International Student Handbook

EMPLOYMENT / OPT

Employment

Full time F-1 students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Permission from INS is not needed for on-campus employment.

Full time F-1 students have two options to receive permission from INS to work off-campus. The first option is called "Economic Necessity" and requires an unforeseen financial crisis. The second option is called Practical Training, which is work experience in your field of study and can be utilized before or after completion of your studies. Consult with the International Student Advisor if you need additional information. Practical training is described below.

F-2 status holders are never eligible for employment authorization.

1. Practical Training

Practical Training is defined as work experience in the student's major field of study. There are now only two types of practical training available to international students:

1. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
An F-1 student may apply to INS for authorization for optional practical training directly related to the student's major area of study in the following cases:

Vacation practical training which takes place during the student's annual vacation term
Practical training while school is in session, which takes places during the fall, winter or spring semesters when you are required to be enrolled in courses at Salve.
Post-completion practical training which takes place after completion of your course of study.

Optional Practical Training is limited to a total of 12 months of full-time (more than 20 hours per week) employment. As a result, any time spent in either vacation practical training, practical training while school is in session or thesis-practical training will be deducted from post-completion practical training. Many students who plan to transfer to a four-year university will do OPT for 12 months after they have graduated with their bachelor's degree.

Application Procedure for OPT

You must apply within 60 days after graduation in order to be eligible, so remember to make an appointment with the DSO early! Students are eligible for OPT only after they are in F-1 status and have been studying full-time for at least one academic year.

To submit to DSO:

A letter from your faculty advisor with the details of your Practical Training.
Form I 538 Completed
I20 ID (Pages 3 and 4)

To submit to the Regional Service Center:

Form I 765 Completed
Copy of Completed I 538
2 Photographs
The signature card
A check or money order for $120.00 payable to INS