International students must always obtain work authorization to work off-campus. Off-campus employment must be related to your UMN major.
These requirements apply to any type of off-campus employment, including:
- Paid internships (including those required by an academic program)
- Employment during the summer, winter break, or spring break
- Employment that receives a stipend, bonus, etc.
- Positions where the individual receives a benefit instead of pay (for example, getting free rent in exchange for babysitting or being a caretaker of an apartment building).
ISSS encourages international students to consult with an ISSS advisor early in the job search process to ensure they can receive authorization for the type of work they are seeking.
Terms to Know
Types of Authorization
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is work authorization that allows a student to work before graduation in a job directly related to their major area of study. CPT authorization is provided by ISSS. - Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is work authorization that allows a student to work either before or after degree completion in a job directly related to their major area of study. OPT authorization is provided by USCIS. - 24-Month STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension
Graduates with a certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree are eligible to apply for an additional 24 months of OPT STEM Extension. Graduates apply for STEM OPT as they near the end of their initial OPT period, and the permission is granted by USCIS. - Off-Campus Work Permission Based on Unforeseen Financial Change (Limited Eligibility)
The severe economic hardship employment authorization benefit is intended to address specific situations where a financial need beyond the student’s control arises, which were unforeseen at the time the student applied to the school they are currently attending. This authorization can only be available after all other potential employment opportunities have proven to be insufficient.
Please note: Applicants must pay an application fee, and USCIS will likely take between 4-7 months to confirm or deny a request.
Changes to UMN Email and Google Workspace
As of June 1, 2024, when people leave the University (including people who graduate), their UMN email and Google Workspace accounts will be closed and the contents deleted. The amount of time they will have access to their UMN email and Google Workspace is determined by their role (i.e., faculty, staff, student) and if they are affiliated with the Health Care Component. See Leaving the University self-help guide to learn about timelines, get access to tools, and learn how to prepare.
ISSS successfully advocated for F-1 on OPT, and STEM OPT and J-1's on post-completion Academic Training to be able to keep your UMN email until your work authorization has ended. This means that you will continue to use your UMN email to log into your SEVP portal (for F-1's) and to access your MyISSS portal for the duration of your F-1 and J-1 work authorization. Once your work authorization ends, you will have an additional 90 days to clean up your UMN email account and get a non-UMN email account set up. After 90 days, your UMN email account will go away.
If you decide not to use your OPT/STEM OPT/Academic Training or wish to end your work authorization early, be sure to let ISSS know. For those that cancel or end their OPT/Academic Training early, you too will have 90 days from the date your work authorization is canceled or ends to clean up your UMN email account before it goes away.
