Employment Options for International Students

Employment Options for International Students
The charts below provide an overview of the types of U.S. employment authorization available to F-1
and J-1 international students. For additional information on each of the employment types below,
please visit the OIS web site.
F-1 Students
Employment Type Purpose Target Limits Application Period
On-Campus For student positions
on campus, including
GSRs, TAs, RAs, etc.
Currently enrolled
students.
 20 hours per
week while
classes are in
session.
 Eligibility ends
when degree
requirements
are
completed.
No application
necessary.
Curricular
Practical Training
(CPT)
For students with an
internship/practicum
requirement or
degree option who
will be working off-
campus.
Currently enrolled
students.
 Students must
be earning
academic
credit for
work
experience
 Eligibility ends
when degree
requirements
are
completed
 Students must
receive
authorization
from OIS
before
beginning
employment.
 OIS
recommends
applying at
least 2 weeks
before
proposed
start date.
Optional Practical
Training (OPT)
For students to gain
employment
experience in their
field of study after
graduation.
Students in their
final semester of
study or who
have just
graduated.
 12 months
total per
degree level.
 STEM
students may
be eligible for
a 17 month
extension.
OIS recommends
applying 90 days
before
graduation. USCIS
must receive
application no
later than 60 days
after degree
completion.




J-1 Students
Employment Type Purpose Target Limits Application Period
On-Campus For student
positions on
campus, including
GSRs, TAs, RAs,
etc.
Currently enrolled
students.
 20 hours per
week while
classes are in
session.
 Eligibility ends
when degree
requirements
are
completed.
Students must
receive written
permission from
their J-1 program
sponsor before
beginning any on-
campus
employment.
Academic Training
(AT)
For students to
gain experience in
their field of study
during their
academic program
or after
completion .
Students with the
opportunity to
work off campus
in a job related to
their field of study.
 Students may
be authorized
for a total of
18 months of
AT or an
amount
equivalent to
the length of
their academic
program –
whichever is
less.
 Doctoral
students may
receive an
additional 18
months once
they complete
their degree.
 Students must
receive
written
permission
from their
program
sponsor
before
beginning any
off-campus
employment.
 Post-
completion AT
must be
authorized no
later than 30
days after
degree
completion.