of the program of study.
Eligibility and regulations differ from degree and non-degree J-1 student, so please see the International Student Advisor for further information. The International Student Advisor must approve and document all internships and practicum for all J1 visa students at least 1 month prior to participation.
ISEP students
Check with your advisor or representative for their policies.
