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International Students > Employment
Employment
Never work without getting authorization first. To remain in status, students must follow the federal regulations about employment. All international students must contact their Foreign Student Advisor to get work authorization before they accept employment.
Students should bring their I-20 (or IAP-66) and passport every time they need work authorization. Foreign Student Advisors cannot give work authorization without these documents. Please see the following chart for employment eligibility information by visa type.
Visa |
On-Campus Employment |
Off-Campus Employment |
F-1 |
Students enrolled full-time and in good academic standing can be authorized to work on campus up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during university breaks. Apply in the Office of Admissions. |
F-1 students are eligible to work in their field of study after being a full-time student for nine months. This type of work is called 'practical training.' If you are interested, please contact your Foreign Student Advisor for further information. Students experiencing economic hardship should make an appointment with a Foreign Student Advisor. Employment may be authorized in certain cases. |
F-2 |
F-2 visa holders are not allowed to work. |
F-2 visa holders are not allowed to work. |
J-1 |
Students enrolled full-time and in good academic standing can be authorized to work on campus up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during university breaks. Apply in the Office of Admissions. If another institution or sponsor issued your IAP-66 (look in section 2 of your IAP-66 if unsure) get a letter of work permission from that sponsor or agency before applying for work authorization. |
Students enrolled full-time and in good academic standing may be eligible to work in their field of study or in situations of unforeseen economic need. Work can be up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during university breaks. Apply for authorization with your Foreign Student Advisor. |
J-2 |
J-2 visa holders can apply for permission to work either on-campus or off-campus. The application for a work permit must be submitted to your Foreign Student Advisor and can take three months to process. |
See on-campus requirements. |
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to gain experience in their fields of study prior to graduation. Most F-1 students who have been studying full time for at least 9 months or 2 semesters are eligible for CPT.
More information regarding CPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows you to gain experience in your field of study prior to or after graduation. You are eligible for 12 months of OPT for each higher education level that you finish. While on OPT, you are still an F-1 student and Indiana University Southeast is responsible for updating your SEVIS record. Students authorized for OPT remain in F-1 status, and are required to report any changes in address, interruptions in employment or the stoppage of OPT before the expiration of the authorization. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STUDENT ON OPT TO INFORM THEIR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR OF THESE CHANGES.
Authorization for OPT is granted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and applications are submitted to CIS via IU Southeast.
- OPT Basics
- Checklist for OPT applications
- OPT Frequently Asked Questions
- Extension Option for STEM Field Majors
Extension Option for STEM Field Majors
F-1 students whose OPT is based on a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, may be eligible for a one-time 17-month extension of OPT. View a current list of STEM-eligible majors.
In order to be eligible for this extension, students must already be on OPT, and also be employed by, or have a job offer from, an employer who is registered with the E-Verify employment verification system.
Applying For OPT STEM Extension Requests
F-1 students may be eligible for a one-time only 17 month extension of OPT if they meet the following criteria:
- already be on OPT based on a STEM-eligible degree.
- have fewer than 90 days of unemployment after April 8, 2008 (if EAD start date is before April 8, 2008)
- be employed by, or have a job offer from, an employer who is registered in the E-Verify employment verification system.
- not have previously been approved for a 17 month extension of OPT
- submit the OPT application to USCIS prior to the expiration date of the current post-completion OPT (USCIS must receive the
- application before the expiration date on the current EAD)
Students who file a timely application for an extension will be able to continue employment while the extension application is pending with USCIS, until it is approved or denied, or for 180 days, whichever comes first.
Click here for a PDF version of the instructions and application form. Fax your completed application form to 812-941-2595 or e-mail it to hjbeatty@ius.edu.
Unemployment Issues while on STEM-based OPT
Days of unemployment should be tracked as outlined in the basic OPT section. However, students with an approved STEM OPT extension will receive another 30 days of unemployment time for a total of 120 days for the entire period of post-completion OPT.
Traveling while Employed on STEM-based OPT
Please see the travel section for basic information.
E-Verify and Indiana University
Indiana University is not currently a participating employer in E-Verify. While DHS has announced plans to eventually require all employers in the US to use the system, very few employers currently do so. Employers have not embraced this new system for two key reasons: (1) cost of implementing and administering this new system for all new employees; and (2) inaccuracies within the E-Verify database that can result in extreme hardship for prospective employees, and in particular, for foreign national employees. Indiana University will continue to monitor developments in E-Verify, and will widely disseminate any change in this policy.
