| Employment
The main purpose of the F-1 visa is to allow a nonimmigrant to be educated in the United States. Education is the main purpose of this arrangement, not employment. Students should be prepared to focus entirely on their academic work and progress towards graduation. Employment is for practical training in the student's field of study. The student must have been in the educational program for at least 9 months (two semesters), is in good academic standing, and the training is part of an established curriculum. The time period spent in an ESL program is not part of the eligibility timeframe for practical training.
Severe
Economic Hardship
Paper Application (PDF form)
8 C.F.R. § 214.2 (f) (9) (ii)(F) states: If other employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, an eligible F-1 student may request off-campus employment work authorization based upon severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. These circumstances may include loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
In order to apply, you will need to file an I-765 and supporting documentation. You may file your application online. For more information, please contact the International Student Office.
To file online go
to https://egov.immigration.gov/ins_efile/InteractionMgr?interactionmgr.interaction=Select_I765
Curricular
Practical Training
CPT Work Authorization (PDF
form)
All international students will be required to enroll in one of the Cooperative Education courses required by the academic department concurrently to working off campus. Since off campus employment will be supervised through the Curricular Practical Training program, students will have to report to the International Student Office every semester to renew their participation in CPT.
International students will be strongly advised to enroll in the Career Strategies (SS124) prior to the Cooperative Education course in order to prepare the students for their experience in the Cooperative Education courses.
Students will work with their academic program directors to satisfy the program's requisites. The appropriate job is one directly related (8 C.F.R. 214.2 (f)(9)(i) and (ii)) to the student's major and course of study and one that will represent a hands on experience opportunity. The International Student Office Coordinator will monitor the student's proposed jobs to ensure the jobs are viable and in accordance to the student's academic program. The Coordinator will consult as needed with the academic program directors to guarantee the jobs fulfill all the requisites established by the academic program.
CPT Checklist
An International Student in F-1 status, may be authorized to participate in a curricular practical training program which is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined as alternate work/study, internship, or cooperative education.
Eligibility:
1. Student must have been enrolled in full-time in the major for two semesters before being eligible for CPT.
2. Available only while student is in F-1 status and before completion of the educational objective.
3. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Conditions:
 Can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time. Full-time employment is only available during the student’s vacation or when school is not in session.
Process:
Work authorization is processed on page 3 of your I-20 by the LDS Business College International Student Office. THIS MUST BE DONE BEFORE WORK BEGINS, OR YOU WILL BE OUT OF STATUS.
Procedures for applying for Curricular Practical Training:
What the student must
do:
1. Go to the Registrar’s Office to request status clearance for CPT Work Authorization.
2. Students will be notified via email that his/her request has been approved. Students should call Bonnie Stevens at 524-8175 to schedule an appointment to receive the CPT packet and instructions.
3. Students may not begin working until the above process has been completed and a new I-20 has been issued with work authorization.
4. Students must renew their CPT Work Authorization at the beginning of each semester.
5. Students must enroll in a Co-op Education Class each semester they have CPT Work Authorization. Failure to enroll in the Co-op class will result in the loss of CPT authorization.
Optional
Practical Training
Student should visit the International Student Office to determine eligibility for OPT. Following are general eligibility requirements.
Post-completion OPT
Students are eligible to request OPT Work Authorization during the last semester of their education. The process takes approximately 3 months to complete and costs $180. Students who begin the process at the beginning of their last semester will most likely be eligible to begin working as soon as school is completed. This is good for those students who are already employed through CPT, as it will not interrupt their current working situation.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is available as a continuance of the student's learning experience. The temporary employment authorization will be granted for "practical training directly related to the
student's major area of study." Post-completion Optional Practical Training has to be completed within 14 months of the completion of course of study.
Students must apply for OPT prior to graduation. During the final semester of study, the student must apply and be approved for graduation. For the student to receive one full year of OPT, he/she must visit the Career Services Center 90 days prior to graduation. Students who submit late OPT applications could receive employment authorization for less than a year. This time period-for OPT-is determined by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), formerly known as the INS. The application process takes approximately 3 months to complete.
To Request OPT Work Authorization:
Students must apply and be approved for graduation pending successful completion of remaining courses.
- Students will be notified via email that their request has been approved. Students should call Bonnie Stevens at 524-8175 to schedule an appointment and receive e-filing instructions.
- Students need to show the Employment Authorization Document card once it has been received.
- Students who complete the process and receive their Employment Authorization
- Document card, but do not successfully complete their degree requirements, will be able to work part-time and return to school to complete the course work.
The Salt Lake Application
Support Center is located at:
Suite
C
5536 South 1900 West Street
Taylorsville, UT 84118
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed: Sunday, Monday and all Federal holidays
If you have not received a
response after 90 days, please visit the SLC District Office. The SLC
District Office is located at:
5272 South
College Drive, #100
Murray, UT 84123
Self-Employment
Activities such as babysitting, door-to-door sales, playing in a band, selling handicrafts or artwork, etc. are considered self-employment. The law prohibits self-employment. Engaging in these activities as well as similar activities is considered unauthorized employment and constitutes a status violation.
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