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The Office of International Programs (OIP) will assist you in your search for benefits or services you may enjoy as a non-immigrant student or dependent. To expedite the review of your request, you need to know ahead of time what documents you need for your specific request. Your application will not be processed until the packet is complete. Below are various types of request and the documents that constitute the dossier. Most of the Bureau of Citizenship and

Immigration Services (CIS-formerly INS) forms are available on the Internet, and you can access them by visiting this CIS site: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT

Conditions for accepting on-campus employment:

1. Work occurs on the WSSU premises.
2. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full time during breaks.
3. The student must be pursuing a full course of study or, if employed during the summer holidays, intend to register for the next semester at WSSU.
4. Employment may begin no sooner than 30 days leading to the start of classes for new students with initial entry to a new program.

OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT FOR F-1 AND J-1 STUDENTS

Employment and Maintenance of Status

To remain in status, it is extremely important that you follow the Federal regulations about employment. As an international student, you must contact OIP, located in Hauser Building, Suite 201, to obtain work authorization before you accept employment. Never work without getting authorization first!

CPT-CPT (F-1 Off-Campus Employment)

Curricular Practical Training allows F-1 students to gain experience in their field of study prior to graduation. Most F-1 students who have been studying full time for at least 9 months (or 2 semesters) are eligible for CPT.

Requirements for Employment

In order to qualify for CPT, the employment must comply with at least one of the following conditions:

1. Fulfill an optional or required internship in the academic program, OR
2. Fulfill the requirements for a regular course or independent study in the academic program, OR
3. If working on a thesis or final project, the work must contribute "materially and substantially" to the final paper or project.

Some examples of acceptable CPT employment include these:

1. A summer internship at an investment bank through the Business School course BUA 4072 for undergraduates or MIS 6321 for graduates;
2. Work with a software company where the results are used to complete a project for a specific computer science course;
3. Research at a petro-chemical company with the intent of using the data collected as a basis for a thesis.

Note: You CANNOT qualify for CPT unless you have completed one academic year or 2 semesters as a full-time student.

To Apply for CPT, students should do the following:

1. Meet with their academic adviser and explain that, in order to be authorized to work off-campus, international students must be registered for a course which is connected to the work (see "Requirements" above). The adviser should guide the student in finding a suitable internship and in choosing a course which would qualify for CPT.
2. Once offered a job, get written confirmation from the prospective employer. The job offer letter must be on company letterhead and must include the following:
   1. description of work
   2. location (city and state) of work
   3. start date and end date of employment (if you have questions, contact OIP)
   4. number of hours of work per week
3. Request a letter from the academic adviser which must include all of the following:
   1. The course number of the internship or class connected with the work
   2. Information on how the work will contribute to or fulfill requirements of a course (It is not enough for the work to simply "relate" to the course.)
   3. A description of the employment offered, including beginning and ending dates, the location of the job (city and state) and the number of hours per week of work
4. Submit your I-20, job letter, and adviser letter (or form) to the OIP at least one week prior to starting work for review and processing. At this time you may be asked to show your passport and I-94 card.
5. Complete a practical training information sheet, available in OIP.
6. Authorization for CPT is noted directly on the I-20 form, and takes two-three days to process in OIP.

Please note: F-1 Students can use an unlimited amount of part-time Curricular Practical Training and still have 12 months of Optional Practical Training following completion of studies. However, if a student uses more than 12 months of full-time (over 20 hours/week) Curricular Practical Training, s/he will no longer be eligible for Optional Practical Training.

Optional Practical Training (F-1 Off-Campus Employment)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows you to gain experience in your field of study prior to or after graduation. Most F-1 students who have been in student status for at least nine months are eligible for up to 12 months of OPT. While on post-completion OPT, you still will be considered an F-1 student under the responsibility of the Office of International Programs. Winston-Salem State University is responsible for notifying SEVIS with any changes in your address, or if you terminate OPT, or begin a new program. You must remember to update us with these changes.

You must apply for OPT before you complete your last degree requirement. Authorization for OPT is granted by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Applications are submitted to the CIS in Mesquite, Texas. Since you must have the authorization before you commence employment, be sure to apply well in advance. We recommend three months prior to anticipated graduation. Before accepting employment, please check with OIP for the current processing time as processing at CIS can take up to 3 months.

You may use OPT part time during the fall and/or spring semesters, part time or full time during vacations, or full time after graduation. You are limited to a total of 12 months while you are an F-1 student and for each degree program.

How to obtain Employment Authorization for Optional Practical Training:

1. Visit OIP online or come into the office for the necessary application materials.
2. When ready to submit your application, call OIP to make an appointment.
3. NOTE: Because you are seeking OPT in your field of study, enter "(c) (3) (i)" under item 16 of Form I-765.
4. Take the completed application to your appointment in OIP.

In OIP, an advisor will review your application and answer any questions you may have about OPT. OIP will submit the application to CIS on your behalf, unless you elect to do so. The application for OPT consists of the following items:

1. Form I-538--Practical Training Information Sheet, completed and signed
2. Form I-765, completed and signed (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-765.pdf) Form I-765 instructions
3. Two color, full-frontal passport photos. This link provides specifics of the photograph:http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/04_08_02photo_release.pdf
4. Originals of all I-20s
5. Copy of the name page and photo page of your passport
6. Copies of any previous Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) (both sides)
7. Copy of I-94 card (both sides)
8. Letter from the Chairperson of your department confirming your expected completion of studies date and type of degree you will earn
9. Check or money order for US $340 made out to USCIS (The fee may have changed, so verify on the I-765 instructions and with OIP before submission.)

Please note:

1. Applications for OPT must be received by CIS before the program end date (as indicated on the I-20). OIP may refuse to mail an application that is turned in less than 7 days before your program end date.
2. You must receive the employment authorization before you start working. You may not begin employment prior to the date indicated on the employment authorization card.
3. You must notify OIP every time you change your address

Social Security

After receiving your employment authorization, you must update your records with the Social Security Administration. To do so, take your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), social security card, I-20, and passport to the local Social Security Administration office: This is contact information for the SSA in Winston-Salem:

5205 University Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
(336) 767-3736
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If possible, do this before leaving Winston-Salem, for it may be more difficult to update your information in another city. Social Security Tax (FICA) should not be withheld from your wages while you are on practical training. However, your earnings are subject to federal, state, and local income taxes.

Economic Necessity Employment

Supporting materials documenting necessity:

1. Transcript or academic record
2. Form I-765, completed
3. Passport (photocopy)
4. Form I-94 (photocopy)
5. Current Form I-20

The chart below provides employment eligibility information by visa type.

Social Security: Social Security (FICA) should not be withheld from the wages of an F-1 student on practical training if the student is classified as a non-resident for tax purposes. Earnings are, however, still subject to federal, state, and local taxes.

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

F-1 Optional Practical Training is authorized employment which is related to a student's field of study. Most F-1 students are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training. Persons on practical training are still considered to be F-1 students at WSSU, documented by a WSSU I-20 for travel purposes, even though they may be working elsewhere in the U.S. For additional information please contact the Office of International Programs.

J-1 Academic Training (AT)

J-1 students are eligible for 18 months of authorized employment in their field of study after they finish a degree OR while pursuing a degree or study program. Employment must be related to the student's field of study. Application for academic training should be made at least one week before beginning work if prior to graduation, or within 30 days of the completion of studies if used post-graduation. The student must have a job offer related to the field of study in order to receive academic training authorization. A complete description and handout is available in the Office of International Services. For additional information please contact the Office of International Programs.

Employment Based on Economic Need

F-1 Off-Campus Work Authorization

F-1 students who do not qualify for employment under Practical Training may be eligible to apply to INS for off-campus work authorization based on economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances. It is generally difficult to obtain this authorization. Students with financial problems should make an appointment to see a Foreign Student Advisor by contacting the Office of International Services at 855-9086 or internationalpro@wssu.edu.

J-1 Off-Campus Work Authorization

J-1 students may be able to work off campus if the student is able to show unforeseen financial hardship. J-1 students with financial problems should make an appointment to see a Foreign Student Advisor by contacting the Office of International Services at 855-9086 or internationalpro@wssu.edu.

J-2 Work Authorization

Persons who are in J-2 status must request work permission from the INS before they can be legally employed, whether on or off campus. INS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to J-2 applicants who would like to work. To obtain the EAD, it is necessary to complete an application and send the required documents, along with the $120 application fee, to INS. For complete information and application materials, contact the Office of International Services at 855-9086 or internationalpro@wssu.edu to make an appointment for a J-2 work authorization session. CIS can take three months or longer to process a J-2 Employment Authorization Application.