F-1 | Services for International Students and Scholars

Optional Practical Training Eligibility

To be eligible for Optional Practical Training:

You must have completed at least one academic year with the same SEVIS number (found at the top left side of page 1 of the I-20).
You must apply prior to the end of the 60 day grace period following the quarter/term in which all requirements for graduation are met (for graduate students this means all degree requirements except dissertation/thesis/project).

Optional Practical Training FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Optional Practical Training

Can I travel while on OPT?
Please refer to our travel webpage for detailed information about traveling while on OPT.

Curricular Practical Training FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Curricular Practical Training

Are there any circumstances in which an international student can volunteer off-campus and NOT need authorization? Does all off campus volunteering require CPT authorization?
Off-campus volunteer work is always tricky and you should always consult with your SISS advisor before undertaking it. If the volunteer work is related to your major, you must obtain CPT authorization before starting it. In other cases we would want to discus

Curricular Practical Training Eligibility

To be eligible for Curricular Practical Training:

You must be in good academic and immigration status.
You must have completed at least one full academic year under your current SEVIS ID#/record.
You must be pursuing a full course of study, except during official school breaks and vacations.
CPT is considered off-campus employment (paid or unpaid) and requires authorization from SISS before you can begin.
If an internship is not required for your degree (ty

I-20 Pick-Up

F-1 students who began in Fall 2018 or during Summer Start, this I-20 identifies you as a continuing student at UC Davis. It replaces the I-20 you needed to arrive on campus. The travel signature will be valid for one year.

F-1 Students

Overview

Most students coming to UC Davis use the F-1 visa. The most important responsibility of F-1 students is maintaining your lawful status. Below are a few things of note about students in F-1 status.

Student Forms

OverviewAll student forms are located in iGlobal

Processing times:

Four (4) weeks for an initial I-20 or DS-2019 for a newly admitted freshman or transfer students
Two (2) weeks for all other requests

The SISS student team will do their best to process your request in a timely manner. However, submitting your request inside the processing time may result in a benefit denial.

Other Work Status Types

Overview

International scholars may come to UC Davis on a variety of work statuses that are not sponsored through SISS, including these three categories:

1. Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

Non-immigrants can gain employment authorization through a variety of circumstances, including:

F-1 On-Campus Employment

Confirm Your Eligibility
- As a student in F-1 status, you may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during school vacation periods such as winter, spring, or summer breaks.