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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: 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.