International Student Employment and Internships

On-Campus Employment

International students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week, or up to 40 hours a week during break and evaluation weeks. You must be enrolled full-time. You may also work during summer quarter if you are enrolled for at least 4 credits.

You may apply for any job that does not have Work-Study as part of the description. Work-Study jobs are only for certain U.S. students.

• Location must be considered on-campus (or a location educationally affiliated with the school)
• Work does not need to be related to program of study 
• Can work immediately after receiving Social Security card 
• Cannot continue after student completes course of study

Contact the Office of International Programs & Services if you're interested in on-campus employment.

Off-Campus Employment

Off-campus employment is generally not permitted and is granted on a case by case basis. While the law does allow it, it is used only in the case of severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances. 

Extreme Financial Hardship
Unexpected circumstances that may lead to economic hardship may include:

• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment (if the student is not at fault)
• Large increases in tuition or living costs 
• Substantial decrease in the relative value of currency the student depends upon to pay expenses 
• Unexpected changes in the financial conditions for a student's sources of financial support 
• Unexpectedly large medical bills not covered by insurance 

If you feel you meet one of these criteria and would like to work off-campus, contact the Office of International Programs & Services.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is a paid or unpaid internship for academic credit that you do before completing your degree. It may be part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). It may be during the academic year or your vacation quarter, but always for credit. You must have been enrolled for at least three consecutive quarters and have an established major/emphasis. You must have a job or internship offer related to your major/emphasis arranged in advance.

Seek approval through the Office of International Programs & Services. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is a paid job or unpaid internship/job that you do after completing your degree. You must submit an external fee-based application to USCIS, which may be approved or denied. You must have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year by the date the OPT would begin. The eventual OPT must be related to your major/emphasis, but you do not have to have a job offer in advance. You are allowed one OPT per degree level. OPT is limited to 12 months. If you have completed 12 months of full-time CPT before completing your degree, you will not be eligible for OPT. 

STEM OPT Extension

For qualifying STEM students still in their 12-month OPT and working for an E-verify Employer. Qualifying students may apply for a 24-month extension.

To begin the process for STEM OPT extension, contact the Office of International Programs and Services at least 3 months prior to your OPT end date. You will need to submit I-983 Form to the Office of International Programs & Services

International Organizations

As an F-1 student, you may work for a qualified international organization, as defined by the International Organization Immunities Act of December 29, 1945. If you have an offer from an employer on the List of International Organizations you may apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Contact the Office of International Programs & Services to discuss your situation before you complete the required documentation. Your advisor will determine your eligibility and assist you in completing and submitting the application to USCIS. 

On-Campus Employment

Exchange visitor students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week, or up to 40 hours a week during break and evaluation weeks. You must be enrolled full-time. 

You may apply for any job that does not have Work-Study as part of the description. Work-Study jobs are only for certain U.S. students.

• Location must be considered on-campus (or a location educationally affiliated with the school)
• Work does not need to be related to program of study 
• Can work immediately after receiving Social Security card 
• Cannot continue after student completes exchange visitor program

Contact the Office of International Programs & Services if you're interested in on-campus employment.

Academic Training

Academic Training is a paid job or unpaid internship that you do before or after you complete your studies. It must be related to your major/emphasis. You must have completed at least three months of your program of study. You must have a job offer arranged in advance. Your Academic Training will be limited to between 3 and 18 months, depending on the length of your program of study.

Contact the Office of International Programs & Services if you're interested in Academic Training.

Serious Economic Circumstances

You may apply for permission from International Programs & Services for off-campus employment that is necessary due of serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances.

Approval can be up to 12 months. You may not work more than a total of 20 hours per week combined on and off campus, except for breaks and your annual vacation quarter.

Contact the Office of International Programs & Services if you have questions about this benefit.

F-2 Dependents

If you are in the U.S. with an F-2 spouse, children, or other legal dependent, they are not allowed to work on or off campus in the U.S.

J-2 Dependents

If you are in the U.S with a J-2 spouse, children, or other legal dependent, they may apply to USCIS for work authorization.  If approved, they may work at any part-time or full-time job. The J-2's income may not form a part of the J-1's documented financial support, and work is only authorized while the J-1 is maintaining status.