Off-Campus Employment Information
Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
Students needing to engage in an internship that is an integral part or planned option in his/her degree plan must obtain CPT authorization prior to beginning that employment. CPT can ONLY be authorized for a student to achieve a curricular academic objective. Details regarding eligibility and procedures are found in the following two documents.
- CPT Information & Documents Required
- CPT Authorization Form
Optional Practical Training (OPT):
Students needing to gain experience in his/her major field of study must obtain OPT authorization prior to beginning employment. OPT may be granted for up to 12 months and may be used before OR after graduation. See the FAQ below for more details.
- OPT Application Checklist
- OPT Extension Application Checklist
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) information and FAQ
New from the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) 04/08/2009:
- OPT Checklist from SEVP. Please note that this checklist is from SEVP and does not include the ISU specific items needed to apply for OPT as listed in the OPT Application Checklist above. This checklist is provided for information purposes only and lists the minimum required documents required by USCIS for the OPT application.
- SEVP Cap Gap Extension Fact Sheet for Employers. This fact sheet may be given to your employer for the purpose of explaining the Cap Gap Extension and how that process works.
Other Off-Campus Employment Authorizations:
Economic Hardship
Students who have a need to be employed off-campus due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond his/her control after obtaining F-1 status may apply to USCIS for an off-campus work permit. You would have to provide proof that a financial need beyond your control arose, which was unforeseen at the time you applied to ISU. The following checklist outlines the required documentation for this application.
- Economic Hardship Application Checklist
Academic Training (J-1 Exchange Visitors)
The following document outlines the requirements for Academic Training for exchange visitors in J-1 status.
- Academic Training
4/11/08 Changes to OPT regulations effective April 8, 2008
The following are links regarding the new changes to OPT regulations. This page will be updated as the International Programs Office works to implement procedures allowing students to take advantage of these new changes. If you have any questions, please contact Shawn Bascom at bascshaw@isu.edu or call 208-282-2941.
Changes to OPT Regulations
ISU majors on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List