Work Authorization for International Students
Work Authorization for International Students
International students in F-1 status are eligible to work legally in the United States under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). To be eligible for either CPT or OPT, F-1 students must be in full-time and good academic student status for one full academic year prior to beginning employment.
International students (F-1) are eligible to work full-time or part-time during the summer semester.
International students (F-1) are eligible to work full-time or part-time as an intern during the fall or spring semesters. Those pursuing part-time internships must also be enrolled in 6-9 semester credits of in-classroom courses at Georgia Tech to achieve full-time status (12 hours).
International student may use their CPT for internships and co-ops that meet the following criteria:
- Work Weeks
- Summer – 8 week minimum
- Fall/Spring – 14 week minimum
- The co-op or internship is directly related to student’s major
- Student MUST register for the appropriate Co-op or Internship Course (Students will be automatically registered for the Georgia Tech Co-op or Internship only after they have obtained CPT or OPT work authorization.)
International students who wish to obtain OPT work authorization for an internship must start the process by viewing OIE’s mandatory OPT tutorial (oie.gatech.edu/OPT). We recommend that you view the OPT tutorial several months before you wish to begin your internship. OPT is recommended by an OIE advisor but authorized by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It can take up to 90 days for USCIS to process an OPT application. Therefore, students should plan ahead if applying for OPT.
Failure to obtain work authorization prior to beginning employment may jeopardize a student’s status at Georgia Institute of Technology and their ability to remain in United States.
F-1 STATUS RELATED ISSUES. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
Summer Semesters: F-1 students may be authorized for full-time co-op or internships or part-time internships utilizing either CPT or OPT. Depending on the number of hours per week, F-1 students may register for 3, 6, 9 or 12 hours of internship credit as determined by their Career Development Advisor.
Since F-1 students are required to be enrolled full-time (12 hours) during the fall and spring semesters , it is VERY important that students registering for the 3, 6, or 9 credit hours, work exactly the specified number of hours per week to meet the criteria of the internship and in compliance with CPT regulations and that they take 6 to 9 hours of academic course work at the Georgia Tech campus. They cannot use OPT!
IMPORTANT: All F-1 students are required to enroll in at least 12 credit hours during fall and spring semesters. F-1 students will not be enrolled in the internship course until the student has received approved work authorization. Once the work authorization is approved, students will automatically be registered in the appropriate co-op or internship course. F-1 students will not be able to drop the co-op or internship course without approval from OIE.
Students not enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits by the end of phase 2 registration, are in violation of their F-1 status which can result in the termination of their SEVIS records.
Note: International students not enrolled as “F-1 Visa Students” are encouraged to contact the Georgia Tech Office of International Education (OIE) for additional information on work authorization issues.
Note: OPT is recommended by an OIE advisor, but authorized by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It can take more than 90 + days for USCIS to process an OPT application. Therefore, students should plan ahead if applying for OPT.
Failure to obtain work authorization prior to beginning employment may jeopardize a student’s eligibility to continue living and working in the United States. Students will be given a permit for the co-op class only after they have obtained CPT or OPT work authorization for that term.
