F-1 Students

Students in F-1 status are permitted to work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time during breaks. Very limited off-campus employment is permitted with prior approval by JMU's Designated School Official and, in some cases, by the USCIS. Any non-approved off-campus employment renders a student "out of status" for immigration purposes and will jeopardize any future stay in the U.S. The limited off-campus possibilities are described below.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

If your program of study requires you to complete an internship, you may accept employment and receive pay. However, you MUST receive approval from the DSO prior to beginning the employment, and it must be registered into SEVIS. The employment/internship may be either part-time or full-time, but you should be aware that if it is a full-time position lasting for one year, it will eliminate your ability to receive Optional Practical Training following graduation. If you wish to apply for CPT, complete the Curricular Practical Training Form (found here), which must be authorized by your Department and brought to ISSS prior to beginning employment.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Changes were announced to the OPT rules on April 8, 2008, which affect the length of time an F-1 student can be in OPT, and also affect the reporting requirements for the same group.

OPT is designed to provide the international student with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in his/her chosen profession for a maximum of one year. You may choose to take this one year in shorter increments during summer vacations, or wait and take the full year after graduation. The employment you accept must be related to your major field of study. You must obtain authorization by the USCIS prior to accepting employment under OPT.

If you wish to apply for OPT, you are strongly urged to attend the OPT session which will be presented by ISSS staff approximately 4 months prior to graduation each semester. At that session you will receive the OPT Checklist (found here), the Verification of Graduation Form (found here) which must be completed by your Department, and all other forms and information necessary to complete the application.

Employment based on severe economic necessity

For a very limited number of students, employment authorization may be obtained based on severe economic need. To qualify for this employment, you must have been in F-1 status for at least one school year and you must be able to document that you are facing unexpected extreme economic hardship that was not present when you entered school. You must obtain approval by the USCIS prior to accepting employment under this provision.