F-1 International Organization Internship
F-1 International Organization Internship
F-1 students who are offered an internship by an international organization may apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for employment authorization to work with the organization.
Eligibility
- You may apply at any time once you are in F-1 status (no waiting period required)
- You must be able to maintain full-time enrollment and make normal progress toward your degree objective even while working for the organization
- You have a valid, unexpired passport and Form I-20
- You must have a written internship offer from an international organization recognized by the International Organization Immunities Act (see 8 CFR 316.20, subsection (c) for a comprehensive list)
Restrictions
- In general, you should work no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session, inclusive of any on-campus jobs; full-time employment over 20 hours per week is permitted during summer vacation periods
- Authorization is usually granted by USCIS for no more than one year at a time, but repeat applications are permitted as long as you are maintaining valid F-1 student status or until you complete your studies, whichever comes first
- The international organization internship does not necessarily have to be directly related to your major
- You may not accept employment until you have been authorized to do so by USCIS via receipt of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card
- This type of employment authorization does not affect your eligibility for curricular practical training or optional practical training
Application Procedure
Once you have obtained a written offer of an internship from a qualified international organization, proceed to prepare your materials for the International Center I-20 recommendation request.
- Download the Form I-765. CHECK to be sure you have used the correct edition of Form I-765 - do not use an outdated form.
- Complete the form using our I-765 Tips and Guidesheet. IMPORTANT: the application category for International Organization Employment on question 27 is (c) (3) (ii).
- Retrieve your I-94 admission record and save it in PDF format.
- Submit an International Organization Employment Recommendation Request via the Request Center on the International Center Portal.
Your International Student Advisor will review your request. If you are eligible, the advisor will issue a new Form I-20 to you recommending you for employment with an international organization. Once you have your new I-20, you will then need to submit an I-765 application packet to USCIS to request employment authorization.
Please note: it may take up to 3 months or longer for USCIS to produce an EAD card for you. Consult with your international organization sponsor as they may have special arrangements to expedite your EAD card.
After obtaining your Recommendation I-20 from your International Center Advisor, prepare your application materials to mail to USCIS:
- Form G-1145
- A completed USCIS Form I-765
- Your written internship offer
- International Organization Employment Recommendation I-20
- Two US-style color passport photographs taken within the last thirty days
- Most recent I-94 record
- Copy of your passport ID page
- Copy of your F-1 visa page
- Fee payment of $410 (check current filing fee at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765). You may submit a personal check, cashier's or bank check or money order made out to US Department of Homeland Security.
Visit the USCIS Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-765 website at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses and review mailing instructions for Foreign Students category. The International Center strongly recommends using a service that allows you to track delivery of your application packet to USCIS.
Keep in mind that USCIS must receive your application packet no later than thirty (30) days after the International Center issued your OPT I-20 to you.