Degree–seeking international students can be eligible for employment and other types of practical training in the U.S., but with certain restrictions. The role of the Office for International Students and Scholars (ISS), is to provide guidance to students about their responsibilities and the benefits available to them in accordance with immigrations regulations and policies.
Degree-seeking international students can explore the following different types of employment authorizations while in F-1 status:
1. On-Campus Employment
2. Off-Campus Practical Training
A. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
B. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
C. 24-Month STEM OPT extension
D. Cap Gap Extension
3. Other Off-Campus employment
A. Employment based on severe economic hardship
B. Special Student Relief for F-1 students
C. Employment with an International Organization
The Office of International Students and Scholars offers a variety of services to help degree-seeking international students and scholars understand their employment benefits. The following services are available to new and continuing students as well as alumni:
- International Student Advisors are available during Drop-in hours and by appointment. Click here to schedule an appointment or participate in Drop-In Advising online.
- Alumni can submit specific OPT or STEM OPT inquiries in via email at cie-student@csulb.edu. Make sure you write “OPT Inquiry” in the subject line.
On Campus Employment
All international degree-seeking students who are in full time status and in good academic status are eligible to work on campus as early as their first semester. Students will be considered to be in good academic status if they meet the minimum GPA for their degree level: 2.0 GPA for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students. On-campus employment must either be performed on the school premises, (including on-location commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria), or off-campus locations which are educationally affiliated with the school. Employment with on-site commercial firms which do not provide direct student services is not deemed on-campus employment.
How many hours per week can you work on-campus?
On-campus employment for F-1 international students is limited to 20 hours a week (part-time) during the fall and spring semesters and 40 hours a week (full-time) during summer and winter sessions.
What do you need to start working on-campus?
International students will need to secure a job, obtain a job offer letter and a
certification letter from an international student advisor in ISS in order to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) at the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Please visit the SSN webpage for all details.
When would on-campus employment be considered unauthorized employment?
On-campus employment will be considered unauthorized employment if international students works pass their program end date. The program end date is the last day of the semester when students graduate, students who apply for OPT can also find the program end date in their OPT I-20.
Need help to find an On-Campus job?
Please visit the CSULB Career Development Center for guidance and resources, speak to an International Student Advisor or participate in an employment workshop.
Where can I find more information about on-campus employment regulations and policies governing International Students?
CSULB Student Assistant Employment Handbook
Study in the States
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training (CPT) program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school (Revised effective 1/1/03; 67 FR 76256). In practical terms, ‘integral part of an established curriculum’ means an opportunity must be required by the curriculum or, if not required, the student must receive credit for the training” (www.nafsa.org).
- Must be in status at the time of the application and have been in lawful F-1 status for one full academic year (nine months) preceding the CPT application.
- Please note: Students in graduate degree programs that require immediate practicum hours are exempted from the one full academic year requirement. Transfer students may use the time spent in lawful F-1 status in the previous school to fulfill this requirement.
- Must be enrolled for a full course load or approved for reduced course work before applying for CPT.
- Must have a valid CPT employment/internship/training offer related to the student’s major area of study.
- Must be in good academic standing (3.0 or higher for Graduate Students and 2.0 or higher for Undergraduates).
Complete the CPT I-20 application.
Submit the completed CPT I-20 application and following documents at least 3 weeks prior to the anticipated start date of the CPT. All documents must be submitted together.
- A valid letter from prospective employer/internship site stating terms of CPT (must follow sample letter on application).
- Department Approval (Have your department or faculty advisor fill out and sign section 4 on the CPT application).
- A purpose statement describing how your CPT will relate and be integral to your academic program.
- A copy of your class schedule showing full time enrollment or reduced course load courses. Your schedule must show the CPT approved course listed in the Department Approval section.
- If you already advanced to candidacy, a copy of the Advancement to Candidacy Worksheet.
- Please note: Regardless of the date you indicate in your CPT request form, your CPT will commence only upon approval by your CIE advisor.
Please allow 15 business days for your application to be processed and for the issuance of a new I-20. The time needed to apply for a social security number is not included in the three weeks ISS requires to process your CPT application.
***Do not engage in any work activity without prior authorization***
- You may begin curricular practical training only after receiving CPT approval in Form I-20 from the international student advisor.
- You may not change your CPT employer/internship without prior authorization.
- You may work up to 20 hrs. per week (part-time) during the Fall and Spring semesters and 21+ hrs. per week (full-time) during the Summer and Winter Sessions.
- Students who have received 12 months or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion optional practical training (OPT).
- Any type of work activity, even when required for a class must be approved through the CPT application process.
Social Security Number (SSN)
A Social Security card shows your Social Security Number (SSN), which is required for anyone who works in the U.S., including non-immigrants. A Social Security card is not a work permit. The SSN is an identification number that you will keep for life. You will need the number for many purposes in the U.S. including employment and paying taxes. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration's website.
A Social Security Number (SSN) is issued once per lifetime. If you have previously had a SSN, but do not have the card or do not remember the number, you can apply for a duplicate card if you meet the requirements below:
- F-1 students with an on-campus job offer letter and/or work permission
- J-1 students with an on-campus job offer and work permission from their DS-2019 sponsor
- Not eligible for SSN: F-2 dependents
- Not eligible for SSN: students in an English language program such as the American Language Institute (ALI)
Students must be physically present in the U.S. to apply for an SSN. The Social Security Administration (SSA) must verify your legal entry into the U.S. before issuing an SSN. You must wait at least 10 business days after entering the US and completing the CSULB immigration check-in to apply.
- New F1 students must wait at least 10 business days after completing their CSULB immigration check-in AND must meet the requirements for "Continuing students," below.
- New J1 students must wait at least 10 business days after completing their immigration check-in AND must meet the requirements for "Continuing students," below.
- Continuing students can apply no more than 30 days before:
- F-1 On-campus employment start date on the offer letter
- F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) start date on their CPT I-20
- J-1 On-campus employment start date on the offer letter
- F-1 Students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) can apply no earlier than:
- F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) who have not applied for the SSN on their I-765 EAD application form: start date on their Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Please note that it is possible to apply for the SSN and the OPT EAD at the same time, on the I-765 EAD application form.
- F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) who have not applied for the SSN on their I-765 EAD application form: start date on their Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- J-1 students on Academic Training: 30 days before the Academic Training start date on their DS-2019
Do not begin employment until the following steps are completed:
- Complete SSN Support Letter Form
- Obtain an employment letter from your on-campus or off-campus CPT employer.
- Submit your completed SSN request to receive SSN certification letter.
- F1 students: click here to find and submit forms
- J1 students: must submit completed SSN Support letter form to their Education Abroad Advisor at CSULB
- Once you receive SSN certification letter from ISS, bring the following items to a Social Security Administration Office (see list below of nearby offices):
- Employer official job offer letter
- Office of International Students & Scholars (ISS) Social Security Number certification letter
- SEVIS I-20 (for F-1 student) or DS-2019 (for J-1 student)
- Most recent I-94 record (access here)
- Valid passport
For students on OPT only - Please only bring the following items during the application procedure:
- OPT I-20
- Valid passport
- Valid I-94
- EAD
Below is a list of Social Security Administrative Offices located near CSULB. Please check the office’s hours of operation before arriving. You may find other locations online.
Long Beach
2005 Long Beach Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90806
Lakewood
4957 Paramount Blvd
Lakewood, CA 90712
Garden Grove
11900 Gilbert St.
Garden Grove, CA 92841
For more information about Social Security Cards, please visit the Social Security Administration website. They also provide information in several languages.
You can contact the Social Security Administration via telephone at (800) 772-1213. They are typically open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
You may work while the Social Security number application is being processed. There is no law that requires employers to have their employees’ SSNs before hiring them. However, you must have employment authorization from your program sponsor or USCIS before you begin working.
If your employer has concerns regarding starting work while you are waiting for the SSN, this Employer Responsibilities When Hiring Foreign Workers webpage from the Social Security Administration is helpful to review.
International F-1 or J-1 students may also find this International Students and Social Security Numbers publication from the Social Security Administration helpful for employers to understand their SSN requirements.
Although an SSN is only meant to be used for tax and government purposes, financial institutions, businesses, and others often use it as a unique identification number. Because the SSN is a unique ID, it is often the target of “identity theft.” Therefore, you should be careful about where and to whom you give your SSN.
- Never carry your Social Security card or number with you. Keep in a secure place.
- Only give your SSN to someone who has a specific and legitimate need for it.
- Never give your SSN to someone over the phone. You should initiate the call or meet in person.
- Never reply to email or web sites that request an SSN.
Learn more about 10 Tips to Protect Personal Information.
Most businesses do not need an SSN from you unless it is for credit purposes (loans, credit cards, cell phone companies, etc.) You do not need an SSN to open a bank account or to obtain a California Driver’s License at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you have an experience in which you are denied service for not having an SSN, you should politely ask to speak with a manager or director to clarify your situation and receive additional support.