Internships and Full time Opportunities : CPT's and OPT's at San Jose State University.

                     There are two ways you can get employed ( Only possible on F- 1 Visa status )  : on campus and Off campus.  On campus job u can do up to 20 hours during spring/fall and up to 40 hours in Summer. number of working hours is the same during off campus work period too which is after 2 semesters of graduate study. you will need to contact International Program Services to do some paper work to get work authorization.  You can do any number of On campus jobs but the total number of working hours should add up to the limit i.e,., 20 hours during spring/fall and 40 hours during Summer semester.  Here is something i would like to share with all of you about off campus Employment  which is made in form of flow chart to make it easy for you to understand. : sorry for my Ms paint flow chart. i hope this serves the purpose .




Curricular Practical Training or CPT is done during your Studies at SJSU. SJSU Allows 3 CPT's , either you can take them for spring/fall/summer semesters. but, you will have a restriction of working hours as mentioned above.  read more about CPT here : http://www.sjsu.edu/isa/employment/curricular_practical_training/

Optional Practical Training or OPT is of two types : Pre Completion and Post Completion of your Masters degree at SJSU to get a work permit even after you graduate. Opt can be given for 17 months.  read more about OPT here : http://www.sjsu.edu/isa/employment/optional_practical_training/

You would have to apply for this atleast 90 days ahead of time from the planned start date of work. Since processing at IPS(international Programs and Services Office in Clark hall 5th floor), & then shipping to the USCIS for approval and waiting for the approval takes about 75 ~90 days. Hence please plan accordingly.

Key suggestion:

1) when you are only left with One course in the last semester, It would be ideal to take Pre-OPT and work fulltime ( if you have an offer letter/ job after your graduation).
2) If you donot have job offer after for Post gradution, then its wise to apply for OPT period directly after Graduation.
3) Good thing about Pre-OPT is that, the un-employment days are not counted towards the total final un-employment days.

Exceptional Case : 

You can Do Off campus Job in extreme cases like  Severe Economic Hardship and is permitted only in cases where there is economic necessity due to unforeseen circumstances. This work authorization is to cover up your expenses along with the school fee. You may not apply for this work permission until you have been in full-time F-1 status for two academic semesters.

I hope this post helps you!

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