F-1 Off-Campus Employment

 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization permits F-1 students to accept a paid or unpaid off-campus job (work/study, internship, cooperative education, or practicum) that is directly related to their field of study and commensurate with their educational level.  You must have a job offer to request CPT authorization and you must receive the CPT authorization from SISS prior to beginning employment or internship.

  • Confirm Your Eligibility
  • - You must be in good academic and immigration status.

    - Be a full-time student for at least one academic year (three consecutive academic terms).

    - You must be pursuing a full course of study (except during official school breaks and vacations).

    - You must be enrolled in at least one “internship” or “research” unit during the term in which you seek CPT authorization, unless the internship is required for your degree.  Please note that a unit of internship or research will also be required for each Summer Session for an entire summer CPT authorization and Summer Session tuition and fees will apply.

    - Filing Fee: Graduate students on filing fee are not eligible for CPT during the filing fee term.

    - If you are also working on-campus, the combined total of hours worked through both on and off-campus employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year.
  • How To Get Started
  • - Review the Curricular Practical Training Tutorial 

    - Obtain and submit job offer letter with Part 1 of CPT request in Global

    - Once an SISS Advisor assures the offer meets all of the requirements, you will receive an email to complete Part 2 of the CPT request in Global

    - Academic Advisor/Graduate Program Coordinator will review your job offer letter and submit their recommendation in Global

    - Enroll in required CPT unit(s)

    - SISS Advisor will send email to confirm CPT authorization has been processed and an updated I-20 with CPT authorization will be uploaded to your iGlobal account 

    Note: Allow SISS up to two weeks for processing. Do not begin employment until you have received the I-20 with the CPT authorization.
  • CPT Timeline

  • - CPT Start Date: 
        -- CPT is approved for one term at a time. CPT employment can start the day after the term ends date of the previous term as listed on the Master Academic Calendar.  For example, fall CPT can start as early as the day after summer session II ends.

    - CPT End Date: 
        -- CPT employment must end by the day before the instruction begins date of the following term as listed on the Master Academic Calendar.  For example, fall CPT can end as late as the day before winter term instruction begins.
        -- End dates may be extended past the instruction begins date of the following term up until the 12th day of instruction on a limited case-by-case basis if the situation meets all the following criteria:
            --- The employment is a degree requirement
            --- The extension is required by the employer to engage in the employment/internship
            ---Your academic advisor or graduate program coordinator of the degree requirement confirms in iGlobal that your case meets the above criteria
        -- If you are engaging in CPT in your final term, the employment end date must be on or before the term ends date of that final term.
  • Summer CPT
  • - Summer session I CPT employment can start the day after the spring term ends date and end the day before the start of summer session II as listed on the Master Academic Calendar.

    - Summer session II CPT employment can start the day after the end of summer session I and end by the day before the fall term instruction begins date as listed on the Master Academic Calendar.

    - Entire summer CPT employment can start the day after the term ends date of the spring term and end the day before the fall term instruction begins date as listed on the Master Academic Calendar.

    - If you engage in summer CPT that is not a degree requirement of your academic program as listed in the course catalog, you will need to enroll in at least one unit of internship (undergraduates) or research (graduates) courses for each summer session or one unit in the Special summer session. (Summer session tuition and fees will apply).

    - If a summer session term will be your final term, only part-time CPT (20 hours or less per week) is allowed.

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions about CPT

If you have further questions after reviewing these resources, please contact your SISS Advisor.

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Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work permission available to eligible F-1 students. It allows students to take part in practical training/work experience related to their field of study after completion of their program.

Questions?

Log in to Homebase if you are a returning user or Create an Account if you are a new user (provide personal email address and required information). The access code is 818.

If you have further questions after reviewing these resources, please contact your SISS Advisor.

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STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT)

A STEM OPT Extension is work permission available to eligible students in F-1 status who are currently on OPT and have completed a program of study in a STEM-designated field. It allows students to extend their existing work authorization for an additional 24 months.

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About STEM OPT

If you have further questions after reviewing these resources, please contact your SISS Advisor.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Curricular Practical Training

  • Does all off-campus volunteering require CPT authorization?  

  • Off-campus volunteer work is tricky and you should always consult with your SISS advisor before participating. If the volunteer work is related to your major, you must obtain CPT authorization before starting it.  In other cases, we recommend you consult with your SISS Advisor before beginning.

    A good resource for the definition of a volunteer is the Volunteer Positions Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a law that establishes minimum wage and other employment standards. The FLSA indicates that an individual may volunteer freely for public service, religious, charitable, civic, humanitarian or similar non-profit organizations. Typically, a volunteer serves on a part-time basis, does not displace or perform the same duties as a regular employee. 

  • If I transfer from another school, do I have to wait nine months to be eligible for CPT? 
  • If you have maintained your F-1 Student status for a full academic year at another college/university, you may be able to receive CPT authorization immediately.  Please reach out to your SISS Advisor with any additional questions.  
  • I am not in good academic standing, but it is not due to poor grades. Am I still eligible? 
  • If your OASIS record shows that you are not in good academic standing for ANY reason, you are not eligible for CPT. 
  • How many units do I need in order to receive CPT authorization? 
  • A single unit. Please consult with your major advisor or graduate program coordinator to determine which CRN to use. 
  • Can I participate in multiple employment opportunities in the same term?
  • If you have multiple employment opportunities within a term, please consult with your SISS Advisor to determine if additional enrollment is required.
  • What if I have a job that is longer than one term? 
  • You will need to request and obtain CPT authorization term by term.  You can use the same job offer letter each time if it lists dates that extend beyond a single term. You will need to be enrolled in at least one internship/research unit for each term you seek CPT authorization.  
  • I have a job offer for next quarter; when should I apply for CPT? 
  • CPT authorization can take up to two weeks once all request forms have been submitted, approved, and you have an advisor or coordinator recommendation.  
  • Can I work remotely/virtually on CPT?
  • Remote/virtual work is allowed for CPT.  Students applying for CPT with a remote/virtual position should note the address of the employer and the address where the remote/virtual work will take place (it can be your home address if needed).
  • Can I work on campus and off campus with CPT at the same time? 
  • Yes, as long as the combined total of hours worked through both on and off-campus employment do not exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year. 
  • Employers are asking if I need sponsorship and/or if I am eligible for employment authorization inside the U.S. How can I answer that?
  • While you are in F-1 status, UC Davis is your visa sponsor. F-1 students are authorized for on-campus employment and can receive off-campus employment authorization (CPT) from SISS, if eligible.
  • Are there UCD resources to help in the job/internship search and application process?
  • The Career Center offers career advising and workshops, a Career Resource Manual, resume reviews and interview preparation, Career Fairs throughout the year.

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Frequently Asked Questions about STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT)

  • How many days of unemployment do I receive under STEM OPT?
  • F-1 students with OPT authorization are allowed a total of 90 days of unemployment during their first 12 months of OPT. Any unused unemployment days from the first 12 months are rolled over into STEM OPT, and students with STEM OPT authorization receive an additional 60 days of allowed unemployment. It is vital that you keep SISS updated with your employer information to avoid being erroneously viewed as unemployed. Consider tracking your unemployment days using the unemployment calculator.
  • Can I continue to work while my 24-month STEM OPT Extension is pending with USCIS?
  • If the I-765 is properly and timely filed, your current OPT EAD is considered automatically extended pursuant to 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(6)(iv), for up to 180 days while the STEM OPT extension EAD application is pending. 
  • Can I travel during STEM OPT?
  • Yes, but we recommend that you do not travel with a pending STEM OPT application. Please review the list of required documents and considerations for re-entry to the U.S. 
  • If my employer has obtained an H-1B for me, effective this coming October, do I still need the extension?

  • The H-1B cap-gap extension states that the duration of your F-1 status and work authorization will be automatically extended for a student on OPT who is the beneficiary of a timely filed H-1B petition requesting an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year. This applies to all students on OPT, not just STEM students. The extension of duration of status and work authorization would automatically terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition filed on the student's behalf. This will allow the continuation of employment between the expiry of OPT and the start of the H-1B without filing for the 24-month extension for all students on OPT.

    Students are strongly encouraged to stay in close communication with their petitioning employer during the Cap-Gap extension period for status updates on the H-1B petition processing. 

    Students can request a Cap-Gap I-20 with evidence of an H-1B petition selected for processing by USCIS through iGlobal (log on through Limited Services). 

  • How do I change my address with USCIS?
  • Change your address through your USCIS online account.
  • Can I change employers while on STEM OPT?
  • Yes, you can change employers on STEM OPT. If you are changing STEM OPT employers, you will need to log into iGlobal and submit a STEM OPT New Employer report noting the new employer and uploading a new I-983 training plan report for the new employment and then complete a STEM OPT Employment Change report noting the end of employment with any previous employers and uploading a completed final evaluation from page 5 of the I-983 training plan with that employer.
  • Can I change employers while STEM OPT is pending?
  • Yes. You may change employers while STEM OPT is pending. Please contact your SISS Advisor for details.
  • What NAICS code, EIN and E-Verify number do I use for the I-983 if I am employed by UC Davis?

  • NAICS code: 61131

    Employer Name: University of California

    EIN: 94-3067788

    This information is ONLY for F-1 students on STEM OPT who are working for UC Davis

    E-Verify: 1219005

  • What if my EAD is never delivered, is lost or stolen, or is there is an error on the EAD?
  • If your EAD was not delivered or is lost or stolen, please follow these instructions https://ucdavis.box.com/s/rsfewy68t2t6uicnebznu2mycf0e621o 

    If your EAD arrives and you notice an error on the card, please follow these instructions https://ucdavis.box.com/s/bopupvxncqdmibxdx0tge7uwqxl9p0rt 

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