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Kansas State University

Work-Related Issues

 

On-Campus Employment

USCIS allows F-1 and J-1 students to work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session. Please note that J-1 students will also need a letter from their sponsor giving permission to work on campus, if their sponsor is not Kansas State University.There is no restriction on the number of hours worked during the summer and other breaks, such as spring break. If you are interested in working on campus, you must obtain a work permit from the International Student Center after being offered a job.

The Policy and Procedures for the work permits can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/hr/ped/workpermit.htm.

 

Applying for a Social Security Number

Only those eligible to work may apply for a Social Security number. This will include F-1's;
J-1's, with permission from the sponsor; and J-2's with permission from USCIS. F-2's cannot apply for a Social Security number because they are not eligible to work.

In order to apply for a Social Security number you must first be enrolled in a full course of study.

Next, you must have the hiring department complete the "Verification of Employment for Social Security".  This letter must be printed out on departmental letterhead.  The student then must bring that letter to the International Student Center for completion of the lower portion of the letter. 

You will then take the following documents to the Social Security Adminsitration to apply for your number.

  1. The Verification of Employment for Social Security letter
  2. Your passport and I-94
  3. Your I-20 or DS-2019
  4. For J-1 students, if your sponsor is other than Kansas State University, you must bring a copy of a letter from your sponsor stating that you have permission to work.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

F-1 regulations define Curricular Practical Training as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the university.” An International Student Advisor must authorize an F-1 student to participate in a curricular practical training program.  For additional information, go to

click here.

Application for CPT

CPT Employer information

Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students

A student with an F-1 visa status is eligible for a limited period of employment in the United States doing work related to his/her field of study. This employment is called "Optional Practical Training." A promise of employment is not necessary to apply for Optional Practical Training. In order to be eligible, a student must have been a full-time student for at least one academic year prior to applying for practical training. In order to apply for Optional Practical Training, all students must attend a workshop during their last semester of course work during your graduation semester at the International Student Center (ISC). These workshops are held on Mondays at 4 p.m. Be sure to check in at the Taiwan Wing. For additional information check out our OPT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Information regarding the 17-month OPT extension:

Effective April 8, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security revised its regulations on F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).  Numerous changes have been made and it is crucial that you take a moment to read the following information highlighting these changes.

  • 17-month post-completion OPT extension for certain STEM grads.  Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral students in certain STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields* are eligible for a one-time 17 month extension of OPT for a total eligibility of 29 months if the employer is enrolled in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ E-Verify employment verification program**. 

*For a list of K-State programs that qualify for the STEM fields, http://www.k-state.edu/intlstucenter/immigration/documents/STEMmajors.pdf.

 ** E-Verify is a free internet-based system operated in partnership with the Social Security Administration that helps employers to determine the employment eligibility of newly-hired employees.  Please check with your employer’s human resources department to see if they participate.  More information on E-Verify can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm.

  • OPT filing deadlines. 
    • Post-completion OPT can only be filed 90 days prior and 60 days after the program end date.
    • The application must be filed within 30 days of the date the ISC entered the OPT recommendation into SEVIS, as dated on the I-20.
    •  Applications for the 17 month STEM extension must be filed before the current EAD expires.
  • H-1B cap-gap extension of status and work authorization until October 1.  If a student who is on OPT is a beneficiary of a timely-filed H-1B petition requesting change of status and an employment start date of October 1 of the following fiscal year, the student’s legal status and work authorization will be automatically extended.  If the H-1B petition filed on the student’s behalf is rejected, denied, or revocated, these privileges would automatically terminate.
  • Effect of periods of unemployment while on OPT.  During post-completion OPT, maintaining status is dependent on employment.  During the initial 12-month period of OPT, students may not be unemployed for more than an aggregate of 90 days.  If a STEM student receives a 17-month extension, they may not be unemployed for more than an aggregate of 120 days, applied to the entire 29-month period of post-completion OPT.
  • Reporting. 
    • While you are on post-completion OPT, you are required to notify the ISC of any changes to your name, address, employer, or interruption of employment within 10 days of the change.  We have created the following form for this purpose:  http://www.k-state.edu/intlstucenter/forms/documents/OPTInformationUpdateForm.pdf.  Even if no changes are made, you must fill out this form every 6 months from the EAD start date.
    • An employer of a STEM student approved for a 17-month OPT extension, must report the termination or departure prior to the end of the authorized period of OPT to the ISC within 48 hours of the event.

The USCIS has updated the I-765 and the new form is available on-line at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD.  As of April 9, we have been giving out this new version.  If you already have an old version and haven’t sent in your OPT application, please download the new version.

Academic Training for J-1 Visa

A J-1 student is authorized to participate in academic training for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time for academic training does not exceed the allowable maximum. You can get information regarding time limits at the International Student Center.

Authorization for J-1 academic training is granted by the Program Sponsor listed on the DS-2019. For additional information click here.

J-1 Academic Training Application Packet

Work Authorization for J-2 dependents

If you are currently a J-2 dependent and want information on applying for work authorziation, click here. If you have additional questions, please contact the ISC at isc-fso@ksu.edu or 785-532-6448.

 

Hiring International Students

Many employers are concerned about liability related to the employment of international students in the United States. This information addresses concerns employers might have and the various options for students who would like to obtain work authorization.  There is also a page on Frequestionly Asked Questions.