小黄车

Immigration regulations restrict employment for F-1 and J-1 students, because the primary purpose of the visa is to study. You should verify that you have the appropriate authorization before engaging in any form of employment. For immigration purposes, employment is defined as the exchange of services for any form of compensation, monetary or otherwise. Unauthorized employment is a serious violation of your immigration status and may result in the termination of your SEVIS record.

There are several employment options for international students, depending on your visa.

Who is Eligible to Work on Campus?

The following students are eligible to work on campus without special permission from IRIS or from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):

• Any F-1 or J-1 student in valid status with 51小黄车 I-20.
• An F-1 student transfer student whose SEVIS record has been released to 51小黄车
• A current F-1 student who is admitted to begin a new program of study.

Who is not Eligible to Work on Campus?

• A student who is "out of status." A student can resume employment if they has been reinstated to student status.
• An F-1 student who has already graduated and is now in their 60/30-day grace period, except those who obtained optional practical training or academic training.
• A dependent of an F-1 student who is in F-2 status.

Severe Economic Hardship Employment

Economic hardship employment is off-campus employment authorization that is for economic need, and is not required to be related to the student's academic program of study. While F-1 and J-1 students are allowed to enter the United States for the purpose of studies, off-campus employment may be authorized only in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program. Off-campus employment due to economic hardship is a case-by-case exception made for students who can show that new, unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created severe economic hardship.

Eligibility for F-1 and J-1 Students

The student must meet these eligibility criteria:

• The student has been in F-1 status for at least one academic year (or nine months).
• The student is in good academic standing, enrolled full-time and maintaining status.
• Can demonstrate that no on-campus employment is available or otherwise it is insufficient to meet their need.
• Can demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with their being full-time student.
• Provide evidence of economic hardship caused by unexpected circumstances to justify that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship. These hardships may include:
• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment 鈥� not due to student's fault.
• Large increases in tuition or living costs.
• Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate.
• Excessive increases in tuition and/or living costs.
• Unexpected changes in the financial conditions of the student's financial sponsor(s).
• Unexpectedly large medical bills not covered by insurance.
• Other substantial, unexpected expenses.

How to Apply for Severe Economic Hardship?

You must file a Form I-765 鈥� Application for Employment Authorization 鈥� with a new I-20 and pay an application fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. You must also submit documents that show you are experiencing economic hardship.

Before you can submit your application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), please complete the Severe Economic Hardship Application Form (PDF) and submit relevant documents to International Services for review.

If the application is approved by USCIS, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (also known as Form I-766), and can then begin working off campus. Employment authorization is granted in increment of one year at a time.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students are eligible to work on campus. However, on-campus employment must be performed on the school's premises, at commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the school鈥檚 bookstore or cafeteria or at an off-campus location which is educationally affiliated with 51小黄车. Common places students find employment on campus are Reeg Academic Resource Center, Library, Office of Admissions, Campus Activities and Housing.

On-campus employment is only limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time when school is not in session or during the student鈥檚 annual vacation or official university breaks.

F-1 students from other institutions concurrently enrolled at 51小黄车 are not permitted to work on campus at 51小黄车, unless they are authorized by their institutions to do practical training.

The Student Employment Office monitors the number of hours each student worked per week and may freeze a student鈥檚 payroll account if it is determined that a student is working more than 20 hours per week. Failure to follow the rules may lead to termination of the student鈥檚 I-20 in SEVIS.

Off-Campus Employment

Students in F-1 status must request work authorization from International Services and from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before engaging in any off-campus employment.

F-1 students are eligible to work off campus in certain situations on a part-time basis after having been in valid F-1 status for one full academic year.

The type of employment authorization a student may receive will depend on the nature of the employment, the student's immigration status and the relationship of the employment to the student's academic program.

On-Campus Employment

J-1 students are eligible to work on campus. However, on-campus employment must be performed on the school's premises, at commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the school鈥檚 bookstore or cafeteria or at an off-campus location which is educationally affiliated with 51小黄车. Common places students find employment on campus are Reeg Academic Resource Center, Library, Office of Admissions, Campus Activities, and Housing.

On-campus employment is only limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time when school is not in session or during the student鈥檚 annual vacation or official university breaks.

J-1 students from other institutions concurrently enrolled at 51小黄车 are not permitted to work on campus at 51小黄车, unless they are authorized by their institutions to do practical training.

The Student Employment Office monitors the number of hours each student worked per week and may freeze a student鈥檚 payroll account if it is determined that a student is working more than 20 hours per week. Failure to follow the rules may lead to termination of the student鈥檚 DS-2019 in SEVIS.

Who is Eligible to Work on Campus?

The following students are eligible to work on campus without special permission from International Recruitment and International Services or from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):

• Any J-1 student in valid status with 51小黄车 DS-2019.
• A J-1 student transfer student whose SEVIS record has been released to 51小黄车.
• A current J-1 student who is admitted to begin a new program of study.

Who is not Eligible to Work on Campus?

• A student who is 鈥渙ut of status.鈥� A student can resume employment if they has been reinstated to student status.
• A J-1 student who has already graduated and is now in their grace period, except those who obtained academic training.

Academic Training (for J-1 Students)

Definition: Academic training (AT) is a type of study-related employment for J-1 exchange students who want to participate in temporary employment related to their field of studies. The employment can be done while the student is pursuing studies or within 30 days following completion of studies. It allows a J-1 student to work part-time while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods and full-time after completion of studies.

Academic training may be:

1. Paid or unpaid.
2. Full-time or part-time.
3. Done during your studies, or after the completion of studies (beginning no later than 30 days after the completion of studies).

Eligibility

1. You are primarily in the United States to study rather than to engage in academic training.
2. You are in good academic standing at the time of participation.
3. You are participating in academic training that is directly related to your major field of study listed on your Form DS-2019.
4. You have received a written approval in advance from both your academic advisor and the responsible officer in the International Recruitment and International Services office.

Time Limitations

• Undergraduate and graduate students can do academic training for a maximum of 18 months.
• Doctoral students can do academic training initially for 18 months and may be granted an extension of additional 18 months to a maximum of 36 months.
• Non-degree students can do it for a maximum of 12 months.

Application Procedure

Step 1: Obtain a job offer letter from your employer on the company鈥檚 letterhead that includes the following information: (1) Name of company (2) Location of academic training (3) Number of work hours per week (4) Beginning and ending dates of the training.

Step 2: Complete Part I of the Academic Training Recommendation Form (PDF) and request that your faculty advisor or internship coordinator complete Part II of the form.

Step 3: Submit all of the above documents for approval to the International Recruitment and International Services office.

Step 4: If the academic training is approved, the international student advisor will provide you with a new DS-2019 containing your academic training authorization and approval letter. Your employer will need these documents.

Employment Forms

CPT Forms

OPT (Post-Completion & STEM) Forms

• (Online)
• (Online)
• (Online)
• 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements (PDF)
• (Online)
• (Online)
• (Online)

Other Forms

• J-1 Academic Training (AT) (PDF)
• Economic Hardship Employment (PDF)
• Internship with an International Organization (PDF)

To submit the form/request to International Services, the document has to be completed and signed by you and your Academic Advisor and submitted-scanned to intlservices@webster.edu. Subject Line: Name of the request (example 鈥淪horten Program Request鈥�), Last name, First name, Webster ID #

CPT is an internship or practicum through the student's academic program. This is an internship that is either a required part of the student's degree program, a requirement for a specific course (e.g. elective), or a part of the research for a graduate student's thesis or dissertation. In all these cases the students must enroll in and receive academic credits.

Students must submit their request for authorization for CPT to International Services, after they have received an internship offer from an organization. A student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving the new Form I-20 with the international student advisor (DSO) endorsement. Please refer to the CPT Request Form (PDF) for more details about the procedure.

Eligibility

• An F-1 student must have been enrolled full-time (12 credits per semester for undergraduates, 6 credits per term for graduates) for at least one full academic year or nine months.
• For the academic program requirement, the student must register for one (1) or three (3) credit hours of internship/practicum course work as determined by their internship coordinator or academic advisor.
• The student must be maintaining legal F-1 immigration status.
  • This includes maintaining full-time enrollment. Please note that CPT does not count as an on-ground class, so students cannot take CPT and an online class in the same term.
• The student must have been formally offered an internship.

Duration

CPT can range from one semester up to 12 months. The training can be full-time or part time. If it is full-time (more than 20 hours a week) for 12 months or more the student will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training. CPT will only be granted one term or semester at a time. Full-time/part-time status of CPT will be determined by the academic requirements, the employer and the Designated School Official (DSO) at International Services.

How To Apply

Step One: Contact International Services to discuss your eligibility for CPT.

Please send an email to intlservices@webster.edu, requesting confirmation of your eligibility for CPT. Your email should have this subject line: "Eligible for CPT? Last Name, First Name, ID#"

International Services will provide you with the date that you will become eligible for CPT. You should send this request three to six months before you hope to begin your CPT internship.

Step Two: Meet with your internship coordinator or academic advisor to ensure the experience is required or will be taken for credit.

By the end of the meeting you should have the following information:

• The specific degree requirement or elective course to enroll in
• The minimum requirements to complete the internship
• The reasonable period of time needed to complete the internship (e.g., satisfying the requirements of one semester, 3 credit hours course 鈥� normally done in one semester)

Step Three: Contact the Career Planning and Development Center for assistance with finding an internship or starting your job search.

You should reach out to them 3 to 6 months before you hope to begin your internship.

The Career Planning and Development Center is located at 568 Garden Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119

You can email them at careercn@webster.edu or call them at 314-968-6982.

Step Four: Secure an internship offer and obtain a letter from the employer.

The letter should:

• Be on the company's letterhead, including the employer's name and address.
• Include the beginning and ending dates of employment.
• State the number of hours the student will work weekly.
• Give the job title and a description of job duties.
• Include the supervisor's name and contact information.

Step Five: Register for internship credit(s)

Please note, you must be registered for CPT credits in the same semester during which the work will be done unless specified otherwise by your faculty advisor or internship coordinator.

Step Six: Submit your application for CPT to International Services

Your application for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is completed through International Services in the Office of Admissions in St. Louis, Missouri.

You must receive your new I-20 authorizing CPT employment BEFORE beginning employment.

Submit the following documents to International Services as PDF or JPG attachments in an email to intlservices@webster.edu:

1. The CPT Request Form (PDF) 鈥� completed and signed by the student and the academic department
2. Enrollment confirmation
3. Letter from the Employer

Your email should have this subject line: "CPT Request, Student Name, Student ID #"

Your new I-20 will be ready within 7-10 business days after receiving all documents listed above.

Optional practical training is a temporary employment authorization for training purposes, directly related to the student's major field of study. Approval for this employment comes from USCIS. This page gives detailed information about the standard OPT, which takes place after the course of study has been completed:

Post-Completion OPT Application Procedures

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for OPT as soon as possible. You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT. It may take up to three months for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process your application.

An F-1 student may submit an application for post-completion OPT as early as 90 days before the student's program completion date and up to 60 days after their program end date. If applying after program completion date, please make sure that your application is received by USCIS by the 60th day of the program completion date; otherwise your application will be rejected. In addition, the application must be submitted within 30 days of the date the OPT I-20 was issued.

If possible we encourage you to apply for OPT three months before your program completion date. You cannot begin work until the application is approved. If you apply 60 days after your program completion date this may result in a delayed work authorization and sometimes a loss in your 12 months of OPT eligibility because it takes USCIS about three months to process your application.

How to Apply

To apply for OPT you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Submit the (Online).

Step 2: After you have received the new OPT I-20 and OPT Reporting Requirements Document you must do the following immediately after receiving the package:

• Sign and date the I-20 immediately and make copy of page 1 and 2. Keep original for yourself. This is your new I-20 from now on. We will keep the copy for our record. Submit the copy with your OPT application.
• Do not staple documents; use paper clips to keep documents together.

It is your responsibility to make sure USCIS receives all required application materials within 30 days of the new OPT I-20 being issued.

If you apply by mail, you must mail your completed application packet with tracking to USCIS within 15 days after your OPT I-20 has been issued. This is critical as the dates on the I-765, check, photos, and I-20 must be less than 30 days old.

If you apply online, you must complete the online application within 30 days of the new I-20 being issued.

Step 3: Include the following information, in this order, in your final application packet to USCIS:

1. I-765 Filing Fee as instructed (See or ).
2. Form G-1145 as instructed (See or ).
3. Form I-765 as instructed (See or ).
4. Copy of new signed OPT I-20 (with OPT Request on Page 2).
5. Copies of all previously issued I-20s.
6. Copy of the most current I-94 card (front and back).
7. Copy of valid passport page with photo and expiration date.
8. Two (2) recent U.S. Style Passport Photo (taken within 30 days). Write your name and I-94 number on the back of each photo.
9. Copy of the most recent F-1 student visa page.
10. Copy of previous Employment Authorization Card (if any).

Collect all documents and put them in the proper order. It is a best practice to make a copy of all the above documents and keep them for your records.

Step 4: Submit your OPT Application.

If applying online, begin here: , then click the "File Online" button. You will create an account.

If applying by mail, send the completed application and required documents (with check or money order placed on top of the documents) to the correct USCIS filing location, as instructed here: . Please refer to your eligibility category, category description, and correct filing USCIS location.

E-Notification: If you want to receive an e-mail and/or a text message that your Form I-765 has been accepted at a USCIS Lockbox facility, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the first page of your application.

*International Services highly advise students to not move while their OPT application is pending as it may cause delays in receiving your EAD card. If you must move when your OPT application is pending, you will need to .

Step 5: Reporting Your OPT.

All OPT holders are required to report their OPT activity via the SEVP Portal account.

What is SEVP PORTAL: The SEVP Portal is a tool that lets F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) report address, telephone and employer information to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). You must report directly to the portal within 10 days if you change your address, or start/stop employment to maintain your status.

Instructions on how to update these details can be found starting on page 23 of the

Once you update your employment in your SEVP Portal account, you can request a new I-20 from our office by completing .

Invitation to Create SEVP Portal Account for OPT Reporting

After your OPT application is approved AND the OPT authorization is active, you will get an invitation email within a few days from do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov. (For example, if your card is approved on December 10, and the start date on the card is Dec. 15, the invitation will be sent after Dec.15.)

When you create your account, you will be asked to enter your SEVIS ID number and create a password. You can find your SEVIS ID in the top left corner of your Form I-20, below the words 鈥楧epartment of Homeland Security.鈥�

Carefully .

For more information on how to navigate the SEVP Portal, .

Common Issues:

The link in my invitation email has expired or I cannot find my original invitation email.

Request that a new link is sent to you by completing this form:

My account is locked.

If you have tried your password unsuccessfully three times, you will get locked out. To request a password re-set you must complete this form: .

I created an account, but now I can鈥檛 login.

Try using this login link:

For all other questions:

Refer to the , or contact the SEVP Response Center: Email at SEVP@ice.dhs.gov

• • Telephone at 703-603-3400 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m.鈥�6 p.m. ET, except U.S. holidays)
  • Important tips:
    • Do not share your SEVP Portal password under any circumstances
    • Update SEVP Portal password every 90 days-Portal will prompt students with expiring or expired passwords to change their password upon login
    • There is no charge for the SEVP Portal account.

Types of Employment Allowed for Post-Completion OPT

Students may accept employment that is directly related to their fields of study and should work full-time during post-completion OPT. The following options count as employment as long as they are related to the student's field of study:

• Multiple Employers: Students may work for more than one employer,but all employment must be related to the student's degree program. Students doing pre-completion OPT may work for more than one employer but, cannot exceed the 20 hours allowed per week when school is in session.
• Short-Term Multiple Employers (performing artists): Students such as musicians and other type of performing artists may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). Students are asked to keep a list of all gigs, dates of employment, and the duration.
• Self-employed Business Owners: Students can start their own businesses and be self-employed. They must be able to prove that they have the proper business licenses and that they are actively engaged in a business related to their degree programs.
• Contract Employment (Work for Hire): Students can work as independent contractors. Students must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract period and the name and address of the contracting company if requested by DHS.
• Employment through Agencies or Consulting Firms: Students can be employed through employment agencies or consulting firms, but must be able to provide evidence showing they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agencies or the firms.
• Paid Employment: Students may work part-time (at most 20 hours per week when on post-completion OPT) or full-time.
• Unpaid Employment/Volunteer Work: Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns in their fields of study, so long as it the practice does not violate any labor laws. The work must be at least 20 hours per week for a student on post-completion OPT. They must be prepared to provide evidence from the employer to verify that they worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.

Important Reminders:

• Students have 90 days from the start date on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to find employment in their field.
• More than 90 days of unemployment on OPT is considered to be a violation of F1 status. This is a total number over the course of your entire OPT time.
• Students must wait until they receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS to begin working.
• Employment must be 20 hours or more per week. Volunteer work or unpaid internships count as employment as long as they are related to your field of study.

Cap-Gap Extension

F-1 students who are the beneficiaries of an H-1B petition subject to the cap (quota) on the number of H-1B petitions accepted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in a given year (65,000), cannot begin employment until the beginning of the next fiscal year (October 1st). The cap-gap extension automatically extends the duration of your F-1 status and sometimes your OPT employment authorization to September 30. Therefore, the cap-gap extension is only available to an F-1 student who is currently on OPT and who has an approved or pending H-1B petition. If the student's post-completion OPT has not yet expired, it will also be automatically extended.

To request a new I-20 for the cap-gap extension, submit this online form: .

F-1 students who are currently authorized for OPT employment based on completion of a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree in a STEM field, as defined by DHS, may be eligible for a 24-month extension of OPT.

Eligibility:

• Must already be on valid OPT based on a STEM-eligible degree. .
• Must have had fewer than 90 days of unemployment while on OPT.
• Must be employed by, or have a job offer from, an employer who is registered in the E-Verify employment verification system.
• There is a lifetime limit of two periods of 24-month STEM OPT, each occurring after a higher degree level has been obtained. .

When To Apply

STEM applications may only be submitted when 90 days or fewer remain in the initial 12-Month OPT EAD and must be submitted to USCIS before the end date of the initial OPT period given on the EAD card.

How to Apply

To apply for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension you need to follow these steps:

Step 1:

Step 2: Upload the following documents in the

• A copy of the STEM OPT administrative processing fee receipt
• A copy of the completed and signed (pages 3 and 4)
• A copy of the completed
• A copy of the E-Verify case number report from your employer.

Step 3: After you will receive the new OPT I-20 from International Services, print your new I-20, sign page one in ink, scan all pages, and save as a single PDF. This is what you will upload to USCIS when you apply for OPT. It is also your new official I-20 until the STEM extension is approved.

It is your responsibility to make sure USCIS receives all required application materials within 30 days of the new OPT I-20 being issued.

Step 4: Apply for the STEM OPT Extension with USCIS

We recommend you apply for STEM OPT online, via the USCIS website. To apply online, go to , then click the File Online button. Please carefully follow the instructions in the online filing portal, which should match our instructions.

Our application instructions, including a list of documents to prepare and hints for filling the I-765 can be found here: 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Application Form

Step 5: Reporting

Students are required to report as listed here: 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements (PDF)

Report by completing and submitting this online form:

OPT STEM Extensions: Eligibility and Requirements

This information is based on the most recent changes to the STEM OPT rules, effective from March 11, 2016, published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• Duration: The STEM Extension will be for 24 months.
• STEM Application Period: STEM applications may only be submitted when 90 days or fewer remain in the initial 12-month OPT EAD.
• Lifetime Limit: F-1 visa holders are allowed a total of two (2) lifetime STEM extensions, the second after earning a new STEM-eligible degree at a higher level and obtaining a new, higher level of 12-month OPT. However, in some cases a STEM Extension can be based on a
• .
• Required Training Plan and : Requires significant responsibility of the employer to provide a training plan related to the field of study, and attestations to wages and compensation being commensurate with "similarly situated U.S. workers."
• Types of Employment Allowed: must have e-Verify and EIN numbers and the student must have a "bona fide employer-employee relationship".
• Volunteer/unpaid, employment through employment agencies and self-employment are NOT allowed. Other types of employment are also problematic 鈥� including multiple employer arrangements, sole proprietorships, employment through "temp" agencies, employment through consulting firm arrangements that provide labor for hire, and other relationships that do not constitute a bona fide employer-employee relationship. DHS confirms that students cannot qualify for STEM OPT extensions unless they will be bona fide employees of the employer signing the Training Plan, and the employer that signs the Training Plan must be the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience.
• Obligations for , , and : 6-month validation reports, annual evaluations and submission of a new I-983 in case of material changes to the original I-983 are now required. Employers must agree to Department of Homeland Security site visits, as well as provide attestations to wages and working conditions.
• Increased Unemployment: Students with 24-month STEM Extensions may have up to during the total OPT period including initial 12-month and 24-month STEM OPT period.

Further Resources:

• from the Department of Homeland Security.
• summary of the rule, updates and background.
• Detailed information for students and employers:

F-1 students are eligible to do an internship with international organization (8 C.F.R. 搂 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C). Examples of recognized international organizations include the United Nations, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Health Organization etc. Student must consult International Recruitment and International Services to determine if the organization they intent to work at meets U.S. definition of International Organization. A student is eligible as soon as they is in F-1 status; there is no waiting period. Employment does not have to be related to the student's field of study, but most international organizations usually hire students for positions in their field of study anyway.

An F-1 student who has been offered employment by a recognized international organization must apply for employment authorization to United Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS. Employment can be full-time or part-time. However, the student must still be a full-time student and maintain F-1 student status. If approved, USCIS will send Employment Off Campus page of Employment section.

Authorization Document (EAD) before a student begins employment. Please download the Internship with an International Organization Form (PDF) to find out more about the application procedure.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for employment authorization with an international organization, you must:

• Be currently maintaining valid F-1 status.
• Have a written offer of employment from a qualifying international organization.

Application Process and Requirements

Submit the documents specified in the checklist below to International Recruitment and International Services for review and to request an I-20 recommending employment with an international organization.

• Completed Internship with an International Organization Form (PDF)
• Completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization in blue pen (Enter the code (c)(3)(ii) in item #16). Download Form I-765 from the USCIS website.
• Completed Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. Download Form G-1145 from the USCIS website
• Photocopies all previously issued Form I-20s, including I-20s from other schools
• Photocopies of any previous Employment Authorization Documents (front and back)
• A print out of the .
• Photocopy of a new I-20 to be issued by the International Services Office
• Photocopies of the following Passport pages: (1) Name, picture and validity/expiration pages (2) Most recent visa page
• A $410 check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security")
• Two identical passport-style photos taken within 30 days (Using a pencil or a pen lightly print your name and I-94 number on the back of each photo).
• A written offer of employment from the qualifying international organization on the organization's letterhead.