Employment

F-1 On-Campus Employment Policies

F-1 students are allowed to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. If you were registered in spring and are registered for the summer term or will enroll for the following fall, you may work full-time on campus (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer.

All employees must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification form known as the I-9.

HR Shared Services processes I-9s for most individuals.  When you are hired for a position including graduate assistantship, you will receive an email regarding confirmation of the hire and onboarding. This email will contain information about processing the I-9.  If you do not receive this email, contact HR Shared Services at 814-865-1473 or email dataonboarding@psu.edu to inquire about processing an I-9. 

If you need to update your I-9 because you have received a new I-20 or DS-2019, schedule a session to update your I-9 through the Penn State Onboarding Scheduler. When scheduling, be sure to select “Other” in the Appointment Detail field and add "Reverification" to the comment.

J-1 On-Campus Employment Policies

J-1 students are allowed to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. If you have been registered in spring and are registered for the summer term or will enroll for the following fall, you may work full-time on campus (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer.

However, all J-1 student employment requires written authorization each year by the Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer (RO or ARO) of the student's program. This is done by completing the Permission for J-1 On-Campus Employment form in iStart. If your DS-2019 was issued by a programming agency such as IIE, then the RO or ARO of that agency must give you annual work authorization.

[Note: You can only be authorized for on-campus employment 12 months at a time. You must submit a new request in iStart each year.]

All employees must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification form known as the  I-9. 

HR Shared Services processes I-9s for most individuals.  See Steps 6-8 below for further information.

Steps for Initial On-Campus Employment

1. Obtain an employment letter from the hiring department. (Visit the Social Security page of this website for more details about Steps 1-4.)
2. Request a Social Security letter in iStart. You must upload the employer letter.
3. When the letter is prepared by ISSA, you will be notified by email.  If you are at another Penn State campus besides University Park, you can have the letter delivered to you.
4. Take all necessary documents to the Social Security Administration office in your area.
5. You will get a receipt from the Social Security office indicating that you have applied for a Social Security Number (SSN).
6. New employment:  Review welcome email from HR Onboarding and follow instructions to complete the background check and section 1 of the form I-9.  Continuing employment after extending I-20 or DS-2019:  If you have been working and your I-20 or DS-2019 has been extended, you will not have an email about onboarding so schedule a session at the link below and select ‘other’ in the appointment detail field and add ‘reverification’ to the comment.
7. Schedule an onboarding session via the Penn State Onboarding Scheduler
8. Bring original identification documents to your onboarding session to complete section 2 of the I-9.

What is Volunteering?

It is working for an individual or an organization in an unpaid position for humanitarian reasons with no expectation of remuneration.
 
According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), individuals must be paid for service that is normally considered paid employment. If you are volunteering in what is normally a paid position or will be a paid position, then you must understand that it is not permissible. 
 
Even though payment (money) may not be exchanged, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) views some types of activity as employment, not volunteer labor. They explain, "the receipt of non-monetary compensation in exchange for services also constitutes employment. A classic example is a student who provides childcare or domestic services in exchange for free room and board. No money is exchanged in this instance, yet DHS would view this activity as employment.” (NAFSA Adviser’s Manual – with permission from NAFSA.)
 
 Examples of true volunteer work would be:

• Serving in The United Way's "Day of Caring" event

• Participating in Parent/Teacher Organizations (PTO) 

• Working at schools (K-12) by cleaning, painting, etc.

• Helping any charitable organizations with their needs

 
Unless the following activities are performed for a charitable organization, they would be viewed as true employment:  

• running experiments in a laboratory

• washing test tubes in a laboratory

• performing clerical duties

• providing computer programming and data analysis

There are two issues to consider:

1. Can the non-citizen/non-permanent resident be employed? Depending on the situation, both the international student and the employer must determine the eligibility. 

2. Must the activity be paid? Depending on the situation, the employer could risk violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Note: If there is a question, it is sometimes safer to seek employment authorization than to participate. Please seek counsel from an international student adviser.  

Getting a Social Security Number

If you are a J-1 Scholar, this information does not apply to you.  Contact J-1 Scholar Advising at jscholaradv@psu.edu regarding the procedure for Social Security Numbers.

The social security number is used for employment purposes in the United States in order to report wages to the government. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will issue a social security number for employment purposes only. If you have problems establishing a bank account, renting an apartment or opening a cell phone account, see an international student adviser in ISSA. We can help you find other ways to satisfy the requirement with the agency requesting the number.

The Social Security Administration will require that you prove your identity, age, immigration status, and eligibility to work. In addition, F-1 students must provide evidence of on-campus employment from the campus department and verification of enrollment status from ISSA. J-1 students must provide evidence of employment eligibility from the sponsor: if Penn State issued the DS-2019, ISSA will issue the letter; if a programming agency such as IIE or AMIDEAST issued the DS-2019, that agency must issue the letter.

How to Apply

1. Social Security Card Application

2. Original I-20 or DS-2019

3. Original Passport

4. I-94

5. Letter from the on-campus employer (see department letter template below) on letterhead including the following:

   • Identity of student employee

   • Job description

   • Anticipated or actual employment start date

   • Employer identification number (EIN) - the Penn State EIN is 24-6000376

   • Employer contact information, including the telephone number and the name of the F-1 student’s immediate supervisor

   • Original signature, signatory’s title, date

6. Letter from ISSA verifying student status, full-time enrollment and eligibility of employment. To request a letter, fill out the request for Social Security letter in iStart. NOTE: ISSA cannot issue this letter until a student is in registered status.

Local Social Security Administration Office (ask your Campus Contact for the nearest office):

901 University Drive, Suite 2
State College, PA 16801
(814) 238-5035
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 AM – 3 PM
Wednesday 9 AM - 12 NOON
Federal Holidays and Other Closings 

Curricular practical training (CPT), employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, is potentially available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled  full-time for one academic year. Students in English language programs are ineligible for practical training.

Eligibility Requirements

We recommend the Penn State Global CPT Training Module: https://training.global.psu.edu/cpt

For an internship to be curricular, it must occur before all coursework is completed, (hence, “curricular”).  The only exception is if the internship will provide data directly to the thesis and the student cannot otherwise acquire the data at Penn State.  CPT falls into one of these two categories:

• If the academic program requires employment in your field of study to graduate, you may participate in CPT as long as you meet the other requirements of lawful status.
• If the employment is required, CPT need not be credit-bearing.

Note: The nine-month in-status rule can be waived if you are a graduate student and the program requires employment before nine months. Undergraduate students must have completed nine months of full-time study in order to be eligible for any form of CPT.

Optional Part of Degree Program

• If there exists a training opportunity which is an important part of your program and which is credit-bearing, you may be able to participate in CPT. Please note: students must be registered full-time every fall and spring semester unless they meet the criteria for being enrolled less than full time.
• Students who have not completed all coursework required for their degree may not request a reduced course load during the fall or spring semesters, unless they are in their last semester.
  • Example: A student with nine credits left to complete their degree in the fall semester may not request a reduced course load in fall and move those nine credits to the spring semester.
• Students collecting data from a CPT experience for their paper or thesis must complete their CPT a month before the end of the semester so that they have time to work their research into their paper or thesis for submission to their adviser.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time Curricular Practical Training

• CPT may be part time or full time. Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time CPT; employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time CPT.
• Full-time CPT which is not a required part of a degree program (but must be credit bearing) will only be authorized during vacation periods.

Effect of Use on Optional Practical Training

Students should be aware that they will not be eligible for post completion practical training if they accumulate 12 months of full-time CPT.

Application and Authorization Procedures

1. Fill out the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) eForm in iStart.
2. Upload the letter on employer letterhead indicating the

• job title
• exact start and end dates of employment
• # of hours of work per week
• place of employment, and
• a brief description of duties.

[Note: The place of employment MUST include the street address, city, state, and zip code.]

3. Register for the course that will cover the internship.
4. Your request will be forwarded to your academic adviser for verification.
5.  If approved by ISSA, a new I-20 will be produced for you.

**Please note that failure to provide an employment letter containing all of the required elements will result in delayed processing. To facilitate ISSA review, please circle or highlight the required elements in the employer letter.**

Curricular practical training is not meant to be a convenient employment opportunity nor is it meant to be a device to save optional practical training months. If all eligibility requirements are met, an international student adviser will authorize CPT on a new I-20. You must be careful not to continue employment beyond the date authorized on your I-20 unless you apply for and are granted an extension of your permission to work.

Student Address

The Department of Homeland Security requires that our office submit your most current address in SEVIS-both home country address and local address. You can change your address at any time by going to LionPATH.

Who Hires International Students on CPT?

If you plan to do CPT, it is important that you plan early by visiting Career Services to learn about their services. Finding employment is difficult, and it is even more difficult for international students for legal and cultural reasons.

Career Services can help you with the following:

• Developing career goals
• Job search strategies
• Resume writing and interviewing
• On-campus interviewing including job fairs
• Internship searches
• And more!

Economic hardship refers to the financial problems caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. These financial problems may be the result of a student losing a graduate assistantship, the death of financial sponsor, inflation in the home country causing the devaluation of currency or exchange rate, etc.

Students who are authorized for off-campus employment are limited to 20 hours of work per week while school is in session and full time only during vacation periods and summers.  It may not be possible to solve the problem through part-time employment.

To Qualify, A Student Must:

• Maintain F-1 status for a full academic year
• Be in good academic standing
• Make a good faith effort to locate on-campus employment before applying
• Discuss with an international student adviser with required documents

Required Documents

1. Documentation of the unforeseen nature of the economic hardship
2. Documentation of your good faith effort in locating employment on-campus
3. $410 check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
4. Two passport photos taken within the past 30 days

Your photos should be taken by a professional photographer and must meet Department of State requirements.  Write your name and I-94 number in pencil on the back. It works best to apply a piece of clear tape and write on the tape.  Put the photos in an envelope and write your name and I-94 number on the envelope.

1. Completed G-1145
2. Completed I-765 with (c) (3) (iii) entered in #27
3. Photocopy of all I-20s including a copy of the I-20 issued for this employment
4. Photocopy of biographical pages of passport
5. Photocopy of most recent visa
6. Photocopy of form I-94 record

• Students who entered the U.S. prior to May 2013 should photocopy the front and back of the white I-94 arrival/departure card stapled in the passport.
• Students who entered or returned to the U.S. after May 2013 should retrieve the I-94 from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

7. Photocopy of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

DISSA must receive a copy of your EAD card when it arrives.

Mailing Documents

Mail your documents based on the address listed on the I-765 form. (It should be valid for at least the next 90 days.)

USCIS Dallas Lockbox

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

USCIS
PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

For Express mail through private courier services such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express

USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy, 121, Business Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Express mail through private courier services such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express

USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

F-1 students may accept employment with an American institution of research and public international organization designated under the International Immunities Act.

This type of employment may be full or part time and does not have to be related to the student's major.  Students may be employed beginning in their first semester.  Employment with an international organization does NOT affect the student's OPT eligibility.  Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year.  Employment authorization may be granted for one year and is renewable.

How to Apply

1. Request I-20 by meeting with an international student adviser. Provide your written offer of an internship from one of the qualifying organizations.
2. Within 30 days of the recommendation by ISSA on your new I-20, you must apply to USCIS for employment authorization with the following:

1. Written certification from the qualifying international organization on the organization's letterhead with proposed start/end dates indicating that the proposed employment is within the scope of the organization's sponsorship;
2. Check or money order for $410 made out the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
3. Two passport photos taken within the past 30 days.  Your photos should be taken by a professional photographer and must meet Department of State requirements.  Write your name and I-94 number in pencil on the back. It works best to apply a piece of clear tape and write on the tape.  Put the photos in an envelope and write your name and I-94 number on the envelope.
4. Completed Form G-1145.
5. Completed I-765 with (c) (3) (ii) entered in #16.
6. Photocopy of all I-20s (pages 1 and 3) including a copy of the I-20 DISSA will issue for this employment.
7. Photocopy of biographical page(s) of passport.
8. Photocopy of most recent visa.
9. A photocopy of Form I-94 Departure Record. Students who entered/reentered the U.S. May 2013 or later can print the I-94 from the CBP website; students who entered prior to May 2013 should photocopy the front and back of the white card stapled in the passport.
10. Photocopy of any previously-issued EAD (Employment Authorization Document).

USCIS Service Center Addresses

The state of your local address on the I-765 will determine where you mail your application.

USCIS DALLAS LOCKBOX

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
USCIS
PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

For Express mail through private courier services such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express
USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy, 121, Business Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

USCIS PHOENIX LOCKBOX

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Express mail through private courier services such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express
USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Notes

• Make sure ISSA receives a copy of your EAD card when it arrives.
• Remember: you must maintain full-time student status during fall and spring semesters.

Students who have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) which is temporary employment in their field of study for purposes of gaining practical experience.  Students are eligible for an additional year of OPT at each higher degree level (i.e. Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD.)

Below please find an overview of the types of OPT available to F-1 students. For more detailed information, see DISSA's OPT online training module.

The Four Types of OPT

1. Post-Completion OPT is the most common type of OPT. It begins after the completion of a student’s degree program.
2. Pre-Completion OPT is for work opportunities during the degree program for which CPT is not an option.  This can include summer (as long as the student will return for fall semester) or during the academic year.
3. 24-Month STEM OPT is a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for students who have completed a STEM field recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and who are working for employers enrolled in the eVerify program.
4. Cap-Gap OPT is a short extension of OPT to cover the period between the end of OPT and the beginning of H1-B, for those who have a pending/approved H1-B Change of Status petition.

Note: Students who have completed 12 or more months of full-time CPT are ineligible for OPT.  Part-time CPT or CPT which totals less than 12 months does not affect OPT.

While pre- and post-completion use the same available 12 months, post-completion can be used in the following situations:

• After all degree requirements are met, except thesis
• After completion of program of study (at the end of the semester in which the student defended the thesis)

For undergraduate students and those without a thesis or dissertation requirement, program completion is based on graduation unless the student obtains a letter from the Graduate School indicating an earlier completion date

For graduate students with a thesis or dissertation requirement, please click here for information about program end date.

When you are eligible to apply:

• No earlier than 90 days from program end date
• No later than 60 days after the program end date

When you are eligible to work

• When you have your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) in hand
  AND
• After the approved start date on your EAD card

NOTE: You cannot continue on-campus employment beyond the expiration date on page 1 of the I-20

Application Process

• Request the recommendation for OPT I-20 by completing the OPT eForm.  Your academic adviser must complete the adviser portion of the eForm, informing us of your graduation date before ISSA can issue your new I-20.  If you have a second major, you must also obtain a letter from the academic adviser for your second major which confirms the completion of that program. ISSA generally requires 10 business days to process all applications for OPT although during peak periods times it may take longer.
• Make sure U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your OPT application within 30 days from the issue date of the new OPT recommended I-20 AND before the end of your 60 day grace period.  ISSA does not approve OPT applications nor can we speed up or otherwise intervene in the process by the government.  It is also very difficult to cancel an application once it has been mailed to USCIS, so confirm your plans before you apply.
• Send the following documents to USCIS:

1. Check or money order for $410 made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The filing fee can be paid by a credit card on a U.S. bank using form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.  [Note: See the Alerts section of our website for important information regarding the I-765 form version and filing fee.]
2. Two passport photos taken within the past 30 days.  Your photos should be taken by a professional photographer and must meet Department of State requirements. Lightly write your name and I-94 number in pencil on the back. It works best to apply a piece of clear tape and write on the tape. Put the photos in an envelope and write your name and I-94 number on the envelope.
3. Completed G-1145.
4. Completed I-765 with (c) (3) (B) entered in #27.  [Note: See the Alerts section of our website for important information regarding the I-765 form version and filing fee.]
5. Photocopy of the OPT I-20.
6. Photocopy of previous CPT and OPT I-20s (if applicable).
7. Photocopy of I-20s with previous SEVIS number (If applicable). All other I-20s not required but recommended.
8. Photocoy of Passport Biographical page (picture and data).
9. Photocopy of most recent visa.
10. A photocopy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
11. Photocopy of any previously-issued EAD (Employment Authorization Document).

Where to send OPT application

Mail your documents based on your address listed on the I-765 Form, which should be valid for at least the next 90 days. Click here for more information on where to file I-765 Form.

Reminders

• You must mail the OPT application to USCIS within 30 days of when the OPT I-20 was issued.
• Make sure ISSA receives a copy of your EAD card when it arrives.
• Update your employment status information and your personal address on the OPT in iStart within 10 days of any change.
• You cannot continue to work on-campus beyond the expiration date on the I-20 until you get the EAD card and then only in your field of study.

Travel

Travel re-entry signatures are required within 6 months of travel.

An F-1 student who has an I-20 with an OPT recommendation and a travel signature less than 6 months old may return to the United States to resume employment. Students need to present their valid passport, valid visa, OPT I-20, valid EAD card, and job offer letter or pay stub to the officer at the port of entry. Students who do not have a job to return to may or may not be allowed entry at the discretion of the port of entry officer. Students on OPT may apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate if their visa has expired. Click here for more information on travel. 

This type of OPT is used during a student's academic program (before program completion) under these circumstances:

1. full or part-time employment during summer vacation as long as the student intends to register for the upcoming fall semester
2. part-time employment (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session as long as students continue to enroll full time for courses
3. full or part-time employment after completion of all course requirements except thesis (Read the information found on the Post-Completion OPT page under "option 4" for more details.)
4. It is recommended that students have a job offer before applying for Pre-Completion OPT.  OPT begins when the Employment Authorization document (EAD card) is in-hand and it is the start date on the card.  It takes approximately 90 days to receive the EAD card, so plan accordingly.
5. Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT for each higher level degree (i.e., Undergraduate, Graduate and PhD.) If you apply for Pre-completion OPT for a total of 12 months, you will no longer be eligible for Post-completion OPT.
6. Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the 12 month total of OPT students are eligible for at each higher degree level.  Pre-Completion OPT that is part-time is deducted at half the rate, i.e. 4 months of part-time Pre-Completion subtracts 2 months from the 12 month total.

Application Process

• Request the I-20 by completing the OPT eForm. Your academic adviser must complete the advisor portion of the form informing ISSA of your graduation date before a new I-20 can be issued. If you have a secondary major, you must also obtaina letter from your second major academic adviser which confirms the completion of that program. ISSA generally requires 10 business days to process all applications for OPT, although during peak period it may take longer.
• Make sure the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your OPT application within 30 days of the issue date of the new OPT's recommended I-20. NOTE: (1) OPT application are not approved by ISSA, but rather by USCIS. (2) It is also very difficult to cancel an application once it has been mailed to USCIS, so make sure of your plans before you apply.

Send the following documents to USCIS:

1. Check or money order for $410 made out the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.The filing fee can be paid by credit card on a U.S. bank using form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.  [Note: See the Alerts section of our website for important information regarding the I-765 form version and filing fee.]
2. Two passport photos taken within the past 30 days.  Your photos should be taken by a professional photographer and must meet Department of State requirements.  Write your name and I-94 number in pencil on the back. It works best to apply a piece of clear tape and write on the tape.  Put the photos in an envelope and write your name and I-94 number on the envelope.
3. Completed G-1145
4. Completed I-765 with (c) (3) (A) entered in #27.  [Note: See the Alerts section of our website for important information regarding the I-765 form version and filing fee.]
5. Photocopy of all I-20s (pages 1 and 3) including a copy of the I-20 issued for Pre-Completion OPT.
6. Photocopy of biographical page(s) of passport
7. Photocopy of most recent visa
8. A photocopy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. Students who entered/reentered the U.S. May 2013 or later can print the I-94 from the CBP website; students who entered prior to May 2013 should photocopy the front and back of the white card stapled in the passport.
9. Photocopy of any previously-issued EAD (Employment Authorization Document)

Where to Send OPT Application

Mail your documents based on your address listed on the I-765 Form, which should be valid for at least the next 90 days. Click here for more information on where to file I-765 Form.

If you are an F-1 student with a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) major, you may be eligible for the 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT.

Before you apply for STEM Extension OPT and complete form I-765 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), follow these steps:

STEM OPT Eligibility 

Employment Requirements

Application Timeline

Completing Form I-983 Training Plan

Resources

STEM OPT Eligibility

• Apply for and be approved for 12-month post-completion OPT
• Qualifying STEM degree
  • Check your major’s CIP code listed on your I-20 and compare it to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program listing
  • You may use an “unused” STEM degree earned in the U.S. within 10 years of the STEM OPT application.
  • STEM OPT is available twice in a student’s lifetime.

This extension is for students with a pending or approved H1-B petition with a change of status option.

• Students on Post-Completion or STEM OPT are permitted on April 1st to continue working between the end of their OPT and the beginning of their H-1B period on October 1 if the H-1B petition was filed before the end of the student's OPT period.
• Students with a pending or approved H1-B petition who are not currently on OPT (such as current students or students in the 60 grace period) are eligible for an extension of F-1 status but may not work during the Cap-Gap period.
• Students who chose consular processing may not take advantage of this extension.

NOTE:  This extension is automatic, but proof of the extension is not given unless requested.  Students may request an I-20 for proof of the extension by completing the Cap Gap eform on iStart. The extension ends if USCIS rejects, denies, or revokes the H-1B petition or if the employer withdraws the petition.

This type of off-campus work permission is for J-1 students who can demonstrate that they are experiencing serious and unforeseen economic hardship. This hardship must have occurred after the student acquired J-1 status. This may include loss of funding due to no fault of the student, a substantial change in the value of the student's home currency, or significant unexpected expenses.

Please note the following:

• Authorization can be granted one year at a time and the employment does not have to be related to the student's academic program.
• Employment must be no more than 20 hours per week during the academic year but may be full-time during the summer.
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year.
• Students must make an effort to find on-campus employment

You must see an international student adviser during walk-in hours and show evidence of economic hardship to be considered for Economic Necessity. You may not begin working until your request is approved. If approved, you will be issued a letter from ISSA authorizing your off-campus employment.

Please note: You may not combine on-campus employment and economic necessity employment in order to work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year.

EAD Application

The following is required for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) application and should be assembled in the order listed.  You will then mail this to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

1. Check (made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) in the amount of $410 U.S. dollars.
2. A completed Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization. For question #16 use code (c)(5) for J-2 work authorization.
3. Two passport-style photographs with the J-2’s name and date of birth printed lightly in pencil on the back.
4. DS-2019 photocopies – both J-1’s and J-2’s.
5. Passport photocopies – J-2’s photo and biographical page.
6. I-94 photocopies, both J-1’s and J-2’s. Copy both sides if you have a hard copy (issued prior to May 2013).
7. Personal statement.  The statement must be signed and dated and must state:

• The reason you wish to work;
• That the J-1 has adequate funds to cover studies and living expenses; and
• That any income that you earn will not be used to support the J-1.

8. Copy of any past EAD card(s).

Tips 

• Keep a photocopy of your application.
• If you already have a job offer, you can include a job offer letter with your application. It may help expedite the processing of your application.

Submitting the EAD Application to USCIS

Mail the above documents to the USCIS Lockbox having jurisdiction over the address you have put on the I-765. The following addresses are from the I-765 instruction sheet (revised 9/21/2016).

USCIS Dallas Lockbox

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries

USCIS
PO Box 660867
Dallas, TX 75266

For Express mail through private courier services such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express (FedEx)

USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries

USCIS
PO Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Express mail through private courier services such as United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express (FedEx)

USCIS
Attn: AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Notes

• USCIS will mail your EAD card to the address on the I-765. The address you use on the I-765 should be valid for at least 90 days (and sometimes more) because our experience is that government mail forwarded to another address is frequently lost. If you move, you should call the USCIS National Customer Service Center.
   
• Within 2-3 weeks you should receive a notice confirming that your application has been received and informing you approximately how long the processing period is likely to be. You will receive a case number, which you may use to check updated information on the status of your application on the USCIS web site.
   
• After your application has been processed, you will receive the EAD card, a plastic ID card with the J-2's photo on it. You can then take the card to a Social Security Administration office and apply for a Social Security Number and card which you can then use for employment purposes. See also Obtaining a Social Security Number.
   
• Your EAD card will be valid up to the expiration date on the card. It can be extended further, provided the DS-2019 form for the J-1 and J-2 have not expired and the J-1 program is continuing. To extend your Employment Authorization Document, you will need to re-submit all of the above-mentioned documents to USCIS and enclose a copy of both sides of your EAD card.

If you plan to seek Optional Practical Training (OPT) (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1) upon completion of your academic program, it is important that you plan early by visiting Career Services to learn about their services. Finding employment is difficult, and it is even more difficult for international students for legal and cultural reasons.

Career Services can help you with the following:

• Developing career goals
• Job search strategies
• Resume writing and interviewing
• On-campus interviewing including job fairs
• Internship searches
• And more!

If you are on your first anniversary of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT you must provide the following information to ISSA: 

• Information regarding employment, your local U.S. address and valid phone number information.
• If you are on STEM OPT, you must also validate your employment information every 6 months and submit an evaluation of the I-983 within ten days of your start date and within 10 days of the second 12 months of start date of the STEM OPT.
• In addition, you must also submit an I-983 evaluation of the conclusion of all STEM OPT regardless of the time you spent working for a company. 

Note:  Failure to provide this information will affect your OPT and legal stay in the U.S.

How to update this information:

1. Log into iStart.
2. For Limited Access, you will need to enter your 9 digit Penn State ID, your date of birth, and your limited access pin.  If you do not know your limited access pin, select "Email Me My Limited Access Pin."  If you don't receive your Limited Access Pin, contact issa-adviser@psu.edu to update your email address for access.
3. On the left, go to Employment Authorization Requests and select OPT Employer and Local Address Update."
4. Students on STEM OPT must also use this form to validate their STEM participation every six months.
5. If you still have access to your access account, log onto https://accounts.psu.edu/ and update your ocal address.
6. Update ISSA using this form as often as necessary -- when employer changes, when employment address changes, when personal address changes, when employment ends, when the I-983 must be submitted, etc.

Hosting International Interns

International Interns support the mission of the Fulbright-Hays Act as part of the Exchange Visitor Program which fosters global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges. International Interns come to the United States in J-1 status. Interns are not “employees” in the traditional sense; rather, they are foreign university students or recent graduates of foreign universities who are seeking to enhance their skills through work-based learning. As the intern’s supervisor, you will assist him/her in gaining those skills and building knowledge of American techniques, methodologies and technology.

Interns may be paid, but payment is not a requirement of the internship. Interns must be regularly supervised and mentored throughout the internship, which can last between 3 weeks and 12 months. They must meet the goals set forth in the Trainee/Intern Participation Plan which you and your intern will complete together, and they must be evaluated at regular intervals. You will work closely with the intern and with International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA) throughout the internship. It is also important to note that all exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program in order to share their exchange experiences.

Interns come in J-1 status under the Department of State to foster global understanting.  They are expected to participate in social and cultural activities to learn about Americans and the U.S. as well as teach Americans about their countries and culture, with the hope they establish long-lasting relationships.

Only requests for interns made by an academic department will be considered. Please email ISSA-Adviser@psu.edu for more information.