Many students obtain internships over the summers and find jobs in the U.S. after graduation. Employment authorization is required before you can work off campus. Working off campus without authorization is a serious legal offense.
If you engage in unauthorized employment off-campus, your legal status in the U.S. could be terminated, resulting in your losing the ability to study at Bucknell. You would need to leave the U.S.
In order to apply for one of the following work permits, you will use the ISSS applications site.
F-1 Status: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
This is a temporary employment authorization available to F-1 students participating in an internship. This authorization must be used with a credit-bearing course, which typically is the UNIV-1NT course at Bucknell. Your internship must be confirmed as related to your field of study. Work can occur during the academic year (as long as you don't exceed 20 hours total employment) or during the summer. Remember, CPT is only available while you are in school; once you graduate you cannot use CPT.
There is no cost to apply and you can start the application at international.bucknell.edu. This application is generally processed within two-three weeks, for free, by ISSS.
F-1 Status: Optional Practical Training (OPT)
This authorization category must be used for employment related to your major area of study. While this authorization is available to you prior to graduation, we do not recommend using it as your first choice. While in school, please review the information on CPT to see if there is a way for your internship to work under the CPT guidelines.
There are two types of OPT: part-time and full-time. F-1 students may apply for part-time OPT and work up to 20 hours per week while in class. Students can also apply for full-time OPT and use it during the summer break. Each student has a total of 12 months of OPT available, and Optional Practical Training is the only type of work authorization available to you after graduation. Any time you use while in school will reduce the amount available after you graduate.
This authorization application is filed with ISSS but goes to USCIS, which requires a fee of $470.To get started with an OPT application, visit international.bucknell.edu.
F-1 Status: International Organization
This work authorization is available to F-1 students who have an internship or job offer to work with a select group of international organizations.
You must apply for this authorization through ISSS, where you will receive a new I-20 and you need to have the offer letter when you apply. The current application cost paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is $470.
F-1 Status: Economic Hardship
F-1 students who have experienced a severe and unforeseeable change in their financial situation after entering the U.S. may apply for an Economic Hardship work authorization. You must be able to demonstrate your hardship, and the recent substantial change, with documentation.
This means you should be able to provide bank statements and any other materials that illustrate the reasons behind this change (i.e., documentation of a parent's job loss, a death in the family, or severe loss of value of your country's currency).
This authorization permits off-campus work for up to 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during summer and winter breaks. The work does not have to be related to your major. You must apply through ISSS (to receive a new I-20). The cost charged by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is $470.
J-1 Status: Academic Training (AT)
As a J-1 student, you may request Academic Training (AT) authorization from a program sponsor as long as your primary work remains on academic courses. Your sponsor is the organization that issues and signs your DS-2019 and will work with you to provide a detailed employment offer. This letter must include information like work location, hours, pay, supervisor, job title, and description of goals and objectives.
If Bucknell issued your DS-2019 and you have been in J-1 status for one academic year (at least 9 months) you may request AT. Your AT period may not exceed 18 months total but can be used either before graduation or after. Talk to ISSS before proceeding, or contact your program sponsor.