Employment is the rendering of services on either a part-time or full-time basis for compensation, financial or otherwise, including self-employment (uncompensated activity is referred to as volunteering in certain cases).

Part-time: Part-time employment is defined as work for a total of 20 hours/week or fewer.

Full-time: Full-time employment is defined as work for a total of more than 20 hours/week.

• On-campus employment is work that F-1 students whose status is Active in SEVIS may apply for. On-campus employment is specific to work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Examples of on-campus employment include working at the NSU Library, NSU Admissions Office, NSU Cafeteria, NSU Foundation, etc.
• To apply for on-campus work, please visit https://northern-csm.symplicity.com/ and search for student labor positions. International students are not considered work-study.
• Please email michael.mohammed@northern.edu – Northern’s PDSO, to schedule a meeting. If you are eligible to work, you will need to secure an on-campus position and obtain a job offer letter from that specific location on Northern’s campus. You will take that letter to your appointment with Northern’s PDSO, and you will be provided with a second letter of F-1 approval by Northern’s International Programs. You will need both of these letters in order to proceed.
• Once you have a job offer letter and an approval letter from International Programs, you are ready to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number. Northern’s International Programs will support you in completing the SSN application, along with taking you to the federal building to submit your complete application package. Along with your two letters, you will also need:
  • Form I-20
  • Form I-94 (International Programs will print this for you)
  • Copy of biographic passport page
  • Copy of VISA page
  • NSU acceptance letter
• You may not begin employment until you have a physical copy of your Social Security card.
• In addition to the requirements above, you will also need to complete Northern’s Human Resources Employment Package. Northern’s PDSO will direct you to complete this paperwork after submitting your Social Security application.
• If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session (fall and spring semesters). If you have additional questions, please visit Northern’s International Programs or email michael.mohammed@northern.edu 

If you wish to accept employment off-campus, you should pursue Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, including: “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers.

CPT is available only prior to the completion of your degree program, and you must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program.

Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the associated fall or spring semester which CPT is authorized. Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, 6 credit hours for graduate students. Students who wish to pursue CPT over the summer terms may do so while abiding by the rules and requirements listed below. 

The full-time enrollment requirement means that most students have to limit their CPT during the academic year to local jobs or to working for their employer remotely, usually on a part-time basis. 

Types of CPT

There are two types of CPT: required and optional. Required CPT is when the academic program mandates practical work experience for all students in order to graduate. Optional CPT is work experience directly related to your field of study, which is not a requirement to complete your academic program. 

Requirements for Non-Required CPT

• You must be enrolled in a CPT course. At Northern, we call these “internship courses”. Designated CPT courses are set up and approved by the dean of your specific school, along with your academic advisor and Northern’s Registrar. You will need to make arrangements to meet with the individuals listed below.
• Notes regarding CPT course enrollment:
  • If your CPT employment takes place during the spring or fall semester, you must be registered for the CPT internship course during that semester.
  • If your CPT employment takes place during the summer term, you must be registered for the CPT internship course during the summer term.
  • If your CPT occurs in more than one academic term, you must have separate CPT course registrations for each term/semester.
  • Be aware that adding a CPT course may have an impact on your tuition and fees.
  • Failure to complete the CPT internship course will result in your falling out of legal F-1 status.
• You must have declared a major.
• Students are expected to maintain physical presence on campus during fall and spring semesters as a part of the F-1 status requirement.
   

Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT

Part-time CPT: Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time. You must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time and be physically present on campus in order to maintain lawful F-1 status during the fall and spring semesters.

Full-time CPT: Employment for more than 20 hours per week is full-time. Please be aware that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). During fall and spring semesters, you must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL).

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for CPT, you must:

• Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis while physically present in the US for one academic year (i.e., two full semesters) with the same SEVIS record ID
• Be in lawful F-1 status
• Have a Northern-approved health insurance
• Have secured a job offer approved by your specific college. 

NOTE: CPT is processed and authorized semester by semester. Contact your academic department regarding your department's specific guidelines and follow those guidelines for CPT applications. Please note that your department has discretion in recommending CPT. In addition, Northern’s PDSO has the authority to approve/deny your CPT request, dependent upon your F-1 status and eligibility. 

How to Apply for CPT

If you are a currently enrolled international student at Northern, have been on campus for one full academic year, and have a Northern-approved health insurance, please follow these instructions:

• Plan head. CPT authorization takes approximately 2 - 4 weeks to process and requires several documents that may take you time to compile.
• Meet with your Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss your CPT plans in detail. Show your advisor the Detailed Training Description of the job you have secured. If they believe the training is integral to your curriculum, they may recommend you for CPT.
• You must secure a position/job opportunity that has been approved by your specific college/academic program.
• You must have received an official job offer letter from the employer.
• Schedule a meeting with Northern’s PDSO to discuss authorization. Northern’s PDSO will determine your eligibility based on your current F-1 status and record. Please email michael.mohammed@northern.edu to schedule your appointment. CPT will not be authorized if you have not met with PDSO.
• Schedule a meeting with the dean of your specific college to discuss the program approval form.
• Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to register for the internship course and the agreed-upon number of credits.
• Once all approvals have been completed, meet with Northern's PDSO to authorize the CPT opportunity for a specific semester in SEVIS.
• A new Form I-20 will be printed and given to you, displaying approval of CPT and authorized employment dates and details.
• No work, paid or unpaid, may take place until your CPT I-20 is printed.
• You may not begin working before the approved start date printed on your Form I-20, and likewise, you may not end your CPT employment after the end date printed on your Form I-20. Failure to comply with this may result in the termination of your SEVIS record.
• Be sure to sign and date your CPT I-20 and keep all I-20s permanently in your personal files.
• If any details of your training opportunity change, please e-mail documentation verifying the changes to michael.mohammed@northern.edu in order to update your CPT accordingly.
• For all questions regarding CPT, email michael.mohammed@northern.edu 

Documentation Needed to Apply

• Job offer letter from approved employer
• Approval form from the dean of your academic program/college
• Form/proof of enrollment into NSU internship course with specified credits taken.
• Form I-20
• Form I-94
• Copy of VISA page
• Copy of Social Security Number 

What is a Detailed Training Description/Official Job Offer Letter?

Your employer or company must officially offer you a training opportunity. Ask your employer to write a Detailed Training Description. It must:

• Be written on the company's letterhead
• Be addressed to you
• Include job title
• Include employer or company name
• Include the supervisor's name, email address, and phone number
• Provide a detailed job description (at least a few sentences describing specific duties, tasks, goals, etc.)
• Specify the street address where employment will take place (street, city, state, and zip code). If you will work remotely, the letter should specify this and list the company’s physical address.
• Specify the number of hours per week you will work
• Specify start and end dates of CPT employment (keep in mind that CPT can only be authorized one semester at a time).

Please ensure your Detailed Training Description contains all details. If your current offer letter misses 1 or 2 details, your CPT opportunity may be denied. 

CPT and Unpaid Internships

It is not uncommon for students to confuse unpaid internships with volunteering (and therefore conclude that no work authorization is necessary for engaging in an unpaid internship). However, there is a difference between volunteering and engaging in an unpaid internship. Volunteering refers to donating time with an organization whose primary purpose is charitable or humanitarian in nature, without remuneration or any other type of compensation.

CPT authorization is strongly recommended for all unpaid internships, and in some cases is mandatory, whether the student does or does not need to provide employment authorization documents to the company. The F-1 regulations are written in such a way that CPT is an authorization to do practical training as part of the curriculum for the academic program, and as such, is significant in more ways than simply for the employer to verify employment eligibility. CPT authorization is more than just permission to get paid.
You should have CPT authorization for unpaid internships for the following reasons: 

• CPT authorization by the university serves to demonstrate that this practical experience is part of the curriculum.
• CPT authorization is a way of reporting in SEVIS the student's activity, employment, and location where they are working and therefore maintaining their status.
• If ever a student is doing a job on an unpaid basis that someone would be hired and paid for, employment authorization in the form of CPT is required.
• If the unpaid internship at some point changes into a paid one (or if your employer decides to compensate you for your work in any way – for example, give you a monetary gift), you won’t be able to accept the payment if your internship was not authorized as CPT. Please keep in mind that F-1 students cannot be retroactively remunerated or in any way compensated for work done in an unpaid internship if they did not obtain work authorization prior to when the work was performed.

Based on the above, it is recommended that you apply for CPT authorization if you have an internship offer (paid or unpaid) that meets CPT eligibility criteria.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period during which F-1 international students in the United States can engage in temporary employment directly related to their major field of study. This employment allows students to gain practical experience while maintaining their F-1 status. The employment authorization is granted through an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In most cases, OPT will be conducted after the completion of the F-1 international student program. 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for OPT, students must:

• Maintain F-1 Status: Be in lawful F-1 immigration status.
• Full-Time Enrollment: Have been enrolled full-time and completed/about to complete an educational program through Northern State University.
• Health Insurance: Have health insurance approved by Northern State University.

Note: Post-completion OPT applications may be denied if the Level of Education indicated on the Form I-20 is "non-degree."
 

Duration of OPT

• Standard OPT: Eligible students may engage in OPT for a cumulative maximum of 12 months.
• Part-Time OPT: Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time.
• Full-Time OPT: Employment exceeding 20 hours per week is full-time. 

Application Process – How to Apply for OPT

1. Submit OPT Request to Northern’s International Programs: You must submit a meeting request to Northern’s International Programs to discuss the OPT process, application, costs, eligibility, and requirements. You cannot apply for OPT without first consulting with an International Programs staff/PDSO.
2. PDSO Consultation: Meet with Northern’s PDSO to discuss your OPT plans and obtain an OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
3. OPT I-20 Request: Once your PDSO has consulted with you, and an OPT recommendation in SEVIS has been completed, your PDSO will print you a new Form I-20 containing the OPT request. You must sign and date this Form I-20 and keep it safe along with your previous I-20s.
4. USCIS Application: After receiving the OPT Form I-20, file the OPT application with USCIS. This can be done either online or via paper filing. You will complete the I-765 application through USCIS. Ensure that you include all required documents as you apply using the I-765 application. These required documents include OPT Form I-20, all previous I-20s, I-94, a copy of biographic passport page, two passport photos, application fee, and other supporting materials.
5. Employment Authorization: Once approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. Employment may commence only after receiving the EAD card and upon reaching the start date indicated on the card.

Note: USCIS processing times can exceed 90 days; plan your application timeline accordingly.
 

Application Deadlines and Dates

• Application Window: You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before completing your degree requirements/program end date, and no later than 60 days after completion/program end date.
• USCIS Processing Time: USCIS processing times can exceed 90 days. It's recommended to apply as early as possible within the application window to account for potential delays.
• Employment Start Date: Your requested OPT start date must be within 60 days after your program end date.
• OPT Recommendation in SEVIS/on OPT I-20: Once a recommendation has been submitted to SEVIS and printed on your Form I-20, you have 30 days to complete and submit your OPT application to USCIS (I-765 application), and pay the application filing fee. 

Reporting Requirements While on OPT

• Employment Verification: Report your employment details, including employer name, address, and start date, to Northern State University's International Programs/PDSO.
• Address Updates: Notify Northern’s International Programs of any changes to your residential address or contact information within 10 days of the change.
• Unemployment Limit: During post-completion OPT, you are allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. Exceeding this limit may result in a violation of your F-1 status.

STEM OPT Extension

Students who have earned a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. Eligibility criteria include: 

• Degree Requirements: Must have earned a qualifying STEM degree from an accredited institution within the last 10 years.
• Current OPT Status: Must be currently engaged in post-completion OPT.
• Employer Requirements: Must have a job or job offer with an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program, working at least 20 hours per week in a position related to the STEM degree.

Note: The STEM OPT extension application must be filed during the final 90 days of the initial 12-month OPT period.

Travel Considerations During OPT

• Travel While OPT Application Is Pending: Traveling outside the U.S. while your OPT application is pending with USCIS is not recommended, as it may be considered abandoned.
• Travel After OPT Approval: If you must travel after your OPT is approved but before starting employment, carry the following documents:
  • Valid passport.
  • Valid F-1 visa.
  • Form I-20 signed for travel by Northern’s PDSO within the last six months.
  • EAD card.
  • Proof of employment or job offer related to your field of study.

Note: Re-entry into the U.S. is not guaranteed.

Ending OPT Early

If you decide to end your OPT employment before the EAD end date:

• Notify Employer: Inform your employer of your decision.
• Report to Northern’s International Programs: Update your employment status with Northern State University's International Programs within 10 days of ending employment.

Contact Information

For more information or assistance with the OPT application process, please contact:

International Programs PDSO

• Email: michael.mohammed@northern.edu
• Phone: 605-626-7672
• Office Hours: By appointment is preferred 
   

TBD

Whether you work or not, you must file an income tax return form.

Filing Your Taxes

Northern’s International Programs will help you prepare your taxes.  Contact Northern’s International Programs to ask about the annual tax deadline, which is usually in the second week of April. International students with F-1 Status are required to file Form 8843. You do not need a Social Security number to complete Form 8843.

U.S. Tax Treaties

The United States has income tax treaties with several foreign countries. Under these treaties, residents (not necessarily citizens) of foreign countries are taxed at a reduced rate or are exempt from U.S. income taxes on certain items of income they receive from sources within the United States. These reduced rates and exemptions vary among countries and specific items of income. If the treaty does not cover a particular kind of income, or if there is no treaty between your country and the United States, you must pay tax on the income in the same way and at the same rates shown on Form 1040NR.