Quick Reference Guide for Student Employment
- All international students must receive authorization for employment through International Advising. Review the employment categories below to find the specific steps you need to take for employment authorization before starting a new job.
- Every student must file taxes each year, even if you are not employed and do not earn any income while in the U.S.
- A Social Security Number (SSN) from the U.S. Social Security Administration is required for work in the U.S. Review the information below to learn how to register for your SSN.
Email International Advising
Employment for F-1 Visa Holders
On-Campus Employment
F-1 visa holders can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time (40 hours per week) over the summer. Students are eligible for student worker positions but not federally funded work-study positions.
Find and Apply for On-Campus Employment Opportunities
- Find a student worker position that you are interested in. Please note that “work-study” positions are federally funded and not open to international students.
- Apply online and interview directly with the department that has the job opening.
- Obtain a signed letter of intent to hire on department letterhead.
- When you have your employment offer letter, in iGlobal under Letter Requests, submit the Social Security Number Letter Request. On this e-form, you will upload your offer letter.
- Within a few days, the letter and detailed instructions will be emailed to you to apply for your card in person at the Social Security Administration in Omaha.
Off-Campus Employment
Working off-campus without official authorization is illegal. If you have an employment offer off-campus or on another university campus, email International Advising for approval before starting work.
Work Authorization for Unforeseen Economic Hardship
If you have maintained your F-1 status for one academic year and experienced unforeseen severe academic hardship, you can apply for economic hardship work authorization. You must have documented proof of a severe situation after receiving your F-1 visa.
Examples of unforeseen economic hardship include:
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment for reasons beyond your control.
- Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rates.
- Excessive increases in tuition or living costs.
- Unexpected changes with your primary source of financial support.
- Unforeseen medical expenses.
Email International Advising for additional details and to learn how to apply.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is an internship or practicum for undergraduate or graduate international students that is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT can be part-time during the school year or full-time during the summer.
Requirements
- Currently in F-1 status or another lawful visa status and a full-time student for at least one academic year.
- The CPT is recommended by your academic advisor and approved by an international student advisor. You must receive academic credit each semester for the training, which must be integral to your educational program.
- You can start working after your Form I-20 has been updated with the CPT authorization. Authorization for CPT is given per semester by an international student advisor, and extensions should be applied for at least two weeks before the expiration of the current authorization.
- CPT students working full-time for 12 months or more are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (see below).
To apply, download and fill out the Curricular Practical Training application.
Learn more about CPT Guidelines for IS&T Students.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) After Your Degree Program
Students who have completed all coursework and are working on a thesis, thesis equivalent, or dissertation may choose to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). You can apply for full-time; 12-month post-completion OPT once you have completed your course of study. The 12 months of OPT must be completed within 14 months of degree completion.
Additional Requirements
- You have completed your course of study, except for thesis, thesis equivalent, or dissertation.
- Must be in F-1 status at the time of application and throughout OPT.
- Must have been enrolled full-time for two or more consecutive academic semesters.
How to Apply
- View the OPT Informational Presentation and attend an information session to learn more. Information sessions are provided three times each semester.
- Apply for OPT before completing your studies or during the 60-day grace period following graduation. Plan to apply at least 90 days before beginning work. OPT applications can be submitted to USCIS no earlier than 90 days before graduation. Processing times vary.
- Request a Form I-20 recommending you for OPT from International Advising by submitting the OPT request form.
- After receiving Form I-20 from UNO, file Form I-765 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Before you begin working for OPT, you will need an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which will be mailed to you after you have completed Form I-765. The government will not forward your OPT EAD card to a new address. You may start working on the start date on the OPT EAD card.
After you begin OPT, report your employment using the SEVP Portal within 10 days of any employment change. You may not be unemployed for more than 90 days while on OPT.
You can find more information about the application process through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Extensions for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) Students
If you received a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, you may apply for a one-time 24-month extension of OPT.
Requirements
- Students must currently be in post-completion OPT to apply for the extension.
- Employers must be enrolled in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program.
- Applications must be received at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the expiration date on the OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and may be submitted up to 90 days before the post-completion OPT end date.
- Applicants who file on time, before the expiration date on the OPT EAD card, may continue to work after the expiration date for up to 180 days while the extension request is pending.
How to Apply
- View the STEM OPT Informational Presentation and attend an information session. Information sessions are provided three times each semester.
- Request a Form I-20 recommending you for STEM OPT by completing and uploading Form I-983 in iGlobal.
- After receiving your Form I-20, file Form I-765 with USCIS.
Employment for J-1 Visa Holders
Work with Prior Approval
J-1 visa holders can work on or off-campus with approval* from the Responsible Officer (RO) or the Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO). The RO and ARO are school, or program officials authorized to access your information in SEVIS, the Student Exchange and Visitors System. If you hold Form DS-2019 issued by UNO, the RO and ARO are UNO international advisors. If another institution issued your Form DS-2019, your international advisor can help you reach the RO who works with your specific program.
Requirements
- The RO or ARO must approve employment before you begin working.
- The RO or ARO must indicate if the work is on- or off-campus. This includes paid or unpaid jobs or internships.
- Work must be reported to SEVIS and can be documented for only 12 months at a time.
- The name and address of the employer must be recorded, even for on-campus employment, as well as the number of hours per week and start and end dates.
J-1 Academic Training (AT)
Requirements
- Your primary purpose in the U.S. must be study, not academic training.
- You must be in good academic standing.
- The employment must be directly related to your field of study.
- You must maintain J-1 status during the training and apply for extensions, as necessary.
- You must maintain health insurance for yourself and J-2 dependents during training.
- AT can only be authorized for "the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time ... is approved by (both) the academic dean or advisor and ... the responsible officer." It cannot go beyond "the period of the full course of study," or 18 months, whichever is shorter. Doctoral students may take up to 36 months of academic training if it is required for the degree.
- Part-time training counts against the total time allowed for full-time training.
- AT following completion of study must be paid employment. Any prior training periods from previous degrees will be counted against the total possible time granted.
You can apply for AT before and after you complete a study program. This allows you to work part-time while school is in session and full-time during vacation.
How to Apply
- Before the expiration date on your Form DS-2019, provide a copy of the employment offer from your prospective employer to the RO or ARO for your J-1 program at UNO.
- Submit a letter of recommendation to the RO or ARO from your academic advisor. It should include:
- The objectives of your training program.
- A description of the training program, including location, name, and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and training dates.
- How the training relates to your field of study.
- Why it is an integral part of your academic program.
- Verification that you have adequate funds to support yourself during the training period. If you plan to use your salary to support yourself, salary information should be included in the letter from your prospective employer.
In some cases, internships for credit with or without pay must be documented as "Academic Training" and receive prior approval from RO.
For more information, please make an appointment with International Advising.
Applying for Your Social Security Number (SSN)
Follow these steps to apply for a Social Security number:
- If you are a new student, attend international student orientation and complete the check-in process in iGlobal for validation in SEVIS.
- If you have an employment offer letter, in iGlobal under Letter Requests, submit the Social Security Number Letter Request. On this e-form, you will upload your offer letter.
- Within a few days, the letter and detailed instructions will be emailed to you to apply for your card in person at the Social Security Administration in Omaha.
Employment and F-2, J-2 Dependents
F-1 Dependents
F-2 visa holders cannot work in the U.S. but may study at UNO or ILUNO on a part-time* basis. UNO defines part-time study as the following:
- ILUNO – Less than 18 hours per session.
- Undergraduate – Up to nine (9) credit hours per semester
- Graduate – Up to six (6) credit hours per semester
*F-2 dependents seeking full-time study can apply for F-1 status. The change of status application must be approved before enrolling full-time at UNO.
J-1 Dependents
J-2 visa holders can work in the U.S. with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Money earned through working in the U.S. cannot be used to support the J-1 visa holder associated with your visa.