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Jacob Spori

On-campus Employment

As an International students in F-1 status, you are allowed to work on campus and may begin employment no more than 30 days before the program start date listed on the I-20, however, you must come by International Services and pick up a verification of legal status for employment purposes.  Once you are hired make sure you take the verification along with your I-20 and I-94 with you when go to the student employment office as these documents provide your work authorization and you will need to show them to student employment when you complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification.

You are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on campus when school is in session.  During weeks with holidays and semester breaks you may work up to 40 hours per week.   During your last semester you are only allowed to work 20 hours per week, even if you are taken less than 12 credits.

 

Off-track

BYU-Idaho policy allows you to work up to 40 hours per week on-campus during your off-track, provided you do not have off-campus work authorization.  Common forms of off-campus

work authorization include: CPT, OPT, economic hardship, permanent residence, U.S. Citizenship, etc.  There are some restrictions to working 40 hours during your off-track so see student employment for more information. If you are finishing your program during your last semester, you may not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.

 

Social Security Number

If you do not already have a US Social Security Number, you will need to have a job offer from an on-campus employer before you can apply.  You will also need additional authorization from International Services. After you have found an on-campus job, come to International Services for further instructions and the remainder of the paperwork you will need.

 

OPT

OPT can be either full-time or part-time and is usually used after a you graduate, but must be applied for before  you graduate.  Occasionally, a student will apply for precompletion OPT for use before they graduate.  To apply for OPT you must have maintained full-time student status for at least one academic year (two semesters) before applying.  If you used 12 months of full-time CPT you are not eligible for OPT.  Since OPT is only good for a maximum of 12 months most students will wait to begin using OPT until after they graduate.  To apply, gather the following documentation and submit it to International Services.  You will be asked to come in and sign the new I-20 before the application is mailed to the service center. The application process takes 3 to 5 months so be sure to apply early.  Applications sent in after you graduate will not be accepted.

 

  • Optional Practical Training Request Form (Complete E-Form Here)
  • Copies of current and previous I-20 forms
  • Copy of I-94 (both sides)
  • Letter from department or advisor indicating current academic status and expected date of completion
  • Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization  marked with (c) (3) (i) at item 16 (download here)
  • Example/Model I-765 Application (download here)
  • A cashiers check or money order for $340 payable to "USCIS"
  • Two passport style photos
  • Copy of your passport front page (with photo) or a copy of a government issued ID

 


 

Off-campus Employment

You may not work off-campus unless you have the proper authorization. This authorization comes from USCIS and International Services and includes Practical Training (CPT, OPT) and Economic Hardship.

 

Practical Training (CPT/OPT)

Practical training's primary purpose is to give you practical experience in your field of study.  It includes internships, co-op education, practicum, and most other work experience opportunities. Most F-1 students are eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before completion of studies, and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT) during or after their program of study.  OPT is generally used at the end or after you complete your program.  You may request 12 months of OPT at each program level (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD).

 

CPT

Curricular Practical Training or CPT includes internships, practicum, or other work experience related to your field of study.  CPT can be authorized by International Services for either full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (less than 20 hours per week).  Full-time CPT can only be authorized during your off-track semester.  Part-time CPT can be used at any time. 

 

To be considered CPT, the work must be directly related to your major field of study and be an integral or important part of your studies. Training which is required by your degree program always meets the requirements for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), regardless of whether or not you receive academic credit for your work.  Training which is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if you receive academic credit for the employment experience and if it is directly related to your major field of studies. To receive academic credit for work experience outside of your internship, you may enroll in  GS-270R Basic Work Study.

To be eligible for CPT you must have maintained full-time student status for at least one academic year (two semesters), have a valid job offer and approval from your academic department.  If you are participating in an internship, you will also need the approval of the Internship office.  You may apply for CPT at International Services.  You will need the following to apply:

  • Curricular Practical Training Request Form (Complete E-Form Here)

  • Department Aproval
    -  For Internships you will need a copy of the Internship Approval Form approved by the BYU-I   Internship office and the Internship coordinator in your department. 
    -  For a practicum or if you are taking GS270R Basic Work Study, you will need a letter from your practicum or academic advisor indicating the curricular nature of the work experience.

  • Offer of employment indicating duties, start and end dates and full or part-time status must be on company letterhead including address.

Turn in the above documentation to International Services; you should receive notification of approval within a day or so unless there is additional information or issues with your application.  You will be asked to come in and pick up the new I-20 when it is ready. 

 

CPT can be approved in increments of up to one year, but if you use full-time CPT for a cumulative total of 12 months or more during your degree program, you lose the ability to apply for OPT after your graduation.  Part-time CPT does not affect your eligibility for OPT after graduation.  You may only work for the employer specified on your I-20 and you may not begin working until your CPT has been approved, complete with a new I-20.

Economic Hardship Work Authorization

If there is an unforeseen change in your financial situation you may be eligible to apply for a Severe Economic Hardship Work Authorization from the USCIS.  You must have completed at least one academic year of schooling before you can apply.  See the International Student Office for more information.

 

Important Note:  On-campus and off-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session, but may be full-time when school is not in session or during your annual vacation period (off-track). Check your hours worked to ensure you do not go over the 20 hour limit.  The BYU-Idaho work week begins Saturday and goes through Friday evening.  This is not the same as your pay period.