ISAB Employment Fact FAQ's

Will I be allowed to work on campus? Paid or unpaid?

F-1 Students
Students F-1 students are allowed to work on campus without additional authorization from OISS. You can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours a week during academic breaks. You can work either unpaid or paid positions. You can read more about work authorization for F-1 students on campus here.

J-1 Students
Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students need to speak to OISS about obtaining on-campus work authorization before doing any work on campus. You need prior authorization in SEVIS before doing any work on campus. Your work can be either paid or unpaid. You can read more about J-1 employment on campus here.

Will I be allowed to work off campus? Paid or unpaid?

You can work off-campus with prior authorization. You must speak to OISS before doing any work off-campus. F-1 students will likely need to apply for CPT, and J-1 students will likely need Academic Training. Even if your work is a volunteer position, we recommend that you speak to us first to determine if it is a true volunteer position. Your work can be paid or unpaid. However, even if it is unpaid work (for example, unpaid internship or work experience), you need authorization from OISS. Always speak to your OISS advisor before doing any off-campus work.

Can I work as a babysitter?

No. Working off campus as a babysitter, waiter/waitress, cashier, or in a similar position would be a violation of your international student status.

How do I apply for an on-campus job at Tulane?

The best place to find a job on campus is to use Handshake. All positions on campus can be found on Handshake. You can also find information on the hiring process on the Tulane HR website. You can also review the International Student Employee Checklist for more information.

How can I apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)?

Review our SSN guide for more information on applying for an SSN.

Where can I find information about filing taxes as an international student?

Visit our tax filing page for F and J Visa holders. If you have any specific questions about taxes, we recommend that you get in contact with the International Tax Office at Tulane.

How should I answer employment authorization questions on a job application?

Whenever you see a question about employment authorization in a job application, it is important to read the question carefully and answer it truthfully. Here are some common employment authorization questions you might see in a job application:

• Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
  Yes. F-1 students may be eligible to obtain CPT or OPT, and J-1 students may be eligible for Academic Training to work in the United States. Since you can obtain work authorization while being a full-time student, you can answer Yes to this question.
   
• Will you now or will you in the future require employment visa sponsorship?
  Yes or No. While you may have temporary work authorization through your international student status, the time period you can use that temporary work authorization is limited. If you want to continue working in the United States beyond that time period, you will require employment visa sponsorship (e.g., H1B visa), and you should answer Yes. However, if you only want to work in the United States for a limited time after graduation and then return home, you could answer No. Since you are eligible for post-graduation employment authorization (e.g., OPT or Academic Training) and you would not require sponsorship beyond that, you could say No if you plan to return to the United States.
   
• Are you authorized to work in the United States without restriction?
  No. Your OPT, CPT, or Academic Training has limitations on the validity period for employment authorization, and your work needs to relate to your major. Since there are restrictions on what kind of work you can do and how you can do it, you should answer No to this question.

What is the difference between CPT and OPT?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are two forms of off-campus work authorization that F-1 students are eligible for.

CPT
CPT can only be used during your studies. The work authorization must be related to your field of study, and it must be an integral or important part of the program. If the training is not required by your program, you must earn academic credit for the training. Students are eligible for CPT after two semesters in their program. If you are a graduate student, you may be eligible for CPT before the two-semester requirement, but the training must be a required part of your program. CPT is a form of work authorization that your OISS advisor can grant you in SEVIS. You can read more on our CPT website here.

OPT
There are two types of OPT: Pre-Completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT. Pre-Completion OPT is available to you before you graduate. However, a better option for working off campus is to pursue CPT. Post-completion OPT is the type of OPT that most students use. It is available after you graduate and complete all degree requirements. You are eligible for up to 12 months of OPT with the option for an additional 24 months if you qualify for a STEM extension. You can find the STEM-designated degree program list here. OPT is a form of work authorization that you have to apply to USCIS for. You can read more on our OPT website here.

When should I apply? How long does the application take?

The earliest you can submit your OPT application to USCIS is 90 days before your program end date. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Once you apply, it typically takes 3 to 5 months to receive a decision from USCIS.

Which date should I select for the start date?

The date is up to you. You can choose any date between your program end date and up to 60 days after your program end date. This is an important decision to make. If you already have a job offer with a specific date, you should choose that start date. If you still need to look for a job, you should choose a later start date to give yourself more time. Once your OPT start date arrives, your 12 months of OPT begins. If you have questions about picking a date, speak to your OISS advisor. Make your appointment today!

What is an EAD card?

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is the document you will receive when your OPT application is approved. It will state your biographical information and the validity period that you are allowed to work for. To request an EAD, you must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Can I travel while the OPT application is pending?

If you file before your program end-date and you want to travel out of the country and return before your program end date, you can. However, we do not recommend you travel outside of the US after your program end date unless your OPT is approved and you have secured a job offer. You can read more on our page here.

Can I travel while on OPT?

Yes, you can travel while on OPT. To reenter the country, you will need the following:

• Proof of employment, such as an employment contract or letter from your employer.
• EAD Card.
• Valid passport with a valid U.S. visa (your passport must be valid for longer than six months).
• I-20 with valid travel signature (valid for six months).
• I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt (to print, click here).

What is Academic Training?

Academic Training is for J-1 students and is training related to a student's field of study. Appropriate activities for the training vary over disciplines. Academic training may involve sequential or simultaneous activities, either paid or unpaid, with several employers, provided the application and approval procedures are followed for each employer and activity and the time limits are not exceeded. You can read more about Academic Training here.

What is 212(E)?

212(E) is the 2-year home country physical presence requirement for J-1 visa holders. Only the U.S. Department of State can determine if a J-1 and/or J-2 are subject to the 212(E). If subject, a J-visa holder will have to physically reside within their last country of legal permanent residence for two years before they may return to the U.S. as an H-1B visa holder, L visa holder, K visa holder, or a Permanent Resident. If subject, J-visitors are unable to apply for a change of status within the USA. Being "subject" to this regulation does not prevent a visitor from returning to the U.S. in another visa status, such as F-1 (student), B1/B2 (tourist/business), or under the visa waiver program. There are three reasons a J-1 visitor may be subject to the 212(e):

• The J-1 program is funded in part or wholly by the United States government, the visitor's government, or an international organization.
• The J-1 program is engaged in one or more of the skills listed on the Exchange Visitor Skills List (1997 Amendment) for his/her country.
• The J-1 visa holder is receiving graduate medical education or training. You can read more on our website here.

What is H1B all about?

H-1B is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows the visa holder to work in the United States for a specific period of time. Your employer would file an H-1B petition on your behalf to sponsor you. H-1B visas are for specialty occupations, and the work position must require a bachelor’s degree or higher. You can receive an H-1B for a period of up to three years, and your time period may be extended, but generally cannot go beyond a total of six years unless your employer proceeds with sponsoring you for permanent residency. To be eligible for an H-1B visa, in most cases, your employer must enter you into a lottery. Each year, there is a certain allotment of visas available to beneficiaries. This is known as the H-1B cap. Your employer will enter your name into the lottery, and you will be randomly selected for a visa. If you are selected, you must work with your employer to file the H-1B petition. If you have a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution, you are eligible for the master’s lottery in addition to the normal lottery. You can read more about the lottery system here. If the employer sponsoring you is cap-exempt (for example, an institution of higher education, a nonprofit organization connected to an institute of higher education, or a government research organization), then you do not need to enter the lottery, and your employer can just file the H-1B petition. To learn more about H-1B and steps after H-1B to permanent residency, you should consult with your employer or talk with an attorney. Read more about H1B on our website.

Where can I learn more about visa requirements?

You can visit our website and read more about F-1 and J-1 visa requirements. You can also review the Study in the States website for more information. If you have any questions about how the H-1B process works or are looking for paths to permanent residency, you should consult an immigration attorney. All Tulane students get one free consultation with TULAP for immigration advice. You can read more about them here.