UMD: Employment - International Student Services

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Social Security Number
Optional Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training
17 Month Extension
e-Notification

International students are eligible to work part-time on campus when jobs are available. Many international students work part-time on campus. Employment information can be accessed via the Employment Opportunities web site. To find part-time, on-campus employment, be sure to click "Search Postings" on the left side. Then select "Student On-Campus" for the Position Category and "Duluth" as the Campus Location.

To look for employment in Food Service, go to:Food Service Employment Listings.

Students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session. Full-time employment is allowed during breaks and summer. International students cannot work off campus without special permission from the U.S. government.

International students are not eligible for work-study, a U.S. government financial aid program. International students can only apply for non work-study jobs on campus.

Social Security Number

A Social Security number is required for anyone working in the United States, including students who work on campus. To apply for a free Social Security number, first get a copy of your job offer from your employer and then bring it to the ISS office, 237 Kirby Student Center for a form you will need from the school. When applying for your social security card, you will be required to bring your passport, I-94, I-20, and the job offer letter. The Social Security Administration office located in the U.S. Bank Building, at 130 West Superior Street, Suite 400 in downtown Duluth. It is open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 3:30 pm, no appointment is necessary. Once you receive your Social Security card, do not alter it in any way, such as laminating it, because this will invalidate your card. Applications cannot be processed until ten business days after arrival in the U.S.

www.socialsecurity.gov

Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students that may be an internship, cooperative education job, a practicum, or any other work experience that is either required for your degree (as defined in the course catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded. ISS sponsors CPT training workshops each year. Please review the following video before attending a workshop. Video Link

CPT Eligibility

must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year
your employment must be an integral part of your degree program
your job offer must be related to your major or field of study.

For CPT application forms, please click here.

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. Authorization for optional practical training is granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and can take up to 120 days to obtain. ISS provides a few workshops throughout the year about OPT/CPT.

OPT Eligibility

must be in full time student status for at least one full academic year preceding the submission of your OPT application
be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application, and
intend to work in a position directly related to your major field of study.

Please review the following video before attending a workshop. Video Link.

For OPT application forms, please click

Once you have completed and turned in your application to ISS, we will process your request with the U.S. Government and issue you a new I-20 form. Once you have your new I-20 form, you must complete and submit an I-765 form to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which will process your request and issue your Employee Authorization Document (EAD).

17-Month STEM Extension Post-completion Optional Practical Training can be extended by 17 months for certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree holders employed by EVerified employers. Video Link. For the 17 Month Extension Request form, please click here.

STEM Designated Degree Programs Your CIP code can be found on the last page of your I-20 near your major.
EVerify Employers List

e-Notification

When you file an immigration form, you will have the option to receive an e-mail or text informing you if USCIS has accepted you application. Fill out Form G-1145 and clip it on top of the first page of your appication form.