Work Opportunities for International Students.

If you have a new job or change jobs while in the United States, refer to the following procedures for reporting:

A qualified F-1 student may apply for an extension of OPT while in a valid period of post-completion OPT. The extension will be for an additional 24 months, for a maximum of 36 months of OPT, if all of the following requirements are met:

• The F-1 student has not previously received a 24-month OPT extension after earning a STEM degree
• The degree that was the basis for the F-1 student's current period of OPT is a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the degree programs on the current STEM Designated Degree Program List
• The F-1 student's employer is registered in the E-Verify program, as evidenced by either a valid E-Verify company identification number or, if the employer is using a designated agent to perform the E-Verify queries, a valid E-Verify client company identification number, and the employer is a participant in good standing in the E-Verify program, as determined by USCIS
• The employer agrees to report the termination or departure of an OPT employee to the International Student Advisor at the F-1 student's school or through any other means or process identified by DHS if the termination or departure is prior to end of the authorized period of OPT. Such reporting must be made within 48 hours of the event

An F-1 student who has completed a bachelor's or master's degree in a STEM CIP that is approved for the 24-month extension and is currently engaged in post-completion OPT may apply for the 24-month extension if they have a job or job offer from an E-Verify employer.

An F-1 student authorized for a 24-month extension must work at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to approved STEM CIP. For an F-1 student who is on a 24-month extension, this employment may include:

• Multiple employers: An F-1 student may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to their degree program and all employers must be enrolled in E-Verify
• Work for hire: This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment, where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. The company for whom the student is providing services must be registered with E-Verify
• Self-employed business owner: An F-1 student on a 24-month extension can start a business and be self-employed. In this situation, the student must register their business with E-Verify and work full time. The student must be able to prove that they have the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to their degree program
• Employment through an agency or consulting firm: An F-1 student on a 24-month extension may be employed by an employment agency or consulting firm. The employment agency or consulting firm must be registered with E-Verify, but the third parties contracting with the agency or firm (for which the F-1 student is providing services) need not be

An F-1 student meeting the eligibility requirement may file for a 24-month extension of employment authorization by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the appropriate fee, prior to the expiration date of F-1 student's current OPT employment authorization.

If an F-1 student timely and properly files an application for a 24-month OPT extension, but the Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document, currently in the student's possession, expires prior to the decision on the student's application for 24-month OPT extension, the student's Form I-766 is extended automatically.

• An F-1 student may file for 24-month extension up to 120 days prior to the end their post-completion OPT
• An F-1 student must ensure that Form I-765, supporting evidence, and fee payment reach the proper USCIS Service Center before their current OPT expires. USCIS recommends that students file within 90 and 120 days of expiration date of current OPT
• If an F-1 student has properly filed, the student's period of 24-month extension starts the day after the expiration of the student's original period of OPT

Students with an approved 24-month OPT extension have additional reporting obligations:

• Within 10 days of the change, the student must report to their International Student Advisor a change of legal name, residential or mailing address, employer name, employer address and/or loss of employment
• The student must make a validation report to their International Student Advisor every six months starting from the date the extension begins and ending when the student's F-1 status ends, the student changes educational levels at the same school, the student transfers to another school or program, or the 24-month OPT extension ends, whichever is first
• This report is due to the student's International Student Advisor within 10 business days of each reporting date

Working on campus at DeVry and Keller can help make your education more affordable. It can also help you get connected with our broader community. Through our program, international students can work up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full time during break periods. You can even use this opportunity to receive a Social Security number by reporting your work to your International Student Advisor to receive an updated Form I-20.

See below for the employment permission options for F-1 students.

If an F-1 student finishes a program (such as a bachelor's degree) and starts another program of study at the same campus, the student may continue on-campus employment as long as the student plans to enroll in the new program of study for the next term.

An F-1 student, who is enrolled in school, maintains status, and follows the guidelines for on-campus employment may continue to work. The F-1 student should keep International Student Advisor informed of any changes in employer and hours.

An F-1 student working on-campus may participate in CPT or pre-completion OPT before the program end date. The F-1 student’s total work hours for each type of work may not exceed 20 hours while school is in session. In this context, the F-1 student must remember that the primary purpose for being in the United States and way of maintaining status is enrollment at Keller Graduate School of Management.

An F-1 student cannot work on-campus after graduation unless continuing their education at the next program level at Keller Graduate School of Management.

An F-1 student must speak with International Student Advisor within 10 days of changing jobs. This will allow the International Student Advisor to ensure the new position qualifies as on-campus employment and to ensure Keller Graduate School of Management has the correct employment information in the student's SEVIS record.

When an F-1 student transfers to Keller Graduate School of Management, on-campus employment is available to the student only at Keller Graduate School of Management after the record release date. The F-1 student cannot work at the prior school after that date. Keller Graduate School of Management can authorize work starting within 30 days of the program start date.