http://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training
Few Things:
You can work on CPT either full-time or part-time.
On OPT While school is in session, you may only work 20 hours per week.
Practical Training
If you are an F student, you have the option of working in the United States by engaging in practical training during your program or after it ends. Practical training can provide valuable work experience by sharpening and adding to the skills you are learning in school. There are two types of practical training available for F-1 students:
curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT).
CPT
CPT must relate to your major and the experience must be part of your program of study.
When you enroll at the graduate level, your designated school official (DSO) may authorize CPT during your first semester if your program requires this type of experience. Ask your DSO for details.
Your DSO will provide you a new Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” that shows that the DSO has approved you for this employment.
You can work on CPT either full-time or part-time.
CPT requires a signed cooperative agreement or a letter from your employer.
If you have 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you are ineligible for OPT, but part-time CPT is fine and will not stop you from doing OPT.
OPT
OPT must relate to your major or course of study.
You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor’s level and another 12 months of OPT at the master’s level).
Your DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for this employment.
You must apply for work authorization by electronically filing a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and paying a filing fee. USCIS will send you a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” (EAD) upon approving your Form I-765.
Wait to start work until after you receive your EAD.
While school is in session, you may only work 20 hours per week.
Hours an F-1 student may work for off-campus employment| | Number of hours |
|---|
| While school is in session | 20 hours per week or fewer |
| During the F-1 student’s annual break | Full-time |
| When school is not in session | Full-time (if the F-1 student plans to enroll full-time in the next session) |
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/employment#_1_2
Exceptions of 20 hours limitations
Another name for emergent circumstances is special student relief. When a world event impacts a group of nonimmigrants, the Secretary of DHS (the Secretary) may publish a special notice in the Federal Register and grant special student relief. The notice will give details on who is in the group and the eligibility requirements. The Secretary can waive any restrictions on F-1 student employment.
What are the guidelines for off-campus employment of F-1 students based on severe economic hardship?
USCIS makes case-by-case decisions for off-campus employment for students who can show that new, unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created severe economic hardship. These may include the following:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment (if the student is not at fault)
- Large increases in tuition or living costs
- Substantial decrease in the relative value of currency the student depends upon to pay expenses
- Unexpected changes in the financial conditions for a student's sources of financial support
- Unexpectedly large medical bills not covered by insurance
- Other substantial, unexpected expenses
An F-1 student must have remained enrolled for at least one academic year, in status and in good academic standing before USCIS will authorize off-campus employment.
The F-1 student must be unable to get on-campus employment, or the pay from available on-campus employment must be insufficient to meet financial needs.
For each request approval, you must provide the F-1 student with a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," endorsed to that effect.
The F-1 student must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and pay a fee to USCIS. The student should file within 30 days of the day you endorse the Form I-20. If USCIS approves the application, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document," (EAD) from USCIS and can begin working.
Approval for off-campus employment is good for one year. If the F-1 student needs to continue working off-campus, the student must re-apply
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