F-1 employment opportunities

On-campus employment usually means that you will be getting paid by Northern Arizona University. There are a few exceptions, so be sure to check with your International Student Adviser before beginning any employment.

Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization for a paid internship/fieldwork experience in the student’s field of study for which the student will receive academic credit towards her/his degree.

Learn more about CPT.

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is defined in the F-1 regulations as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.” It can be pre-completion or post-completion (after graduation).

To be eligible for OPT, the following must apply to you:

  • You must have been a full time F-1 student in a degree program for at least one year
  • You must be in ACTIVE F-1 status, and have a valid passport
  • You cannot have done 12 months or more of full time CPT (Curricular Practical Training
How much OPT can I do?
  • You can do 12 months of full time OPT per educational level (Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate).
  • If you are in a STEM field, you may be eligible for an extension of 24 months of your OPT.
How do I apply for OPT?
Please see our OPT Request or contact ISSS at isss@nau.edu.

Academic training Accordion Closed

A teaching, research, or staff position may be filled by a new international employee through AT. This authorization is available to students who have a J-1 status. AT must be granted before the person begins employment at Northern Arizona University. Please read the Academic Training packet thoroughly.

The authorization is granted by the student’s International Student Adviser at the school where he or she is enrolled. The student’s immigration document (DS-2019) and a letter from that adviser will indicate the beginning and end dates of authorized employment.

The period of authorization depends on several factors in the student’s academic program, and the International Student Adviser will consider this when issuing the authorization, varying from a few months to 18 months. Employees with a PhD may be eligible for an additional 18-month extension.

It is important that the department chair/director and the employee contact the International Scholar Adviser by the time the person is hired.  The International Scholar Adviser will review the work authorization end date and discuss options for continuing employment.

Academic Training is appropriate for faculty, research, and staff positions. The employment must be directly related to the student’s area of study and educational level.

The original recruitment and hiring of faculty needs to allow the Center for International Education time to eventually file a petition for US Lawful Permanent Residence if all other eligibility requirements are met.

STEM Extension Accordion Closed

F-1 students who have graduated with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are eligible to remain in the United States for an additional 24 months on an OPT Stem Extension.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if:

  • You are actively participating in a post-completion OPT and have properly reported their employment to ISSS
  • Your degree for your current period of post completion OPT is a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate in a STEM program listed on the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM List
  • You have present employment or job offer from a company that uses the US Government’s E-Verify system
  • You have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment during your OPT & will not go over this limit prior to applying for an extension
  • You submit a completed Employment Authorization Application on or before your current end date of your OPT –  Please email your ISSS at least 2 weeks before your end date to ensure proper processing
  • You have not previously used STEM Extensions for current degree level

I am currently on a 17 month approve STEM Extension, can I request a 7 month extension?

You may be eligible if:

  • You are currently participating in a 17 month STEM OPT Extension and have properly documented their employment with ISSS
  • Your degree for your current period of post completion OPT is a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate in a STEM program listed on the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM List
  • You have not exceeded 120 days of unemployment during completion OPT and will not go over this number of days prior to the 7 month extension start date
  • You have present employment or full time job offer from a company that uses the US Government’s E-Verify system
  • You submit a completed Employment Authorization Application with 150 days remaining of OPT extension period between the dates of May 10 – August 08, 2016

On-campus employment

F-1 students may work on-campus 20 hours or less per week when school is in session. Students may work on campus up to 40 hours per week during official breaks if registered for classes for the next semester. The official breaks are:

  • Summer break
  • Spring break
  • Winter break

Social Security Number (SSN)

F-1 students are not eligible for a Social Security number unless they have received a job offer and will be participating in authorized employment. You do not need a Social Security number to:

  • Open a bank account
  • Obtain a cell phone
  • Rent an apartment
  • Use in any other non-tax related purposes

The purpose of a Social Security number is for income tax reporting.

Process after receiving a job offer

  • Once you receive a job offer, submit the Social Security Number Authorization e-form on iNAU.
  • Once your ISSS advisor has approved our request, our office will issue an authorization letter, which can be picked up at CIE. You must take the authorization letter to your supervisor to be signed.
  • You will take the letter to the Social Security office in Flagstaff, along with all your immigration documents to apply for a Social Security number. Once you have applied for a number, you will be given a receipt. You may begin working while you are waiting to be assigned a Social Security number.

Off-campus employment regulations

F-1 students are not generally permitted to work off-campus. Students who engage in unauthorized work are subject to:

  • Loss of eligibility for benefits
  • Deportation

The employer is also subject to fines.

The only exception to this regulation is for F-1 benefits that are authorized before beginning employment. The F-1 benefits include:

  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT)