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Office for International Students and Scholars :: Work in the U.S.

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Work in the U.S.

Working in the U.S. is an excellent way to apply your coursework to real-life situations, learn more about your career options after graduation, and even decide on a major. Whether you are considering employment during your time at MSU or afterward, it is important to partner with both the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS), as well as the Career Services Network (CSN) at MSU. OISS can explain your work authorization options and assist you with the proper documentation in many instances and the CSN offers programs and resources to help you build your resume writing and job interviewing skills.


U.S. immigration law allows F-1 students to work on-campus and off-campus with work authorization. There are specific rules for each employment type that all students must know. Failure to follow these rules will result in the termination of your F-1 status. 

On-Campus Employment

Overview

 

Per the U.S. government regulations, international students with F-1 visa are eligible to work on-campus while maintaining their F-1 visa status at Michigan State University (MSU). On-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session.
A school is considered in-session during the fall/spring semesters AND during the student’s first or final semester.  MSU is considered in session starting the week in which classes begin as listed on the MSU academic calendar. MSU’s work week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday of each week.

An F-1 student is eligible to work on-campus more than 20 hours when MSU is not in session and during an annual vacation. MSU is not in session starting the week after final exams as listed on the MSU academic calendar.
An annual vacation is taken during the summer semester and it is intended for students who completed full-time enrollment prior to summer and will continue full-time enrollment in their program of study after the end of summer.

Students and employers must review the MSU academic calendar and MSU Payroll Schedule to determine the periods in which F-1 students become eligible to work more than 20 hours per week.  

Find a Job on Campus

Learn more about how to apply for on-campus job opportunities on the Career Services Network website.

Curricular Practical Training

Overview

  • Temporary employment authorization directly related to an F-1 student’s major listed on the I-20 and granted by a Designated School Official at the Office for International Students and Scholars.
  • Available only before completion of the program.
  • During the semester, CPT is typically approved for part-time employment. 
  • During semester breaks, CPT may be approved for either part-time or full-time employment.

Eligibility

For details on CPT requirements and eligibility, see the CPT packet.


Apply for CPT

Music students applying for short-term gigs:

Graduate Students in the College of Engineering:

All other students:

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary practical training authorization that is directly related to the F-1 student’s major of study as listed on the student’s I-20. OPT employment authorization is granted for 12 months typically after completion of degree requirements. OPT is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 


OPT Guide: Eligibility and Application

The above guide covers:

  • Eligibility

  • Application timeline

  • OPT start date

  • How to apply 

  • Completing the OISS OPT D2L course

  • Travel while OPT pending 

  • And more! 


OPT Guide: Approval and Reporting 

The above guide covers:

  • Maintaining status while on OPT

  • Reporting requirements while on OPT 

  • The SEVP portal 

  • Travel while on OPT 

  • And more! 


View the OISS webinar on the USCIS Online OPT Application. 

If you have additional questions about OPT, contact your OISS advisor

STEM OPT Extension

F-1 students who are currently on a period of Post-Completion OPT, with degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM), may be eligible for a 24-month extension of employment. See the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program List.


STEM OPT Guide: Eligibility and Application

The above guide covers:

  • Eligibility

  • Employment requirements

  • Application process

  • Travel while STEM OPT pending 

  • And more! 


STEM OPT Guide: Approval and Reporting 

The above guide covers:

  • Maintaining status while on STEM OPT

  • Reporting requirements while on STEM OPT (MyOISS)

  • Travel while on STEM OPT 

  • And more! 


If you have additional questions about STEM OPT, contact your OISS advisor

Cap-Gap OPT Extension While H-1B is Pending

Overview

Current regulations allow certain students with pending or approved H-1B petitions to remain in F-1 status during the Cap-Gap period. This is referred to as filling the "Cap-Gap", meaning the regulations provide a way of filling the "gap" between the end of F-1 status and the beginning of H-1B status that might otherwise occur, if F-1 status is not extended for qualifying students.

Eligibility 

You are eligible for the cap-gap extension, if both:

  • Your employer files an H-1B petition for you on or after April 1 and requests a change of status to H-1B to begin on October 1. 
  • Your are still within your OPT authorization period or 60-day grace period following the expiration date of OPT when your employer submits the H-1B petition on your behalf. 

Eligibility for Extension of F-1 Status and Employment Authorization

If your OPT authorization is unexpired when your employer submits your H-1B petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), then your OPT authorization is extended. You can continue working in F-1 status through the extension date.

Eligibility for Extension of F-1 Status but without Employment Authorization 

If your OPT authorization is expired, but you are in your 60-day grace period when your employer submits your H-1B petition to USCIS, your F-1 status is extended, but not your work authorization. You cannot work, but you can remain in the U.S. through the extension date.

Get an Updated I-20 Showing Cap-Gap Extension

To request a Cap-Gap Extension I-20, you must submit the Cap-Gap Extension I-20 Request Form and required documents to OISS after May 9. See the Cap-Gap Extension I-20 Request Form for required documents. 


 

Other Employment-Based Immigration Categories


If you will not work for MSU, OISS cannot advise you on immigration categories such as H-1B, L-1, or Permanent Residency.

To get more information about other employment-based immigration categories: