The University of St. Thomas

Off Campus Employment

Immigration Information
> Employment > Off-campus

Students must have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year, be in good academic and legal standing and carry a full-time course of study. Do not work off-campus without permission. If a student would like to work off-campus, Curricular Practical Training, or work after graduation (Optional Practical Training), the student must apply before completion of the last requirements of the student's degree, or the student will be ineligible.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorization for paid or unpaid employment that is an integral part of the established curriculum. CPT is available during (not after) a course of study and must be authorized for a specific employers. There is no limit to part-time (less than 20 hours per week) CPT. However, a student who does 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training forfeits all Optional Practical Training.

One of the following two situations must exist for Curricular Practical Training to be authorized by and advisor in OISS:

  • The work must be part of an internship or practicum (whether or not for credit) that is required of all students in a course of study. The duration of CPT can be as long as required by the internship. Furthermore, the "9 months full-time enrollment" requirement can be waived if a graduate program requires all students to participate in an internship before 9 months (example: AMBA program).
  • A work experience is required by a particular credit-bearing course in which a student is enrolled, such as an internship or directed study. In this situation, CPT can be authorized for a maximum of six months. You can sign up for CPT as many times as your academic programs allows you to enroll in such a course. Please consult with persons in your academic program about how to enroll in an appropriate course.

For more information on courses:

 

Application Process

To be elligible to apply, students must have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year, be in good academic and legal standing and carry a full-time course of study.  

1 Verify that you are eligible for CPT according to one of the two situations described. 

2 Once you have an internship offer, get a letter from employer describing the job title, job responsibilities, starting and ending dates of employment, number of hours per week, place of employment on official company letterhead.

3 Contact your department about registering for the appropriate course above and sign-up for an academic internship course with your academic advisor.


4 Make an appointment with an OISS advisor by calling 651 962-6650 and bring:

  • your I-20, your passport and your I-94

  • letter from your employer

  • proof of registration for internship course OR program catalog with statement that internship is required for the degree.

Click here for a list of companies that hired UST international students on CPT.

Click here for a sample job offer letter.

 


Optional Practical Training

F-1 students may apply for optional practical training (OPT) during the semester they will complete their program of study. Students may apply for OPT up to 90 days before their program end date and 60 days after their program end date. OPT may be used for a maximum of 12 months of full-time employment after each degree program. For example: a student could do 12 months of OPT after their Bachelor Degree, 12 months of OPT after their Masters Degree and 12 months of OPT after their PhD degree. 

An offer of employment is not required to apply for optional practical training. However, once OPT is authorized it cannot be voided or restored even if the F-1 student does not work during the authorization period. F-1 students must either be employed in a position related to their degree, volunteer in a position related to their field, or be actively seeking employment during their OPT authorization.

For more information about OPT, consult our online OPT Guide.

For information about traveling while on OPT, please see our Travel section.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) after the completion of studies:

To be elligible to apply, students must have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year, be in good academic and legal standing and carry a full-time course of study.  

1 Please download and assemble the USCIS application forms and documents in the OPT Guide. Complete Form I-765 and application forms.

2 Take two passport style photographs

3 Decide the dates of employment

4 Schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor for a recommendation in SEVIS by calling 1-651- 962-6650. OISS will mail the forms, photos and your fee payment to USCIS.

 

 


Severe Economic Hardship

Special work status is available for students who have unforeseen financial circumstances. A student must provide proof that there is an unforeseen severe economic necessity beyond the student's control and that other employment opportunities are not available or are insufficient. A student must apply for this status before working off-campus. Time to complete the authorization process is approximately 80-120 days. A student cannot work until they have received an EAD card (Employment Authorization Document) in the mail from USCIS. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the school year, but can be 40 hours during vacations. A student must obtain a recommendation in SEVIS from an International Student Advisor. The I-20 must also reflect the change in authorization. If the economic situation persists, a student can re-apply every 12 months. Authorization ends upon the program completion date or school transfer.

 

Application Process:

To be elligible to apply, students must have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year, be in good academic and legal standing and carry a full-time course of study.  

1 Obtain supporting materials and write a letter to USCIS explaining the unforeseen nature of the economic hardship and the unavailability of sufficient employment on-campus.

2 Complete Form I-765 (see International Student Advisor)

3 Take two passport style photographs

4 See an International Student Advisor for a recommendation in SEVIS, bring I-94, I-20 a check for $340 and passport.

 

Off-campus Volunteer Experience

Many F-1 and J-1 visa students participate in volunteer experiences while studying at the University of St. Thomas. A volunteer experience is participation in a program or activity that will provide aid or help to various groups of people or animals in need of assistance.  Some students have had volunteer experiences with groups such as: the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Catholic Charities, the Humane Society and other non-profit organizations helping those in need. Students can find volunteer opportunities at: http://www.stthomas.edu/servicelearning/volunteer.htm. If the volunteer experience is related to the F-1 or J-1 student's field of study, then the student should contact the OISS to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Click here for information on CPT.