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OISSS > For International Students > F-1 > Employment Authorization

F-1
Employment Authorization

On-Campus Employment | Curricular Practical Training | Optional Practical Training | Travel Outside the U.S. | Severe Unforeseen Economic Hardship
Employment Under Sponsorship of Certain International Organizations

Please be aware that engaging in any unauthorized employment (either by more hours than are permitted or without necessary authorization) renders you "out-of-status" and subject to deportation. Please note: opportunities which are paid or unpaid MAY be considered employment. If you have questions about employment options, please contact International Student and Scholar Services before beginning or accepting employment (including an unpaid internship or practicum).

On-Campus Employment
Students in F-1 status who have current I-20 forms issued by UNC-Chapel Hill may work on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (or during summer sessions if registered for a course). Students may work full-time on campus during the summer or vacation periods if they were in status the previous semester, intend to register as full-time students the following semester, and are not enrolled in courses. The 20-hour limit includes the total of all types of employment (assistantships, practical training, part-time campus employment, etc.). Full-time (more than 20 hours per week) on-campus employment authorization for students may only be obtained by engaging in Practical Training. Students who accept employment are responsible for making sure that the employment is considered "on-campus". If there is any question as to whether a job is considered "on-campus" or off-campus, the student should check with ISSS. Please note: "On-campus" employment does not including working for UNC Hospitals, the Carolina Inn, or most businesses located on Franklin Street. Employment with these businesses are considered "off-campus" and requires an off-campus work authorization.

Off-campus Employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) allows employment (paid or unpaid) for training involving an internship or practicum which are an integral part of an established curriculum, are monitored by the school, and are required for graduation for all students in a particular educational program. Training which is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for curricular practical training if you receive academic credit for the employment experience, if it is related to your major field of study, and if it is an integral part of your studies.

Applications for Curricular Practical Training are available at the International Student and Scholar Services. Students should speak with an International Student and Scholar Services Advisor in order to determine if their program and the particular employment opportunity qualifies them for CPT. Note: Students who obtain CPT Authorization do not lose their ability to qualify for OPT unless CPT is authorized as full-time for 12 or more months.

Off-campus Employment: Optional Practical Training (OPT)
F-1 students may apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for temporary employment for practical training in their field of study and appropriate to their level of study. The work can take place before and/or after completion of studies.

New regulations affecting post-completion Optional Practical Training went into effect on April 8, 2008.   Please continue to monitor this page as frequent clarifications and updates on the new rules are being received from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

To be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a student must have been a full time student for at least 9 months and the training must be directly related to the major area of study as printed on the I-20.  F-1 Exchange Students and other non-degree students at UNC-Chapel Hill are not eligible for OPT.  A job offer at the time of application is currently not required, however any OPT period approved by USCIS will count against the total standard 12- month period, regardless of whether the student ever secured an employment position.

OPT is possible under the following circumstances:

1. during the school’s annual vacation (summer or winter break)
2. while school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed 20 hours per week
3. after completion of course requirements (but before completion of a course of study), excluding a thesis or dissertation
4. after completion of the course of study

Optional Practical training is generally limited to12 months, with a few exceptions.  Part-time optional practical training (20 hours per week or less) will be deducted from the total period of optional practical training at one-half the full-time rate.  Time spent in pre-completion (before completion of studies) practical training is subtracted from post-completion (after completion of studies) practical training.

Applications for Optional Practical Training are available at International Student and Scholar Services.  For additional information, please speak to an advisor at ISSS. Please be advised to apply as early as possible because it is currently taking 2 to 4 months for USCIS to issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students may not begin employment until they have received the EAD and until the start date indicated on the EAD.

Travel Outside the U.S. during OPT
Note: Students should be aware of new interpretations about travel outside the U.S. between the completion of studies and OPT, and during the OPT period.

A handout on travel while OPT is pending or approved is available at ISSS and includes a link to the Department of Homeland Security Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) website. If students have questions on this information, they can speak to an advisor at ISSS.

Students who are on OPT and have a pending H-1B petition should be especially careful about travel. A memorandum on considerations for travel during that period is also available at ISSS.

Off-campus Employment: Under Sponsorship of Certain International Organizations
F-1 students who have been offered employment under the sponsorship of certain recognized international organizations (for example, World Bank or the United Nations) may be eligible to apply for this type of work permission if they have been in F-1 status for at least 9 months. An application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is required and can take 2 to 4 months for USCIS to process. Students may not begin employment until they have been issued the EAD by USCIS.

Applications and information for employment under the sponsorship of an international organization are available at International Student and Scholar Services.

Off-campus Employment: Severe Unforeseen Economic Hardship
F-1 students who are experiencing economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control may be eligible for off-campus work authorization. Students must have been in F-1 status for one full academic year, be in good academic standing and demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with the student's carrying a full course of study. Students must make a good faith effort to locate employment on-campus before applying to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for employment based on economic hardship. Students requesting this type of employment must apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It is currently taking USCIS about 2 to 4 months to process EAD applications.

Applications for employment based on economic hardship are available at International Student and Scholar Services.