EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS
Social
Security Numbers
In
order to accept employment in the US, it will be necessary for
you to obtain a social security card. Please refer to the Social
Security section in the “When you first arrive” chapter
for more information.
F-1 VISA EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS
In order to gain admittance to the US, F-1 visa students are required to demonstrate sufficient financial support to pay for their studies and financially support any dependents. Such careful screening of financial support on the part of the US consul or officer is necessary given the number of US laws and regulations designed to prevent visiting foreign nationals from seeking employment. The F-2 spouse of an F-1 student is not permitted to engage in employment or any form of compensation. However, there are a few exceptions to this “no employment for F-1 / J-1 students” rule.
On-campus
employment
F-1
visa students may seek on campus employment part-time, up to 20
hours/week, during the academic year. Students may be employed
full-time on campus during vacation periods when school is not
in session. It is important to note that such employment should
not interfere with academic pursuits. Students will be required
to pursue a full course of study and to maintain good academic
standing.
Employment
based on economic hardship
F-1
visa students who have encountered financial difficulties due to
unforeseen circumstances may be eligible to apply for a part-time,
off-campus work permit. In addition to being able to clearly demonstrate
a financial hardship exists and arose as a result of unforeseen
circumstances, applicants for this work permit must have been in
F-1 status for at least one academic year, be in good academic
standing, and be able to demonstrate that the employment will not
negatively impact on their academic performance. Applications for
economic hardship are submitted to the USCIS and processing takes
90 - 120 days on average. Should you meet these conditions and
wish to pursue an application for this work permit, contact your
OGE advisor for more information.
Curricular
Practical Training
F-1
visa international students enrolled in an internship, practicum,
or cooperative education program at Sacramento State (and receiving
academic credit for the experience) may be permitted to accept
off-campus employment.
In order to be eligible to apply for a curricular practical training permit, a Sacramento State F-1 visa student must have been in status as a full-time F-1 visa student for a minimum of one academic year and must be receiving academic credit for a university-supervised internship, practicum or cooperative education program.
Curricular practical training may be part-time (up to 20 hours /week) or full-time, depending on the requirements of the internship or coop. Students who participate in twelve months or more of full-time curricular practical training, however, will not be able to participate in optional practical training.
| I. Application procedures for Curricular Practical Training are as follows: | |
| i. | Locate a suitable internship position. |
| ii. | Register for an internship, practicum, or coop through your school/major department or the co-op program at the Career Center. You will be issued a written contract when you finalize these arrangements. |
| iii. | Bring your internship, practicum, or coop contract to your international student advisor at the OGE. |
The international student advisor will review your application package, ascertain whether or not it can be approved, and issue a new SEVIS I-20 for curricular practical training so that you may begin your training.
Optional Practical Training (Pre-Completion)
Although most students seeking opportunities off campus during their studies apply for Curricular Practical Training (see above), F-1 visa students may undergo periods of optional practical training prior to graduation. Optional practical training is limited to a total of 12 months. Part-time (20 hours or less) pre-completion optional practical training before graduation is deducted from the available 12 months at one-half the full-time rate. Students must have maintained F-1 status for one academic year before being allowed to apply for PCOPT. Please see your OGE advisor for additional information.
Optional Practical Training (Post-Completion)
Upon completion of all requirements for a degree program, F-1 visa students who have not yet used their OPT may be eligible to apply for up to 12 months of practical training. This training must represent a logical extension of a student’s program of study (related to the field of study and at an appropriate level of education). Students may apply for OPT after completion of each degree program as long as the program is at a higher level (Bachelors to Masters to PhD).
In order to be eligible for post-completion practical training, a student must have maintained F-1 visa status for at least one academic year. You must apply for post-completion practical training during the 90-day period prior to program completion. If you fail to apply during this period, your application will be rejected.
Your advisor at the OGE will prepare a new SEVIS I-20 for OPT, sign and copy all appropriate forms, make the necessary USCIS recommendations, and return a packet for you to mail directly to the USCIS Service Center. Within a few weeks, USCIS Service Center staff will notify you by mail that they have received your application. It is estimated that your application should be processed within 90-120 days of receipt.
You may not begin your employment until you have received your EAD from the USCIS California Service Center. USCIS regulations state that students engaged in OPT continue to be F-1 students affiliated with their academic campus.As such, students on OPT are required to continue to inform Sacramento State of any address changes.
In addition, special rules apply for traveling during post completion OPT. If you intend to travel out of the US during your OPT period (and wish to return to the US), please contact your advisor in the OGE for updated procedures and instructions.
J-1 / J-2 VISA EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS
On-Campus Employment
J-1 Exchange Visitor students may engage in part-time on-campus employment (full-time when school is not in session) if they have obtained approval from their program sponsor (a clearance must be issued by the OGE). Approval of such requests can be granted only if the exchange visitor is in good academic standing and enrolled full-time.
Off-Campus Employment
Full-time J-1 Exchange Visitor students in good academic standing may engage in part-time (full-time when school is not in session) off-campus employment if they encounter financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances. In order to apply for permission to work off-campus it will be necessary that you meet with your OGE advisor, and provide detailed information concerning the nature of your unforeseen financial difficulties. Employment permits will be issued when conditions warrant approval.
Academic Training
J-1 Exchange Visitor students may engage in academic training during their studies without wages or other remuneration, or for wages with the approval of their international student advisor. Paid academic training can be authorized for a maximum of 18 months during or after their academic studies. Academic training after completion of studies must begin no later than thirty (30) days after completion of studies and cannot be approved for a period of time longer than the student’s academic program. Paid academic training can only be undertaken by students whose primary reason for being in the US is to study, not to engage in academic training. In order to begin paid academic training, J-1 students must:
1. |
Be in good academic standing. |
2. |
Plan to engage in academic training that is clearly related to their major field of study. |
3. |
Receive written permission from their International Student Advisor. |
Employment of J-2 Spouse of J-1 Exchange Visitor
The J-2 spouse of a J-1 exchange visitor may, under certain conditions, obtain permission from the USCIS to accept employment. Permission to accept employment will only be granted if the J-2 spouse can demonstrate that the financial resources of the J-1 are inadequate to cover the essential costs of the J-2 dependents. The money earned by the J-2 spouse cannot be intended for the purpose of assisting the J-1 in meeting his/her costs.
J-1’s or their J-2 dependents interested in one of the off-campus employment opportunities described above should meet with their OGE advisor to obtain exact application procedures.
