mauwth

Hi,

I'm an F1 student looking for employment. I have a couple of questions
and I would be glad if you could give me some advice. I changed my
status/visa J1 to F1 on January 4, 2005.

1. I got a SSN on my previous J1 visa, can I just use that SSN and work?
Do I even have to worry about a work permit?

2. I heard there is a 9 month period that I can't apply for a work
permit and thus that I can't work, actually it states "9 months of
full-time enrolment (12 credits) as a student". I didn't take classes
during summer, so does that imply that this period ends after 9
months of full-time instructions (Spring semester + Fall semester) or
is it just 9 months no matter if I take classes in summer? It's kind
of confusing. "9 months of full-time enrolment" would be anytime at
the end of this year, whereas "9 months" would be October 4th, 2005
(9 months after January 4th, when I changed to F1 status).

3. I know that there is OPT and CPT which I can apply for for a total of
12 months. I can apply for CPT anytime during my studies as long as I
get credit for it and as long as those credits count towards my
degree and for OPT after my studies. Do I get 12 months for each I-20
or for each F1 visa or for my whole time of being an F1 student in
the US? So will I get another 12 months with a new I-20 (i.e. from a
grad school)?

4. I've also heard that I can apply for a work permit based on
economic hardship. If I indeed get a work permit based on economic
hardship and I work with that work permit, would that count towards
my 12 months?

Thank you folks!!

CarlM

> Hi,
>
> I'm an F1 student looking for employment. I have a couple of questions
> and I would be glad if you could give me some advice. I changed my
> status/visa J1 to F1 on January 4, 2005.
>
> 1. I got a SSN on my previous J1 visa, can I just use that SSN and
> work? Do I even have to worry about a work permit?
>
> 2. I heard there is a 9 month period that I can't apply for a work
> permit and thus that I can't work, actually it states "9 months of
> full-time enrolment (12 credits) as a student". I didn't take
> classes during summer, so does that imply that this period ends
> after 9 months of full-time instructions (Spring semester + Fall
> semester) or is it just 9 months no matter if I take classes in
> summer? It's kind of confusing. "9 months of full-time enrolment"
> would be anytime at the end of this year, whereas "9 months" would
> be October 4th, 2005 (9 months after January 4th, when I changed to
> F1 status).
>
> 3. I know that there is OPT and CPT which I can apply for for a total
> of 12 months. I can apply for CPT anytime during my studies as long
> as I get credit for it and as long as those credits count towards
> my degree and for OPT after my studies. Do I get 12 months for each
> I-20 or for each F1 visa or for my whole time of being an F1
> student in the US? So will I get another 12 months with a new I-20
> (i.e. from a grad school)?
>
> 4. I've also heard that I can apply for a work permit based on
> economic hardship. If I indeed get a work permit based on economic
> hardship and I work with that work permit, would that count towards
> my 12 months?
>
> Thank you folks!!

The CPT is the off-campus work authorization while you are still
studying. It is only available after 1 academic year (typically the 9
months you quote). It is permission to work off-campus while gaining
experience, and it must be credit bearing to be classed as
CPT/Internship.

The SS# is the same one you had issued as a J-1, and the INS endorsement
still applies. If you work off-campus without authorization by your
DSO/International Office, you are in violation of your visa status. The
authorization is on your I-20. OPT is post-curricular, and is in the
form of a DHS workcard, and doesnt require school authorization to
change employer etc. OPT isnt credit-bearing as its post-curricular.

LucyMO

> The CPT is the off-campus work authorization while you are still
> studying. It is only available after 1 academic year (typically the 9
> months you quote). It is permission to work off-campus while gaining
> experience, and it must be credit bearing to be classed as
> CPT/Internship.
>
> The SS# is the same one you had issued as a J-1, and the INS
> endorsement still applies. If you work off-campus without
> authorization by your DSO/International Office, you are in violation
> of your visa status. The authorization is on your I-20. OPT is post-
> curricular, and is in the form of a DHS workcard, and doesnt require
> school authorization to change employer etc. OPT isnt credit-bearing
> as its post-curricular.

http://international.missouri.edu/is...f1/employment/

this will answer all your questions.