It is important to always have authorization for your employment, regardless of whether it is paid or unpaid. Many students think “I’m not getting paid, so that means I’m volunteering,” when, in reality, you could unknowingly be violating the law. International students should remember that any off-campus employment must be authorized, and work that is unpaid may still be considered employment for F-1 or J-1 status holders.
True volunteer work is generally distinguished by the following:
Examples of volunteering might include walking dogs at your local animal shelter, reading to children after school at the public library, working with a local community organization or your church to provide programming or participate in service projects.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an internship or practicum that is an integral part of an established curriculum. The student must be authorized by the International Student Advisor to participate CPT. It is only available to F-1 students.
Clinical rotations are an approved off-site activity for which you do not need separate CPT authorization.
Students accepted into the following programs at UNG will be required to complete clinical rotations throughout the entire program as part of multiple courses in the curriculum:
These rotations are always unpaid and off-campus.
Students must have an official offer letter offering experience that meets the internship guidelines. The offer letter should include the following information:
If you meet all requirements listed above, you may apply for CPT through the International Student Portal. You may not begin working until you have received the authorization from the International Student Advisor. You will be given a new I-20 that has the authorization for CPT including the start and end date.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) gives students an opportunity for work experience in the U.S. before and/or after completion of a degree. It is only available to F-1 students.
It is limited to a total of 12 months for each degree level in a field directly related to the student's course of study. Unlike Curricular Practical Training (CPT), OPT does not have to be included as a required internship listed in your plan of study, but your employment does have to be directly related to your degree.
Completed before student's program end date
Done after the student's program end date, after completing their academic objective
A special 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for graduates of a bachelor's degree or higher in science, technology, engineering, or math field on DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program
For Post-Completion OPT, the application must be submitted to USCIS no sooner than 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after the program end date. In addition, the application must be received by the USCIS Service Center no later than 30 days after the International Student Advisor submits the OPT recommendation to SEVIS.
The student is not required to have a written job offer to apply for OPT, but must not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment once post-completion OPT is authorized.