Employment & Work Authorization

Learn about on-campus employment, CPT, OPT, and other work authorization options for F-1 students.

Employment Overview for F-1 Students

Important Notice

The U.S. government takes working illegally very seriously. Working without proper authorization is a serious violation of your F-1 status and can result in deportation and bars from future entry to the United States. Always verify your work authorization before accepting any employment.

If your DSO knows you are working without permission, they must report it through SEVIS, meaning your SEVIS record will be terminated. You would have to leave the United States immediately and may not be allowed to return.

Before coming to the United States, F-1 students must prove they have the financial ability to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying. If you decide that you want to work, the first step is always to talk with your designated school official (DSO) in the Office of International Admission.

F-1 students have several employment options, each with specific requirements and limitations. Understanding these options is crucial for maintaining your immigration status.

Official Resource

U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidance on work authorization for F-1 students.

Working in the United States

On-Campus

On-Campus Employment

Work at Drury facilities up to 20 hrs/week during classes. No additional USCIS authorization required.

Off-Campus

Economic Hardship

Limited to qualifying economic hardship situations.

CPT

Curricular Practical Training. Internships directly related to your major.

OPT

Optional Practical Training. Work authorization before or after graduation.

STEM OPT

24-month extension for qualifying STEM degrees.

On-Campus Employment

On-campus employment is work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. It does not require additional authorization from USCIS. Active F-1 students may apply up to 30 days before the start of classes.

All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number. Talk to your DSO in the Office of International Admission to get started.

Requirements

You must be enrolled full-time as an F-1 student in good standing (Active in SEVIS)

Limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session

May work full-time (40+ hours) during official school breaks

Employment must be on Drury University premises or at an off-campus location educationally affiliated with the school (e.g., bookstore, cafeteria)

You must obtain a Social Security Number before starting work

How to Apply

Talk to Your DSO

Contact the Office of International Admission. If approved, your DSO will provide a letter of approval.

Secure a Position

Find an on-campus job and obtain a letter of approval from your employer.

Apply for SSN

Take your DSO letter and employer approval letter to the Social Security Administration to apply for an SSN.

Complete Hiring Paperwork

Complete Form I-9 and other required documents with Human Resources.

For more information, see the F-1 Student Employment page on ICE.gov.

Off-Campus Employment (Economic Hardship)

Off-campus employment is work that takes place outside of a school campus. It is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program and who have an economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security's emergent circumstances.

How to Apply

Explain your economic hardship situation to your DSO in the Office of International Admission

If your DSO determines that the situation applies, they will recommend you and give you an updated Form I-20

File Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS within 30 days of receiving your recommendation

If USCIS approves you, they will send you a Form I-766 (EAD) with the dates you may work off-campus

You cannot begin work while the Form I-765 is pending with USCIS

You must also apply for an SSN

See the F-1 Student Employment page on ICE.gov for additional information.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT allows F-1 students to accept employment, paid or unpaid, that is directly related to and an integral part of their academic program. CPT must be completed before graduation.

Part-Time CPT

20 hours or less per week during enrollment. Does not affect OPT eligibility.

Full-Time CPT

More than 20 hours per week. 12+ months of full-time CPT eliminates OPT eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

Must have completed one full academic year in F-1 status (graduate students may be exempt if program requires earlier training)

Must have a job offer from an employer before applying

Employment must be directly related to your major field of study

Must be enrolled in a course or program that requires or allows the internship

Must maintain full-time enrollment status

Important

You cannot begin CPT until you receive your updated I-20 with CPT authorization. Start and end dates are specific and printed on your I-20.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) for Standard Post-Completion is temporary employment authorization directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Students may use up to 12 months of OPT per degree level.

Apply for Employment Authorization

File Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS to receive your EAD card.

USCIS I-765

Eligibility

Maintain valid F-1 student status at the time of application

Be enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year in the U.S.

Be physically present in the U.S. when you submit your application

Intend to work or volunteer in a professional development opportunity directly related to your major field of study

Prior use of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for one year or more eliminates eligibility for OPT

Pay an I-765 online filing fee of $470.00: USCIS I-765 fee

Time Considerations

90 days before

90 days before graduation

Earliest you may apply. USCIS must receive your I-765 and OPT I-20 no sooner than 90 days before your program end date.

60 days after

60 days after graduation

Latest you may apply. USCIS must receive your I-765 and OPT I-20 no later than 60 days after your program end date.

Additional deadlines

File after I-20

30 days

File with USCIS within 30 days of receiving your updated OPT I-20.

Start date limit

60 days

Employment start date cannot exceed 60 days after program end (SEVIS limit: 61 days).

Your responsibility: The I-765 is your personal application. You are responsible for application fees, errors, missing documents, and missed deadlines.

Submission timing: USCIS records the date and time of online submissions at the moment of payment, using UTC. Springfield (MO) is 6 hours behind UTC (Standard Time) and 5 hours behind during Daylight Saving Time. Use a World Clock Converter to verify deadlines.

Documents Needed to Apply Online

Digital color U.S. style passport photo taken within the last 6 months

Scan of most recent Form I-94

Scan of passport identification page (plus extension page, if applicable)

Scan of any previous Employment Authorization Document (EAD) cards (front and back), if applicable

Scan of OPT I-20 from Office of International Admission or Drury Authorized DSO issued within 30 days of filing the OPT application with USCIS

Scan of all previously issued CPT and/or OPT I-20s

Approval Process

Schedule an OPT Discussion appointment with Allen Long, Office of International Admission to obtain an OPT I-20

DSO (Allen Long) recommends OPT in SEVIS

Student files I-765 application with USCIS for EAD card

Work can begin only after receiving EAD issued by USCIS, and on or after the start date on the EAD

Once employed, you must update employer and address information. Report address changes (within 10 days) or employer changes by emailing iadmissions@drury.edu and by logging into your SEVP Portal to update your profile.

OPT Online Application Checklist

1 Discuss and confirm graduation timeline with faculty advisor
2 Digital color U.S. style passport photo taken within the last 6 months
3 Scan of most recent Form I-94
4 Scan of passport identification page (plus extension page, if applicable)
5 Scan of any previous EAD cards (front and back), if applicable
6 Scan of all previously issued CPT and/or OPT I-20s
7 Schedule an OPT Discussion appointment with Allen Long, Office of International Admission to obtain an OPT I-20
8 Scan of OPT I-20 from Office of International Admission or Drury Authorized DSO issued within 30 days of filing with USCIS
9 Create a USCIS online account: myaccount.uscis.gov
10 Submit I-765: USCIS I-765

Reviewed: July 2026

Pre-Completion vs. Post-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT

Used while still enrolled and completing your program.

Part-time (20 hrs/week max) during fall/spring semesters
Full-time during official school breaks
Part-time OPT deducts at 50% from your 12-month total

Post-Completion OPT

Used after completing your degree program. This is the most common type.

Up to 12 months of work authorization
Must apply within 90 days before or 60 days after program completion
Maximum 90 days of unemployment allowed
Must work at least 20 hours per week in a job related to your major

Transition from Pre-Completion to Post-Completion OPT

Pre-Completion OPT does not automatically convert into Post-Completion OPT. They are separate authorizations.

Apply Separately for Post-Completion OPT

Request a new I-20 with a Post-Completion OPT recommendation from your DSO

File a new Form I-765 with USCIS

Receive a new EAD card for Post-Completion OPT; there is no automatic rollover

Timing of the Application

Apply up to 90 days before your program end date

Or up to 60 days after your program end date

And within 30 days of your DSO issuing the OPT I-20

Effect of Using Pre-Completion OPT

Total OPT limit per degree level = 12 months

Full-time Pre-Completion deducts month-for-month

Part-time Pre-Completion deducts at half rate

Example: 4 months full-time → 8 months left for Post-Completion; 4 months part-time → only 2 months deducted

Work Authorization Gap

Pre-Completion OPT ends on your program end date

Post-Completion OPT can begin the day after completion (or a later start date within the 60-day grace period)

Employment Rules Difference

Pre-Completion: part-time during school, full-time during breaks

Post-Completion: must be at least 20 hours/week and related to your major

Official Resources

STEM OPT Extension

If your degree is in a STEM-designated field and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you may apply for an additional 24 months of OPT, for a total of 36 months of work authorization.

Requirements

Degree must be on the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List

Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify

Must have a valid employment relationship (paid position)

Must complete Form I-983 Training Plan with employer

Apply up to 90 days before your current OPT expires

Cap-Gap Extension: If you're on OPT and have an H-1B petition filed on your behalf, your F-1 status and EAD may be automatically extended until October 1 or until your petition is resolved.

Volunteering

F-1 students may volunteer for truly charitable organizations without work authorization, but there are important distinctions to understand.

Permitted Volunteering

Charitable, nonprofit organizations
No financial benefit received
Not displacing paid workers
Humanitarian purposes

Not Permitted

For-profit companies
Receiving any compensation
Unpaid internships at for-profits
Work that should be compensated

Social Security Number

The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit Social Security numbers (SSNs) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible nonimmigrant workers. SSA uses SSNs to report wages, track benefits, and for identification. Every F and M student who USCIS grants employment authorization to needs an SSN.

Ineligible for SSN?

If you are ineligible to receive an SSN but receive non-wage income (e.g., scholarships, grants, interest, gambling winnings), you must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Steps for Obtaining an SSN

Talk with Your DSO

Contact the Office of International Admission about working and training in the United States. Your DSO will share regulations and requirements and confirm whether you are eligible to apply for an SSN.

Verify SEVIS Status

Your SEVIS record must be in Active status for at least two days before applying. If your record is in any other status, you will not be successful in applying for an SSN.

Wait 10 Days After Arrival

Wait 10 days after arriving in the United States before applying. This allows time for your arrival information to update in all government systems. SSA uses the SAVE program to verify your status. You can use SAVE Case Check to follow the progress of your verification online.

Visit Your Local SSA Office

Apply in person at any SSA office. Find an SSA office. Bring original documents to prove your age, identity, and work-authorized immigration status. All evidence must be unexpired. For document requirements, refer to the SSA website.

Social Security Number and Driver's License

Many states require an SSN or proof you have applied for one before you can apply for a driver's license. If you are not eligible to work but want a driver's license, you must first apply at the SSA office and receive a Form SSA-L676 ("Refusal to Process SSN Application").

Obtaining a Social Security Number

Driver's License

F and M students, and their dependents, may be eligible to drive a motor vehicle while residing in the United States. However, you must successfully apply for and receive a driver's license; driving without one is illegal. To acquire a license, you must apply at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which may have a different name in some states.

At Drury University, you will apply for a Missouri driver's license through the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR).

Application Process

Talk with your DSO in the Office of International Admission about driving rules and regulations in Missouri

Confirm with your DSO that your student record is Active in SEVIS

Wait 10 days after arriving in the United States before applying, so your Form I-94 information can update in all government systems

Obtain an SSN if required by your state, or Form SSA-L676 (Refusal to Process SSN Application) if you are ineligible to work

Visit the DMV and submit the proper documentation

The DMV may use the SAVE Program to verify your nonimmigrant student status. You can use SAVE Case Check to track the status of your verification online.

Required Documents

All signed versions of your Form I-20 (or DS-2019 for J-1)

Valid passport and your most recent student visa (not required if from a visa-exempt country such as Canada or Bermuda)

Most recent I-94 admission record

Proof of residence (housing contract, lease, utility bill, bank statement); requirements vary by state

SSN card or Form SSA-L676 (Refusal to Process SSN Application) if your state requires it

Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) if you are on OPT; the DMV uses the A-number to verify your status

F-2, M-2, or J-2 dependents: Go to the DMV with your primary F-1, M-1, or J-1 and ensure you both have all required documents.

Driving in the United States

U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidance for F and M students.

Questions?

Email international@drury.edu or schedule an appointment.