Resources for Employers

A work authorization benefit that allows students to fulfill a practical training requirement for their major field of study. Eligibility depends on whether the student’s curriculum has practical training hours or course(s). 

• Verify eligibility and review ISSS resources. 
• Work with academic program to obtain approval, and enroll in the practical training course (if applying for CPT based on a course requirement).
• Obtain authorization by submitting a request to ISSS at least ten business days before their employment start date.

• Provide a CPT Employer Letter that verifies the students’ employment details .
• If a student’s academic program requires any additional verification or evaluation paperwork, the employer should be prepared to complete it.
• There is no cost to the employer.

• Employment must be directly related to the student’s major and evaluated towards the student’s practical training requirement.
• A student is only authorized to work for the duration and hours stated in the CPT authorization listed on their I-20.
• CPT can be part-time or full-time depending on the program’s curriculum. Part-time CPT is 20 hours or less per week and full-time CPT is over 20 hours per week.

Students must submit a request and supporting documents via MyISSS. ISSS requires up to ten business days for processing. Retroactive authorization is not possible.
 

The Form I-20 with CPT authorization listed on page 2 is the student’s proof of work authorization. The student is only authorized to work for the employer stated on the I-20 and can only work during the period stated on the I-20.

A 12-month work authorization benefit for F-1 visa holders that allows employment related to their major program of study. OPT can be utilized during or after studies and a job offer is not required to apply for OPT.

• Determine eligibility and review the ISSS OPT resources.
• Apply for work authorization with USCIS.
• Report employment and address information via the SEVP Portal within 10 days of the change while on OPT.
• Demonstrate the relationship between their employment and major field of study.
• Track unemployment days to maintain F-1 status. Students on post-completion OPT may only have 90 days of unemployment. 

• Obtain the student’s EAD for I-9 purposes.
• There is no cost to the employer, but some employers may choose to pay for the student’s I-765 application fee.

• All employment must be directly related to the student’s major field of study. 
• Multiple employers, volunteer work, unpaid internships, and self-employment are permitted.
• The standard OPT period is up to 12 months for each degree level.

Students need to request an OPT I-20 from ISSS and then submit the Form I-765 to USCIS. Average processing time is approximately 3-4 months. A premium processing option that guarantees action within 30 business days is available for an additional fee. 

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS. Students can only work during the period stated on the EAD card.

A 24-month extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for students who have completed a STEM-eligible degree. A job offer with an eligible employer is required to apply for STEM OPT.

• Determine eligibility and review ISSS STEM OPT resources.
• Secure STEM-eligible employment and verify employer’s e-verify status and number.
• Apply for the work authorization with USCIS.
• Report any changes to their employment and address to the SEVP portal and ISSS while on STEM OPT.
• Report participation in STEM OPT to ISSS every 6 months.
• Complete a self-evaluation every 12 months and at the end of employment. 

• Obtain the student’s proof of work authorization for I-9 purposes.
• Possess sufficient resources to supervise and train STEM OPT students.
• Enroll and be in good standing with E-Verify.
• Work with the student to review, complete and certify the I-983 Training Plan.
• Work with the student to report material changes to the I-983 Training Plan.
• Review and sign the student’s annual self-evaluation form.
• Notify ISSS if the student’s employment is terminated for any reason no later than 5 days after the termination.
• There is no cost to the employer, but employers may choose to pay a student’s I-765 application fee.

• Only work for an e-verified employer and in a position that is related to a student’s STEM-eligible degree is allowed.
• All employment must be paid and at least 20 hours/week.
• Students must be a bonafide employee and receive training and supervision from the STEM employer who is signing the I-983 Training Plan.

Students need to request a STEM I-20 from ISSS and then submit the Form I-765 with USCIS. Average processing times can take 4-6 months. A premium processing option that guarantees action within 30 business days is available for an additional fee.

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS. Students must present this card before starting work and can only work during the period stated on the EAD card.

While a STEM OPT application is pending, a student’s OPT is automatically extended for 180-days, or until the date of adjudication, whichever is earlier. Students with a pending STEM OPT application can show their STEM pending I-20 and OPT EAD card has proof of work authorization.

A work authorization that allows J-1 students to engage in employment that is related to their field of study during or after studies. Students can engage in up to 18 months of academic training, or the period of the full course of study, whichever is less.

• Determine eligibility and review the ISSS resource.
• Apply for the work authorization.
• Obtain and provide proof of J-compliant health insurance. 
• Provide proof of funding for living expenses to ISSS, if employment is unpaid.
• Obtain approval for work authorization from the home government or sponsor, if needed.

• Obtain the student’s proof of work authorization for I-9 purposes.
• Provide a letter verifying the student’s employment details.
• There is no cost to the employer.

• All employment has to be related to the student’s field of study and curriculum.
• Employment must not be remotely more than 40% of the time i.e., two days out of five working days per week.
• Students can only work during the dates stated on their DS-2019 and must start within 30 days of their program end date

Students must submit a request and supporting documents via MyISSS. ISSS requires up to ten business days for processing. Authorizations cannot be retroactively approved and must be processed before the end of the student's program.

A DS-2019 with the employer’s name listed issued by ISSS. The student is only authorized to work for the employer stated on the DS-2019 and can only work during the period stated on the DS-2019. 

H-1B is an employer sponsored work visa. The employer will need to submit the petition to the US government, usually by working with a US immigration attorney or H-1B visa specialist.

• Students who are getting sponsored for H-1B may still apply for OPT or STEM OPT.
• Students who have a pending or approved Change of Status application may be eligible to extend their F-1 status and/or OPT work authorization through Cap-Gap. To be eligible to extend the work authorization, the H-1B petition must be submitted before the student’s OPT end date.