Current International Students

F-1 students may be eligible for certain types of employment while studying in the United States. However, eligibility depends on the type of employment and your individual immigration circumstances. On-campus employment may be permitted under F-1 regulations, subject to applicable requirements. Off-campus employment generally requires specific authorization before you begin working.

Always consult your Designated School Official (DSO) before accepting or starting a job if you are unsure whether authorization is required.

Off-campus employment is restricted for F-1 students. Certain opportunities, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), may be available if you meet the applicable eligibility requirements and obtain the required authorization.

Do not begin off-campus employment, including an internship or paid training opportunity, until you have confirmed that you are authorized to work

CPT is employment authorization for eligible F-1 students when practical training is an integral part of an established curriculum.

Your proposed employment must meet applicable CPT requirements, including the relationship to your major and any required curricular component. You must obtain CPT authorization from your DSO and have the appropriate authorization documented on your Form I-20 before beginning the employment.

A job offer alone does not authorize you to work. Academic approval for an internship and immigration authorization are separate requirements when both apply.

Contact the International Student Services office before your anticipated employment start date. Be prepared to provide your job offer letter and any required academic or internship documentation.

Your DSO will review your eligibility and explain the required steps. Allow sufficient time for academic approvals and immigration processing. Do not start working until your CPT authorization is effective.

Your CPT authorization is employer-, location-, and date-specific. If your employer, work location, hours, or employment dates change, contact your DSO before making the change. Updated authorization may be necessary.

Do not assume that authorization for one job automatically covers another job or a later employment period.

OPT is temporary employment authorization that may be available to eligible F-1 students for work directly related to their major field of study.

Post-completion OPT allows eligible students to pursue qualifying employment after completing their academic program. Students generally must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and receive the required employment authorization before beginning work.

Contact your DSO well before graduation to discuss eligibility, application timing, and the documents you will need.

Submitting an OPT application does not, by itself, authorize you to begin working. In general, you must have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and reached the authorized start date before beginning post-completion OPT employment.

Contact your DSO if your application is delayed or you have questions about your employment start date.

Not necessarily. Whether an activity requires employment authorization depends on the nature of the work and the applicable rules. Calling a position an internship, volunteer role, or unpaid opportunity does not automatically make it permissible.

Check with your DSO before starting an off-campus position, including unpaid practical training.

During the academic term, F-1 on-campus employment is generally limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Different rules may apply during official school breaks and to authorized practical training.

Your permitted hours depend on your employment category and circumstances. Confirm your limits with your DSO before increasing your work hours.

Generally, no. An SSN application requires a qualifying basis, and international students typically need evidence of eligible employment or other applicable work authorization.

If you do not yet have a qualifying job or authorization, contact International Student Services to discuss your situation.

Start planning at least one semester before your expected graduation date. Meet with your academic advisor to confirm your degree requirements and contact International Student Services to discuss your immigration options after graduation. Depending on your plans, you may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), continue your education, transfer to another institution, or prepare to depart the United States.

Yes, you may be able to continue your education at the University of Jamestown if you are admitted to an eligible graduate program and meet the applicable immigration requirements. Contact International Student Services before completing your current program to discuss your next steps. You may need an updated Form I-20 reflecting your new education level.

Generally, yes. Moving from a bachelor’s program to a master’s program is a change of education level. If you are eligible to continue in F-1 status, your DSO will need to follow the appropriate SEVIS procedures and issue the required Form I-20 for your new program. Contact your DSO before your current program ends so you can complete the process on time.

Yes. If you are admitted to another SEVP-certified institution, you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to that school. Contact International Student Services and the receiving school’s international student office to coordinate your transfer and confirm the required deadlines. Admission to another university does not automatically transfer your SEVIS record.

Possibly. You may be able to transfer to another eligible institution to pursue a different academic program, provided you meet the applicable admission and immigration requirements. Contact your DSO before making arrangements so your SEVIS transfer and program timeline can be coordinated.

Continuing to another academic program may affect your current OPT authorization. When your SEVIS record is transferred or you begin a new program at the same or a higher educational level, your existing OPT authorization generally ends when the transfer or new program begins, as applicable. Speak with your DSO before transferring or starting another program so you understand the consequences for your employment authorization.

You may explore both options, but the timing and consequences can differ depending on your circumstances. Starting a new program or transferring your SEVIS record can affect your OPT eligibility or existing authorization. Contact your DSO before submitting applications or making commitments so you can make an informed decision.

F-1 students who complete their program generally have a 60-day grace period to prepare to depart the United States or take another permitted step, such as transferring to another eligible school or changing status when eligible. The grace period does not authorize employment. Contact your DSO to confirm your options and the dates that apply to your situation.

Yes. Contact International Student Services to let the office know your plans. This helps ensure your departure and program completion are handled appropriately in your student records and that you receive guidance about any outstanding immigration steps.

Contact your DSO as soon as you realize you may not complete your program by the listed program end date. If you qualify, you may need to request a program extension before the current end date. Do not wait until your I-20 program end date has passed to ask about an extension.

Future travel depends on your immigration status, visa validity, and the purpose of your visit. If you have departed after completing your program and are no longer maintaining F-1 status, you generally cannot use your former student status alone as a basis for reentry. You may need to qualify for another appropriate immigration status or visa. Consult official U.S. government guidance before making travel plans.

F-1 students must report changes to their U.S. residential address to their DSO within 10 days of the change. This includes moving to a new apartment, changing residences, or moving off campus.

Update your address through the university’s designated process and notify International Student Services so your SEVIS record can be updated as required.

Contact your academic advisor and International Student Services before finalizing a change of major.

A change of major may require updates to your university records and, depending on the circumstances, your SEVIS record and Form I-20. Some changes may also affect your program end date or eligibility for practical training.

F-1 students generally must maintain a full course of study unless an authorized exception applies. Your DSO must authorize a qualifying reduced course load before you reduce your enrollment.

Do not assume that an academic advisor’s approval alone satisfies immigration requirements.

If you cannot complete your program by the program end date listed on your Form I-20, contact your DSO as soon as you know there may be a delay.

A program extension may be possible when the student meets the applicable requirements. Your DSO must authorize the extension in SEVIS before your current program end date.

Do not wait until your I-20 expires to request an extension.

Report a legal name change to International Student Services promptly and within the applicable reporting deadline. F-1 students generally must report changes to their legal name to their DSO within 10 days.

No. You generally do not need a newly issued Form I-20 simply because a new semester begins. However, you may need an updated I-20 for certain changes to your immigration record, such as an approved program extension, change of education level, or authorized practical training. Contact your DSO if your information changes or your document is lost or damaged.

Contact International Student Services before booking international travel to check that your documents are suitable for your planned return to the United States. Allow at least one week for a routine travel signature request and additional time during busy periods. Student groups or athletic teams should coordinate requests well in advance.

Taking a semester off, withdrawing, or failing to maintain the required enrollment can affect your F-1 status. Contact International Student Services before making a decision so you can understand your options and any immigration consequences.

Contact International Student Services before your intended transfer date. You will need to coordinate your SEVIS record release with your current school and the receiving school’s international student office.

Provide your acceptance information and intended transfer timing early enough to complete the necessary steps.