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Information & Instructions

On-campus Employment

Current F-1 regulations allow international students who are in good immigration status to work on campus up to 20 hours a week while in classes and up to 40 hours a week during their breaks. Official university breaks are Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, spring break, and summer break. Official break dates are based on PUC Academic Calendar.

NOTE: summer break is only for students who started classes during fall quarter. Students who transferred in and/or came in for the first time during winter/spring quarters must be registered during summer and are only allowed to work 20hrs/week during the summer quarter.

If you would like to work on our campus, the Human Resources Office will help you find a job and will assist you in getting a Social Security number. Their office is in the Financial Office.

On-campus Employers: If you are interested in learning more about employing an international student in your department or office, see Employing F1 Students Document under Forms & Documents.

Off-campus Employment

There are three off-campus employment authorization categories available to non-immigrants in F-1 status. Students may obtain more detailed information regarding off-campus employment regulations from their OIIS advisor. For complete information and application instructions for these three types of employment, see Off Campus Employment in Forms & Documents.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): An F-1 student who has been in status for one academic year and who is in good academic standing is eligible, with the recommendation of his/her IS Advisor, to work off-campus in a position which is directly related to the student's field of study.  Students are not required to receive academic credit for OPT employment experiences.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): An F-1 student who has been in status for one academic year and who is in good academic standing is eligible, with authorization from his/her IS Advisor, to work off-campus in a position which is an integral part of the student's curriculum. To apply for CPT, see the CPT Recommendation Form in Forms & Documents.

Employment for Economic Necessity: This employment authorization may be granted only to students facing severe economic hardship and unforeseen financial difficulties. 

Extension of Stay or Early Departure

The length of authorized stay for individuals in F-1 status is indicated on the I-94 as D/S (duration of status), and refers to the ending date in item 5 on the Form I-20. Those who would like to request additional time to complete their studies should see there is advisor at least 30 days prior to the expiration of their authorized period of stay.

Students who will complete their academic program prior to the expiration date on the Form I-20 should contact the International Student Services advisor in order to shorten the program dates on the immigration document. DHS regulations require students to report a departure date and reason to International Student Services if leaving earlier than the expiration date of the Form I-20.

Maintaining Your F1 Immigration Status

To maintain your legal status in the United States as an F1 student, you must remember several important requirements.

  1. Report to Student Services no more that 7 days from your arrival in the USA and defiantly no more than 30 days after start date of I-20
  2. Always enroll FULL-TIME during the academic year. Full-time is 12 units or more for Undergraduate; 8 for Graduate.
  3. Update your local address within 10 days of moving.
  4. Keep your immigration documents VALID and CURENT:
    • KEEP YOUR PASSPORT VALID
    • Apply for an EXTENSION at Student Services BEFORE the "completion of studies" date in item 5 of your I-20
    • Be sure your I-20 states the correct degree program and level in item 4.
  5. If you plan to transfer to another school, come in to Student Services to discuss the immigration status transfer.
  6. Notify Student Services of a new degree program no later than 60 days after graduating.
  7. NEVER work off-campus without PRIOR authorization.
  8. Notify Student Services when you leave the U.S. or change visa status.
  9. If you TRAVEL outside the United States, be SURE to have the proper re-entry documents.

For complete information on each of these requirements, refer to Maintaining F1 Status Document in Forms & Documents.

Reinstatement

A non-immigrant alien with F-1 status who has failed to maintain status may apply for reinstatement for lawful status at the discretion of USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services), but only under limited conditions specified in Immigration Regulations. For complete details, see F1 Reinstatement Document in Forms & Documents.

I-20

White, three-page document issued by an international student advisor at the educational  institution to individuals for U.S. entry in F-1 status for purpose of studying. Separate I-20 issued for each dependent (F-2).

SEVIS

SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is an internet-based method used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for tracking international students and scholars, as well as their dependents, while in the United States. For complete information on SEVIS and fees, see SEVIS Document in Forms & Documents.

Transfers

If a student decides to transfer from PUC to another U.S. institution, she/he must contact the International Student (IS) advisor at PUC and the IS advisor at the new institution for details on the transfer process. They must also complete the Transfer Out Form.

Students who plan to transfer to PUC from another U.S. institution must contact the International Students advisor at their current institution and complete an F-1 Transfer In Form.

Graduating students in F-1 status beginning a new program of study must transfer their immigration status within the 60 day grace period following successful completion of the current program of study or period of authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT). Mid-program students must transfer their immigration status prior to the last day of the add/drop period for the next required semester at PUC. Please see your International Student Services advisor to discuss the transfer process.

Travel Outside of US

In order to return to the U.S. after a temporary absence, F-1 students must present specific documents to the immigration inspector at the port of entry. To find out more about these documents, entry/exit border procedures, or traveling to Canada, Mexico  and neighboring islands, see Travel Outside US Document in Forms & Documents.