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When Can I Work Off-Campus?

Do you want off-campus work authorization but don’t know where to start? Have no fear, ISSS is here to help.

There are a few different types of work authorizations available to students in F-1 status. Before working off-campus students in F-1 status must have authorization.

  • If you are a new international student, the only employment you will be eligible for your first academic year in active nonimmigrant status is on-campus employment.

Below is a little bit of information about each type of employment authorization.

On-Campus Employment

In order to be eligible for on-campus employment, international students in F-1 status must:

  1. Be maintaining their nonimmigrant status; and
  2. Be enrolled in a full-time course load or authorized equivalent in the current term or, in the case of summer or winter vacation, have not completed their degree and are enrolled full-time (or an authorized equivalent) in the next required term.

International students can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session during the fall and spring semester.

  • If a student has multiple on-campus jobs, the total hours worked for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session.

International students can work on-campus full-time (more than 20 hours) during official school breaks (spring break, summer vacation, Thanksgiving break, and winter vacation).

  • If students want to work more than 25 hours on-campus during a short break, the university may require them to submit an exception request form. Please consult the hiring department.

Authorizations that Require One Academic Year (fall and spring semesters) of Full-Time Enrollment in Active Nonimmigrant Status to Apply for Authorization:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (off-campus employment)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary training authorization for an “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” In order to be eligible for CPT, you must have completed one full academic year (Fall & Spring semester) of continuous full-time enrollment in active nonimmigrant status.

You must meet one of the following requirements for CPT, which your Academic Advisor or Graduate Program Advisor must sign off on:  

  • Be enrolled in an internship course for credit that counts towards your degree. (Enrollment in the course must be concurrent with the training. For example, if the internship is in the summer, you must be enrolled in the internship course during the summer) or
  • Your degree must require an internship and that requirement is clearly documented in .

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) (off-campus employment)

You must have been continuously enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year (fall and spring semester) in active nonimmigrant status OR will be completing one academic year within 90 days of applying for pre-completion OPT to apply for pre-completion OPT. Before applying for pre-completion OPT with USCIS, students in F-1 status must first request an I-20 recommending pre-completion OPT from ISSS.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined in the F-1 regulations as “temporary employment authorization for practical training directly related to a student’s major field of study.” Standard OPT is available for a cumulative maximum of 12 months of employment authorization per higher degree level completed in the U.S.   

There are two types of OPT: 

  • Pre-Completion OPT: Off-campus work authorization during a student’s degree program.  
  • Post-Completion OPT: Off-campus work authorization after completion of all degree requirements or after completion of all coursework (excluding thesis or dissertation credits).  

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) (off-campus employment)

Before applying for post-completion OPT with USCIS, students in F-1 status must first request an I-20 recommending post-completion OPT from ISSS.

In order to be eligible to apply for Post-Completion OPT, you must:

  • Currently be in the U.S. in valid F-1 status;
  • Have a valid passport and I-94 record indicating F-1 and D/S (duration of status);
  • Have been continuously enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year (fall and spring semester) in active nonimmigrant status before your requested OPT start date;
  • Be enrolled full-time at CU Boulder (or an authorized equivalent) with an on-campus presence in the semester in which you apply for OPT;
  • Have not completed more than 365 days of full-time CPT at the current degree level or a higher degree level;
  • Have not previously completed a higher degree level in the U.S.;
  • Have not previously been approved for 12 months of OPT at the current degree level or a higher degree level; AND
  • Only pursue employment directly related to your major field of study.

If you are interested in off-campus work-authorization, but don’t know what would be the right fit for you, feel free to make a , come to the ISSS office during walk-in advising hours, or join one of the ISSS employment workshops.

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