This F-1 employment benefit allows F-1 students to work for recognized international organizations within the meaning of the International Organization Immunities Act [59 Stat. 669]. A student is eligible as soon as they is in F-1 status – there is no waiting period. The work does not have to be related to a student’s course of study. Time approved by USCIS to work for an International Organization will not be deducted from your 12 month period of Optional PracticalTraining.
EligibilityCriteria:
- The employment is for an internship with a recognized international organization and is within the scope of the organization'ssponsorship.
- The student is in good academicstanding.
- The employment may constitute up to 20 hours per week when school is in session*, or may be full-time during periods ofrecess.
- Authorization is only available while student is in F-1 status, before completion of the academicprogram.
* F-1 students may work up to 20 hours a week while school is in session per federal immigration regulations, but per Yale policy students may not work more than 19 hours (combined for all jobs) in any week during the academic terms. Exceptions are Ph.D. students, who may not work more than 10 hours (combined for all hourly jobs) in any week during academic terms unless they have the required permission of the director of graduate studies, in consultation with the appropriate associatedean.
ApplicationProcess
- Submit the offer letter from the International Organization to OISS as early as 90 days before you wish to begin employment. The letter needs to include the following details: (1) description of internship, (2) dates of employment, (3) place of employment and (4) number of hours perweek.
- OISS will review your request and issue a form I-20 with the recommendation for the employment on page3.
- Print and mail to USCIS (there is no online application option) your application with all the documents listed below:
- I-20: Copy of the I-20 with your International Organization recommendation (pgs 1-3) fromOISS
- Employment offer: Copy of offer letter from InternationalOrganization
- Form I-765: Completed and signed form I-765. Note that the answer to question #16 is ( c ) ( 3 ) ( ii)
- Form G-1145: CompletedG-1145
- Photos: Two recent photos meeting the specification requirements.
- Immigration documents: Your passport ID page, visa pages, and your I-94 record printed from this website.
- Payment: A check or U.S. money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $410
- Application Submission:I-765 application and all of the required documentation above must be sent to the USCIS Lockbox facility. Find the correct lockbox and the relevant address here (look under “Foreign Students”, category (c)(3)(ii)). Please note that the address of the lockbox facility is slightly different depending on your mailing method (via USPS or courierservice).
After Submitting YourApplication
- Upon receipt of application, USCIS will be send you a Receipt Notice. This notice will provide you with information to track the progress of your case on line on the USCIS website. It can take up to 90 days to process thisapplication.
- If approved, you will receive an employment authorization document (EADcard)
- You may not begin employment, prior to the start date noted on your EAD card and may not work longer than through the enddate.
Absolutely, this topic revolves around F-1 students' employment opportunities with recognized international organizations under the International Organization Immunities Act (IOIA). This act allows F-1 students to work for such organizations without a waiting period, offering them valuable work experience.
The eligibility criteria for this employment include:
- Internship with a Recognized International Organization: The employment must be an internship within the scope of the organization's sponsorship.
- Good Academic Standing: The student must maintain good academic standing.
- Work Hour Limits: Students can work up to 20 hours per week during school sessions or full-time during breaks.
- F-1 Status Requirement: Authorization is only available while the student is in F-1 status and before completing the academic program.
The application process involves:
- Submission of Offer Letter: Submitting an offer letter from the International Organization to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at least 90 days before the intended start of employment.
- OISS Review and I-20 Issuance: OISS reviews the request and issues Form I-20 with a recommendation for employment on page 3.
- Application to USCIS: Submitting the application package to USCIS, including Form I-765, employment offer letter, Form G-1145, photos, immigration documents, and the required payment.
- Application Submission: Sending the application to the USCIS Lockbox facility, with different addresses based on mailing methods.
- Post-Submission Process: USCIS sends a Receipt Notice upon application receipt, allowing tracking online. Processing may take up to 90 days. If approved, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) is issued.
- Commencement of Employment: Employment cannot begin before the EAD card's start date and must conclude by the end date specified.
This employment benefit is valuable for F-1 students seeking work experience aligned with international organizations, offering practical training without deducting from their Optional Practical Training (OPT) period. It's important to adhere to both federal immigration regulations and specific institutional policies regarding work hours and employment terms to ensure compliance and a successful application process.
FAQs
Answer: Yes. As an international student on an F-1 visa, you have work authorization through CPT and OPT. Also, students on other visas typically have work authorization as well.
What are the most common verifying documents used for an F-1 visa status student employee? ›
Foreign Students in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status Participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Unexpired foreign passport;
- Form I-20 with the DSO endorsem*nt for employment; and.
- Form I-94 indicating F-1 nonimmigrant status.
After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)
How do you answer work authorization status? ›
Typically, individuals are legally authorized to work in a country if they are citizens of that country, or if they have other status that grants them permission to work. If you're currently legally permitted to work in the country, select Yes.
How does USCIS find out about unauthorized employment? ›
The US government can also find out about unauthorized work through tax returns (if used to support a green card application for example), or through a resume or a line in a visa support letter that is not carefully reviewed.
How does USCIS verify employment history? ›
These documents may include federal income tax returns, Forms W-2 or 1099, pay stubs, and an employment verification letter. USCIS will pay close attention to your employment verification letter. This is the case especially if you switched jobs recently or if you combine your income with your spouse.
Can international students get SSN without job? ›
F-1 students must also provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment such as an on-campus job or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT). If you are in F-1 status and do not have lawful F-1 employment, you are ineligible to apply for a SSN.
Do F-1 visas get rejected? ›
Conclusion. An F1 visa is an official prerequisite to study in the USA. Though the majority of applications are accepted, the F1 visa rejection rate is on the higher side because of the reasons discussed above. Upon rejection, students can reapply but not appeal anymore.
What happens if international students work more than 20 hours? ›
Working More Than 20 Hours Per Week During School Prohibited
It is your obligation to make sure that you don't work more than 20 hours per week. If you work even 15 minutes over the 20 hour per week limit, you have violated your F-1 student status.
Can an F-1 visa apply for green card? ›
To adjust your status from an F-1 student visa holder to a green card holder, you may: self-petition for an EB-1 visa, receive the sponsorship of your employer, adjust your status to a dual-intent visa, become an investor, or marry your love interest who happens to be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Federal regulations permit the employment of international students on F‐1 and J‐1 visas within certain limits. These visas allow students to work in jobs related to their major field of study. F‐1 students can work on “practical training.” J‐I students may work on “academic training.”
Can I legally work in the US with F1 visa? ›
Yes. However, the F-1 student's total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. The F-1 student may work full-time during those periods when school is not in session or during the student's annual break.
How do you answer visa sponsorship questions? ›
How (and when) should you disclose your sponsorship status to an employer? If a question is asked about sponsorship as part of an online application for a full-time position or an internship that could potentially lead to full-time employment, we recommend that you answer “Yes” that you will need sponsorship.
How do you prove employment authorization? ›
To prove employment authorization, USCIS will accept:
- a Social Security card.
- a U.S. birth or birth abroad certificate.
- a Native American tribal document.
- a U.S. citizen ID card.
- a resident citizen ID card, or.
- unexpired employment authorization documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
In the context of employment, an employer may ask if you require sponsorship to work in a particular country or if you currently have a work visa or similar legal authorization to work in that country.
How do I know if I am legally eligible to work in the United States? ›
U.S. employers must ensure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work in the United States. Having an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD) is one way to prove that you are authorized to work in the United States for a specific time period.
How to prove you are legally authorized to work in the United States? ›
To prove employment authorization, USCIS will accept:
- a Social Security card.
- a U.S. birth or birth abroad certificate.
- a Native American tribal document.
- a U.S. citizen ID card.
- a resident citizen ID card, or.
- unexpired employment authorization documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
An individual's work authorization, or employment eligibility, refers to his or her legal right to work in the United States. U.S. citizens, born or naturalized, are always authorized to work in the United States, while foreign citizens may be authorized if they have an immigration status that allows them to work.
What is your legal eligibility to work in the United States? ›
Authorization to work in the United States can be obtained through several different ways. At least one of three documents is needed to be granted permission to work. These three are a work visa, an employment authorization document, or a green card.
