Categories of F-1 Student Employment
This page overviews the categories of F-1 Student Employment available to international students:
On-Campus Employment
INS authorization is not necessary for on-campus employment. INS defines on-campus employment as the following:
- Type 1: Employment by Cedarville University. Any on-campus work for which you receive a paycheck (or other compensation such as room, board, etc. from Cedarville University.
- Type 2: Other Employment on Cedarville Premises. This includes work on Cedarville's campus for an outside contractor if this work provides direct services to students.
- Type 3: Certain Off Campus Employment where there is an official educational relationship between Cedarville University and the off campus employer. INS regulations allow work at an off campus location provided (1) the location is educationally affiliated with Cedarville, (2) the educational affiliation is associated with your school's established curriculum or is related to a graduate level research project which your school has contracted to perform, and (3) the work is an integral or important part of your program of study.
Internship with an International Organization
If you are offered employment in the form of an internship by a recognized international organization, you may accept such employment upon receipt of authorization from the Immigration Office. Examples of recognized organizations include the United Nations, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc.
Curricular Practical Training
Some work experiences which are an integral part of your program of study may be the basis for curricular practical training employment authorization. These experiences may include alternate work/study programs, internships, cooperative education programs and practicum experiences which are either (1) a required part of your academic program, or (2) work for which you receive academic course credit.
Optional Practical Training
F-1 students are eligible for twelve months of optional practical training (OPT). OPT provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge obtained in an academic program to a practical work experience. This employment opportunity must be directly related to your major field of study. It may, in certain circumstances, be full or part time and may take place anywhere in the U.S. You may apply to use OPT during your vacation periods, during the academic year, or when you complete your studies. OPT requires authorization from the Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) before you can start to work (documents must be sent to Nebraska for approval 3 months prior to beginning an internship.).
