Employment is defined as any work performed or service rendered for money, tuition, fees, supplies, room, food, or any other benefit. International students with an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible for certain types of employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the type of employment they plan to begin is considered “authorized” or legal. To avoid the negative consequences of falling out of status for engaging in illegal employment, students are encouraged to review the following information and always consult with a UCF Global Immigration Advisor prior to beginning any employment.
ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
Students maintaining their F-1 or J-1 status are generally permitted to work on UCF’s premises. This type of employment is “incidental to status.” Employment is limited to a total of 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer semester and over winter break, students may work more than 20 hours per week on-campus.
F-1 STUDENTS
F-1 students do not require additional employment authorization from a UCF Global Immigration Advisor to work on-campus.
J-1 STUDENTS
J-1 students must receive written approval from their UCF Global Immigration Advisor and have the on-campus employment entered on their SEVIS record prior to beginning on-campus employment. To request on-campus employment authorization, provide a copy of your on-campus employment offer letter which includes the following information to your UCF Global Immigration Advisor:
- Name of on-campus employer
- Employer’s physical address (no P.O. Box)
- Number of hours per week
- Employment start and end dates
- Title and nature of the job
- Supervisor name, telephone, and signature
ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT IS LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS
Work on university premises, employed by UCF
Examples include:
- Teaching and research assistants,
- Work in the libraries and administrative offices
Work on university premises, employed by an on-campus commercial company
This type of job must be directly related to student services, such as:
- UCF Bookstore
- UCF Dining Services
- Restaurants or coffee shops on-campus
Work done at off-campus locations but considered as on-campus
This includes work at an off-campus location that is educationally associated with the school. The student must be employed by UCF.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- Students must maintain immigration status in order to be eligible for on-campus employment.
- On-campus employment is not allowed after completion of program or I-20/DS-2019 end date, whichever is first.
- Students starting an academic program during the summer semester are only allowed part-time employment.
- Students employed on-campus by UCF are required to visit UCF Global to meet with an Employment and Taxation Coordinator to complete hiring paperwork.
- Students are subject to federal and state taxes and exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. After students spend more than five years in the U.S., they become subject to paying Social Security and Medicare taxes in addition to federal and state taxes. For more information on taxes, UCF Global will schedule tax workshops during the spring semester.
CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment authorization available to eligible F-1 students for practical training that is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT may include alternative work/study, internships, cooperative education, or other required internships or practicums.
Under 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(10)(i), CPT is defined as “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” CPT may be authorized when the practical training is an “integral part of an established curriculum” and meets applicable federal and UCF requirements.
Under recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , CPT is authorized only when the practical training is an established requirement for completion of the student’s degree program and is required for all students pursuing that degree, including domestic and international students.
CPT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for CPT authorization, an F-1 student must meet all applicable federal regulations and UCF requirements.
- F-1 Immigration Status
The student must maintain valid F-1 status.
In addition, the student must have been enrolled full-time in the current program of study for at least one full academic year immediately preceding the start of the CPT. The student must have maintained valid F-1 status throughout the required academic year.
- Established Curricular Requirement
The practical training must be an established requirement for completion of the student’s degree program, and therefore unable to complete the degree without completing the required practical training.
The requirement must apply to all students pursuing the degree program, regardless of whether they are domestic or international students.
Example of circumstances that DO NOT establish CPT eligibility:
- The practical training is available as an elective or technical elective.
- An academic department encourages or recommends the experience.
- The experience provides valuable professional development but is not required for degree completion.
- The student wishes to gain work experience in a field related to their major.
- The activity is related to a thesis or dissertation but is not an established degree requirement.
- Academic Connection and Enrollment Requirements
The practical training must be directly related to the student’s major field of study and must satisfy the applicable curricular requirements. The academic department must confirm that the proposed training meets the established curricular requirement.
Students applying for CPT must be enrolled in the required internship or practicum course associated with the established curricular requirement.
During the fall and spring semesters, students participating in CPT must maintain full-time enrollment. Out-of-state CPT will NOT be approved during the fall or spring semesters.
During the summer semester, students who are not graduating may be required to enroll only in the required internship or practicum course. Students who plan to graduate during the summer must still maintain full-time enrollment unless otherwise eligible for a reduced course load.
TYPES OF CPT
Part-Time CPT
Part-time CPT authorizes employment for 20 hours or fewer per week during the authorized period. Students must continue to meet all applicable F-1 enrollment and status requirements. Students authorized for part-time CPT may also work on campus up to 20 hours per week.
Full-Time CPT
Full-time CPT authorizes employment for more than 20 hours per week during the authorized period. Students authorized for full-time CPT may not engage in on-campus employment during the period of full-time CPT.
Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for post-completion OPT under federal regulations.
CPT APPLICATION PROCESS
CPT authorization is employer- and date-specific. Students must have a qualifying job offer before submitting a CPT request.
Step 1: Obtain a Job Offer
Students must obtain a written offer of employment from the prospective employer. The offer letter should be on employer’s letterhead and include:
- Employer name and physical address where the student will work
- Supervisor’s name, title, direct telephone number, and email address
- Start and end dates of employment in MM/DD/YYYY format
- Job title
- Description of job duties
- Number of hours to be worked per week
- Hourly rate of pay, if applicable
Step 2: Complete Employer Cooperative Agreement
The practical training must be conducted through a cooperative agreement between UCF and a legitimate, bona fide employer capable of providing an appropriate practical training experience.
Students should provide the employer with the UCF cooperative agreement and request that the employer complete the required sections.
Step 3: Meet with Your Academic Department
Review the proposed practical training and job offer with your academic advisor or internship coordinator.
The academic department must confirm that:
- The practical training is directly related to the student’s major field of study.
- The practical training is an established requirement for completion of the degree program.
The academic advisor or internship coordinator must provide the required approval through the CPT request process and enroll you in the internship course.
Step 4: Submit the CPT Request in MyIntl
Complete the CPT Request form through MyIntl and upload all required documentation, including:
- Employer offer letter
- Completed cooperative agreement
This e-form will be routed to your academic department for academic approval.
Step 5: Receive Your CPT-Authorized Form I-20
UCF Global will review the request and supporting documentation. If CPT is approved, a new Form I-20 containing the CPT authorization will be issued.
Students must review the CPT authorization before beginning employment and confirm that the employer, location, employment dates, and employment type are accurate.
Submission of a CPT request alone does not authorize employment. Students should submit the request three weeks in advance of the proposed employment start date to allow sufficient time for review.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Do Not Begin Employment Without Authorization
Students must not begin employment or practical training before CPT authorization has been issued. Unauthorized employment, including unpaid practical training that constitutes employment under applicable immigration regulations, may result in a violation of F-1 status and may have serious immigration consequences.
PRE-COMPLETION F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization available to eligible F-1 students for practical training that is directly related to their major area of study.
Pre-Completion OPT is employment authorization used before an F-1 student’s program end date. It is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and requires an application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). A student may not begin employment based on pre-completion OPT until USCIS has approved the application and the authorized start date on the EAD has been reached.
ELIGIBILITY FOR PRE-COMPLETION OPT
To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, an F-1 student must maintain valid F-1 status and have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at the current education level before the start of the requested OPT authorization.
The employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study. The student must continue to meet the requirements for maintaining F-1 status during the period of pre-completion OPT.
Federal regulations allow a student to apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before completing the one-full-academic-year requirement, provided that the requested employment period does not begin until the student has completed the required academic year.
Eligibility for pre-completion OPT does not guarantee approval. USCIS makes the final determination on the Form I-765 application.
HOW MUCH CAN I WORK?
When school is in session, pre-completion OPT is limited to 20 hours per week. During an official school vacation period, a student who is otherwise eligible to enroll in the following academic term may be authorized for full-time pre-completion OPT.
The amount and timing of employment authorization must comply with the authorization issued by USCIS. Students cannot begin employment before the approved OPT start date shown on the EAD.
PRE-COMPLETION OPT AND POST-COMPLETION OPT
Students are eligible for a maximum of 12 months of regular OPT at each higher educational level.
Pre-completion OPT uses part of this 12-month OPT allowance. Therefore, using pre-completion OPT reduces the amount of post-completion OPT available after graduation.
Part-time pre-completion OPT is deducted from the available OPT period at a half-time rate. For example, four months of part-time pre-completion OPT generally reduces the student’s remaining post-completion OPT by two months.
Full-time pre-completion OPT is deducted at the full-time rate. For example, three months of full-time pre-completion OPT reduces the student’s remaining post-completion OPT by three months.
HOW TO APPLY FOR PRE-COMPLETION OPT
Students should review their eligibility before submitting the Form I-765 application to USCIS.
If the student is eligible, UCF Global will issue a Form I-20 containing the Pre-Completion OPT recommendation.
The student must then submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to USCIS under the appropriate OPT eligibility category. The student is responsible for submitting the application, required fee, and supporting documentation to USCIS.
Students cannot begin employment until USCIS has approved the application, the student has received the EAD, and the authorized start date has arrived.
USCIS processing times are outside the control of UCF Global. Students should consider current USCIS processing times when determining whether pre-completion OPT is appropriate for their circumstances.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Students should carefully consider whether using OPT before completing their program is appropriate because authorized pre-completion OPT reduces the amount of post-completion OPT available at the same educational level.
Students should also consider their anticipated graduation date, requested OPT dates, USCIS processing time, and future plans for post-completion OPT before submitting an application.
Pre-completion OPT is a discretionary employment-planning decision for the student and should be considered carefully. Students should understand the effect that using OPT before graduation may have on their future post-completion OPT eligibility.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Pre-completion OPT is temporary off-campus employment authorization for an eligible F-1 student before the student’s program end date. The employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study.
A job offer is not required under the federal regulations to submit an application for pre-completion OPT. However, students should carefully consider their proposed employment and the amount of OPT they intend to use before applying because authorized OPT reduces the student’s remaining OPT eligibility.
Federal regulations limit pre-completion OPT to no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
Full-time pre-completion OPT is possible during an eligible annual vacation period when the student is enrolled or intends to register for the next term, consistent with federal requirements.
No. Filing the Form I-765 does not provide employment authorization.
You must wait until USCIS approves your application, you receive your EAD, and the approved OPT start date has arrived before beginning employment.
The amount depends on how much pre-completion OPT you use and whether the authorization is part-time or full-time.
Part-time pre-completion OPT is generally deducted at one-half the rate, while full-time pre-completion OPT is deducted at the full rate. Students who use pre-completion OPT may have less than 12 months of post-completion OPT available after graduation.
No. Once OPT has been authorized, the authorized period counts toward the student’s OPT allowance even if the student does not ultimately work for the entire authorized period. Students should therefore select requested OPT dates carefully.
No. Employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study. Students must not engage in employment that is unrelated to their major based on pre-completion OPT authorization.
Pre-completion OPT authorization can permit employment with multiple employers, provided that each position is directly related to the student’s major and all applicable employment and reporting requirements are satisfied.
No. Pre-completion OPT does not automatically authorize employment after the student’s program ends.
A student who wants to work after completing the program must separately apply for post-completion OPT and receive the required USCIS authorization.
Yes. Federal regulations permit an eligible F-1 student to file the Form I-765 up to 90 days before completing one full academic year, provided that the requested employment does not begin until the student has completed the required academic year.
Yes. OPT authorization is tied to the student’s F-1 status and educational program. Students considering a transfer or change of educational level should consult ISSS before taking action because OPT authorization can be affected by a transfer or change in educational level.
Processing times vary. USCIS makes the decision on the Form I-765 application, and UCF ISSS cannot guarantee a particular processing timeframe.
Students should review current USCIS processing times before selecting their requested employment start date and should not make employment commitments that depend on receiving OPT by a specific date unless they have accounted for possible processing delays.
POST-COMPLETION F-1 OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment benefit available for F-1 students who have been maintaining immigration status. Its purpose is to give students the opportunity to work off-campus and gain work experience in a field directly related to the student’s course of study. Employment is limited to a total of twelve months for each higher degree level and may be granted before or after completion of studies. Eligibility for OPT must first be determined by a UCF Global Immigration Advisor. If eligible, an OPT recommendation is then entered on the student’s Form I-20 and submitted as part of an application packet to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for adjudication.
ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-COMPLETION OPT
- Students must be in valid F-1 status at the time of the application.
- Students must have been enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before applying
- Graduate students registered in thesis or dissertation hours may apply and engage in Post-Completion OPT prior to graduation on the basis of completing all program requirements with the exception of the thesis or dissertation
- Students are eligible for one year of OPT per higher education level. This means students may apply for one year of OPT for the bachelor’s level, one year for the master’s level, and one year for the doctoral level. (UCF Global English Programs such as the Intensive English Program and Global Achievement Academy are not eligible for OPT.)
Students may apply up to 90 days prior to graduation. The application must be received by USCIS no later than 60 days after program completion.
To apply for OPT, please self-enroll and complete the OPT Webcourse and follow the instructions in the WebCourse to submit the OPT Request Form to UCF Global online.
F-1 STEM EXTENSION OF OPT
The STEM Extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 24-month extension of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). A STEM extension is available to F-1 students who are currently on post-completion OPT, have earned a qualifying degree in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) whose employment meets additional requirements.
Beginning July 1, 2026, F-1 students requesting a STEM OPT Extension will be charged a $300 nonrefundable ISSS processing fee. STEM OPT Extension requests will not be processed until the required fee payment has been received and documented.
To learn more about the STEM Extension and for step-by-step instructions on how to apply, please self-enroll in the STEM OPT Workshop.
J-1 ACADEMIC TRAINING
Academic Training is a type of off-campus employment authorization available for J-1 students to gain work experience within their field of study. Academic training requests must be evaluated and authorized by a UCF Global immigration advisor prior to students beginning employment.
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF ACADEMIC TRAINING STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE FROM:
- Pre-completion. Grants employment eligibility prior to completion of degree
- Post-Completion. Grants employment eligibility after completion of degree
EMPLOYMENT TIME LIMITATIONS
- Undergraduate and Master’s level students are eligible for a maximum period of 18 months.
- Doctoral students are eligible for a maximum period of 36 months. Students may only apply for 18 months of academic training at a time.
- Students pursuing academic programs that are shorter than 18 months may only be allowed employment up to the length of the program.
- Completion of more than one degree program does not increase the academic training time period.
- Part-time academic training counts toward the total allowable days of academic training.
For apply for Academic Training, complete the Academic Training Authorization Request and submit it to a UCF Global Immigration Advisor along with the required documentation listed on the form. For questions regarding Academic Training eligibility, please consult with a UCF Global Immigration Advisor.
F-1 EMPLOYMENT BASED ON SEVERE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
F-1 students who are experiencing severe economic hardship due to unforeseen changes in their financial circumstances after they arrived to the United States may be eligible to apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for authorization to work off-campus.
EXAMPLES OF UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES
- Loss of financial support or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student
- Substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of currency
- Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs
- Unexpected changes in the financial state of the student’s sponsor
- Medical bills
- Other substantial and unexpected expenses
Economic hardship employment is designed to allow the student to work off-campus for 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during vacation periods. Employment does not need to be related to the student’s course of study and no offer of employment is needed to apply for this type of employment authorization. Employment authorization is granted for periods of 1 year at a time and authorization ends if the student graduates, transfers to another institution, or fails to maintain status.
ECONOMIC HARDSHIP ELIGIBILITY
- Must have been in F-1 status for one academic year (fall and spring semester)
- Must be in good academic standing
- Must be enrolled full-time
- Must demonstrate that the employment will not interfere with student’s ability to maintain full-time enrollment
- Must document that employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control
- Must document that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient to meet the student’s financial needs
To apply for Economic Hardship employment, students must review the Severe Economic Hardship Application Checklist and make an appointment with a UCF Global immigration advisor.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN)
A Social Security Number (SSN) is a permanent nine-digit number that is used issued by the U.S. Government and is needed to facilitate payment for scholarships, employment in the U.S., and to file a U.S. tax return.
ELIGIBILITY FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
In order to be eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) international students must:
- Have an on-campus job offer or be authorized for CPT, OPT, or Academic Training, and
- Have an active SEVIS record
Students who are not eligible for an SSN may need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for the purposes of tax treaties and filing taxes.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A SSN
International Students must apply for a SSN in-person at the local Social Security Administration Office. Download the Social Security Number Checklist for a complete list of required documents and additional information.
AFTER APPLYING FOR A SSN
After applying in-person at the Social Security Administration Office, students will receive a Social Security Card containing their SSN in the mail within 2-6 weeks of the date of application. It is very important to sign the card, memorize the SSN, and keep it in a safe, secure place (i.e. not your wallet or purse). The SSN is a very sensitive number that can be used to open bank accounts and credit cards among many other things. It is important to keep the number safe and secure to prevent identity theft. Students working on-campus at UCF must provide UCF their SSN to facilitate payroll and taxes.