International students with F-1 visas are allowed to work with certain restrictions. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency regulates the various types of employment available to international students with F-1 visas. The Office of International Programs & Services provides information and advice to students seeking employment opportunities.

Students may work on campus without prior authorization from the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Students do not have to wait a certain amount of time before beginning their job on campus. Employment is limited to part-time, meaning 20 hours or less per week.

To be considered eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), F-1 students must obtain permission from their academic advisor and provide the appropriate documentation to the Office of International Programs & Services. Students must have F-1 status for a full academic year before they are eligible for Curricular Practical Training.

Students who have completed 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training will be ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Part-time Curricular Practical Training, 20 hours per week or less, is not counted toward the 1-year threshold. The employer's name must be specified on the employment authorization; therefore, students must arrange for the internship experience before requesting Curricular Practical Training. You must obtain authorization from the Office of International Programs & Services before beginning work. See the Curricular Practical Training page for additional information.

OPT is employment that requires the approval of USCIS. Students must have completed at least one full academic year to be eligible for OPT. An application must be sent to the Texas Service Center accompanied by a new I-20 requesting OPT, two passport size pictures, copies of immigration related documents, as well as a check or money order made out to the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $340. Approval of OPT, both pre- and post-completion, takes approximately 8-12 weeks. See the Optional Practical Training page for more information.

For more information, contact
internationalprograms@coastal.edu