Important Reminders for Off-Campus Work for F-1 & J-1 Students Fall 2026

Office of International Students and Scholars oiss@tulane.edu

Hello,

With the semester starting in a few weeks, we would like to remind all students about the immigration rules for off-campus employment or activities related to their field of study. Students are required to obtain work authorization from OISS before engaging in any paid or unpaid off-campus work, internship, or project. Off-campus work can include: 

  • Internship/Externship
  • Practicum
  • Capstone
  • Service learning related to major course of study
  • Off-campus Course Project
  • Off-campus clerkships/away rotations
  • Cooperative Education
  • Alternative work/study 
  • Any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.

Working off campus without authorization can result in severe consequences, including the termination of a student's SEVIS record, which may lead to the loss of immigration status. 

It does not matter if the work is paid or unpaid; students should still obtain work authorization. 

Students should always consult OISS if they are unsure whether they require authorization before starting work. Please note that off-campus work authorization cannot be applied retroactively.

F-1 Students are eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and J-1 Students are eligible to apply for Academic Training (AT) for off-campus work related to their field of study. Students can review previous CPT and AT presentation materials online here. We will host live immigration info sessions in Fall 2026, so stay tuned for additional details.

To determine additional eligibility requirements, students should review the OISS website or make an appointment with an advisor. 

If you are looking for support finding an internship, Tulane provides free access to Interstride - a career platform built specifically to help international students navigate the U.S. job search while also supporting opportunities around the world. Log in with your Tulane Single Sign-On and start exploring today! 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your OISS advisor. 

- The OISS Team