There are legal restrictions on employment as an international student. You are not allowed to work off-campus except as part of an approved internship. Before engaging in any kind of employment, internship or volunteer activities, please read the guidance found below and contact us with any questions and concerns.
You are allowed to work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours/week while school is in
session and 21 or more hours/week (full-time) during vacations and breaks.
Step 1: To be , students must first secure an on-campus job offer.
Step 2: Once a job offer is obtained, students must request a Social Security Number (SSN)
eligibility letter from their .
Step 3: Once receiving the letter, students can apply for an SSN through the U.S. Social
Security Administration (SSA).
For detailed instructions, please refer to the Social Security Card resource from
Career Services
career services: HOW TO OBTAIN A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
SSA Office Location nearest to CLU - Thousand Oaks Campus:
322 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
1-800-772-1213
VOLUNTEER WORK
Volunteering is a great way to “make a difference,” help people where there is a need,
and participate in your community. As an F1 student, you may volunteer while you study
in the United States, but you must maintain your nonimmigrant student status by complying
with Department of Homeland Security rules and regulations.
As a general rule, if someone is usually paid to do this as a job, then it is considered
employment (not volunteering). You do not need specific authorization to engage in occasional volunteer opportunities.
Note: Students cannot accept any kind of compensation for work performed in an unpaid volunteer
position.
Economic Hardship employment authorization is permission granted to F-1 students by
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work off-campus due to "severe
economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control". Before procedding to apply to Economic Hardship Work
Authorization, you must with an OISS advisor.
Are you eligible to apply for Economic Hardship Work Authorization?
To be eligible, you must document all of the following:
Have you been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year (two semesters)?
Are you experiencing economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances that arose
after you obtained F-1 status?
Are you currently in good academic standing and carrying a full course load?
Are employment opportunities on campus unavailable or insufficient?
Will accepting employment not interfere with your full-time study?
Does Your Situation Qualify as an "Unforeseen Circumstance"?
The following are recognized examples of qualifying unforeseen circumstances:
Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment due to circumstances beyond your control
Substantial fluctuations in the exchange rate or value of your home country's currency
Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your sponsor
Unexpected medical bills
Other substantial and unexpected expenses
Steps to apply for Economic Hardship Work Authorization
The application has three steps for your review. Please note: you must with an OISS advisor before submitting an application.
Submit the following to OISS via email at international@callutheran.edu (Use the subject line: Request the Economic Hardship I-20) Before submitting, make sure your OISS student portal reflects your current U.S.
address and contact information.
Your submission must include:
Personal statement addressed to USCIS that:
Describes the facts that led to your hardship
Explains how the situation was unavoidable and not your fault
Presents a short-term, reasonable plan to resolve your financial and academic situation
Confirms that employment will not affect your ability to maintain a full course load
(if you have experience managing coursework alongside on-campus employment, mention
it)
Explains why other on-campus jobs are not available
If choosing a start date earlier than published processing times, states that you
accept a possible change in authorization dates due to adjudication
Evidence/documentation of your hardship. Examples include:
Copies of past and present currency exchange charts showing devaluation of your home
country's currency
Proof of unexpected changes in your sponsor's financial situation (signed letters,
affidavits, or bank statements — must be translated into English and converted to
USD)
Copies of medical bills or other substantial unexpected expenses
A letter from your department verifying unexpected termination of your assistantship
Your requested employment start and end dates.
When your application is submitted and reviewed, OISS will enter your Economic Hardship
application into the SEVIS system, and produce a new I-20 with the Economic Hardship
recommendation.
Note: OISS will provide the two highlighted documents at your advising meeting.
Submit the following documents to USCIS:
1. Original .
Don't forget to sign and include all seven pages!
Be sure to also carefully review the
You can file online or through mail
2.
3. Application fee (confirm the filing fee amount on the )
If filing through mail, this should be a check (from a U.S. bank) or a U.S. money
order payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”.
Write the 11-digit number from your I-94 on your check or money order.
Don’t forget to sign and date the check.
If you intend to file for a Fee Waiver (), then we recommend that you carefully review the eligibility requirements found
on the USCIS website. If you request a fee waiver and are denied, you will be required to submit a new application with the appropriate fee. This will add
significant processing time to your application.
3. Photocopy of pages 1 and 2 of your new Economic Hardship endorsement I‑20
Don’t forget to sign and date the Student Attestation section of your I-20. If you
forget, USCIS will return your Economic Hardship application to you.
4. Photocopies of all previous I‑20's. Do not send originals!
5. Your cover letter explaining your situation (as described on STEP 1).
6. Letter of support from OISS. Your OISS advisor will provide this letter after you
submit a complete application to OISS.
7. Documentation of the unforeseen change in your financial circumstances.
8. School transcript from CLU (unofficial transcript) and your previous school (official
transcript)
9. Two (2) identical natural color photographs of yourself, taken within 30 days of
your application
Please review the . If your photos do not meet USCIS requirements exactly, your EAD card will not be issued.
In pen or pencil, write your name and I-94 number lightly on the back of each photo.
Photos can be taken at most drug stores (Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid). Please call them
before your visit to make sure they offer this service.
10. Photocopy of your current, valid passport (biographic and photo pages) and U.S.
visa stamp in your passport. If your passport has expired, please see your OISS advisor
for further guidance.
Canadian citizens do not have visa stamps.
11. Photocopy of your newest electronic I-94 (available on ).
Where do I send my Economic Hardship application?
Visit the for the current lockbox mailing address. Be sure to click on "Foreign Students”. You should mail your application to USCIS within 30 days from when we issued your
I-20 for off-campus employment. You should use a reliable, express delivery service (e.g.
UPS, FedEx) to mail your application. Utilizing an express delivery service will enable
you to track your application and its delivery. Please save your receipt.
How long will processing at the USCIS take?
is estimated to be 90-120 days. However, processing times vary widely, depending
on the time of year and workload at the Service Center to which you send your application.
If your application is approved, USCIS will mail you an Employment Authorization Document
(EAD card).
Submit a copy of your EAD card to your using the "Document Upload" e-form.
Report any notices you receive from USCIS to OISS promptly.
Note: You cannot begin working until you have received your Employment Authorization
Document (EAD) from USCIS and the start date printed on the EAD card is in effect.
Important Reminders
Economic Hardship Employment Authorization is limited to 20 hours per week when school
is in session and 40 hours per week during school breaks.
Economic Hardship employment authorization is normally issued for one year. You may
submit a request to the USCIS forrenewal of work authorization by following the same procedures outlined above. The earliest
you may request a renewal is 180 days before your current EAD expires. Please remember
to send a copy of your current EAD along with the other documents listed above to
the USCIS.
Employment authorization is automatically terminated when you graduate, transfer to
another university, or violate your F-1 status in any way (e.g. not registering as
a full-time student).
CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)/INTERNSHIP
An internship as an international student is called Curricular Practical Training
(CPT). Before beginning any internship, you must have official authorization from immigration.
You may do an internship (CPT) only if:
The internship is an integral part of your degree plan (e.g., required course for major
or degree completion requirement)
You meet the CPT eligibility requirements available at the CPT FAQs document,
Steps to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Step 1: Meet with your academic advisor to determine the best time to do your internship and have you enrolled in the internship
class.
Step 2: Obtain an internship (with job offer) related to your major that has educational benefits
and serves as a genuine work experience.
Step 3: Go to the Career Services website and complete the , ensuring it is signed and approved by all required parties.
Step 4:Submit your CPT request in the and upload your completed Cooperative Agreement Form, for approval.
Note: If approved, your I-20 will be updated. You may not begin your internship (CPT) until
you receive confirmation of your updated I-20.
SSN and F-1 Students on Approved CPT: An OISS SSN eligibility letter is not required for students on approved CPT. Once the CPT is approved and listed on the I-20 form,
students can apply for an SSN by scheduling an in-person appointment at their no more than 30 days before their employment start date. For detailed instructions, please refer to the
Unpaid Internships may require CPT authorization if they are directly related to the
student’s program of study, involve earning course credit, and take place at an off-campus
site or a campus site serving the community. In these cases, students must complete
the CPT authorization process prior to beginning the internship.
Any form of compensation, including gift cards, free parking, meals, housing, or other
benefits, is considered payment. F-1 students must obtain appropriate work authorization
(such as CPT) before receiving any form of compensation.
Students are not permitted to receive retroactive compensation for work completed
in an unpaid internship without prior authorization.
CPT authorization is not required for volunteer positions that are unpaid, not part
of the academic program, and do not provide course credit.
Students must not receive any form of compensation for volunteer work. It is also
recommended that students confirm with the organization that the volunteer role complies
with applicable labor laws.
POST-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
Undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status can work towards getting practical
training to complete their field of study. This is called Optional Practical Training
(OPT). There are two types: pre-completion (before you graduate) and post-completion (after you graduate)
Steps to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Step 1: Determine Eligibility for OPT
You must be in the U.S. in active F-1 status for at least 1 full academic year, and have a valid passport
for at least 6 months to be eligible to apply. If you are applying for post-completion OPT be sure that
you are in your last term or semester. You are eligible to apply for a new OPT at
each education level (associates, bachelors, masters, doctorate). Keep in mind that your
employment must be related to your major. If you realize after applying that you have
to take more courses, you will lose a substantial portion of your OPT as it will be
reduced to part-time OPT until you complete your studies.
Step 2: Submit an OPT Request on your OISS portal
Find your OPT application instructions, checklist, Q&A links on your OISS Student
portal under "OPT Request". You do not need to schedule an appointment with the OISS
to apply for post-completion OPT, unless you have questions about the process. If
you are applying for pre-completion OPT, please schedule a time with a Designated
School Officer (DSO), so we can determine your eligibility.
Step 3: Apply for your OPT on MyUSCIS
Once the OISS has reviewed your OPT request, we will issue you an "OPT Requested"
I-20, which is a required supporting document. The online filing option allows F-1 students to apply for the post-completion OPT,
request a Social Security Number (SSN) (if needed), upload supporting application
documents, pay the filing fee, track the status of their application, communicate
with USCIS and receive all notifications from USCIS via their online account (these
include pending notices, requests for evidence (RFE), denials, and approvals).
Note: Students will not receive their SSN card until after their OPT is approved.
Missed Applying for an SSN with OPT? If you missed applying for your SSN when submitting your OPT application, you can
still apply by scheduling an in-person appointment at their no more than 30 days before their employment start date. For detailed instructions, please refer to the
You should not travel outside the U.S. while you have an OPT application in pending
status. If travel is unavoidable, we advise you to travel with the I-797 Notice of
Receipt and all other travel docuements listed on the Maintaining Status page under "Travel Outside the U.S."
If your OPT application is approved and you decide to travel, you need to carry an
employment letter (example) which states when you will return, a valid visa, a signed I-20 from the OISS office,
and your EAD card.
Once you are in possession of your employment authorization document (EAD card) ,
please make sure to upload your EAD card (front and back) to your and submit an "Update my I-20" request on your OISS Student Portal.
You must let us know when you have updated the when you report your employment so that we can issue you an updated employment I-20
or if you are ending your OPT early. For OPT STEM students, make sure you report on
your program participation every 6 months via the online "STEM-OPT Reporting" on your
**Students who have applied for OPT will receive an email invitation from "do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov"
to create an SEVP Portal account after the following conditions are satisfied: The
student's EAD card has been approved and issued. The student's OPT Start Date has
arrived or passed.**
If you receive an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) which contains an error
(e.g., typo in name or incorrect birthdate) that was caused by USCIS, you must correct
the error to avoid having any problems in the future. You must return the original
EAD card to get it corrected. USCIS will issue a corrected EAD normally within 30-45
days of receiving the EAD that contains the error. Before following the instructions below, be sure that:
1) You have made aphotocopyof the EAD card; 2) you havealready provided the cardfor your employment hiring process, SSN application, or driver's license renewal;
and 3) you do not have anyinternational travel plansin the coming 1-2 months.
OISS recommends that you carefully consider any processes or applications that may
be applicable to your situation.
Once the above is confirmed, refer to thefor the most current step-by-step guidance.
To change your status from F-1 OPT to H-1b, you must be sponsored by your employer
while still on OPT. The application window for H-1B selected registrants starts on April 1st. Your H-1b application has to be filed on April 1st. After you do so, you can continue
working on your OPT until a decision is made beyond the expiration of your OPT. If
approved, your H-1b will start on October 1st. This extension period is called "Cap
Gap". The OISS office will issue an extended I-20 to reflect the Cap Gap when provided
with evidence of a pending application.
STEM OPT EXTENSION
Are you eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT Extension?
You must be in a valid period of standard post-completion 12-month OPT and have not
exceeded 90 days of unemployment
You must have graduated from a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math)-qualifying
bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree (consult OISS if you are unsure)
You must have received an offer of paid employment for at least 20 hours per week
The employment must be directly related to your degree
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify (you need the employer’s E-Verify number
to complete this form)
Your employer must have an EIN number (you need the employer’s EIN number to complete
this form)
You and your employer must complete aTraining Plan
You are applying no more than 90 days before your post-completion OPT expires and
prior to the end date listed on your post-completion OPT EAD card
You do not need to schedule an appointment with the OISS to apply for STEM OPT Extension,
unless you have questions about the process.
When to apply for STEM OPT Extension?
You may apply for the STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before your post-completion
OPT EAD card expires
You must file your I-765 form online with USCIS within 60 days of the issue date of
your STEM OPT Extension I-20 and before your POST-OPT end date, whichever is earlier
You must be physically present in the United States at the time you file your I-765
and when USCIS receives your STEM OPT application.
How to apply for STEM OPT Extension?
Apply with OISS by submitting this STEM OPT Extension Request form
A DSO reviews application, ensures information accuracy, confirms eligibility, and
issues STEM OPT Extension I-20.
Student retrieves STEM OPT Extension I-20, sign and upload to the OISS portal via
Upload Updated Documents. Please note that STEM OPT Extension I-20 is valid for 60
days from the date of issue. The date of issue is listed next to the OISS advisor’s
signature on page 1.
If your STEM OPT Extension I-20 has expired and you are still eligible to apply, please
contact OISS for assistance with obtaining an updated STEM OPT Extension I-20 (your
eligibility to obtain an updated STEM OPT Extension I-20 will be reviewed again)
NOTE: You do not need to select a start date for STEM OPT Extension. Your STEM OPT will
automatically begin the day after your original 12-month OPT EAD expires. If you timely
file your STEM OPT application with USCIS, you may continue working for up to 180
days after your original OPT EAD expiration date while your STEM EAD application is
pending.
After receiving and signing your STEM OPT Extension I-20, complete the steps below
to file STEM-OPT extension online with USCIS:
Gather the documents below for streamlined completion of your online I-765 form. Students
must have copies of the following documents ready to upload under the ‘Evidence’ section
of your online application:
Recent digital passport-style color photograph. Please refer to theas well as the instructions on the online I-765 application for additional information
on the photo requirements. You may use the Department of State’sto upload your photo and crop it to the correct size
Scanned copy of your passport identification page (with expiration date and photo
– valid for at least 6 months)
. Please note: If you changed to F-1 status within the US via a successful in-country
change of nonimmigrant status (Form I-539) application with USCIS and have not since
traveled outside the US, the I-94 is located on your change of status approval notice
document (I-797).
Scanned copy of your official CLU Transcript OR a scanned copy of your CLU diploma
with degree awarded.
If applicable, a scanned copy of all previously issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
cards (front and back) and I-20s with CPT, pre- or post-completion OPT, STEM OPT Extension,
or economic hardship work authorization.
Scanned copy of your STEM OPT Extension I-20 (must be signed by you) from the OISS issued within 60 days of filing the application with USCIS. Please
be sure to sign/date (MM/DD/YYYY) at the bottom of page 1 of your I-20 in the ‘Student
attestation’ section.
Make sure to create your myUSCIS account if you have not already done so.
Begin your application by clicking ‘File a Form Online’ under ‘Select What You Want
To Do’ (if you do not have cases in progress) or through the ‘My Account’ tab. Select
‘I-765, Application for Employment Authorization’ from the list of options -> Click
‘Start form.’
After submission, you will receive a confirmation that your Form I-765 was successfully
submitted. Following the completion of your online filing, you should be able to review
your I-765 receipt notice in your online USCIS account and track the status of the
application.
REMINDERS:When you apply, you will pay the filing fee. Please visit thebefore submitting your application. After filing, make sure you track the status of
your application, communicate with USCIS, and receive all notifications from USCIS
via their online account (these include pending notices, requests for evidence (RFE),
denials, and approvals-Contact OISS IMMEDIATELY if you receive an RFE, rejection, or denial notice for assistance!). Review thefor an overview of the online application- Be reminded that your specific category
is “c(3)(C) STEM Extension.” The USCIS has a helpful website with detailedwhich may be helpful to you.
Premium Processing Option:
USCIS offers premium processing for Form I-765 (for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT applicants),
which guarantees that USCIS will issue a decision, Request for Evidence (RFE), or
Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) within 30 business days. Applicants can request premium
processing either when filing the initial application or later by submitting Form
I-907. Please visit theto review the current premium processing fee and additional details.