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On-campus employment is defined as employment that occurs on the premises of ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù, including “employment pursuant to the terms of a scholarship.”

To be eligible for on-campus employment you must be enrolled in a full course of study and remain enrolled full-time. Students may work “on campus” up to 20 hours per week (each week) when school is in session, and full-time (more than 20 hours a week) during holiday and vacation periods. A new F-1 student who has been issued an initial form I-20 may work up to, but no more, than 30 days prior to the commencement of classes.

All international students must follow a few key steps before starting an on-campus job:

1. Find a job on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate.
2. Register for a full course of study (12 credits or more each semester).
3. Get hire letter signed by ISS work for authorization, if required to obtain SSN:
   1. This form must be printed on your hiring department's letterhead. You may the bring it to ISS to be signed during walk-in hours.
4. Complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. (all international student must complete their I-9 with HR by scheduling and appointment with hr@curry.edu)
5. Apply for a Social Security Number, if you don’t have one.
6. Understand the and research tax treaty benefits available to you.

If you are enrolled in a class for academic credit that requires internship hours or, if your program requires a clinical placement for degree completion or you may require Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization. Regulations require the CPT activity be integral to your program of study and directly related to your major field of studies.

CPT authorization is required for any curricular placement or for-credit internship, whether paid or unpaid, including:

• An internship or clinical that is required for degree completion.
• An internship required for a course offered in the ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù course catalog for which a student will earn academic credit.

CPT Eligibility

If your internship qualifies for CPT, you will become eligible to apply after you have been enrolled on a full-time basis in a degree program for one full academic year and are currently in F-1 status.

Exception: Graduate students in F-1 status are exempt from the one full academic year requirement only if their graduate program requires immediate participation in an internship.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you fall out of legal F-1 status and then regain status by reentering the U.S. with a Form I-20 issued for “Initial Attendance,” your eligibility clock starts over at the time you reenter and start your new F-1 status. This means that after your return to the U.S. with a new I-20, you will have to finish one full year (two semesters) of study before you become eligible for CPT. Any time previously spent in F-1 status will not count toward eligibility.

An application to change immigration status to the F-1 classification from within the U.S. may also affect eligibility for CPT. Students should discuss eligibility with ISS if considering CPT within the first two full semesters after changing to F-1.

Part-Time or Full-Time CPT

CPT can be authorized during an academic semester or during the summer but must be specified as either part-time or full-time.

There is no regulatory limit to CPT. The overall amount of CPT that will be authorized is defined by what is required or permitted under your degree program. However, if you are authorized for a total of 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training. Periods of part-time CPT authorization do not affect OPT eligibility.

Part-Time CPT Authorization

If your internship or curricular placement requires 20 hours (or fewer) of work per week, you will be authorized for part-time CPT. You must maintain a full-time credit load if you engage in part-time CPT during the Fall or Spring Semester.

Full-Time CPT Authorization

If your internship or curricular placement requires more than 20 hours of work per week, you will need full-time CPT authorization. If you are engaged in full-time CPT during the Fall or Spring semester. You are only eligible to have Full time CPT authorization if it is your final semester and you have an approved Reduced Course Load.

How to Request CPT Authorization

In order to request CPT authorization, you will need to follow the following steps in order:

1. Check with your academic advisor to make sure the curriculum for your program of study requires or includes academic internships.
2. Secure an official job offer or placement for the internship or practicum.
   1. This offer letter must have the following on company letterhead:
      1. Start date AND End date
      2. Number of hours per week
      3. State if the internship or placement is Paid or Unpaid
3. Register for the relevant internship course in the same semester that you will participate in the experience.
4. Log into the  and submit the CPT request form.

You cannot begin your internship or your placement until AFTER you have received your new I-20 with your CPT authorization. You should always plan to request CPT authorization at least a few weeks before you wish to begin your internship. CPT is authorized by ISS for a specific employer, location, hours and dates. If there is a change of employer, job location, or dates of employment, you must reapply for CPT. Working or participating in your internship or placement before you receive your official CPT authorization or outside of the specific CPT approval dates on your new I-20 is a serious violation of F-1 status that will require immediate termination of your F-1 SEVIS record and of your F-1 student status.

Your F-1 student status allows up to one full-year (12 months) of off-campus employment authorization for each higher level of college/university education completed, in order to gain practical experience related to your major field of study. This year of U.S. work permission is called Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Students in certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) majors, may qualify for a 24-month extension of OPT. Eligibility for a STEM OPT, as well as the application process, and the requirements for STEM OPT employment, are different than those outlined below for OPT.

OPT Eligibility

As an F-1 student you are eligible for up to 12 months of OPT authorization for each academic level. You can choose to start using your OPT time after you have been enrolled for one full academic year, but many students choose to save your OPT year for after graduation.

You may earn a new year of OPT eligibility if you move to a higher level of education in the U.S. (for instance, from a Bachelor’s to a Master’s degree), but not if you move to a new program at the same or lower level.

You may be eligible to apply for OPT if:

• You hold valid F-1 status
• You have been lawfully enrolled as a full-time college/university student for at least one full academic year (two full semesters)
• You are in good academic standing with ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù

You may NOT qualify to apply for OPT if:

• You were previously authorized for 12 months of more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT); part-time CPT does not affect your eligibility for OPT
• You have previously received OPT authorization for the same or higher educational level
• If you are on a leave of absence or suspension from ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù
• You have had violation or break in F-1 status in the past academic year, and have restarted your F-1 status by travel with a new “initial” I-20

Keep in mind that ISS will review your academic record and your immigration history to evaluate whether we can recommend you for a period of OPT. The final decision on whether to approve your case is made by USCIS.

Pre-Completion

You can apply to begin using your OPT time once you have been enrolled for one full academic year (two full semesters), and while you are still completing your program of study. Pre-completion OPT is available part-time only during semesters of required study, but you can choose either part-time or full-time during summer vacation periods or if you are in the thesis or dissertation stage of a graduate degree.

What employment is permitted under Pre-Completion OPT?

Pre-completion OPT (OPT that is done prior to program completion), can be authorized either part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (21 hours or more per week). Whether you are granted part-time or full-time authorization depends on the request you submitted on your OPT application and is reflected on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).  Pre-completion OPT can be paid or unpaid training directly related to your major field of study. You may work for multiple employers (including short-term gigs, self-employment, contract work, or work for hire) as long as your cumulative number of hours is within your authorized limit.

Under pre-completion OPT, there is no limit on unemployment time. If you do not find a job during your period of authorization, you will use up the amount of OPT eligibility for which you were authorized, but you are not required to report your OPT employer information.

Post-Completion

You may wish to save all or most of your 12 months of OPT eligibility to use after your completion of your program of study. You must be registered for graduation or have a letter from your academic department verifying the date of expected completion of the program of study when applying for OPT.

What employment is permitted under Post-Completion OPT?

Post-completion OPT (OPT that is done after completion of your degree requirements), authorizes you for full-time OPT participation (20 hours or more per week).  Post-completion OPT can be paid or unpaid training directly related to your major field of study.  You may work for multiple employers (including short-term gigs, self-employment, contract work, or work for hire). For your OPT employment to be considered active, you must be working 20 hours per week or more between all OPT jobs combined. If your combined OPT employment is under 20 hours per week in total, this time may count against your unemployment time.

Under post-completion OPT, you may not accrue more than an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during the entire 12-month OPT period. You must be engaged in at least 20 hours of OPT activity per week to count as active employment; periods with activity of less than 20 hours per week will be counted toward unemployment accrual.

We strongly recommend that you keep thorough and accurate records of your OPT experience/employment in case you are ever required to show proof of your OPT activities.

Post-Completion OPT may include:

• Paid or unpaid training
  You may engage in paid employment that is directly related to your major field of study.
  You may also serve as a volunteer, unpaid intern, researcher, community service worker, etc., where this does not violate any labor laws. We would advise that you obtain evidence from your volunteer organization that you performed services for more than 20 hours per week.
  
  
• Multiple employers
  You may work for more than one employer. For active OPT, all jobs combined must total 20 hours per week or more and directly related to your major.
  
  
• Short-term multiple employers (performing artists)
  If you hold a job as a musician and other performing artist, you may work for multiple short term employers (gigs). You should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration. If requested by DHS, you should be prepared to provide evidence showing a list of all gigs.
  
  
• Work for hire
  You may be engaged in work for hire (commonly referred to as working as a 1099 independent contractor), performing a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. If requested by DHS, you must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.
  
  
• Self-employed business owner
  You may start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, you must be able to prove that you have the proper business licenses and that you are actively engaged in a business related to your degree program.
  
  
• Employment through an agency
  If you are employed through an agency, you must be able to provide evidence showing that you are working an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.

OPT applications must be received by USCIS within a specific filing window in order to be considered. Application received before or after the filing window will likely be denied by USCIS.

We recommend that students apply for OPT as soon as they are able as it can take 90 days or longer for the USCIS to reach a decision on the application.

Applying for OPT is a two step process first you must apply for an OPT recommendation with ISS at ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù. Once you have the Recommendation from ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù you can submit your application to the US Government.

How to Apply with Curry

1. Confirm that you will graduate in the semester you are applying or you are within your 60 day grace period after your program end date.
2. Submit your OPT Request Form to ISS using the .

How to Apply with USCIS

1. You will need to go to the USCIS website and create an account if you do not have one already.
2. You will select fill a form online.
3. Next you will select I-765:
   1. Category for Pre-Completion OPT is (c)(3)(A)
   2. Category for Post-Completion OPT is (c)(3)(B)
4. Follow the instructions and answer all questions.
5. Pay the Fee.

Please Note:

• Applications generally take around 90 days to be adjudicated.
• If there is a need to expedite your application you may apply for Premium Processing at the time of your application submission or after your application as been submitted.
• USCIS will accept applications for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date (for post-completion OPT), or up to 90 days before the requested OPT start date (for pre-completion OPT).
• Applications must arrive at USCIS no later than 30 days after the OPT recommendation is made on your I-20 by a DSO.
• Applications must arrive at USCIS no later than the end of the 60 day grace period after the program end date. Applications arriving this late may not be approved for the full 12-months of eligibility.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a rule to allow students who have completed a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) majors to apply to USDHS to extend F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT). You must meet all of the requirements below to be eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension:

• You must have completed a degree in a STEM major field on the DHS list of STEM majors based on Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code:
  • Compare the CIP code on your I-20 with the complete list of .
• You must be working on an approved period of post-completion OPT in valid F-1 status with an active SEVIS record.
• You may not have accrued more than 90 days of unemployment during your initial OPT.
• You must be working for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to your STEM major area of study.
• Your current or prospective employer must be registered with the DHS  employment verification system.
• Your employment must be paid with terms commensurate with your degree level and be for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• You and your employer must complete a   for STEM OPT Students. Your employer must agree to the employment-related attestations, possible USCIS site visits and all other requirements in DHS STEM OPT regulations as specified on the Form I-983.

How can I start my STEM OPT application?

1. You can start your STEM OPT application once you are within 90 days of the EAD card end date.
2. Navigate to the and complete the request called “STEM OPT Request Form."
3. Follow the instructions in the request to complete the questionnaire, upload required documents, confirm your understanding of conditions to maintain status and officially submit the request to ISS. Take care to complete all required fields and upload all required documents. If any required field or document is missing, incomplete or not completed accurately, you will be asked for clarification which will delay the processing of your request.
4. ISS will review this request within 5  business days and either email you to seek clarification or additional documentation or, to notify you of approval.
5. Once approved, you will be sent a new I-20 that will have a STEM OPT Recommendation on it.
6. Review the entire I-20 to make sure there is a STEM Recommendation and all other information is correct.
7. Follow instructions to apply to USCIS for the STEM OPT extension.

Preparing for STEM OPT?

• Meet with your employer to complete the USCIS Training Plan for STEM OPT .
  • This form must be completed and signed by you and your employer prior to requesting a recommendation from ISS, outlining your training plan for STEM OPT employment.
• Without this completed form, ISS cannot recommend STEM OPT.
• Further information about the Form I-983 can be found .
• Confirm with your employer:
  • Company name as registered in E-Verify: _________________
  • E-Verify Company Identification Number: _________________
  • Note the E-Verify number and EIN number are different.

Prepare all of the following documentation in order to submit your request to ISS and USCIS:

• ±«³§°ä±õ³§â€¯  Training Plan for STEM OPT  – completed and signed (see above).
• ±«³§°ä±õ³§â€¯ :
  • Use an address in section three (3) that will be valid for at least four (4) months.
  • Clarify if you wish to apply for a Social Security Number concurrently with this OPT application.
  • Enter the correct employment code as follows:  (c)(3)(C) – for STEM OPT Extension.
  • Enter information related to your STEM OPT application including: Degree Level, Employer’s Name and Employer’s E-Verify Number
• Credit card to pay the I-765 USCIS filing fee.
• Immigration documents, including:
  • I-20 from ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù with STEM OPT recommendation.
  • Printed I-94 record.
  • Valid passport
  • ´¡±ô±ô previous Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
• Photograph – size 2×2 inches and meeting USCIS/DOS specifications outlined  .
• Academic documents, including:
  • Official ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù transcript and diploma(s) showing completion of the STEM degree.

Applying for STEM Extension Based on a Prior Degree:

If you are on post-completion OPT based on a non-STEM degree, you may be eligible to use a prior STEM degree earned from a U.S. institution of higher education to apply for a STEM OPT extension. For example: if you are currently participating in OPT based on a master’s degree in business administration but you previously received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, you may be able to apply for a STEM OPT extension based on your bachelor’s degree as long as it is from an accredited U.S. college or university and the OPT employment opportunity is directly related to your bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

Please note the following:

• The prior degree was conferred no more than 10 years prior to submission of the extension application;
• The prior degree was conferred before the degree that provided the basis for the student’s current period of standard post-completion OPT;
• The prior degree was not conferred by a branch campus abroad
• The prior degree was conferred by a U.S. educational institution that is accredited and SEVP-certified at the time the student’s DSO recommends the student for the 24-month OPT extension.
• The prior degree is in a degree program category included on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of the DSO recommendation.
• The prospective employment that is the basis for the 24-month STEM OPT extension must directly relate to the prior degree.

If you are applying for STEM OPT based on a prior degree, you must note this in your request submitted via the myCurry Portal, and submit the following additional documents:

• An official transcript from the prior degree.
• A copy of the I-20 that identifies the prior degree.
• A letter from your previous school’s Registrar confirming the completion of the degree program and the CIP code of that program at the time of your graduation.
• Proof of SEVP Certification which can be found at  .
• Proof of education accreditation, which can be found  .

Unfortunately, hardships sometimes arise for students after they begin their schooling. Perhaps a parent loses their job, a sponsor’s business is destroyed due to natural disaster, or currency exchange rates collapse in your home country due to political turmoil. If your financial support has been affected by such an event, you may qualify for certain benefits.

Severe Economic Hardship for F-1 Students

When you apply for Severe Economic Hardship work authorization, you are applying for work permission that is reviewed and adjudicated by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). You apply by filing an  with the appropriate filing fee and documentation.  Filing the application is not a guarantee of approval, and processing time does apply. While processing times vary for each application, these applications generally take 3 - 5 months for approval.

To be eligible to apply for Severe Economic Hardship work authorization, you must:

• Have been in F-1 status for one full academic year (9 consecutive months)
• Be in good standing as a student and be carrying a full course of study
• Demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with your full-time study; and
• Demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, and that on-campus employment is unavailable or otherwise insufficient to meet the needs that have arisen as a result of the unforeseen circumstances.
• To apply, you must meet with ISS and receive a new I-20 with a Severe Economic Hardship endorsement on it.

After Severe Economic Hardship is granted, an F-1 student is allowed to work off-campus for up to one year at a time (part-time up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full time during the summer or official university breaks). However, you must continue to maintain a full-course of study. Work permission becomes invalid as soon as you interrupt or complete your academic program, if you are suspended or withdraw from school, or if you in any way violate your F-1 status.

If your economic hardship is based on a humanitarian, political, or natural disaster, you may also wish to research whether the USCIS has set up Special Student Relief or  for your country of citizenship or nationality.

If you qualify for more than one of the benefits listed above, you may wish to speak to ISS or an immigration attorney to determine which option best suits your specific case.

All international students and scholars must submit a tax filing, even if the person earned no income during that given year.

Federal and state income tax forms are completed annually in the United States and submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) between January 1 and April 15 for the previous tax year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a U.S. tax return?

Tax forms must be completed (even if a tax treaty exempts you from paying any U.S. taxes) if you were in the United States during any part of the previous year on any visa other than a tourist visa. Every year you will have to submit at least one form——regardless of whether or not you worked last year. You may also be required to fill out additional forms.

What if I didn't work last year?

If you didn't work at any point last year, then you will need to complete . Form 8843 must be completed by everyone in your family, including your dependent children and is due by June 15.

If you did work at any point last year, you must still submit  along with your tax returns by the April 15 deadline.

I worked in the U.S. last year, but I only made $5,000. Do I still need to file a tax return?

Yes, you will need to file a federal tax return and submit the  by the April 15 deadline.

What else do I need to know about U.S. taxes?

The first step with filing taxes is to figure out if you are a resident or nonresident for tax purposes. Generally, if you were in the U.S. fewer than 5 months throughout the previous year, you are a non-resident and if you were in the U.S. 5 months or more you are considered a resident.

When do I have to finish my taxes?

If you were present in the United States during any part of last year on a visa other than a B visa, you will need to complete  at a minimum.

Federal tax forms are due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) every year by April 15. Massachusetts state tax forms (if necessary) are also due to the Department of Revenue by April 15 each year.

Please note that if you had no U.S. based income, you will have until June 15 to file your .