4 answers
Emilio
Student
Lubbock, Texas
1
Question
Updated
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How can I get an internship being an f1 student?
I have an f-1 student visa
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4 answers
Esha Choukse
Senior Researcher at Microsoft
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Esha’s Answer
Hi Emilio!
I used to be an F1 student in grad school. Getting an internship on F1 is only a little more complicated. Here are the steps:
1. Find a company that is okay with taking in F1 students from your country as interns. I add this step because certain companies have export license requirements for working on US patented technologies. Getting this export license can take time depending on your nationality.
2. Interview, and get an offer! The company might do a background check before they give you an offer.
3. Based on the offer, apply for CPT or OPT with your university's International student office. Note that the CPT time is generally 12 months per degree program. So, use this time judiciously for your internships over the years. OPT is something you can use before/after the degree. It is 12 months for non-STEM fields, and 3 years for STEM degrees. If you spill out of CPT into OPT for your internship, be sure to keep enough OPT aside for after the degree, until you get on to a valid H1B petition.
4. Once you complete the CPT/OPT application, you will get an updated I-20. Keep ALL your original I-20s safe with you.
5. Upon joining the internship, you will have to get an I-9 on day 1 at the company.
That's it! Good luck with your internship search!
I used to be an F1 student in grad school. Getting an internship on F1 is only a little more complicated. Here are the steps:
1. Find a company that is okay with taking in F1 students from your country as interns. I add this step because certain companies have export license requirements for working on US patented technologies. Getting this export license can take time depending on your nationality.
2. Interview, and get an offer! The company might do a background check before they give you an offer.
3. Based on the offer, apply for CPT or OPT with your university's International student office. Note that the CPT time is generally 12 months per degree program. So, use this time judiciously for your internships over the years. OPT is something you can use before/after the degree. It is 12 months for non-STEM fields, and 3 years for STEM degrees. If you spill out of CPT into OPT for your internship, be sure to keep enough OPT aside for after the degree, until you get on to a valid H1B petition.
4. Once you complete the CPT/OPT application, you will get an updated I-20. Keep ALL your original I-20s safe with you.
5. Upon joining the internship, you will have to get an I-9 on day 1 at the company.
That's it! Good luck with your internship search!
Karo G
Sr. Director, Human Resources
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Karo’s Answer
Hi Emilio,
I have employed many students on similar visa and as long as the proper paperwork is available it isn’t much different for the company to employ you over a non-visa holding candidate. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing the internship opportunities you desire. Best of luck!
I have employed many students on similar visa and as long as the proper paperwork is available it isn’t much different for the company to employ you over a non-visa holding candidate. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing the internship opportunities you desire. Best of luck!
Allyson Gonzalez
Associate Director at AT&T
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Allyson’s Answer
Hi Emilio:
With the CPT or OPT (as Lally explained above), you are eligible to work. But you have to have an offer and information about the position to submit to your university to obtain the Curricular Practical Training (available while you are in school) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) for after you have graduated. OPT is valid for 12 months for non-STEM degrees; for STEM degrees you can request a 24-month extension). You have to apply for the OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and have that in hand to be eligible to work. Also, the job you work in has to be related to your degree.
With the CPT or OPT (as Lally explained above), you are eligible to work. But you have to have an offer and information about the position to submit to your university to obtain the Curricular Practical Training (available while you are in school) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) for after you have graduated. OPT is valid for 12 months for non-STEM degrees; for STEM degrees you can request a 24-month extension). You have to apply for the OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and have that in hand to be eligible to work. Also, the job you work in has to be related to your degree.
Gurpreet Lally
CareerVillage.org TeamSr. Community Manager at CareerVillage
79
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Gurpreet’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hey Emilio, I am not a specialist in this field but I did do some research that might help answer your questions. Those who have F1 visas (like you!) are eligible to work if it's either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or and Optional Curricular Practical Training (OPT). Both of these are more geared towards college students
CPT is done before graduation and must be part of your school curriculum. For instance, if your major requires you to complete an internship, you can apply for CPT. OPT is optional work that is related to your field and usually occurs after graduation. Both of these require an application that have different processing times + need permission from specific people so be mindful of that.
There are special circumstance that they will waive these restrictions (ex: financial hardships).
These links may be helpful:
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment
https://registrar.washington.edu/lessons/cpt-vs-opt/
CPT is done before graduation and must be part of your school curriculum. For instance, if your major requires you to complete an internship, you can apply for CPT. OPT is optional work that is related to your field and usually occurs after graduation. Both of these require an application that have different processing times + need permission from specific people so be mindful of that.
There are special circumstance that they will waive these restrictions (ex: financial hardships).
These links may be helpful:
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment
https://registrar.washington.edu/lessons/cpt-vs-opt/