Employment with an International Organization

International Student and Scholar Services | Employment with an International Organization

International student on F-1 visa is allowed to engage this type of employment.

This F-1 employment benefit allows F-1 student to work for recognized international organizations within the meaning of International Organization Immunities Act [59 Stat. 669]

Characteristics of F-1 employment with an International Organization:

• A student is eligible as soon as he or she is in F-1 status; no 9-month waiting period. Available only while student is in F-1 status, before completion of the educational objective.
• Must be with a qualified international organization. 
• Granted by USCIS in increments of no more than one year, or until expected date of employment completion, whichever is shorter.
• Does not have to be related to course of study, but international organizations usually hire students for positions in their field of study.
• Must have a written offer of employment from a qualifying international organization.
• Use of this category of employment does not affect eligibility for practical training or on-campus employment.
• Must apply for work authorization card (EAD) from USCIS, and receive EAD before employment begins.
• Must continue to maintain a full course of study in F-1 status during the period of employment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Prepare documents and schedule an appointment with the ISSS director. If you are not sure what to answer on Form I-765, leave that question blank. ISSS director will review the application with you. Submit the following documents to the ISSS director:

1. Form I-765, fully completed and signed. Section 16 should be completed as follows: (c) (3) (ii)
2. Job - offer letter stating the nature of the proposed employment and its duration.
3. Originals of your current Form I-20 as well as of all I-20 forms previously issued to you during your stay in the  United States in F-1 status
4. Valid passport and I-94 card
5. For an application of renewal of work authorization, a photocopy of previous EAD is required.

Additionally, you will need to attach to your application:

1. A personal check or money order for $340.00 written out to US CIS (U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services)
2. 2 passport-style photographs

The photographs should be unmounted, glossy and unretouched with light background (plain white or off-white). Head should be positioned directly facing the camera, capturing slightly above the top of the head to middle of chest. If you normally wear glasses, wear them in the photo. If you wear a headpiece daily for religious purposes, you may wear it in the photo. The height of the head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm). Lightly print your name and the I-94 card number on the back of each photo.

The ISSS director will review your documents.  A new Form I-20 with a recommendation for the employment indicated on page 3 will be printed.  You must sign your name on the first page.  The application along with required documents will be mailed to USCIS for further processing. 

Within two weeks of mailing your application, you should receive a ìreceipt noticeî from US CIS. This notice will contain an EAC case number that you can use to check the status of your case online at the following website by using your case number.

Once your application is approved, you will receive your EAD card by mail. You may begin your employment from the start date indicated on your EAD card. Currently, it takes approximately about 60 - 90 days to receive the EAD card from the date you submitted your application. You may not begin your employment until you have been issued the EAD card authorizing this employment.