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EMPLOYMENT

"Employment" is defined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food, or any other benefit.

F-1 and J-1 Students
Employment opportunities for international students are limited by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Department of State regulations, and are available only to students who have maintained their status and academic standing.

F-1 students may work on-campus without permission from USCIS. To work off campus however, F-1 students must obtain approval from the International Student Advisor and USCIS.

J-1 students must have written authorization from the Responsible Officer (RO) of their respective exchange-visitor program before beginning any type of employment.
International students may not be “self-employed,” that is, they may not provide professional services for a fee or works “independent contractors.”

On-Campus Employment
Students at UCI on an F-1 or J-1 visa may accept employment on the Irvine campus or at the Medical Center in Orange without prior approval from the USCIS. You may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and full time (40 hours per week) during the summer and/or vacation periods. You must have a Social Security Number and your I-20 showing your enrollment status at UCI, along with a valid passport, in order to be hired.

Upon finding an on-campus position, the hiring departments must complete a UCI NONIMMIGRANT EMPLOYEE VERIFICATION FORM prior to your first day of work.

Off-Campus Employment
Curricular practical training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training, as defined in the immigration regulations, is "Students enrolled in a college, university, conservatory, or seminary whose training programs are 'an integral part of an established curriculum' may apply to the DSO (Designated School Official) for curricular practical training authorization. Such training is defined as alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with schools." [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)]. For more information and requirement, please download CPT packet.

Internship With an International Organization
If a student maintains lawful F-1 status and is offered an internship by a "recognized" international organization, such as the United Nations or the World Bank, he/she may obtain written permission to engage in this work. Students must maintain their F-1 status while employed by this organization.

Special Student Relief
On June 10, 1998 the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service published regulatory changes and a Notice of Suspension in the Federal Register allowing Special Student Relief to F-1 students whose financial support came directly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, or Korea.
Special Student Relief allows students to be employed on-campus for more than 20 hours per week or full-time off-campus employment; and a reduction in enrollment. You must be granted employment authorization under this program before you engage in employment or reduce your enrollment!
To be eligible for Special Student Relief, students must have financial support that comes from the aforementioned countries; demonstrate severe economic hardship resulting from the economic crisis; must have been in F-1 status and engaged in studies prior to June 10, 1998; and must currently be in valid status and carrying 12 units or more.

Employment Based on Economic Hardship
According to USCIS regulations, if on-campus employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, F-1 students are eligible for off-campus work authorization caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. In order to be authorized, you must be able to provide the following:

• Proof of serious unforeseen financial hardship.
• Proof that a good faith effort was made to locate employment on campus.
• Evidence that you are in good academic standing and carrying a full course of study, that you have been in F-1 status for at least nine consecutive months, and that acceptance of employment will not interfere with full-time enrollment.

If you think that you may be eligible for an employment based on economic hardship, set up an appointment to see an International Student Advisor in the International Center.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)
As an F-1 student, you may be given authorization by the USCIS to work off-campus for the purpose of practical training in a field related to your major. Optional Practical Training is defined, as employment in your field of study used to enhance your educational program in the U.S. Optional Practical Training is available for 12 months at each degree level. In other words, a student is eligible for one year of OPT at the Bachelor’s degree level, one year at the Master’s degree level, and one year at the Ph. D level. The one year of OPT must be used at the completion of each degree and cannot be saved for future use. Remember, current regulations state that student MUST apply for OPT prior to completion of studies.

Regulations surrounding practical training are discussed in information sessions, which are presented by the International Center and held at various times throughout the year. (Please see Calendar of IC Events for upcoming OPT Information Sessions.) Be sure to contact the International Center for information and updates regarding practical training, and apply early! APPLICATIONS FOR OPT MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER BY THE DATE YOU COMPLETE YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY AT UCI, OR THE APPLICATION WILL BE DENIED.

For appplication and more information, PLEASE VISIT: OPT INFORMATION

CAVEAT: While USCIS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in F-1 status, working illegally or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. Please contact the International Center at (949) 824-7249 before beginning any employment. In light of recent changes to immigration laws, working without proper authorization could be a very costly mistake.

How to Obtain a Social Security Number
The Social Security Administration has changed the process for applying for social security number for international students. F-1 students must have a job offer, and proof of it, in order to apply for a Social Security card and number. Below is a list of documents necessary for an F-1 or J-1 student to apply for a social security number.

F-1 and J-1 Students

• Passport*
• I-94 Card
• Visa Document (either I-20, IAP-66 or DS-2019)
• A job offer letter from your employing departments
• Proof of full-time enrollment (fees/tuition must be paid & you must be enrolled for 12 units)
• Letter from the International Center verifying your F-1 status

Please note that you must first present items above in order for one of the International Center’s Staff to provide you with a letter to be presented at the Social Security Administration Office.

F-1 OR J-1 STUDENTS WITHOUT JOB OFFERS AND DEPENDENTS
Students who do not have job offers will be able to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) after they arrive in the U.S. For more information about ITIN Number, please visit the Internal Revenue Service Website http://www.irs.gov/individuals/students.html. You may obtain an ITIN form at the International Center.

***INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SHOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION.
Never assume anything about the immigration laws of the United States.
Always check your information with the International Center. ***