Degree–seeking international students can be eligible for employment and other types of practical training in the U.S., but with certain restrictions. The role of the Office for International Students and Scholars (ISS), is to provide guidance to students about their responsibilities and the benefits available to them in accordance with immigrations regulations and policies.
Degree-seeking international students can explore the following different types of employment authorizations while in F-1 status:
The Office of International Students and Scholars offers a variety of services to help degree-seeking international students and scholars understand their employment benefits. The following services are available to new and continuing students as well as alumni:
All international degree-seeking students who are in full time status and in good academic status are eligible to work on campus as early as their first semester. Students will be considered to be in good academic status if they meet the minimum GPA for their degree level: 2.0 GPA for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students. On-campus employment must either be performed on the school premises, (including on-location commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria), or off-campus locations which are educationally affiliated with the school. Employment with on-site commercial firms which do not provide direct student services is not deemed on-campus employment.
How many hours per week can you work on-campus? On-campus employment for F-1 international students is limited to 20 hours a week (part-time) during the fall and spring semesters and 40 hours a week (full-time) during summer and winter sessions.
What do you need to start working on-campus? International students will need to secure a job, obtain a job offer letter and a certification letter from an international student advisor in CIE in order to obtain a Social Security number at the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. To request the certification letter from CIE, please complete the Request for Letter for Social Security Office Form and submit it to CIE along with the letter from your employer.
When would on-campus employment be considered unauthorized employment? On-campus employment will be considered unauthorized employment if international students works pass their program end date. The program end date is the last day of the semester when students graduate, students who apply for OPT can also find the program end date in their OPT I-20.
Need help to find an On-Campus job? Please visit the CSULB Career Development Center for guidance and resources, speak to an International Student Advisor or participate in an employment workshop.
An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training (CPT) program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school (Revised effective 1/1/03; 67 FR 76256). In practical terms, ‘integral part of an established curriculum’ means an opportunity must be required by the curriculum or, if not required, the student must receive credit for the training” (www.nafsa.org).
Must be in status at the time of the application and have been in lawful F-1 status for one full academic year (nine months) preceding the CPT application.
Please note: Students in graduate degree programs that require immediate practicum hours are exempted from the one full academic year requirement. Transfer students may use the time spent in lawful F-1 status in the previous school to fulfill this requirement.
Must be enrolled for a full course load or approved for reduced course work before applying for CPT.
Must have a valid CPT employment/internship/training offer related to the student’s major area of study.
Must be in good academic standing (3.0 or higher for Graduate Students and 2.0 or higher for Undergraduates).
A valid letter from prospective employer/internship site stating terms of CPT (must follow sample letter).
CPT Request Form (Fill out Section One).
Department Approval Form (Have your department or faculty advisor fill out and sign the form).
A purpose statement describing how your CPT will relate and be integral to your academic program.
A copy of your class schedule showing full time enrollment or RCL courses. Your schedule must show the CPT approved course listed in the Department Approval Form.
If you already advanced to candidacy, a copy of the Advancement to Candidacy Worksheet.
Please note: Regardless of the date you indicate in your CPT request form, your CPT will commence only upon approval by your CIE advisor.
Please allow 15 business days for your application to be processed and for the issuance of a new I-20. The time needed to apply for a social security number is not included in the three weeks CIE requires to process your CPT application.
You will be notified by the CIE office when the new I-20 is ready for pick-up.
***Do not engage in any work activity without prior authorization***
You may begin curricular practical training only after receiving CPT approval in Form I-20 from the international student advisor.
You may not change your CPT employer/internship without prior authorization.
You may work up to 20 hrs. per week (part-time) during the Fall and Spring semesters and 21+ hrs. per week (full-time) during the Summer and Winter Sessions.
Students who have received 12 months or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion optional practical training (OPT).
Any type of work activity, even when required for a class must be approved through the CPT application process.
