Links for new and current F-1 students Social Security Card Info On-Campus Employment Optional Practical Training Curricular Practical Training Off-Campus Employment

John Jay College of Criminal Justice The City University of New York 445 West 59 Street New York, NY  10019

Information for New International Students in F-1 Student Status

Welcome to the United States!
As an international student, you might face varieties of problems and issues. We hope that this brief guide will help you overcome such dilemmas.

The International Student Advisor (ISA) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice oversees all students who have an F-1 non-immigrant student visa or F-1 student status. If for example, you are changing your address, leaving the country, or unable to maintain full-time status, you must contact the ISA. In order to maintain your F-1 student status, you have to be a registered full-time student (full-time = at least 12 credits or 12 hours of instruction per week for undergraduate students, and at least 9 credits or 9 hours of instruction per week for graduate students). You cannot drop or withdraw from a course that will place you less than full-time without first consulting with the ISA. You are in violation of your status in the United States if you are less than full-time. That is why this issue is very important. If ever in doubt, please call or email for an appointment.

Contact information

Mr. Angelos Kyriacou
Assistant Registrar & International Student Advisor/DSO
Office of the Registrar
445 West 59 Street

New York, NY  10019
Tel: 212-237-8199

Fax: 212-237-8875

E-mail: akyriacou@jjay.cuny.edu

Social Security Card   

You will need a social security card if you have On-Campus Employment, Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Social security cards are only issued if you have authorized employment and have a job or a job offer on-campus, or have an employment authorization document (EAD card) from the Department of Homeland Security. Contact the ISA for further clarification. For information and directions to the Social Security Office nearest you, go to the website below and type in your zip code.

Social Security Administration Office

(Main website) www.ssa.gov

(Website for office locator) http://www.socialsecurity.gov/locator

(Specific information for international students) http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10181.html

Immigration Information

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (overseen by the Department of Homeland Security) are responsible for immigration laws. The following website offers plenty of information for immigrants as well as F-1 students. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Website: www.uscis.gov

Tel: 1-800-375-5283

Address
New York City District Office

26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278

Consulates

There are more than 100 foreign consulates in New York City. It may be helpful to remember the location and contact information of your country’s consulate, especially when you need to renew your passport or change your immigrant status.

Website: www.citidex.com/252.htm

Opening a Bank Account

Maintaining a bank account is very important since most international students receive financial support from overseas. You need to find U.S. banks with branches in foreign countries or have financial connections with foreign banks. You will need a letter from John Jay College verifying your U.S. address and that you are attending the school. You may also need your passport, student visa, and other documents that help to prove your legal status.

Traveling outside of the United States

Make sure you get a travel signature from the ISA on your Form I-20 before you leave the country!

Employment for International Students

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services permit limited employment options for international students with F-1 student status. For all the different work options, eligibility for an F-1 student is generally defined as a student in good academic standing and in lawful status in addition to other requirements mentioned below. Contact the ISA for additional information.

On Campus Employment

Eligibility:

• Enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits or 12 hours of instruction per week for Undergraduate students and at least 9 credits or 9 hours of instruction per week for Graduate students).
• The work must only be performed on the premises of John Jay College or any City University of New York (CUNY) campus. You can work anywhere on-campus as long as the work provides a direct service to students. Examples are: school library, labs, bookstore, tutoring, and student service departments. Keep in mind that there is limited On-Campus Employment at John Jay College. For employment opportunities (part-time only) within CUNY, click here.

Duration and Hours per Week:

• You can work up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full-time during vacation periods. To work during the break, you must (or intend to) be registered for the next semester.

Optional Practical Training (or OPT)

This is the most popular form of authorized employment. Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (for F-1 students) enables you to gain a maximum of 12 months of full-time professional work experience in your field of study upon completion of studies. Although OPT is an option while you are still pursuing your studies, most students prefer Post-Completion OPT. In other words, after graduation you are eligible to work full-time in the U.S. for up to 1 year at a job that is directly related to your major area of study. Part-time OPT (up to 20 hours per week) while you are still in school does exist, but the amount of time you use will be deducted from the full 12 months of Post-Completion OPT in which you are eligible for. OPT must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A job offer is not required at the time of applying. If you are considering Post-Completion OPT, contact the ISA 3 months prior to the date of your graduation.

Eligibility:

• valid F-1 status and enrolled full-time for at least one academic year
• be able to describe how the type of work you are seeking directly relates to your major (A job offer is not necessary at the time of applying.)
• have not previously used your full 12 months of Optional Practical Training or used more than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training

• IMPORTANT: It can take up to 3 months for USCIS to approve Post-Completion OPT. In addition, if USCIS does not receive your application before your program end date, you will not get approved. Therefore, it is important that you see the ISA well in advance (3 months prior to completion of your program of study). In addition to the necessary paperwork, 2 passport photos and a fee of $340 in the form of a check or money order made payable to the “Department of Homeland Security” are required.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training is defined as employment that is related to your major and an integral part of your curriculum. A paid internship is a prime example of CPT. In addition to the requirement that CPT employment must be a part of your established curriculum, you must also be registered in the appropriate course for the internship. A letter of a job offer is required as well as a letter from the department chairperson or program director recommending CPT, and a copy of the course description (generally found in the course catalog). Keep in mind that CPT is rare. There are very few paid internships.

Eligibility:

• lawful F-1 status and enrolled full-time for at least one academic year
• have a job offer

Duration and Hours per Week:

• You cannot work more than 20 hours a week while school is in session. Additionally, you must be registered full-time while you are on part-time CPT. (Full-time CPT may be an option but is extremely rare.)

IMPORTANT: If you are authorized for Curricular Practical Training totaling 12 months of full-time work or more, you lose your eligibility for all Optional Practical Training

Employment Based on Economic Hardship (Off-Campus Employment)

Sometimes an F-1 student can get permission to work off-campus if evidence is found of economic hardship. The job does not need to be in the field you are studying. Examples of economic hardships are: unexpected increases in tuition and/or cost of living expenses, medical bills, or unexpected changes in the financial condition of your sponsor. Authorization for Off-Campus Employment by USCIS can be difficult to obtain. It requires documented evidence which proves that you have financial problems caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. It can take several months for USCIS to come up with a decision.

Eligibility:

• lawful F-1 status and enrolled full-time for at least one academic year
• in good academic standing
• you must explain how On-Campus Employment has been either unavailable or insufficient to meet your needs
• you must be registered for courses full-time and working will not interfere with your studies
• you must be able to provide evidence proving that financial problems were caused by circumstances beyond your control

Duration and Hours per Week:

• You can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during vacation periods.
• USCIS authorizes Off-Campus Employment for 1 year periods. Renewals are possible.

IMPORTANT: Only U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can grant you authorization for Off-Campus Employment. Often, this request is denied. If you feel that you are indeed a qualified candidate for this type of employment, contact the ISA. In addition to the necessary paperwork, 2 passport photos and a fee of $340 in the form of a check or money order made payable to the “Department of Homeland Security” are required.

(A special thank you to Tomoe Kaneda for contributing to this information.)

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