F-1 Employment and Cap-Gap

F-1 students are eligible for two categories of work authorization.

I. On-campus
  • Employment authorization not  required
  • Social Security Number required (see below)
  • Limited to 20 hours per week during the semester
  II. Off-campus
  • Employment authorization and ISSS processing required
  • Social Security Number required if work is paid (see below)
  • Employment workshop offered by ISSS is required within 1 year of application (see schedule below)
  • Three types of employment known as “Practical Training” must be related to your degree and are designed to extend classroom education.
  1. CPT – Curricular Practical Training
  2. OPT –  Optional Practical Training
  3. OPT – STEM Extension & Cap-Gap 
  • A fourth type of off-campus employment authorization may be available for those experiencing a major, unforeseen and prolonged situation.

4.  Severe Economic Hardship
Virtual Employment Workshop Schedules & Registration

Practical Training (employment) workshops are required within one year of applying as part of the approval process.

  • Live, virtual workshops are presented monthly by an international student advisor.
  • A minimum of 10 participants are needed to present the workshop.
  • Seasonal H1-B & Green Card workshops are published in the ISSS Newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram.

FALL 2020
Virtual Workshop

CPT

OPT

 H1-B 
Tuesday, September 22 2:00 pm 3:00 pm

Offered each Fall and Spring in collaboration with University Career Services:

1. International Education Week

(usually November)

2. International Spring Festival

(usually March)

*Check the monthly newsletter and social media accounts for exact dates when available.
Thursday, October 8 2:00 pm 3:00 pm
Tuesday, October 20 2:00 pm 3:00 pm
Thursday, November 5 2:00 pm 3:00 pm
Tuesday, November 17 2:00 pm 3:00 pm
Thursday, December 3 2:00 pm 3:00 pm


Register for Live Workshops

  • Live, virtual workshops are free, but registration is required. Attendance is taken.
  • Log-in to iStart and click "Session Sign-ups" to register for the in-person workshop of your choice.
  • A link to the live, virtual workshop will be sent to registered students' GSU email account 24 hours prior to the event.
  • You must register by 4 pm the day before the workshop. If you cannot register by 4 pm the day prior, you should register for the next available session.

Resources To Educate Employers & Support Re-Entry During OPT

Social Security Number (SSN)

IMPORTANT:

  • Never accept or work off-campus employment without authorization through ISSS in advance.
  • All CPT authorizations end on the last day of finals. An internship offer that extends beyond this date requires an additional CPT authorization and corresponding internship course for the next semester.
  • TPS (Temporary Protected Status) work authorization could be a violation of nonimmigrant status. Work with an experienced immigration attorney to find out more.
  • International students should not plan to meet educational or personal living expenses through employment in the U.S.  As an F-1 or J-1 student, you were required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses at the time you began the Visa process.