International Student Employment Policy

University Policy

Title

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on International Student Employment

Introduction

Purpose

This policy explains the rules, eligibility requirements, authorization processes, and reporting obligations for international students at UNC-Chapel Hill who wish to work on campus or pursue authorized off-campus employment. It is intended to help students maintain valid immigration status while engaging in employment opportunities such as on-campus work, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, Academic Training, or hardship-based employment.

Scope

This policy applies to UNC-Chapel Hill international students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status who seek employment during or after their academic program, and to the University offices or sponsors involved in authorizing or monitoring that employment.

Table of Contents

On-Campus Employment

• Procedure to begin On-Campus Employment and Apply for an SSN

CPT (F-1 Students)

• Eligibility
• Application Process
• Maintenance of Status

OPT (F-1 Students)

• Pre-Completion OPT
• Post-Completion OPT
• STEM Extension
• Cap-Gap Extension

AT (J-1 Students)

• Eligibility
• Application Process
• Final Evaluation
• Maintenance of Status
• Travel

Other Off-Campus Employment

• Severe Economic Hardship
• Employment with an International Organization

Policy

International students are permitted to work on-campus as part of their immigration status. However, in order to engage in off-campus employment, students must apply and be approved for employment authorization. There are different types of authorization depending on the purpose of employment and the student’s immigration status.

On-Campus Employment

Students in F-1 or J-1 status are permitted to work on-campus at UNC-Chapel Hill up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (while classes are in session).  Students may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during official University breaks or during the summer if they intend to enroll for the subsequent semester. 

Students who accept employment are responsible for  ensuring that the employment is considered “on-campus.”

• Jobs that qualify as On-Campus Employment: Most positions in which students receive a UNC-CH paycheck.
• Jobs that do NOT qualify as On-Campus Employment: Positions at UNC Hospitals, the Carolina Inn, The Daily Tar Heel, and most businesses located on Franklin Street. Employment with these businesses and institutions is considered “off-campus employment” and requires off-campus work authorization.
• J-1 students must receive written permission from the sponsor in order to work on-campus.

If a student is unsure whether a specific employment opportunity qualifies as on-campus employment, they are encouraged to consult with their ISSS Advisor before accepting the position.

CPT (F-1 Students)

Eligibility

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a benefit of F-1 immigration status that permits students the opportunity to gain practical off-campus experience. The off-campus practical training must be either a part of an established curriculum or a requirement for graduation in a particular educational program.

CPT is typically authorized to allow a student to complete an internship, practicum, or field experience that is necessary for degree completion, or that will help the student satisfy the academic objectives of the program. Students in F-1 status are not eligible to begin any type of off-campus employment, whether it is paid or unpaid, without prior authorization.

CPT is a “benefit” of F-1 status and available only to students who maintain valid F-1 status prior to the application and through the duration of authorized employment.

General Eligibility Criteria

Students must meet all the following requirements to be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

Immigration Status Requirements:

• Students must be in valid F-1 status at the time of application.
• The student must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year (9 months)
  • Exception: Graduate students enrolled in programs that require participation in training prior to the completion of one full academic year.

Academic Standing Requirements:

• The student must be in good academic standing with UNC-Chapel Hill to be eligible for CPT. Students who are currently on a leave of absence or who are academically ineligible to continue their academic program are not eligible for CPT.

Degree Program and Course-Based Requirements:

• The internship or practicum must be an integral part of an established curriculum and either:
  • required for graduation by all students in a particular educational program OR
  • required by a course offered in the student’s program (in the student’s major field of study), in which the student will receive academic credit.
  • For doctoral students only: be required to complete their dissertation research. Students must be advanced to candidacy.
• Undergraduate students in their final term of study are not eligible for CPT unless participation in the practical training is required to fulfill a graduation requirement.

Internship course requirements

If CPT authorization is based on a course, the student must enroll in the internship or practicum course during the same term in which the training takes place. The period of CPT authorization cannot extend beyond the start and end dates of the semester in which the student registers for the course. For example, CPT for a summer internship can only begin after the completion of the spring semester and must end before classes start for the following fall semester.

Qualifying curricular practical training courses MUST:

• carry academic credit that will be applied towards graduation requirements.
• be listed in the school’s regular bulletin of course offerings.
• have a faculty member assigned to supervise the course.
• be clearly designated as an internship or practicum course either in the course title or course description.
• be in the student’s major field of study.

NOTE: It is particularly important that any employment experience required by the course be instrumental to achieving a curricular academic objective.

The following courses do NOT qualify for CPT authorization:

• Independent study courses.
• Internship courses offered within a student’s minor.
• Doctoral level internship courses when the student has been advanced to candidacy. Ph.D. students are typically INELIGIBLE for CPT if they have completed all requirements for the degree and are advanced to candidacy by the Graduate School. These students may be eligible for CPT in rare cases where the employment experience is absolutely essential to the completion of thesis or dissertation research.

Other important guidelines to consider about CPT

CPT Authorization Period:

• ISSS will authorize CPT only for periods beginning and ending prior to completion of the student’s course of study.

• CPT will be approved for one semester at a time; should the student need to participate in an internship or practicum longer in duration than one semester, the student must reapply for another separate CPT authorization for an additional semester.

CPT and Other Employment Options:

• Students who do not qualify for CPT can look at information regarding Optional Practical Training (OPT) as another option for off-campus employment authorization.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT:

• Training can be authorized either part-time or full-time according to the following scenarios:
  • Part-time training: Employment for 20 hours or less per week. Students who are enrolled for classes can only be approved for part time CPT. The student must be simultaneously enrolled and careful to limit work to no more than 20 hours per week in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.
  • Full-time training: Employment for more than 20 hours per week. In general, students are eligible for full-time CPT during the school’s annual vacation (summer) if the student intends to register for the next semester.
• Students are ineligible for OPT if authorized for more than 12 months of full-time CPT at the same education level. The amount of time authorized for part-time CPT does not impact a student’s eligibility for other practical training benefits such as Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Students Not Eligible for CPT:

Non-degree students at UNC-Chapel Hill are not eligible for CPT.

Application Process

Students must receive CPT Authorization BEFORE beginning any employment activity, including unpaid training. CPT applications must be submitted through the ISSS Portal. Review of CPT requests may take up to 2-3 weeks, so students should plan accordingly.

Students may not begin employment until the CPT has been approved in SEVIS and a new Form I-20 has been issued.

CPT approval and issuance of your new Form I-20 may take longer if the submitted request is incomplete. Students should review the below information about required documents and application procedures prior to submitting a request. If you have any questions, please contact your International Student Advisor.

CPT Request for Undergraduate Students

If you are an undergraduate student, you will need to have ALL the following documents ready before submitting a CPT Request:

• Internship/practicum course syllabus for the appropriate term
  • NOTE: CPT will not be approved until your enrollment in this class is reflected in ConnectCarolina.
• Letter from internship employer/organization signed and on letterhead with ALL of the following details included in the body of the letter:
  • brief job description
  • beginning and ending dates of employment
  • number of hours per week of employment
  • full address of location of employment (letter must specify if internship is remote/virtual)
• Most Recent Form I-94, which may be retrieved at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov

After you prepare all the documents above, submit your CPT Request in the ISSS Portal. You will log in with your Onyen and password, navigate to F-1 Student Services and select CPT Request for Undergraduate Students. For detailed instructions, please reference the CPT Request Guide for Undergraduate Students.

As part of this request, you must indicate the name and email address of the following individuals:

• The course instructor for the internship/practicum course in which you will be enrolled
• Your academic advisor or appropriate academic program representative. Check the UNC Directory for the correct email address. This must be full-time Academic Advising staff in the appropriate college (e.g. Arts & Sciences, Kenan-Flagler Business School, School of Journalism, etc.).

CPT Request for Graduate/Professional Students

If you are a graduate student, you will need to have ALL the following documents ready before submitting a CPT Request:

• Letter from internship employer/organization signed and on letterhead with ALL of the following details included in the body of the letter:
  • brief job description
  • beginning and ending dates of employment
  • number of hours per week of employment
  • full address of location of employment (letter must specify if internship is remote/virtual)
• NOTE: PhD students applying for CPT based on dissertation research must provide a letter from the employer indicating that the student will be allowed to utilize the internship/practicum experience in their dissertation.
• Most Recent Form I-94, which may be retrieved at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov
• Additional supporting documentation as indicated below:
  • If the internship is a degree requirement: Submit the requirement description from the department’s handbook and any other documentation outlining the requirement details (number of practicum hours needed, required prerequisites, etc.).
  • If enrolling in an internship course: Submit a copy of the course syllabus for the appropriate term.
    • NOTE: CPT will not be approved until your enrollment in this class is reflected in ConnectCarolina.
  • If the internship is required for dissertation research (PhD students only): Submit a letter from your advisor on department letterhead that includes:
    • Description of student’s research
    • Explanation of student role at the internship site and how it is related to the field of study
    • Why the research must be done off-campus and cannot be completed at UNC
    • How the research is required for dissertation completion

After you prepare all the documents above, submit your CPT Request in the ISSS Portal. You will log in with your Onyen and password, navigate to F-1 Student Services and select CPT Request for Graduate Students.

For detailed instructions, please reference the CPT Request Guide for Graduate Students.

As part of this request, you must indicate the name and email address of your academic advisor or appropriate academic program representative. Check the UNC Directory for the correct email address. You will provide your academic/faculty advisor’s information unless you are applying based on completing dissertation research. In the latter case, you will input the name and email address of the program director/director of graduate studies for your department.

Maintenance of Status

Reporting Requirements

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires students to report changes in name or address to ISSS throughout a student’s stay in F-1 status, including periods of CPT. Failure to report these changes within 10 days of the change could be considered a violation of F-1 immigration status.

All updates to your residential address should be reported through the ISSS Portal. You will log in with your Onyen and password, navigate to View or Update my Student Information on the menu to the left, and click on “Address and Phone Update for Students”. For instructions on how to update this address, please see our Address update instructions page.

Updates to Employment

CPT is authorized for a specific time period, job, number of hours per week, and employer, as specified on the I-20 after authorization. Any changes to the details listed above must be approved in advance by ISSS.

Students may not begin new employment, change employers, extend dates or adjust hours without receiving updated authorization from ISSS.

Beginning a new program of study

Authorization for CPT is automatically terminated if the student officially transfers to another school or begins study at another educational level.

Enrollment Requirements

Students who are approved for CPT based on a course must remain enrolled in and successfully complete the course. Should the student fail to complete the course, the work permission for the employment period will be retroactively invalid. The internship would then be considered unauthorized employment, thereby violating the student’s F-1 immigration status in the U.S.

Students must maintain full-time enrollment at UNC to be eligible for CPT. In addition, those authorized for CPT during the summer must intend to enroll the following fall semester.

OPT (F-1 Students)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of F-1 status that permits off-campus employment for the purpose of gaining practical experience in the student’s major field of study.  

There are two types of OPT:

• Pre-Completion OPT: Permits off-campus employment for students to begin prior to the program completion date. 
• Post-Completion OPT: Permits off-campus employment for students to begin after the program completion date. 

Post-Completion OPT can be extended in only two ways: 

• 24-Month STEM OPT Extension: A student in an active period of Post-Completion OPT who has completed a program in a STEM-designated field may be eligible to apply for an additional 24 months of OPT if both the student and the employer meets certain criteria.  
• Cap-Gap Extension:  A student in an active period of Post-Completion OPT who is the beneficiary of a cap-subject H-1B petition will be granted an automatic extension of OPT, if the petition is accepted by USCIS and it requests a change of status within the U.S.   

Pre-Completion OPT

Eligibility

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of F-1 status that permits off-campus employment in the student’s field of study to begin prior to the student’s program completion date.

Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT at each degree level (e.g. Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral).  OPT work authorization can be used either before or after degree completion.  Any OPT used prior to degree completion (Pre-Completion OPT) is subtracted from the 12-month total.  Students become eligible for another 12 months of OPT only when moving to a higher degree level (e.g. Bachelor’s to Master’s, Master’s to Ph.D.).

In order to be eligible to apply for Pre-Completion OPT, students:

• Must have completed 1 academic year of full-time study before the intended OPT start date.
• Must be in valid F-1 status at the time of application and must maintain status during the OPT authorization period, including maintaining full-time enrollment when required.
• Must not have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the current degree level.
• Must have OPT time remaining at the current degree level.

Additionally, students planning to apply for Pre-Completion OPT should note the following:

• Students may only be authorized for part-time work (up to 20 hours/week) during the academic year (fall and spring semesters).
• Students may be authorized for full-time work (more than 20 hours/week) during the summer and winter break.
  • Graduate students who have been advanced to candidacy by The Graduate School may be authorized for full-time work any time prior to program completion.
• Employment during OPT must be directly related to the students’ major area of study.
• Students may not be authorized for Pre-Completion OPT beyond the program end date on the Form I-20.

A job offer at the time of application is not required. However, any Pre-Completion OPT period approved by USCIS will count against the 12-month period of OPT allowed per educational level, regardless of whether the student ever secures an employment position.

Application Process

Application for OPT is a two-step process:

OPT Application Timeline

We recommend students submit the request for their new Form I-20 to ISSS as early as possible (three to four months in advance of the intended OPT start date) as it may take over 90 days for USCIS to reach a decision on the application. Please check current USCIS processing times.

Requesting a Form I-20 with OPT Recommendation

• Students may request a Form I-20 recommending OPT up to 110 days prior to fulfilling the one full academic year requirement.
• The requested employment start date must be after the date that the academic year requirement is met.
• Students may only select one type (part-time or full-time) of employment. If a student wants to obtain full-time employment for the summer and then part-time employment for fall, the student will need to submit two separate applications to USCIS.
• Once an application is submitted to USCIS, it is not possible to change the requested start and end dates without withdrawing and resubmitting a new application. Students should carefully choose dates of employment and be certain of those dates before submitting the request for the Form I-20 to ISSS.
• Students should allow 2-3 weeks processing time for ISSS to review the request and to issue a new Form I-20 recommending OPT. Students will receive the new Form I-20 via email.
• Upon receipt of the Form I-20, students should:
  • carefully review the document for accuracy.
  • confirm that the requested OPT dates are reflected on page 2.
  • print out and sign the form at the bottom of page 1.

USCIS Filing Requirements and Deadlines

• Students should NOT file an OPT application with USCIS before having received a new Form I-20 recommending OPT. If an application is received by USCIS prior to the issuance date of the new I-20, the application will be denied.
• Students must meet the following USCIS filing deadlines:
  • Students may submit an application for Pre-Completion OPT to USCIS only up to 90 days prior to fulfilling the one full academic year requirement.
  • The OPT application must be received by USCIS no later than 30 days after the Form I-20 recommending OPT is issued.
• When timing submission of the application students should be aware they may not begin employment until they have received the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and until the start date indicated on the EAD.

Filing the OPT Application (Form I-765) with USCIS

• To apply online, create a USCIS Online Account, if you do not already have one.
• If you will file a paper application by mail instead, note you are responsible for sending the OPT application to the appropriate USCIS Lockbox.
• Review the Form I-765 Instructions for more information before filing.
• When completing the Form I-765, carefully consider what mailing address to include. Important correspondence from USCIS, including the EAD (if approved), will be sent to the mailing address you provide to USCIS at the time of filing. You should list an address at which you will be able to receive mail for at least three to four months.
• If there is any problem with receipt of the application, contact your International Student Advisor at ISSS prior to refiling the application with USCIS.

USCIS Processing

Once the application is received by USCIS, the payment will be processed and the application will be forwarded to an adjudicator.  USCIS will generate an official Form I-797 Notice of Action: Receipt Notice for the case.  This notice will confirm official receipt of the application by USCIS and indicate a case number which can be used to track the application.  The courtesy receipt notice will be available electronically shortly after submission of the application (if filing online); this document will also be sent via mail and should be delivered in approximately two to four weeks.

During the adjudication process, students should be mindful of the following items:

• Checking the Status of the OPT Application
  Students may check their case status through their USCIS account if filed electronically or through www.uscis.gov by clicking on “Check your Case Status” and entering the case number from the Receipt Notice. It may take up to 90 days or longer for USCIS to reach a decision on the case. If the application takes longer than USCIS’s published processing time, students may submit a case inquiry through USCIS’s e-request system.
• Request for Evidence
  In the course of adjudicating the application, USCIS may send a Form I-797 Notice of Action: Request for Evidence to an applicant if an item is missing or if USCIS requires additional information before making a decision on an application. Students who receive a Request for Evidence are advised to contact ISSS immediately for assistance with preparing the additional documentation.
• Impact of Long Processing Times
  If a student’s OPT application is approved after the student’s requested start date, USCIS will give the student a new start date, usually the date the application is approved.  The end date will remain the same as requested. If a student’s offer of employment is rescinded due to late approval and the student does not work during the period of authorized OPT, the duration of Pre-Completion OPT granted by USCIS will still count against the 12-month total of OPT eligibility.
• Withdrawing the Application
  Students who no longer wish to pursue Pre-Completion OPT may choose to withdraw their application, so long as the application is still pending with USCIS.  Students will need to correspond with USCIS to complete the withdrawal process prior to adjudication.

Approval

Once the application is approved, USCIS will mail an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the applicant. Please note it can take two to four weeks for the EAD card to arrive once the online case status at uscis.gov is updated to “Approved”. Students may not begin employment before receiving the EAD and before the start date on the card.

Upon receipt of the EAD, students should check the card for accuracy (they should check name spelling, date of birth, and OPT authorization dates). If there are any errors, students should notify ISSS immediately.

STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF THE EAD TO ISSS.

Maintaining F-1 Status

Students commencing Pre-Completion OPT employment must keep in mind the following regulations and guidelines in order to maintain status throughout the OPT authorization period.

OPT Employment

Students may only work after receipt of the EAD, only for the dates as specified on the EAD, and only in positions directly related to the field of study and degree program for which the OPT was recommended.

Full-Time Enrollment

A student engaged in Pre-Completion OPT must continue to enroll full-time during the fall and spring semesters. Students using Pre-Completion OPT during the summer must be enrolled full-time for the following fall semester.

SEVIS Reporting

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires students to report changes in name or address to ISSS throughout a student’s stay in F-1 status, including periods of OPT. Failure to report these changes within 10 days of the change is considered a violation of F-1 immigration status.

To report changes to your residential address and other contact information, you must log in to the ISSS Portal to submit the Address and Phone Update for Students e-form under the View or Update my Student Information menu. Please see our Address update instructions. 

Additionally, students should report all employment while participating in Pre-Completion OPT to ISSS by submitting the OPT Employment Reporting Form. 

Restrictions on OPT Employment

• Students authorized for part-time OPT must limit work hours to 20 or less per week. OPT employment hours may not be changed after the EAD is issued.

• Students may only work after the EAD is received and only within the dates specified on the EAD.
• Students must work in a job related to their level and field of study as indicated on their Form I-20.

It is strongly recommended that students keep accurate records of their OPT employment as they may be required by USCIS or the Department of State to show proof of their OPT activities.

Reporting Requirements

F-1 students participating in Pre-Completion OPT are required to notify ISSS of any employment activities they engage in during the OPT period.  Students should contact their International Student Advisor directly to provide information about the following events and/or changes that may occur before or during the period of Pre-Completion OPT:

• Receipt of the EAD card (students must submit copy of the card to ISSS).
• Commencement of any employment activity, paid or unpaid.
• Termination of any employment (students must report a specific employment end date).
• Change in employment details such as job location or job duties.

Reporting OPT Employment Information

For all jobs held while on OPT, F-1 students must report the employer’s name and their physical location of work, the start date of employment and (when applicable) the end date of employment.  Students must also provide an explanation of how each job held is directly related to their major and program of study at UNC-Chapel Hill.   Students must report all changes in employment information directly to ISSS by submitting an OPT Employment Reporting Form.

Other Reporting Requirements for F-1 Students

Students must continue to fulfill all obligations of their F-1 student status during the OPT period such as reporting changes in address and other contact information.  Students should visit the Current Students section to review information about all of their responsibilities as an F-1 student and be sure to contact an ISSS advisor if there are any questions.

Post-Completion OPT

Eligibility

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of F-1 status that permits off-campus employment in the student’s field of study to begin after the student’s program completion date.

Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT at each degree level (e.g. Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral).  OPT work authorization can be used either before or after degree completion.  Any OPT used prior to degree completion is subtracted from the 12-month total.  Students become eligible for another 12 months of OPT only when moving to a higher degree level (e.g. Bachelor’s to Master’s, Master’s to Ph.D.).

Post-Completion OPT must be used directly following program completion and may not be used at a later time.  The 12-month period of Post-Completion OPT must be completed within a 14-month period following the student’s program completion date.

In order to apply for Post-Completion OPT, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must have completed 1 academic year of full-time study.
• Must be in valid F-1 status at the time of application.
• Must not have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the current degree level.
• Must have OPT time remaining at the current degree level.

Failure to complete the program of study as expected for any reason – an incomplete or failing grade, or otherwise failing to meet graduation requirements – can impact a student’s eligibility for Post-Completion OPT.  Students must apply for an extension of their Form I-20 (prior to its expiration) if they will not complete their studies before the program end date listed on the form.

All students are advised to confirm their eligibility for graduation with their academic advisor or department prior to applying for Post-Completion OPT, since withdrawal of the  OPT application at a later time may not be possible. Students who have a pending application for Post-Completion OPT (not yet approved) and who learn they may not graduate as expected should contact ISSS immediately to determine if withdrawal of their OPT application is possible.

Application

Application for OPT is a two-step process:

OPT Application Timeline

We recommend students submit the request for their new Form I-20 to ISSS as early as possible (three to four months in advance of program completion) as it may take over 90 days for USCIS to reach a decision on the application. Please check current USCIS processing times.

Requesting a Form I-20 with OPT Recommendation

• Students may request a Form I-20 recommending OPT up to 110 days prior to program completion.
• The program completion date reported in SEVIS will be the last day of the final exam period in the student’s final term of enrollment. For undergraduate students, this will typically be the term the student graduates.  For graduate students, this will typically be the term the student defends their thesis/dissertation or completes their master’s project.
• When a student requests a Form I-20 recommending Post-Completion OPT, the student’s program completion date in SEVIS will be updated if necessary (the program may be shortened), and the new Form I-20 will also show the new end date (if a change is required).  The 60-day grace period will be based on the program end date on the new I-20.
• Students must request an OPT start date that is within the 60-day grace period following the program completion date.  Students will indicate their requested OPT start date in the F-1 OPT Request submitted through the ISSS Portal.
• Students should allow 2-3 weeks processing time for ISSS to review the request and to issue a new Form I-20 recommending OPT.  Students will receive the new Form I-20 via email.
• Upon receipt of the Form I-20, students should:
  • carefully review the document for accuracy.
  • confirm that the requested OPT start date is reflected on page 2.
  • print out and sign the form at the bottom of page 1.

USCIS Filing Requirements and Deadlines

• Students should NOT file an OPT application with USCIS before having received a new Form I-20 recommending OPT.  If an application is received by USCIS prior to the issuance date of the new I-20, the application will be denied.
• Students must meet the following USCIS filing deadlines:
  • The OPT application cannot be received by USCIS more than 90 days prior to the program end date on the new Form I-20.
  • The OPT application must be received by USCIS prior to the end of the 60-day grace period.
  • The OPT application must be received by USCIS no later than 30 days after the Form I-20 recommending OPT is issued.
• When timing submission of the application students should be aware they may not begin employment until they have received the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and until the start date indicated on the EAD.
• Students must file the OPT application with USCIS while present in the United States.  If a student departs the U.S. during the 60-day grace period without having applied for OPT, the student’s F-1 status ends and the student is no longer eligible for OPT. 

Filing the OPT Application (Form I-765) with USCIS

• To apply online, create a USCIS Online Account, if you do not already have one.
• If you will file a paper application by mail instead, note you are responsible for sending the OPT application to the appropriate USCIS Lockbox.
• Review the Form I-765 Instructions for more information before filing.
• When completing the Form I-765, carefully consider what mailing address to include. Important correspondence from USCIS, including the EAD (if approved), will be sent to the mailing address you provide to USCIS at the time of filing. You should list an address at which you will be able to receive mail for at least three to four months.
• If there is any problem with receipt of the application, contact your International Student Advisor prior to refiling the application with USCIS.

USCIS Processing

Once the application is received by USCIS, the payment will be processed and the application will be forwarded to an adjudicator.  USCIS will generate an official Form I-797 Notice of Action: Receipt Notice for the case.  This notice will confirm official receipt of the application by USCIS and indicate a case number which can be used to track the application.  The courtesy receipt notice will be available electronically shortly after submission of the application (if filing online); this document will also be sent via mail and should be delivered in approximately two to four weeks.

During the adjudication process, students should be mindful of the following items:

• Checking the Status of the OPT Application
  Students may check their case status through their USCIS account if filed electronically or through www.uscis.gov by clicking on “Check your Case Status” and entering the case number from the Receipt Notice. It may take up to 90 days or longer for USCIS to reach a decision on the case. If the application takes longer than USCIS’s published processing time, students may submit a case inquiry through USCIS’s e-request system.
• Request for Evidence
  In the course of adjudicating the application, USCIS may send a Form I-797 Notice of Action: Request for Evidence to an applicant if an item is missing or if USCIS requires additional information before making a decision on an application. Students who receive a Request for Evidence are advised to contact ISSS immediately for assistance with preparing the additional documentation.
• Impact of Long Processing Times
  If a student’s OPT application is approved after the student’s requested start date, USCIS will give the student a new start date.  The end date will also be adjusted to 12 months after the new start date or 14 months after the student’s program end date, whichever is earliest.  Students are permitted to remain in the U.S. beyond their grace period if they have a pending OPT application with USCIS.
• Withdrawing the Application
  Students who no longer wish to pursue Post-Completion OPT may choose to withdraw their application, so long as the application is still pending with USCIS.  Students will need to correspond with USCIS to complete the withdrawal process prior to adjudication.

Approval

Once the application is approved, USCIS will mail an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the applicant. Please note it can take two to four weeks for the EAD card to arrive once the online case status at uscis.gov is updated to “Approved”. Students may not begin employment before receiving the EAD and before the start date on the card.

Upon receipt of the EAD, students should check the card for accuracy (they should check name spelling, date of birth, and OPT authorization dates). If there are any errors, students should notify ISSS immediately.

STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF THE EAD TO ISSS USING LIMITED SERVICES ACCESS TO THE ISSS PORTAL ONCE RECEIVED. 

Maintaining Status

Students completing their programs and commencing Post-Completion OPT employment must keep in mind the following regulations and guidelines so as not to violate the rules of their F-1 status:

OPT Employment

Students may only work after receipt of the EAD, only for the dates as specified on the EAD, and only in positions related to the field of study and degree program for which the OPT was recommended.

On-Campus Employment after Completion of Program

Students may not continue working on campus at UNC-Chapel Hill after the program end date listed on the Form I-20 unless they have received an EAD and their OPT dates cover the dates of employment. When recommending a student for Post-Completion OPT, the program end date on the Form I-20 may be updated to reflect the expected date of completion.  Students should notify their academic department and Human Resources regarding the new program end date. Students who intend to use OPT work authorization to work at UNC after the program end date on their Form I-20 will need to present the Post-Completion OPT EAD to HR and may need to complete other updates required by Payroll Services. Employment during the OPT period must be commensurate with the student’s degree level and related to the student’s field of study.

90-Day Unemployment Limit

Students approved for Post-Completion OPT may not accrue more than an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment within the OPT period. While participating in Post-Completion OPT, students must be employed or participating in permitted practical training activities for at least 20 hours per week to avoid accruing unemployment; periods with activity of less than 20 hours per week will be counted toward unemployment accrual.  The “unemployment clock” begins from the start date listed on the student’s EAD.

Students who have accrued more than 90 days of unemployment are considered out of status. Students should make plans to depart the U.S., start a new program at UNC, or transfer to a new program/school prior to exhausting the 90-day unemployment limit. A student will be considered out of compliance if they have exceeded the 90-day limit on unemployment time or if they have failed to report their employment information to ISSS, even if unemployment time was less than 90 days.   To avoid violating their F-1 status, students must report all required information about their employment activities while on OPT, whether paid or unpaid, in a timely manner to the ISSS office and/or through the SEVP Portal.

For more reporting guidelines, please see Reporting Requirements.

Types of Allowable OPT Employment

Students may work for multiple employers and may be employed part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). If a student has a variable schedule, within a month, it should average out to at least 20 hours per week. Keep in mind that OPT activity less than 20 hours per week will count toward unemployment accrual.

The following types of employment are allowed during Post-Completion OPT:

SEVIS Reporting Requirements During the OPT Period

Students are required to update ISSS with documentation and information as specified below (whenever applicable) for the duration of the OPT period. Students must:

• Submit a copy of the EAD card, once received.
• Report any change in residential address within 10 days of moving.
• Report all employment activity – PAID or UNPAID.
• Report any termination of employment, specifying the employment end date.
• Notify ISSS if permanently departing the U.S. prior to the end of the OPT period.
• Notify ISSS if changing to a status other than F-1.

For more reporting guidelines, please see Reporting Requirements.

The Importance of Documenting Employment Activities

Students must keep accurate records of their OPT employment as they may be required by USCIS or the Department of State to show proof of their OPT activities. These documents may include:

• Job postings and formal job descriptions.
• Timesheets and paystubs.
• Job offer letters and employment verification letters confirming starting and ending dates of employment.

Such documentation may also be extremely important for individuals considering long term employment in the U.S. as they may be requested during the course of future immigration benefit applications such as an H-1B (work visa) petition or application for U.S. permanent residency.

60-Day Grace Period

Once students have completed their period of Post-Completion OPT, they are permitted to remain in the U.S. in F-1 status up to 60 days in order to prepare for departure from the U.S. Students are not permitted to continue employment during this period. Travel within the U.S. is permitted during the grace period, however, once a student departs the U.S., the remaining time of the grace period is forfeited, and the student may not re-enter in F-1 status.  By the end of the grace period, students should do one of the following: depart the U.S., transfer their F-1 status to another school or process a change of education level to begin a new program of study at UNC.

SEVIS Transfer

Students approved for Post-Completion OPT are eligible to transfer their SEVIS record to begin a new program of study at another institution at any time during the OPT period. Authorization for OPT is automatically terminated as of the SEVIS transfer release date.  Students must obtain a new Form I-20 from their new institution and must begin the new program of study within five months of the end of the OPT period or their SEVIS transfer release date, whichever is sooner.

Beginning a New Academic Program at UNC-Chapel Hill

Students may continue their education at UNC-Chapel Hill, however, if a student begins a new program of study at UNC prior to the expiration of OPT, the OPT period will automatically terminate as of the start of classes. Students must obtain a new Form I-20 for their new program at UNC prior to the end of their 60-day grace period and must begin the new program of study within five months of the end of the OPT period.

Reporting

F-1 students on OPT are required to notify ISSS directly about several types of events and/or changes that may occur before or during the period of Post-Completion OPT, including:

• Receipt of the EAD card (students must submit copy of the card to ISSS).
• Change in U.S. residential address.
• Change in phone number or email address.
• Commencement of any employment activity, paid or unpaid.
• Termination of any employment (students must report a specific employment end date).
• Change in employment details such as job location.
• Permanent departure from the U.S.
• Change of immigration status (to a status other than F-1).

For the duration of authorized Practical Training, students must use Limited Services Access to the ISSS Portal to report the above changes.

Detailed information about specific actions students should take to report these events can be found in the OPT Reporting Resource Guide.

Reporting Changes in OPT Employment Information

For all jobs held while on OPT, F-1 students must report the employer’s name and physical location of work, the start date of employment and (when applicable) the end date of employment.  Students must also provide an explanation of how each job held is directly related to their major or program of study at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Students must report all changes in employment information directly to ISSS by submitting the “Add New OPT Employer” form or “Update Current OPT Employer Information” form in Limited Services in the ISSS Portal under the “F-1 Practical Training menu”.

NOTE: Even if a student has already updated employment information in the SEVP Portal, the student must still submit this form to ISSS.  An ISSS student advisor must review and/or submit changes in the student’s SEVIS record to make sure it is updated accurately.  The ISSS student advisor will also issue a new Form I-20 to the student that reflects the changes to the OPT employment information.

Reporting New Address and/or Contact Information

Changes to your U.S. residential address and/or contact information should be reported to the ISSS by submitting the “OPT Address, Phone Number and Email Update” form in the ISSS Portal-Limited Services within 10 days of the change. The form can be found in the “View and Update my Student Information” menu.

Travel

In order to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status during OPT, students will need the following documents:

• Form I-20 updated with most recent employment information (if applicable) and with a travel signature that will be less than six months old at the time of re-entry
• Valid F-1 visa
  • On September 6, 2025 and effective immediately, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants who are scheduling visa interview appointments:
    • Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
    • Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate (see list here), unless their residence is elsewhere
• Valid passport
• EAD
• Employment offer or employment verification letter, if applicable.

Students who are on OPT and have a pending H-1B petition should be especially careful about travel. Please consult an immigration attorney or the employer before traveling in this circumstance.

STEM Extension

Eligibility

Post-Completion OPT may be extended by 24 months for certain students based on the completion of a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree in eligible fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  Students may be eligible for another 24-month extension of OPT if they obtain a degree at a higher educational level in a designated STEM field.

In order to be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, students must meet the following eligibility and employment requirements:

Student Eligibility Requirements

• Must be in valid F-1 status
• Must be in a valid (unexpired) period of Post-Completion OPT at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral level
• Must have completed a qualifying STEM-degree:
  • The degree must be a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.
  • The CIP code for the degree must be on the DHS STEM-Designated Degree Program List. (updated July 22, 2024)
  • The degree must be from a school that is accredited and SEVP-certified at the time the application is filed with USCIS.
  • The degree must have been earned within the last 10 years.
  • The student cannot have been granted a prior STEM Extension based on the same degree.
• Must not have been granted more than one previous STEM extension (2 STEM extension lifetime limit)
• Must have a job or a job offer (see more below)
• Must complete Form I-983 with the employer and submit the form to ISSS in order to receive the STEM OPT recommendation

Employment Requirements

• The job must be related to the STEM degree on which the extension is based.
• The student must be working at least 20 hours per week in a paid position.
• The employer must be an active participant in good standing with DHS’s E-Verify program. A searchable list of employers can be found on the USCIS E-Verify Employers Search Tool.
• The employer must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• The employer must certify on the Form I-983:
  • The student will work at least 20 hours per week and the training opportunity is directly related to the student’s STEM field.
  • The student will receive formal training in their field of study.
  • The student will pursue and achieve identified goals and objectives.
  • The employer has sufficient resources and personnel to administer the training.
  • The STEM OPT student will not replace a full-time or part-time U.S. Worker.
• The employer and student must agree to report any material changes to the student’s training plan to the DSO by completing a new Form I-983. Examples of material changes can be found here.
• The employer must notify the DSO when the student’s employment is terminated before the end of the authorized extension period within five business days of the termination.

NOTE: A student is eligible for the STEM extension of OPT only if the degree on which they are basing the extension  has been assigned a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code that matches one of the program codes on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List.  UNC CIP codes are determined by the UNC General Administration and cannot be changed. Students may find the CIP code of their program on page one of their Form I-20 under “Program of Study” (in the format xx.xxxx).

Application

Application for STEM OPT is a two-step process:

STEM OPT Application Timeline

We recommend students submit the request for their new Form I-20 to ISSS as early as possible (three to four months prior to Post-Completion OPT end date) to avoid possible problems.

• Students may submit their STEM OPT application to USCIS up to 90 days prior to the end of their Post-Completion OPT.
• USCIS must receive the OPT application within 60 days of when the Form I-20 recommending STEM OPT has been issued by ISSS.
• USCIS must receive the OPT application prior to the Post-Completion OPT end date.
• Students may continue employment for up to 180 days with an expired Post-Completion OPT EAD while the timely-filed STEM extension is pending with USCIS.  If the STEM extension is denied by USCIS, the student must immediately end employment.

STEM OPT Application Process

STEP ONE: Issuance of New Form I-20 with STEM OPT Recommendation 

To begin this process, students must prepare the Form I-983, following the instructions provided by SEVP. The form must be completed and signed by the student as well as the employer official. Incorrectly completed Forms I-983 are the main cause of delays in this process.

In order to request a new Form I-20, students must submit the following forms using Limited Services Access to the ISSS Portal:

• STEM OPT Extension Request Instructions
• STEM OPT Extension Request form

Students may use the STEM OPT Extension Application Checklist to guide them through the process of submitting the STEM OPT Extension Request as well as completing the Form I-983.

Students should allow 2-3 weeks processing time for ISSS to review the request and to issue a new Form I-20 recommending STEM OPT. The student will be contacted via email once the new Form I-20 is issued.

STEP TWO: Submission of STEM OPT Application to USCIS 

Once students have received their new Form I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation, they should proceed to file their application for the STEM OPT Extension with USCIS (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization).

USCIS must receive the student’s application within 60 days of the Form I-20 issuance date and prior to the end of the student’s Post-Completion OPT.  Students should not submit the STEM OPT application more than 90 days prior to the end of their current Post-Completion OPT end date.

Students should use the same USCIS Online Account used for filing the Post-Completion OPT. If students do not already have an account, they will need to create one first. Students must follow all USCIS instructions for the online filing of Form I-765.

When submitting the application to USCIS, students should carefully consider the mailing address they choose to include on Form I-765. All correspondence from USCIS, including the receipt notice, requests for additional documents (if applicable), and the EAD (if approved), will be sent to the mailing address listed on Form I-765. Students should list an address at which they will be able to receive mail for at least three to four months.

USCIS Processing

Once the application is received by USCIS, the payment will be processed and the application will be forwarded to an adjudicator.  USCIS will generate an official Form I-797 Notice of Action: Receipt Notice for the case. This notice will confirm official receipt of the application by USCIS and indicate a case number which can be used to track the application. The receipt notice will be available electronically shortly after submission of the application (if filing online); this document will also be sent via mail and should be delivered in approximately two to four weeks.

During the adjudication process, students should be mindful of the following items:

• Checking the Status of the STEM OPT Application
  Students may check their case status through their USCIS account if filed electronically or through www.uscis.gov by clicking on “Check your Case Status” and entering the case number from the Receipt Notice. It may take up to 90 days or longer for USCIS to reach a decision on the case. If the application takes longer than USCIS’s published processing time, students may submit a case inquiry through USCIS’s e-request system.
• Request for Evidence
  In the course of adjudicating the application, USCIS may send a Form I-797 Notice of Action: Request for Evidence to an applicant if an item is missing or if USCIS requires additional information before making a decision on an application. Students who receive a Request for Evidence are advised to contact ISSS immediately for assistance with preparing the additional documentation.
• Impact of Long Processing Times
  Students may continue employment for up to 180 days with an expired Post-Completion OPT EAD while the timely-filed STEM extension is pending with USCIS. However, it is strongly recommended that students do not travel outside the U.S. after the Post-Completion OPT end date if the STEM extension is still pending or if the new EAD has not yet been received.
• Withdrawing the Application
  Students who no longer wish to pursue STEM OPT may choose to withdraw their application, so long as the application is still pending with USCIS.  Students will need to correspond with USCIS to complete the withdrawal process prior to adjudication.

Approval

Once the application is approved, USCIS will mail an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to the applicant. Please note it can take two to four weeks for the EAD card to arrive once the online case status at uscis.gov is updated to “Approved”.

Upon receipt of the EAD, students should check the card for accuracy (they should check name spelling, date of birth, and OPT authorization dates). If there are any errors, students should notify ISSS immediately.

STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF THE EAD TO ISSS USING LIMITED SERVICES ACCESS TO THE ISSS PORTAL ONCE RECEIVED. 

Maintaining Status

Employment While STEM OPT Application is Pending

Students are allowed to work up to 180 days past the expiration of the Post-Completion OPT period, if the STEM application was timely filed and is pending adjudication at USCIS

Employment While on STEM OPT

Employment while on STEM OPT must meet the following criteria:

• Must be paid employment of at least 20 hours per week
• Must be in a position directly related to the student’s STEM degree
• Must be a bona fide employer-employee relationship
• Must be for an employer enrolled in E-Verify
• Must be for an employer who commits to provide training objectives and a plan to meet those objectives by completing and maintaining the Form I-983

Students approved for the 24-month STEM extension can be employed by multiple employers, but the employment must meet the criteria listed above and each employer must complete and maintain a Form I-983.

Restrictions on Unemployment

Students approved for Post-Completion OPT may not accrue more than an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment during the 12-month Post-Completion OPT period. Students approved for the 24-month STEM extension are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment; therefore, the limit of unemployment is an aggregate of no more than 150 days for the entire 36-month period.

Time spent outside of the U.S. while unemployed will count towards days of unemployment. Traveling outside the U.S. while employed as a part of the employment or during a period of leave authorized by the employer will not count as unemployment.

SEVIS Reporting Requirements

Students are required to update ISSS of any changes to their contact, biographic or employment information, including material changes to the Form I-983.  There are also increased reporting obligations for students during the STEM extension period.

Students should CAREFULLY REVIEW detailed information about the specific actions they should take in the STEM OPT Reporting Resource Guide.  

60-Day Grace Period

Once students have completed their period of STEM OPT, they are permitted to remain in the United States in F-1 status for up to sixty days in order to prepare for departure from the U.S. Students are not permitted to continue employment during this period. Travel within the U.S. is permitted during the grace period, however, once a student departs the U.S., the remaining time of the grace period is forfeited, and the student may not re-enter in F-1 status.  By the end of the grace period students should do one of the following: depart the U.S., transfer their F-1 status to another school or process a change of education level to begin a new program of study at UNC.

SEVIS Transfer

Students approved for STEM OPT are eligible to transfer their SEVIS record to begin a new program of study at another institution at any time during the STEM OPT period. Authorization for STEM OPT is automatically terminated as of the SEVIS transfer release date.  Students must obtain a new Form I-20 from their new institution and must begin the new program of study within five months of the end of the STEM OPT period or their SEVIS transfer release date, whichever is sooner.

Beginning a New Academic Program at UNC

Students may continue their education at UNC-Chapel Hill, however, if a student begins a new program of study at UNC prior to the expiration of the STEM OPT, the STEM OPT period will automatically terminate as of the start of classes. Students must obtain a new Form I-20 for their new program at UNC prior to the end of their 60-day grace period and must begin the new program of study within five months of the end of the STEM OPT period.

Reporting

F-1 students who have applied for the STEM extension of OPT are required to notify ISSS about several types of events and/or changes that may occur during the STEM OPT extension period, and they must also report to ISSS on a periodic basis even if no changes have occurred.

Students should CAREFULLY REVIEW detailed information about specific actions they should take to meet these obligations in the STEM OPT Reporting Resource Guide.

Changes that must be reported to ISSS include:

• Receipt of the new EAD card for the STEM extension (students must submit copy of the card to ISSS)
• Change in U.S. residential address
• Change in phone number or email address
• Commencement of any new employment
• Termination of employment
• Change in job location
• Any other material change to the information included on the Form I-983
• Permanent departure from the U.S.
• Change of immigration status (to a status other than F-1)

Periodic reports that must be submitted to ISSS include:

• 6-Month Validation Reports: Students must submit a validation report every six months from the start of the STEM OPT extension period.
• Evaluation of Student Progress: Students must submit a self-evaluation on their progress using page 5 of the Form I-983. This will be submitted with the 12-month validation report and with the 24-month validation report.

ALL relevant updates, changes to employment information, and STEM OPT Validation Reports must be submitted to ISSS using Limited Services Access to the ISSS Portal.

Material Changes to Form I-983

The employer and the student must complete a new Form I-983 to inform ISSS of any material changes to the training plan. Material changes include, but are not limited to:

• Any change of Employer Identification Number resulting from a corporate restructuring
• Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
• Any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity
• Changes to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983

Students must complete the Update STEM OPT Employer Information form in the ISSS Portal-Limited Services to submit the updated Form I-983 to ISSS whenever changes are made.

Travel

In order to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status during STEM OPT, students will need the following documents:

• Form I-20 updated with most recent employment information (if applicable) and with a travel signature that will be less than six months old at the time of re-entry
• Valid F-1 visa
  • On September 6, 2025 and effective immediately, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants who are scheduling visa interview appointments:
    • Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
    • Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate (see list here), unless their residence is elsewhere
• Valid passport
• EAD
• Employment offer or employment verification letter, if applicable

Students who are on STEM OPT and have a pending H-1B petition should be especially careful about travel. Please consult an immigration attorney or the employer before traveling in this circumstance.

Cap-Gap Extension

Eligibility

The Cap-Gap Extension is an automatic extension of F-1 status and any current valid OPT work authorization for students who are the beneficiaries of a timely filed, cap-subject, H-1B petition that requests a change of status. 

The Cap-Gap Extension bridges the gap between the end of F-1 status and the start of H-1B status, allowing the student to remain in F-1 status until April 1st of the following year or until their H-1B becomes effective, whichever is earlier. If the student is in a period of authorized Post-Completion or STEM OPT on the date the student becomes eligible for the cap-gap extension, the student’s Post-Completion or STEM OPT employment authorization is also automatically extended until April 1st. 

Eligibility Requirements 

The student must be the beneficiary of an H-1B petition that:

• is subject to the annual cap
• was timely filed with USCIS
• requests an employment start date of October 1st of the following fiscal year
• requests a change of status within the U.S.

During the Cap-Gap Extension period, students must continue to maintain their F-1 status and continue to meet all reporting requirements.

Loss of Eligibility

Students lose the benefit of the cap-gap extension if:

• The H-1B petition for the student is rejected, denied, or withdrawn.
• The H-1B petition for the student was approved but the change of status portion was denied.

Students should contact their International Student Advisor whenever there are changes to the H-1B petition filed on behalf of the student to determine if there is an impact on the student’s eligibility for the Cap-Gap Extension.

Request Procedure

The Cap-Gap Extension is generally updated automatically in SEVIS but the ISSS office does not print the new Form I-20 for students unless it is specifically requested.  To request a new Form I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension, please complete and submit the Cap-Gap Extension I-20 Request Form in the ISSS Portal-Limited Services.

If the cap-gap extension is not automatically updated in SEVIS, the ISSS office will have to request a correction to the student’s SEVIS Record. This process can take 2-3 weeks to be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). After the correction is approved in SEVIS, ISSS will issue a new Form I-20 to the student.

Travel

ISSS strongly recommends that students not depart the U.S. during the period of the cap-gap extension until they qualify for travel and re-entry in H-1B status. Students should contact their employer and/or the immigration attorney who filed the H-1B petition if they have plans to travel outside the U.S. during this time.

AT (J-1 Students)

Eligibility

Academic Training (AT) is available to J-1 students enrolled in a degree-seeking program at UNC (exchange students are not eligible) and is intended to provide practical work experience that complements the academic program. The training must be an integral part of the student’s academic goals and may be undertaken before or after completion of studies.

Students with a J-1 program sponsor other than UNC-Chapel Hill (Fulbright, etc.) must obtain approval for Academic Training directly from their J-1 program sponsor and should seek guidance from them regarding eligibility and application procedures.

J-1 students sponsored by UNC-Chapel Hill (with a Form DS-2019 issued by UNC-Chapel Hill) must be approved for Academic Training by an ISSS advisor.

If approved, the student will be issued a new Form DS-2019 reflecting the Academic Training period and will receive an Academic Training authorization letter. Students must receive both documents prior to beginning employment.

Eligibility Requirements

• The student’s primary purpose in the United States must be to study rather than to pursue Academic Training or other employment.
• The student must be in good academic standing at the school named on the Form DS-2019.
• The proposed employment must be directly related to the student’s major field of study as indicated in the subject fields of the DS-2019.
• Throughout the AT period, the student must maintain permission to stay in the U.S. in J-1 student status and apply for extensions as necessary.
• The student must be able to maintain health insurance coverage, as required in U.S. Department of State (DOS) regulations, for themselves and all J-2 dependents through the period of AT.
• For post-completion academic training, employment must begin within 30 days of the completion of studies.
• Students applying for post-completion AT must be approved prior to the program end date on their DS-2019 and will NOT be eligible to apply for AT within the grace period following program completion. Students should submit the AT application to ISSS at least 3 weeks prior to the program end date.

Time Limits and Usage Guidelines

• J-1 students are eligible for up to eighteen months of AT throughout their J-1 status. However, the total training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study.
• AT can be authorized part-time while classes are in session or full-time during vacation periods. Part-time and full-time AT authorization count against the 18-month limit at the same rate.
• AT can be used before or after completion of studies.
• Earning more than one degree does not increase your eligibility for AT.
  • If students use up all eighteen months after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, they will not have any eligibility for AT during or after a graduate program.
  • An additional eighteen months may be possible for those in a “Post-doctoral” research position at a university.

Application Process

When to Apply

We recommend that students submit completed applications to ISSS as early as possible, at least 2-3 weeks in advance of the employment start date (if pre-completion) or 2-3 weeks prior to the completion of studies date (if post-completion). Students may not begin employment until the AT has been approved in SEVIS and a new DS-2019 has been issued.

Students who are completing their studies must receive approval of the AT application prior to the program end date on Form DS-2019. Students interested in pursuing post-completion AT are encouraged to meet with an ISSS Advisor well before program completion to discuss potential issues related to the timing of the application and the start of employment.

Submitting a Complete Application to ISSS

Students may submit their application via email to isss@unc.edu. The application submitted to ISSS must include all required items as outlined on the application checklist below. Once submitted, ISSS requests 2-3 weeks processing time, and if approved, an ISSS Advisor will issue the student a new DS-2019 with AT authorization and an AT authorization letter. The student will receive these documents via email.

Application Checklist for Academic Training

Final Evaluation

Once a student has concluded their Academic Training experience, the student is required to submit a completed Academic Training Evaluation Form to ISSS within one week of ending their training experience. The student’s employer must complete and sign their portion of the form, and return the form to the student within 3 days of the end of the Academic Training experience. The student will need to have their Academic Advisor or the Director of Undergraduate/Graduate Studies complete the Academic Department section and sign the form before submitting the completed document to ISSS.

Maintenance of Status

• Reporting Requirements: The Department of State (DOS) requires students to report changes in name or address to ISSS throughout a student’s stay in J-1 status, including periods of AT. Failure to report these changes within 10 days of the change could be considered a violation of J-1 immigration status.
• All updates to your residential address should be reported through the ISSS Portal under the “View or Update my Student Information” section.
• Updates to Employment: AT is authorized for a specific time period, job, number of hours per week, salary, and employer, as specified on the DS-2019 after authorization. Any changes to the details listed above must be approved in advance by ISSS.
• Health Insurance Coverage: J-1 students and any J-2 dependents on the record, must maintain health insurance coverage for the entire length of their program, as listed on the Forms DS-2019. This includes any time spent doing post-completion Academic Training. Health insurance must meet the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
• Beginning a new program of study: Authorization for AT is automatically terminated if the student officially transfers to another school or begins study at another educational level.
• 30-Day Grace Period: Once students have completed their period of post-completion AT, they are permitted to remain in the United States for up to thirty days in order to prepare for departure from the U.S. Students are not permitted to continue employment during this period. While travel within the U.S. is permitted during the grace period, departure from the country and re-entry in J-1 status is not permitted during this time. Once a student departs the U.S., the grace period is concluded and any remaining time is forfeited.

Travel

Students are advised to consult with ISSS BEFORE traveling outside the U.S. In order to re-enter the U.S. in J-1 status during AT, ISSS recommends students travel with:

• DS-2019 (with travel signature less than six months old) with the AT authorization
• AT Authorization letter issued by ISSS
• A valid J-1 visa
• A valid passport
• Proof of employment

Other Off-Campus Employment

Severe Economic Hardship

F-1 or J-1 students who are experiencing economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control may be eligible for off-campus work authorization. Unforeseen circumstances may include substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, loss of financial support, excessive medical bills, etc.

Students in F-1 immigration status must apply through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the approval of this type of authorization. Students in J-1 status will obtain the approval from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

A student can be employed off-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during official school breaks. The employment does not have to be related to the course of study.

Authorization must be acquired before a student begins working off-campus. F-1 students may not begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and until the start date printed on the card.

Eligibility:

• Must be in good academic standing.
• Must demonstrate that acceptance of employment will not interfere with the student’s carrying a full course of study.
• Must demonstrate severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control that arose after obtaining F-1 or J-1 status.
• F-1 students must have been enrolled for one full academic year.

Please contact isss@unc.edu for application instructions, if you believe you may qualify.

Employment with an International Organization 

This type of employment allows F-1 students to work for recognized international organizations. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has provided a section of Frequently Asked Questions regarding this type of employment authorization.

Eligibility:

• Students are eligible as soon as they obtain F-1 status
• Employment must be with a qualified international organization and student should submit a written offer of employment with the application.

F-1 students may not begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and until the start date printed on the card.

Please contact isss@unc.edu for application instructions, if you have been offered a qualifying position.

 

This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The information provided is subject to change. For the latest information go to https://isss.unc.edu/.

Related Requirements

Forms & Instructions

• OPT Employment Reporting Form
• Post-Completion OPT Reporting Resource Guide
• STEM OPT Reporting Resource Guide
• STEM OPT Validation Report Form

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: International Student and Scholar Services

Telephone: 919-962-5661

Email: ISSS@unc.edu