Employment (F-1)

International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and 40 per week during vacation breaks.  Visit the Career Center for more information on how to find a job on-campus.

Eligibility

• Must be in F-1 / J-1 status.
• Must be in good academic standing (including a minimum 2.0 GPA for undergraduates, 3.0 GPA for graduates).
• Must be currently enrolled and registered for classes.
• Must be verified by Employment Services.

NOTE: Students that do not have a Social Security Number should apply for a social security letter at the same time.

Students are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if the program requires employment.  CPT can be taken during summer or during the academic year but students must show how it is part of their academic program.  As a reminder, one year of full-time CPT cancels the opportunity for OPT.  

Eligibility

• Must be in F-1 status for at least 1 academic year of continuous enrollment, unless you are in a graduate level program.
• Employment must be part of the student’s academic program and be directly related to student's field of study.
• Must be enrolled in 12 units for undergraduates or 6 units for graduates, except during your last term before graduation or during the summer semester.
• Full-time CPT can only be taken in the summer term, without any other classes.
• Must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for undergraduates or 3.0 GPA for graduates.
• Must be authorized by the Center for International Studies and Programs.

Procedures

1. Review the CPT Info Session and complete the quiz in the presentation (below).
2. Obtain a letter from employer (on company letterhead) stating working hours per week, beginning and end dates, and a brief job description.
3. Must be enrolled in an internship class, identify as necessity in the university catalog/department handbook, or obtain a letter from an academic advisor stating how the position is required for a Master’s project, thesis, or independent study:
   1. The goals and objectives of the specific academic training program;
   2. A description of the academic training program, including its location, the name and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training;
   3. How the academic training relates to the student's major field of study; and
   4. Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the student.
4. Submit a service request for CPT, in which you will be asked to fill out a form.
5. The I-20 with CPT endorsement will be sent in 3-5 business days.

NOTE: Students that do not have a Social Security Number should apply for a social security letter at the same time.

Designed to provide F-1 students the opportunity to gain actual employment experience in a chosen profession for a maximum of one year (12 months) after graduation.  Visit the Career Center for to find jobs through GoinGlobal.

Optional Practical Training is designed to provide students the opportunity to gain actual employment experience in a chosen profession for a maximum of one year (12 months). The purpose of OPT is to 'round of' or complement your academic work. Students that have completed any optional practical training prior to completion of studies, or at the same academic level, will have this time deducted from the maximum of 12 months allowed. Less than 12 months of full-time curricular practical training does not deduct OPT time. You are required to participate in an OPT info session receiving the OPT I-20.

Eligibility

• Must be in F-1 status for at least 1 academic year of continuous full-time enrollment.
• Must be directly related to student's field of study.
• Must be processed between 90 days before graduation and 60 days after graduation, keeping in mind it takes 90 days to process and the last day to start working is 60 days after graduation.
• Only one OPT may be used at each degree level.
• 1 year of full-time CPT will cancel your OPT opportunity.
• Must attend the OPT Info Session (See below). 

Procedures

1. Review the eligibility requirements.
2. You must have filed the Graduation Requirement Check with the Office of Registrar.
3. Must attend the OPT Info Session.
4. Complete the OPT Assignment embedded in the Info Session slides.
5. Submit a request for a new I-20, in which you will be asked to fill out the form.
6. You will receive the updated OPT I-20 in 3-5 business days.
7. Complete the I-765 application for OPT through your USCIS account.

Deadline

OPT I-20 deadline: 30 days after the last day of classes, of your last term.

Note: you must keep your health insurance while on OPT

A 24-month period of additional work authorization, known as a STEM-OPT extension, is allowed for F-1 students who have a degree in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math that has been designated as eligible by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Below is a table of the STEM-OPT Extension Eligible majors and concentrations at CSUSB (as of 04/25/2024): 

Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Programs at CSUSB Eligible for STEM-OPT Extension: 

 Graduate (Master's) Programs at CSUSB Eligible for STEM-OPT Extension: 

For more information:

Study in The States: STEM OPT HUB​​​​​​

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application Guide

STEM OPT Info Session (See below)

A tool for F-1 students that are on OPT that allows students to meet their legal reporting requirements. You will have received the SEVP Portal email on your first day of OPT.  You will use it to update your contact and employment information.

Are you currently on OPT?

• Have you reported your employment?
• Do you have an I-20 with your current employer listed?
• Did you report your last day at your old job?
• Are you current with your health insurance?

When do I report?

Every six months from your OPT start date you will log into SEVP Portal and verify your contact information and employment information is up to date.  You will then email iss@csusb.edu and verify that your information is up to date, and you are turning in your 6 month report.  

Every year, or when you leave your current employment, you will turn in a Self-Evaluation signed off by your supervisor.

What if my supervisor won’t sign my I-983 evaluation form?

You can ask your boss or another person in charge of your employment to sign off on it.  Otherwise, let me know that your employer won’t follow through.  Either way, turn in your I-983 evaluation form so that you can show that you are following the rules.

What if I miss my report time?

A DSO can state that you reported within 46 days of your current report cycle.  Outside that time, the link is unavailable.

What do I do if I missed my report and it’s outside the 46 days?

The uncertainty surrounding the failure to report is one major reason why you should be diligent about their reporting dates (we recommend circling them on a calendar or setting a reminder for yourself). In the end, if you fail to report you must accept your mistake and hope that it does not cause future issues.

You may need to consult an immigration attorney for help should you find yourself in a unwanted situation.

An F-1 student who experience severe, unforeseen economic hardship may apply to USCIS for off- campus work authorization.

If you feel that you are experiencing a financial hardship, please make an appointment with the Elanor Perry, Immigration Specialist, to discuss what is best for you. Make Appointment Now.

If you need more assistance the CSU Basic Needs Initiative supports students' well-being and basic needs by providing access to:

• Immediate food assistance
• Financial assistance
• Short term emergency housing

Connecting students with additional resources and support on campus and in your community. Click here for Basic Needs.

Different options

• Employment due to Severe Economic Hardship 
• Non-Resident Fee waiver

Special Notes for Non-Resident Fee Waiver

Only a limited number of non-resident tuition fee waivers may be granted by the campus and only under the following conditions:

In accordance with Executive Order 1082 and the coded Memo AA2-2015-17, students applying for non-resident tuition waiver must submit the following documents:

Eligible matriculated non-resident undergraduate degree-seeking international students

must provide evidence of:

1. a demonstrable financial need and
2. exceptional scholastic ability and prior scholastic achievement; and
3. must enroll in at least 10 semester units each term.

Deadline

5 weeks before the beginning of the next quarter