The following is a list of all types of opportunities to obtain authorization to work in the United States if you are in F-1 immigration status. Each category may allow for authorization under different circumstances and at different times during your stay in the U. S. For detailed information on a particular category, please click on the subject heading.
International students are allowed to work on university campus for a limited amount of hours a week (less than 20 hours a week, on campus). Visit the UNK Student Employment Services website for more information about working on campus.
International students do qualify to work upon arrival at UNK; however, they must work only on-campus in part-time, non-work-study jobs.
If you are looking for a job, you can try to contact (in person) the Chartwells office, the Antelope Bookstore, UNK Facilities, Residential and Greek Life, and/or the UNK Library. Also you can visit the UNK Student Employment Services website. It is important to know that international students are not eligible for work-study positions, so make sure you check the Non-Work Study On Campus jobs.
If do you want to work on campus you must get a Social Security Card. (More Information)
Below is information on the different options available for off-campus employment for F-1 Student Visa holders.
It is against the law to have an off campus job while on a F-1 visa without the following options:
Students who have been in F-1 status for one academic year and who are experiencing extreme financial difficulties due to unforeseen changes that severely affect their financial resources may apply for work permission, known as Severe Economic Hardship (SEH). Authorization is given by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the recommendation of the International Student Services Office (ISS) in Welch Hall.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) regulations, if on -campus employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, F-1 students are eligible for off-campus work authorization "caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.”
Eligibility
USCIS states that circumstances deemed “severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control” may include “loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of the currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.” Retirement of a parent or birth of a child are not considered unforeseen and will not qualify as reasons for economic hardship.
As an F-1 student, you are eligible to apply for off-campus employment based upon severe economic hardship provided that ALL of the following requirements are met:
Curricular practical training (CPT) is employment pursuant to an internship requirement or internship elective which is an integral part of the established curriculum of your school, which will be counted towards completion of your degree.
Eligibility
Part-time vs. Full-time Curricular Practical Training
Part-time CPT: Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are also enrolled for classes is considered “part-time” curricular practical training. The employment authorization written on the student's I-20ID (Student) Copy should therefore specify permission to engage in “part-time” training, and you must be careful to limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time curricular practical training, but you must be simultaneously enrolled full-time in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.
Full-time CPT: Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered “full-time” curricular practical training and the employment authorization on your I-20ID (Student) Copy should, in this case, specify permission to participate in “full-time” training. While in full-time training, you need not be enrolled for classes in order to maintain lawful F-1 status. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in full-time curricular practical training, but if you participate for twelve months or more, you will not be eligible for post-completion practical training (see next paragraph).
Restrictions
Employment Eligibility Verification
When you begin work, you and your employer must complete a form entitled “Employment Eligibility Verification" (INS Form I-9), which the employer retains. The I-20 must be updated each time you receive a renewal of your work permission.
Social Security and Other Taxes
In general, F-1 students who have been in the U.S. less than five years are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. Your earnings are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Students must file a tax return on or before April 15 each year, which will determine if any of the withheld taxes can be refunded.
A Note of Caution
While INS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in F-1 status, working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. You should therefore consult with your international student adviser before taking up ANY employment. It is YOUR responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations that apply to F-1 students. If you fail to comply with your responsibilities, you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students.
Procedure to Apply
To obtain the ISS recommendation for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), you must submit the following documents for processing to the ISS office:
Upon receipt of all of the above documents, ISS will evaluate your eligibility. If you qualify for CPT, the necessary documents will be prepared as quickly as possible. If approved, the appropriate information will be completed on page 4 of your Student Copy I-20, which will be returned to you.
PLEASE NOTE: You may not begin employment through your internship until your request has been approved by ISS and until the date noted on the back of your I-20.
Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit contained in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) regulations governing the F-1 visa category. Students who have maintained their status will have an opportunity to obtain work experience in their fields of study in order to enhance their educational experience in the United States. Students are allowed one year of OPT for completion of each level of study (i.e., BA, MA, Ph.D. Completion of a second BA does not qualify for a year of OPT.)
Eligibility
Upon completion of a degree program a student may be recommended for OPT for the remainder of time for which the student is eligible. This will be for a period of 12 months provided the student has not engaged in OPT during his/her course of study. To be eligible for OPT students must have maintained lawful F-1 status and must have been enrolled full-time the last two semesters. The application process involves two steps, the first to be completed by the office of International Student Services (ISS) and the second by USCIS. Both must be completed according to the following deadlines:
Application Deadline
OPT must be requested prior to the completion of all course requirements for the degree or prior to the completion of the course of study. A student must complete all practical training within a 14-month period following the completion of study. A student must be in their last semester of course work before he/she can apply for OPT.
Can a student continue to work while in the transfer process?
A student may continue in OPT while in the transfer process, but must terminate employment upon registration at the transfer-in school. On-campus employment during a transfer, however, may only be pursued at the school that has control over the student's record, meaning the transfer out school prior to the release date and the transfer in school after the release date.
Procedure to Apply
To see a complete description of the process visit the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement. To obtain a recommendation for Option Practical Training (OPT), you must submit the following documents to ISS:
Graduate Students:
A letter from your advisor giving the date all degree requirements will be completed or a copy of the diploma.
Undergraduate Students:
All Students:
Bring these letters to ISS for verification. Also bring the items listed below:
The International Student Advisor will review your materials and copy all material to be sent to USCIS. You will be asked to return to collect your immigration documents and your application. You will be in charge of mailing your application in a traceable manner (such as certified mail with a return receipt verifying delivery), to:
For US Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:
USCIS
PO BOX 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036
Express Mail and Courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
This process will take approximately 90 days but could take as long as 180 days.
NOTE: Upon receipt of your I-797 application, the USCIS Office will send you a Notice of Action, Form I-797 acknowledging receipt of your documents. This form has a receipt number. Do not throw this form away. This form is your proof that you have applied for OPT and the receipt number is necessary if you need to track your documents in the event you do not receive notification from USCIS within the specified period of time.
When employment is authorized, USCIS will issue and mail you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You must use the ISS address. You cannot begin employment until you obtain this Employment Authorization Document.
Students who are in F-1 status are eligible to work part-time during the academic year and full-time during vacation periods for recognized international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc. Authorization is granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with the recommendation of the International Student Services Office (ISS) or the Office of International Education (OIE).
Procedure
The ISS cannot authorize an internship with an international organization - only the DHS can do so by issuing you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You cannot begin employment until you have received this card. Your first step in obtaining an EAD is to qualify for a certification from the ISS recommending you for the internship.
Step 1. Submit the following documentation to ISS as early as 90 days before you wish to begin employment:
The International Student Services Office staff will:
Step 2.
We suggest that you mail your application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services by certified mail, return receipt requested. This will provide you with proof that your application was timely in the event the application is lost. We also recommend that you photocopy the entire application before you mail it so you have a copy for your records. So that the documents do not get lost, put the photos in a small envelope and label as "photos" and staple all pages together, being careful not to staple the photos.
Include the following documents in your applications:
Mail your applications to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office with jurisdiction over your proposed place of employment (see the form I-765)
You may bring the completed application to the ISSO, if you would like an adviser to review it before you mail it to the DHS.
Step 3. The DHS either will send the EAD card to the address indicated on the I-765 form.
Processing time: DHS normally takes six to twelve weeks to process the EAD. DHS regulations provide that, in the event an employment application has not been processed within 90 days of the receipt notice, the applicant will be granted "interim employment authorization". Interim employment authorization is valid for 240 days or until DHS has processed the original request for an EAD, whichever is earlier. If you have not received a response within 90 days of your application, please contact International Student Services for information about interim employment authorization.
The advisers of ISS encourage you to contact them if you have any questions about the procedure or if you receive any correspondence about your application.