Student Information > SEVIS – Employment, F-1 Tseng College Students

What is Post-Completion OPT?

• OPT is temporary employment that allows students to get practical training in their field of study.
• A total of 12 months of standard OPT is available following each level of study.
  
  • Level of study: Students are eligible for 12 months of Post-Completion OPT after completing an Associate degree, another 12 months after completing a Bachelor’s degree, 12 more after completing a Master’s degree and again after a Ph.D. program.
  • Graduate Certificate (such as GCBA) students: You can use Post-Completion OPT after completing a graduate-level certificate but that makes you ineligible for OPT after completing a master’s degree (such as an MBA) because both are the same level of study.
    Master’s Degrees, graduate-level study, and post-baccalaureate are the same level of study.
• OPT can be authorized with or without an offer of employment.
• Employment can be for multiple employers.
• You must work 20 or more hours per week when on post-completion OPT.
  • By SEVIS standards, working more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time. You must work “full-time” while on post-completion OPT.
• OPT employment can be paid or unpaid. Unpaid employment may be called volunteer work or an internship. Regardless, you must be authorized for employment before beginning any work.
  • When employment is unpaid, you must be able to show proof of employment.
• It is the responsibility of the student to keep records of all employment, especially if working in non-traditional employment such as unpaid jobs, musicians working multiple ‘gigs,’ being self-employed, etc.
• Regardless of job type, keep documentation of each job, name of position held, proof of the duration of each position, contact information for supervisor or manager, and a description of the work in case it is ever necessary to explain how the work related to the degree earned or exactly how many days of employment, or unemployment, occurred during the 12 months of OPT.
• While on OPT, students still must report any changes of their own name and contact information, especially any change of U.S. addresses to a DSO in ARC.
• Students MUST maintain international student health/medical insurance.
• You are expected to apply for OPT while in the U.S.
• Working in the United States without authorization may result in your removal from the United States or denial of re-entry.
• When students transfer in SEVIS to another school while on OPT, OPT permanently ends on the release date.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training – At a Glance

Step 1: Student Requests OPT

• Use OPT Request form
• Submit request form to DSO in ARC

Step 2: DSO Recommends OPT in SEVIS

• "Recommends" = DSO puts OPT info in SEVIS
• DSO prints and signs an updated I-20 & sends it to student
• Student signs and dates that I-20 and submits it along with the Form I-765

Step 3: Student Files Form I-765 with Supporting Documents

• "Files" = Submits
• "I-765" = form used to apply for OPT
• Can file online or can file using hardcopies and send by mail
• Must pay a filing fee
• USCIS MUST receive student's complete OPT application within 30 days from the day OPT was recommended in SEVIS

Step 4: USCIS Adjudicates I-765

• "Adjudicates" = Processes
• Student may receive a Request for Further Information
• USCIS sends a Form I-797, Approval (or Denial) Notice
• Receiving an answer usually takes a few months

Step 5: Student Receives EAD

• EAD = Employment Authorization Document (often called an EAD Card)
• Cannot start working until the start date on the EAD
• Student receives email re: SEVIS Portal
• Use SEVIS Portal to report employment

Step 6: Student Can Work during Authorized Period of Time

• Can be employed by different employers, one at a time or more than one at a time
• Must work more than 20 hours per week (in total)
• Cannot be unemployed for more than a total of 90 days

Step 7: SEVIS Must be Updated Within 10 Days of Any Changes

• Any change in job description or contact info with current employer must be updated
• Any new employer must be reported
• Any personal change such as a new address, phone, or name change must be reported
• Student can use SEVP Portal to report changes/updates or can ask DSO to update their SEVIS record

APPLYING for OPT – TIMING is Important

There are specific times you can APPLY for OPT, and there are specific times you WORK while on OPT. These are different time periods with different deadlines.

Time You Can APPLY for OPT

You can submit an application for OPT:

• Up to 90 days prior to completing your degree program OR
• Up to 60 days after completing your degree program

Time You Can REQUEST OPT EMPLOYMENT to begin

You can REQUEST to START WORKING ON:

• Any day within the 60 days following completion of your program requirements (see ‘What is my Completion Date?’ below).

Time USCIS must RECEIVE the OPT application packet

• Within 30 days after the OPT recommendation was entered into SEVIS. See page 2 of your printed Form I-20 for the date it was entered.

Steps for applying for Post-Completion OPT

After Applying

• Documents tab: Everything about your OPT application can be found there, including Requests from USCIS.
• Every time an action is taken on your case (your application), a text message is sent. You have to go into your USCIS Case account to see specifics.
• Unfinished online applications remain for 30 days. If not completed and submitted within 30 days, they disappear.
• Traveling out of the U.S. before receiving EAD card for Post-Completion OPT is not recommended. USCIS sends EAD cards to U.S. addresses only. If students do not have their EAD card, in their possession, when re-entering the U.S., they can show Customs their I-797 Notice of Action, but it is better to have the EAD to prevent complications.
• If your mailing address changes after you file your application, you must update your address with USCIS and with the United States Postal Service (USPS) as soon as possible.
• OPT processing takes about 2 – 5 months.
• 8 – 12 weeks AFTER APPROVAL, look for an email from SEVP about setting up your SEVP Portal Account.
• Remember: You cannot start work before you have received the EAD, AND you cannot start work before the start date on the EAD card.
• See Section “OPT Processing Time and Troubleshooting Problems” for further information.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training – At a Glance

Step 1: Student Requests OPT

• Use OPT Request form
• Submit request form to DSO in ARC

Step 2: DSO Recommends OPT in SEVIS

• "Recommends" = DSO puts OPT info in SEVIS
• DSO prints and signs an updated I-20 & sends it to student
• Student signs and dates that I-20 and submits it along with the Form I-765

Step 3: Student Files Form I-765 with Supporting Documents

• "Files" = Submits
• "I-765" = form used to apply for OPT
• Can file online or can file using hardcopies and send by mail
• Must pay a filing fee
• USCIS MUST receive student's complete OPT application within 30 days from the day OPT was recommended in SEVIS

Step 4: USCIS Adjudicates I-765

• "Adjudicates" = Processes
• Student may receive a Request for Further Information
• USCIS sends a Form I-797, Approval (or Denial) Notice
• Receiving an answer usually takes a few months

Step 5: Student Receives EAD

• EAD = Employment Authorization Document (often called an EAD Card)
• Cannot start working until the start date on the EAD
• Student receives email re: SEVIS Portal
• Use SEVIS Portal to report employment

Step 6: Student Can Work during Authorized Period of Time

• Can be employed by different employers, one at a time or more than one at a time
• Must work more than 20 hours per week (in total)
• Cannot be unemployed for more than a total of 90 days

Step 7: SEVIS Must be Updated Within 10 Days of Any Changes

• Any change in job description or contact info with current employer must be updated
• Any new employer must be reported
• Any personal change such as a new address, phone, or name change must be reported
• Student can use SEVP Portal to report changes/updates or can ask DSO to update their SEVIS record

APPLYING for OPT – TIMING is Important

There are specific times you can APPLY for OPT, and there are specific times you WORK while on OPT. These are different time periods with different deadlines.

Time You Can APPLY for OPT

You can submit an application for OPT:

• Up to 90 days prior to completing your degree program OR
• Up to 60 days after completing your degree program

Time You Can REQUEST OPT EMPLOYMENT to begin

You can REQUEST to START WORKING ON:

• Any day within the 60 days following completion of your program requirements (see ‘What is my Completion Date?’ below).

Time USCIS must RECEIVE the OPT application packet

• Within 30 days after the OPT recommendation was entered into SEVIS. See page 2 of your printed Form I-20 for the date it was entered.

Steps for applying for Post-Completion OPT

After Applying

• See Section “OPT Processing Time and Troubleshooting Problems” for further information.
• Traveling out of the U.S. before receiving EAD card for Post-Completion OPT is not recommended. USCIS sends EAD cards to U.S. addresses only. If students do not have their EAD card, in their possession, when re-entering the U.S., they can show Customs their I-797 Notice of Action, but it is better to have the EAD to prevent complications.
• If your mailing address changes after you file your application, you must update your address with USCIS and with the United States Postal Service (USPS) as soon as possible
• OPT processing takes about 2 – 5 months.
• 8 – 12 weeks AFTER APPROVAL, look for an email from SEVP about setting up your SEVP Portal Account.
• Remember: You cannot start work before you have received the EAD, AND you cannot start work before the start date on the EAD card.

The application process takes an average of 8 - 12 weeks for USCIS, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, to complete.

If your mailing address changes after you file your application, you must update your address with USCIS and with the United States Postal Service (USPS) as soon as possible. If you don’t update your address promptly, your case could be delayed, your document(s) could get lost, and you may need to reapply and pay the fee again.

You can read EVERYTHING about OPT at these official sites:

• If OPT is authorized, USCIS sends an EAD card (Employment Authorization Document) or Form I-766 to the student via regular mail, to the U.S. address that was on the application (Form I-765).
• OPT is authorized for 12 months (or less if used pre-completion OPT or if USCIS received application late).
• You cannot start work before you have received the EAD, AND you cannot start work before the start date on the EAD card.
• A social security number is required for employment. Students can apply for a social security number at the same time they apply for OPT (on the Form I-765). The social security card should arrive about one week after receiving the EAD card.
• If you do not apply for a social security card when applying for OPT, you can apply for one at a Social Security Administration Office but you cannot apply for one until you have received your EAD card, and not until the start date on the EAD card.
• OPT employment can be anywhere in the U.S.
• OK to travel while on OPT. I-20 requires DSO endorsement (signature) on page 2 for travel, as usual. However, while on OPT, the endorsement is good for 6 months (instead of the usual 12 months).

While on Post-Completion OPT

• Must work more than 20 hours per week (21+ hours/week = “full time” in SEVIS).
• Cannot be unemployed for 90 days or more while on OPT. Days of unemployment is counted as an aggregate of all days of unemployment. In other words, the days of unemployment can be 90 consecutive days or a total of 90 days spread out between jobs.
• A SEVIS transfer to a new school immediately stops OPT.
• All F-1 students must report any and all employment to a DSO in Admissions, Registration and Client Services (ARC) or self-report employment information via the SEVP Portal (commonly called the SEVIS Portal). See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevp-portal-help for complete information about the SEVP Portal and here is a password tip sheet for it: ‘SEVP Portal Password Tips Sheet’ at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevp-portal-password-tips-sheet.
• Without that employment information entered into SEVIS, you will be considered unemployed. Recently, SEVIS added a new function that counts the number of days of unemployment for each student authorized for OPT. After 90 days, SEVIS automatically terminates the I-20.

It is extremely important to report any and all employment.

When OPT is approved, you will receive an email to create an SEVP Portal account. Update SEVIS employment, yourself, through your SEVP Portal, or report employment information to your DSO.

Your DSO is required to update your employment information in SEVIS within 21 days of receiving the information from you.

Failure to report employer information results in accumulating days of unemployment in SEVIS. 90 days or more of unemployment results in termination of your I-20.

As soon as you obtain – or change – employment, the following must be reported in SEVIS.

• A brief explanation of how this job relates to your major (A maximum of 1,000 characters)
• Employer (Company) Name
• Employer’s Address
• Employment Start Date (with this employer)
• Your Job Title

Never delete employer's information when you are changing jobs. If you leave one job to work for another employer, add the new employer to your record then edit the end date of your existing employer.

Personal Data Updates Through the SEVP Portal

You are required to update, or report changes, to your personal contact information within 10 days of the change.

You can update the following in SEVIS, yourself, through the SEVP Portal, or report personal data changes to your DSO.

• Personal physical home address
• Personal mailing address
• Personal telephone number
• Personal email address

• At the end of OPT, you have a 60-day grace period to do one of these actions: Depart (Leave) the U.S.; begin a new program of study; or change status (get a work visa, a green card, etc.).
• You can be transferred to a program or to a new school during your 60-day grace period. You must be ADMITTED to a new school, and you must be TRANSFERRED in SEVIS during the 60-day grace period. Then you can remain in status while waiting for the new school to begin. You can travel in and out of the U.S. during this time, but you must use the new school’s I-20 to reenter the U.S.
• If you transfer in SEVIS any time before the 60-day grace period, OPT ends on the transfer-out day. In other words, if you transfer in SEVIS while you are on active OPT, OPT ends immediately.

Pre-completion OPT is for students who still have coursework remaining to complete their degree program.

Pre-Completion OPT Eligibility

• Must have been enrolled as a full-time student for one academic year before being eligible. (Tseng College students in a cohort program are considered full time when they maintain enrollment in required cohort classes.)
• Obviously, must be a continuing student and in status, both in SEVIS and in good standing academically.
• Your Pre-Completion OPT START DATE must be after you have completed an academic year of studies; however, you can submit your application to USCIS up to 90 days prior to requested start date.

Pre-Completion OPT Guidelines

• Must maintain regularly required enrollment while on OPT, and be making normal progress toward completing degree.
• Work done while on OPT must be directly related to your major area of study. (See ‘Required Statement for OPT’ below)
• Authorized to work a maximum of 20 hours a week – while school is in session.
• During school breaks, you are permitted to continue working if you plan to enroll in the next term.
• Pre-Completion OPT must end on, or before, your program end date.
• You must file an entirely new OPT application in order to work on full-time Post-Completion OPT after you complete your program. See "How to Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) - ONLINE" section for the post-completion OPT application process. You can apply before your pre-completion OPT ends (if the time is right), but there can be no overlap of pre- and post-completion OPT.

Caution - Pre-Completion OPT reduces the amount time of Post-Completion OPT

The total amount of time allowed for OPT employment is 12 months.  Pre-Completion practical training reduces time from those 12 months. For every month of Pre-Completion OPT used, Post-Completion OPT is reduced by one month.

Application Process for Pre-Completion OPT

1. To request OPT in SEVIS, submit a Request PRE-Completion OPT form to a DSO in ARC.

   If eligible for OPT, a DSO in ARC recommends OPT in SEVIS and then your I-20, showing OPT information on page 2, is reprinted. The DSO signs that I-20. Then you sign and date page 1 of the I-20. This is the I-20 that is submitted to USCIS as part of the application packet.

   Careful!! USCIS must receive your entire OPT application within 30 days from the date of issue printed on your I-20. Look at page 1 of your Form I-20, next to the DSO’s signature. See “Date Issued.”

2. Gather Documents

   Here is what you should gather before applying:

   • A recent (within the last 6 months) U.S. Passport Photo
   • Form I-20 with the OPT request printed on it, signed by you and your DSO.
   • Be prepared to pay $410, at pay.gov
   • Copies from your passport (picture page and visa). If passport contains an entry stamp from your most recent as an F-1 student, include a copy of that too.
   • A copy of your most recent I-94 form, Lawful Record of Admission, which shows your last entry into the U.S. Retrieve it at the CBP website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home “Get Most Recent I-94.”
   • If you have had work authorization before, you’ll need a copy of the I-20(s) and if you were authorized for OPT, a copy of previous EAD card(s).

3. In order to apply for OPT online, you are required to create a USCIS Online Account first.

4. Go to https://www.uscis.gov/file-online. Carefully fill out Form I-765.

   You can print a PDF version of your application prior to submission. It is a copy for your records only; do NOT submit the print out.

5. See chart below for Tseng College students’ FAQs regarding Pre-Completion OPT application.

   Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Online Application for OPT
   What Eligibility Category should I use?	(c)(3)(A) Student Pre-completion OPT
   Reason for applying	Initial permission to accept employment Even if you had OPT before, use “Initial Permission”
   U.S. Mailing Address	All mail, including your EAD will go to this address. You can use a P.O. Box (Post Office Box) number or a business address here, but make sure you give your physical address where you live in the other question.
   Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number	The “Admission (I-94) Record Number” is at the top of your Most Recent I-94, found at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.
   I did not arrive in the U.S. as an F-1 student (I changed status after arriving here.)	Instead of Form I-94, submit a copy of your ‘Change of Status I-797 Approval’
   Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Number.	Your SEVIS ID Number is at the top of your I-20. It starts with ’N’ followed by 10 numbers.
   A-Number	You probably do not have one.
   Has the Social Security Administration (SSA) ever officially issued a Social Security card to you?	Even if you have never used it, don’t know the number, can’t find the card. If you EVER, in your entire life, received a Social Security number. Answer Yes.
   Do you want the SSA to issue you a Social Security card?	Answer Yes if you have NEVER, EVER received a Social Security number in your life. Answer No if you have received a Social Security number at any time in your life.
   Previously authorized CPT or OPT	Previous OPT: Upload a copy of front and back of previous EAD card(s). Previous CPT: Upload a copy of I-20(s). None: Leave blank if no prior OPT or CPT.

6. Pay the $410 fee – at pay.gov.

   • You will be redirected to the pay.gov page when it is time to pay the fee.
   • You can use a credit card, debit card, or an electronic transfer from your bank.
   • Once you submit the payment, your OPT application is submitted.

After you submit your request for OPT (Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training), upload supporting documents, and complete the payment, you should immediately receive a notice starting with “You successfully submitted…”

At that point, your OPT application is considered ‘received.’ You will also receive a paper receipt notice in the mail.

After Applying

• Documents tab: Everything about your OPT application can be found there, including Requests from USCIS.
• Every time an action is taken on your case (your application), a text message is sent. You have to go into your USCIS Case account to see specifics.
• You can respond to a Request for Further Information (RFI) or to a Request for Further Evidence (RFE) online.
• Unfinished online applications remain for 30 days. If not completed and submitted within 30 days, they disappear.
• USCIS sends EAD cards to U.S. addresses only. If students do not have their EAD card, in their possession, when re-entering the U.S., after travel, they can show Customs their I-797 Notice of Action, but it is better to have the EAD to prevent complications.
• If your mailing address changes after you file your application, you must update your address with USCIS and with the United States Postal Service (USPS) as soon as possible.
• OPT processing takes about 2 – 5 months.
• 8 – 12 weeks after approval, look for an email from SEVP about setting up your SEVP Portal Account.
• Remember: You cannot start work before you have received the EAD, AND you cannot start work before the start date on the EAD card.
• See Section “OPT Processing Time and Troubleshooting Problems” for further information.

Reporting and Recordkeeping While on Post-Completion OPT

• Unpaid work, or volunteering, must be authorized the same as paid employment. Don’t work before receiving authorization, and keep careful records of any and all employment you have.
• Unlike POST-Completion OPT, PRE-Completion OPT is not subject to the unemployment restrictions. Days of unemployment while on PRE-Completion OPT do are NOT counted; unemployment does not have a negative impact on your SEVIS record.

Required Statement for OPT

Once employed, and for every employer, you must submit a brief statement to your DSO in ARC. The statement should include your job title, employer name, major area of study, the average hours worked per week, and a brief explanation of how the job is directly related to your major area of study. Per SEVIS compliance, it must be kept on file in Tseng College. However, the statement is not as daunting as it sounds, here are some sample statements you can use as a guide:

1. Master's degree in Kinesiology: I am working no more than 20 hours a week in a health food store as a consultant for Self-Made Inc., designing and teaching exercise classes that are incorporated into a customer's overall nutrition and exercise plan. My designs and customer instruction draw upon my studies and classwork in exercise therapy and physical conditioning.
2. Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering: I work part time as an Electrical Engineer Assistant at ABC Corp., a government contractor. In my job, I analyze client requirements for electrical systems and provide them with cost estimates of such systems. My work requires understanding of electrical circuit theory, which I studied in-depth at the California State University, Utopia.
3. Bachelor's degree in Business: I work 15 – 20 hours a week as a Loan Officer at a mortgage company, Happy Homes, where I meet with clients and evaluate, authorize and recommend approval of loan applications. On a daily basis, I use the knowledge I gained in my credit analysis, sales and marketing classes that I took as part of my major program of study.
4. Master's degree in Music: I am working at a hospital playing the harp in patient rooms. I also conduct hands-on harp beginner workshops for long-term patients. On average, I work at the hospital 15 hours a week. My duties directly utilize the skills and knowledge I acquired from my coursework and degree in music therapy.

Due to changes in SEVIS regulations, the Tseng College can NOT authorize CPT for any program except ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis).

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

ABA students are eligible to begin CPT in their first term, or first year, of the cohort without waiting one academic year.

CPT is work authorization that allows students to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience that is an integral part of the curriculum and is DIRECTLY related to their field of study.

CPT is work authorization for students while they are still enrolled in school. It is only for continuing students. Student must expect to be enrolled in their current program in the upcoming session or semester. It is not available after finishing a program (after graduating).

Regardless of what is called, internship, cooperative education, training, and whether it is paid or unpaid, if you work off-campus, you are employed. You must be authorized to work off campus, and working in the United States without authorization may result in your removal from the U.S. or denial of re-entry.

CPT Authorization in SEVIS

• CPT is authorized for a specific employer for a specific amount of time. CPT can be authorized a maximum of one semester at a time. Therefore, CPT must be updated every semester if student continues working in the same position in subsequent semesters.
• Anytime a change in employment occurs, such as a change in position title, new supervisor, etc., contact your DSO within 10 days of change. SEVIS must be updated.
• If student receives a job offer from a new employer, and wants to be authorized to work for the new employer, CPT authorization must take place, again. Follow the process below if changing jobs.

Be Careful How Many Hours a Week You Work, and How Many Days You Work

• CPT is considered part-time or full-time based on 20 hours per week of employment. Fewer than 20 hours a week is part time and more than 20 hours a week is full time.
• If a student works one full year (365 days) on full-time CPT, he or she is no longer eligible for post-completion OPT.
• Fewer than 365 days of full-time CPT does not affect eligibility for OPT.
• Long-term, part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.

Process to Request CPT – for ABA Students Only

• First, you must obtain a letter from your prospective employer. The letter should be on company letterhead and must contain the following information:
  • Expected start and end date of employment; name and location of worksite; name and contact information of supervisor; and will student be working more than or less than 20 hours per week?
• Submit that letter along with the CPT Request form to ARC.
• If approved, a new I-20 with CPT authorization will be issued.
• When students already have a social security number (SSN), they can begin working on the expected start date on the letter.
• Students who need a SSN must request a letter from ARC to use at their appointment at the Social Security Administration office. See Social Security Numbers section below.

On-Campus Employment – General Information

• On-campus employment is work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is part of the university.
• On-campus employment is often Student Assistant positions in an office in one of the colleges or administrative departments or working at any of the businesses located on the CSUN campus.
• It is not necessary for the employment to be related to a student’s field of study.
• On-campus employment allows students to work on-campus, part-time, which is 20 or fewer hours per week when school is in session. During school breaks, if eligible and intend to register for the next semester, students may work for more than 20 hours per week. 40 hours per week is the maximum. 21 to 40 hours a week is defined as full-time employment.
• On-campus employment is not recorded in SEVIS.

Student Eligibility for On-Campus Employment

• F-1 students who enter the United States on an "Initial" I-20 may not begin on-campus employment more than 30 days prior to the actual start of classes.
• Transfer in students:
  • Once the I-20 is transferred in SEVIS students cannot work at their old school.
  • Once the I-20 is transferred in SEVIS, students can begin working at their new school up to 30 days prior to the start date of the session.
• All international students seeking on-campus work authorization must be in correct F-1 status and graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
• On-campus work permits have expiration dates and must be renewed prior to expiration.
• Students must stop working when they complete their last class in their program.
• Working during the 60-day grace period after completion of studies is not allowed.
• Students who fall out of SEVIS status are not eligible to work on campus. They must immediately stop working so that they do not accrue unauthorized employment time.

Process to Work On Campus

• Must have an offer of employment first.
• The department that is hiring you issues an “Intent to Hire” letter.
• Human Resources, (located in Valera Hall 165) gives you the “Verification of International Student Status” form. (HR documents and HR personnel often refer to IESC. IESC is the International and Exchange Student Center, in the USU, and that office does handle a large number of international students and their employment. However, Tseng College students work with ARC, not IESC.)
• Go to ARC, Admissions, Registration and Client Services, in EU 200 to:
  1. Have your “Verification of International Student Status” form* signed, and
  2. Request an “On-Campus Employment Verification” letter.
      
     The letter needs to include the start date of the job, where it is located, and the job title, so give that information along with the letter request.
      
     The DSO writing the letter will include the obvious items such as your name, date of birth, that you are an F-1 student here, etc. In addition, the letter will verify that you 1) have been offered on-campus employment, 2) that you are in status in SEVIS, and 3) for cohort students, will give an explanation that although you appear to be a part-time student in SOLAR, you are in fact, part of a cohort and are considered to be a full-time student by SEVIS and by the Tseng College/CSUN which gives you the same benefits as any other full-time, graduate-level, CSUN student.
• If you have never received a social security number before, use this same letter when applying for a social security number. You must go in person to the Social Security Administration office when applying for a social security number. Bring original documents, not copies, to your appointment. See below for how to apply for a social security number.

* You must submit signed Verification of International Student Status form to HR within three days of the job start date.

* Cannot work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session but OK to work 20-40 hours during breaks such as during summer, spring break, between semesters.

** Unpaid employment is allowed during Post-Completion OPT but student must have proof of volunteering or work without pay for more than 20 hours per week.

*** F-1s can only volunteer, have unpaid internships, etc. 1) if not displacing a regular employee, and 2) the experience is for the benefit of the intern/student (not for the benefit of the employer) and it should be similar to training that would be received in an educational environment.

Language program (IEP) students are never eligible for employment of any kind.

The M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is currently the only program in the Tseng College that is eligible for CPT in the first semester of the program, and CPT is available throughout the program as well.

The following types of employment are for specific purposes and for specific situations that very rarely apply to F-1 Tseng College students. For that reason, they are not discussed in-depth on this site.

• STEM OPT Extension. Currently, Tseng College degree programs are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. This is a list of majors that are eligible for STEM OPT published by the Department of Education.
• Severe Economic Hardship or the Special Student Relief Program.
• Internships with specific International Organizations.

If you feel you may be eligible for any of the above, read more about these types of employment. Some official sites are:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Student and Exchange Visitor Program, “F-1 Student Off-Campus” or “F-1 International Intern”
• Study in the States “F-1 Off Campus Employment and International Organization Internship”
• ICE, SEVIS, Practical Training
• Federal Register Under emergent circumstances, the government may suspend some requirements for affected F-1 students, including the requirements for off-campus employment. In such cases, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a notice in the Federal Register, giving details of such suspension.
• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 8, 214.2(f)(9)(ii), Title 8, 214.2(f)(9)(iii), and Title 8, 214.2(f)(10)

If you feel you may be eligible for one of the above exceptions, contact a DSO in ARC.

All students who work in the United States must have a Social Security Number.

Only one Social Security Number is assigned to a person. If you have already received a social security number at any time in the past, do not reapply.

Steps for Applying for a Social Security Number – For Every Type of Employment

1. Cannot apply online but can fill out and print the application form (Form SS-5).
2. Gather original documents to take to the Social Security Office:
   • The application (Form SS-5)
   • Unexpired passport, with visa
   • Most recent I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, available at Customs and Border Protection website.
   • Form I-20. For OPT and CPT, the employment page (page 2) of your I-20 must show that CPT or OPT has been requested.
   • PLUS – depending on which type of work authorization – also need required letters and /or documents listed below.

Optional Practical Training – In Addition to the Steps Above, OPT requirements are:

If you did not apply for a social security at the same time you were applying for OPT, follow the steps listed:

1. You cannot apply for a social security number until you receive your EAD card (EAD Form I-766 Employment Authorization) and cannot apply before the start date on the EAD card
2. Bring original EAD card along with application and documents listed when you go to the Social Security office.
3. For OPT, your I-20 must have the employment authorization on page 2.

Curricular Practical Training – In Addition to the Steps Above, CPT requirements are:

• For CPT employment, request a letter from ARC for the Social Security Office. ARC must receive a copy of the employment offer letter in order to write the letter for the Social Security office.
• For CPT, your I-20 must have the employment authorization on page 2, and it must be signed by your school’s designated official (DSO) on page 1.
• Do NOT make your social security appointment for more than 30 days before your CPT start date.

On-Campus Employment – In Addition to the Steps Above, On-Campus requirements are:

• For On-Campus employment, request a letter from ARC that is written and signed by a DSO.
• The letter will serve as a Verification letter and as a letter for the Social Security Office.
• The letter must include the following:
  • your current school status,
  • your new employer (company name and location),
  • your supervisor’s name, phone, and email,
  • your position title,
  • the work you will be doing, and
  • the number of hours you will be working.

Location of Closest Social Security Administration (SSA) Office

20439 Nordhoff St.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(at the cross streets of Nordhoff St. and Mason Ave.)
Open: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Closed on Federal Holidays)

Misc. Information from the Social Security Administration Website

• All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
• Photocopies or notarized copies of documents are not accepted.
• Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you.
• Assistance with Social Security: 1-800-772-1213