King College > Current Students > International Students > Employment

International Student Employment

Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is off-campus employment related to your area of study.  You do not need the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service to approve CPT. However, CPT must be approved in SEVIS by a DSO (Designated School Official). It is date/place/employer specific. To be eligible, you must have been in lawful status for one academic year, unless immediately required by your program of study.

CPT must be a requirement of your degree and/or you must be earning credit for the training. You must have a written job offer indicating job title, hours, location, and dates of employment. Below is a form that you, your professor/advisor, and your employer must sign before your CPT may be approved. For more details, please meet with the International Student Advisor (my email).

CPT Request Form (link to “form-CPTrequest”)

You may only work 20/week while school is in session; full-time during holidays and vacations. CPT is limited to 12 months. If you work full-time for 12 months you will become ineligible for OPT.

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is off-campus employment related to your area of study. Generally, students use OPT as work experience after graduation, although you may begin OPT earlier. To be eligible, you must have been in lawful status for one academic year.

Please meet with the International Student Advisor to discuss your application and to request authorization in SEVIS. Before beginning OPT, you must be authorized by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service. A job offer is not required.

To apply you will need to have the following:

1. Transcripts or academic record
2. Passport, I-20, and a copy (both sides) of your I-94
3. Supporting documents evidencing the economic hardship
4. Form I-765 (“I-756.pdf”) with fees; Download Information Sheet
5. Two full-face (passport style) color photos

The International Student Services Office will check your documents and send your package to the USCIS Service Office.

If approved, you will be sent an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Form I-766. It is best that you begin your new job before leaving the country. You may have trouble re-entering if you leave without having secured a job.

OPT is limited to 12 months within the 14-month period following graduation. Employment must be within your course of study. You may only work 20/week while school is in session; full-time during holidays and vacations. OPT must be full-time after graduation. OPT will be terminated by transferring to another school or by beginning another educational level.

Economic Hardship

You may apply to work off campus due to economic hardship. Circumstances that cause economic hardship must be beyond the student’s control such as death of a sponsor, fluctuations in home currency, or natural disaster. To be eligible you must have been enrolled in this school for one academic year. You may only work 20/week while school is in session; full-time during holidays and vacations. If the economic hardship is too severe, you many need to explore other options.

To apply you will need to have the following:

1. Transcripts or academic record
2. Passport, I-20, and a copy of your I-94
3. Supporting documents evidencing the economic hardship
4. Form I-765 (“I-756.pdf”) with fees
5. Two full-face (passport style) color photos

For more information see the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service’s Information Sheet.

The International Student Services Office will check your documents and send your package to the USCIS Service Office.

Additional Resources for International Students:

Important Student Forms >>

Student Employment >>

Helpful Links >>

NOTE: The ISS Office will only provide immigration advice to King College departments, partners, and students. Individuals or entities not affiliated with King College should direct their inquiries to an immigration attorney.