F-1 Visa Employment Opportunities - Practical Training

Practical training is off-campus work authorization that permits an F-1 student to engage in employment related to his or her field of study.

Practical training may be authorized to an F-1 student when:

• The F-1 Visa Student is lawfully enrolled on a full time basis;

• In an approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary;

• For one full academic year.

An eligible student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to his or her major area of study. There are two types of practical training: curricular practical training and optional practical training.             

• Curricular Practical Training. 8 C.F.R. § 214.2 (f) (10) (i).

• An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum.
• The training must be either alternate work-study, an internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by a sponsoring employer through a cooperative agreement with the school.
• Generally, students may participate in an unlimited amount of curricular practical training.
• However, students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion academic training.
• Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training.

• Optional Practical Training. 8 C.F.R. § 214.2 (f) (10) (ii).

• A student may apply for twelve months of temporary optional practical training, which must be directly related to the student’s major area of study.
• Unlike curricular practical training, optional practical training can be authorized only through CIS based upon a recommendation from the school’s DSO.
• Students may take practical training during vacation periods, while school is in session, or after completion of all requirements for the degree.
• A student may become eligible for another twelve months of optional practical training if he or she changes to a higher education level.

  

Revised June 30, 2005.

“Good schools, like good societies and good families,

celebrate and cherish diversity.”

- Deborah Meier, educator.