Summary of Employment Options

Off Campus Employment

To work off campus, all F-1 international students must have work authorization listed on their I-20 form and in many cases the work authorization must be authorized by the US government as well. Failure to receive correct authorization can have significant impact on F-1 status.

Curricular Practical Training

Allows eligible F‑1 students to engage in professional, temporary employment such as internships, co-ops, or practicums before completing their degree, as long as the training is required or integral to the curriculum and directly related to the student’s major. You must have a job offer to apply.

CPT must fulfill a curricular requirement, which means:

• It must be tied to a credit‑bearing course.
• The course must be required for the degree or at least fulfill a required elective within the major.
• The student must enroll in that course during the same term they are doing CPT.

Pre Completion Optional Practical Training

Pre completion OPT allows F-1 students to work in a job directly related to their major during their academic program before completing their degree. Students can submit application to USCIS up to 90 days before they wish to start work. It is an option when employment does not qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). You do not need a job offer to apply.

• Work Hours: Part-time (up to 20 hours/week) during Fall/Spring semesters; full-time during academic breaks (e.g., summer or winter).
• Enrollment: Must maintain full-time enrollment during Fall/Spring semesters.
• Impact on Post-Completion OPT: Part-time Pre-Completion OPT deducts from Post-Completion OPT at half the rate (e.g., 12 months part-time = 6 months deduction). Full-time Pre-Completion OPT deducts at the full rate.

Post Completion Optional Practical Training

Allows F‑1 students to engage in temporary professional work directly related to their major field of study. It is not part of the academic curriculum (unlike CPT). You do not need a job offer to apply.

• Begins after completion of degree requirements.
• Work must be full‑time (more than 20 hours/week).
• Students must have a valid EAD card before starting employment.

Special case — Graduate students with thesis/dissertation:
Graduate students who have finished coursework may begin post‑completion OPT early, even before officially graduating. 

US Citizenship & Immigration Services processing can take 3–5 months. Students should plan ahead and apply early. Your I-20 will be shortened to the semester you complete your degree.

Economic Hardship

For students with unforeseen financial crises outside their control. Requires ISS I-20 recommendation and then subsequent government application for employment authorization document to be approved. Employment is limited to less than 20 hrs/week during semesters but can be full‑time during official breaks.

Eligibility requires: 

• Two semesters in F‑1 status
• Academic good standing (2.0+ GPA)
• Maintenance of full enrollment
• Proof that on‑campus jobs are unavailable or inadequate
• Documentation of unexpected financial hardship

International Organization

International Organization (IO) employment is a special type of off‑campus work authorization that allows F‑1 students to work for certain recognized international organizations under the International Organization Immunities Act (e.g., United Nations, World Bank, IMF, OAS)

Employment vs Volunteer

F‑1 students may volunteer without work authorization, but only if the activity qualifies as a true volunteer role under federal labor definitions.

A position is a true volunteer role if:

• It is normally unpaid in U.S. labor markets.
• There is no compensation, financial benefit, or expectation of future payment.
• It is typically considered charitable service (e.g., food bank helper, community event volunteer).

A position is considered employment, even if unpaid, if:

• The role is normally paid, even if the student personally is unpaid.
• The student performs duties that replace or resemble a paid employee.
• There is any benefit in exchange for service (including academic credit*—which then may trigger CPT).

If an unpaid position is normally paid or provides any compensation/benefit, it is considered employment and requires CPT, OPT, or another F‑1 authorization.

If you will volunteer at the University of Kansas, please become familiar with the HR Volunteer Policy.