How to Work in the U.S. and Fresno City College

Your F-1 Visa does allow for some specific types of work opportunities.  However, please understand and remember always that opportunities are limited, as the F1 is a Student Visa and intended for your full-time studies in the U.S. as the primary reason for your admittance and stay in the U.S.

Before engaging in any work situation, please talk to one of your DSOs for guidance and approval.  You will need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work and authorization from your DSO to obtain one.  If you already have an SSN, you will still need to obtain DSO approval before engaging in any future job offered.  Unauthorized work will result in the need to terminate your I-20.

At Fresno City College, the two most popular work opportunities for our international students are:

  • On-Campus Employment for up to 19 hours/week at Fresno City College 
  • Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) for one year after graduation, related to your field of study.  Please be aware that the STEM OPT extension is not available for students at the Associates Degree level of schooling, and therefore not available at FCC.  Students also may only engage in OPT once at every level of schooling.  (Starting your own business in the U.S. is known as entrepreneurship may qualify under OPT if and as appropriate.)

Types of employment, utilized less frequently but allowed under the F1 Visa with DSO approval are: 

  • Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) (related to your field of study -- this work will reduce your time period for post-completion OPT).  Students may engage in pre-completion OPT on a part-time basis only.
  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (when work is required as a part of your Program of Study).  Most of our programs at FCC do not require paid work.

USCIS definition of CPT: An F-1 nonimmigrant student may begin CPT after the Designated School Official (DSO) has completed the Form I-20 endorsement page. CPT is any alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum. 

Student Jobs at FCC

F1 students at Fresno City College are permitted to work up to 19 hours/week in part-time student jobs on the campus.

Students are responsible for finding their own campus jobs.  It is highly recommended you visit various campus departments and inquire in person about job openings.  If we hear about potential opportunities, we will post a notice and/or email our students.  The Career and Employment Center on campus (LI-147) can also assist with your campus job search, however, not all student jobs are posted.  

Departments must have the funding available to hire students and not all departments may have the budget at a particular time.  Some of the offices that have been able to hire our students in the past are listed:

  • Computer Lab
  • Tutorial Center
  • Student Activities
  • Counseling Department
  • DSP&S Office
  • Pass Center
  • Ram Pantry
  • Division Offices including Social Sciences and Performing Arts
  • Anthropology Museum
  • Police Department
  • Athletics Department
  • District Operations
  • And our own International Student Program Office

If you receive a job offer, please notify our office as soon as possible, and provide the department and supervisor’s name.

If you already have a Social Security number from previous campus employment, your new supervisor ill guide you through the hiring process.

If you do not have a Social Security number please come to the International Office for guidance.  A procedural overview is below.  Your supervisor will then guide you through the rest of the process. 
Students may not begin work until given permission by our campus Administrative Services Department hiring technician. Note: Students will be expected to clear a TB test, even if previously done. 

How to apply for

Social Security Number

You will take to the local Social Security Office for the application process:

  • Letter written by your P/DSO,
  • Letter written by your new supervisor
  • Passport
  • Visa
  • I-20
  • I-94 document

Appointments are not available for this process.  You will fill out an application at the Social Security Office and wait your turn in line.  If your application is accepted, you will be given a receipt which you will need to present to the FCC Admin Services Dept. 

You may begin work once approved by Admin Services and your supervisor even if you have not received your Social Security Card yet.  You will not be able to receive a paycheck, however, until after issued the Social Security Number (SSN), but will be paid for the time you worked. 

Optional Practice Training (OPT) at FCC

A packet of the following items must be mailed to USCIS to request approval of your OPT.

Do Not Staple the items together!

Packet must include:

  • I-765
    Complete, sign and date form. Sign in blue ink within the lines.
    Number 16 eligibility code should be (c) (3) (B) -Check the USCIS website for the latest edition.  (Note that it might not be Number 16 on a newly revised edition of the I-765)
  • Copy of valid I-20 FORM with signature of Designated School Official
    The DSO requesting authorized OPT for the student signs.  
    Student keeps original I-20.  Copy is sent to USCIS.
    Note: program end date and current session end date should match.
  • 2 Passport photos
    • Do not cut photos
    • Print name and I-94 admission number or SEVIS number on back of photos
    • No glare on eyeglasses
    • Use plain background - white or off-white
    • Full-face color photo required
  • $410 Check or Money Order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
  • Copy of Passport
    • Include identity pages and photograph
    • Include copy of any expired passports
  • Copy of Visa
    Include any expired visas.
  • Copy of I-94 Form printed electronically.

Review all documents carefully.  Verify that all appropriate lines have been signed!

Mail documents together by USPS, Fed Ex, UPS, or DHL using a method providing verification of delivery.  Express Mail services provide tracking numbers.  For USPS, send by "Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested" (small green postcard).  For all carriers, use Form G-1145 for email notification. 

For USPS mail to:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
PO Box 2128
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Fed Ex, UPS, DHL mail to:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Attn: NFB AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

 

Post-Completion OPT

General Information

  • Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is full-time employment authorized after successful completion of your program of study. 
  • OPT is intended to provide hands-on practical work experience that is directly related to a student's major area of study. 
  • OPT is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a maximum of 12 months. 
  • You are eligible for OPT once at each level of your schooling (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, PHD).  However, if you do not participate in OPT at the Associates level when first eligible, you are not eligible to participate at this level at a later time after earning a higher degree. 
  • You may apply up to 90 days prior to your program completion date and no later than 60 days after your program completion date. 

Eligibility

  • Must currently be in F-1 status.
  • Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time bask for one full academic year or will have met this requirement by the time post-completion OPT it to commence.
  • Must have not engaged in more than 364 days of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during the current degree level (CPT is not usually available at FCC).
  • Must have not been authorized for 12 months of OPT at the current degree level.

How to Prepare

  • Read and understand the important rules and processes regarding your OPT listed throughout this document and sign the bottom of the form acknowledging for your file that you have read, understand, and agree to abide by the rules.  A copy will be kept in your file. 
  • Choose your OPT start date.  You are responsible for choosing the employment start date which will be recorded on the Form I-20, and informing your DSO.  An OPT start date must be no earlier than the day after your completion date of your academic courses and no later than 60 days after your program completion date.
  • Collect the following items:
    • Download the I-765 form 
      Print copy to prepare a draft, and review instructions.  It is recommended that you type submitted form, but not mandatory.  Last name should be capitalized.
    • Copies of needed documents including previous and expired documents (such as previous passports, visas, and/or previous I-20s from other schools if any.)
    • Copy of signed I-20.  You are going to mail a copy of your I-20, not the original. 
    • Passport photos.  Identify yourself on back of photos. 
    • Form of payment: check or money order 
    • Copy of Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
      If you have ever been issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) previously, please inform DSO to determine if copies are needed for your application and how this might affect your eligibility. 

Research prices and decide on mailing method of your application to ensure you can track your delivery. 

OPT Application Processes and Rules

  • OPT documents must be received by USCIS within 30 days from the date issued on your OPT I- 20. 
    Failure to submit your OPT documents on time will result in an automatic denial by USCIS.  
  • To avoid any documents being lost in the mail it is recommended that you do not move from the address you list on your I-765 prior to OPT approval. 
    If you do move, you must submit a change of address form online to USCIS to update your I-765 information and inform the International Student Services Office.  USCIS mail is not forwarded even if you put in a change of address at your local post office.  If you do not receive or respond to important questions or information sent to you by USCIS, your application will be denied.  USCIS takes no responsibility if your EAD card is lost in the mail -- lost EAD cards are not usually replaced.
  • Notify your DSO immediately of any change of address, contact information including phone numbers, or any employment information immediately.  Must notify within 10 days according to SEVIS regulations to maintain lawful F-1 status. 
  • Failure to complete program requirements 
    If you fail to complete all the requirements of your program, you must request an extension of your Form I-20 prior to the program end date found in the middle part of the I-20.  This may invalidate or otherwise affect your post-completion OPT authorization and eligibility. 
  • Periods of unemployment during OPT are limited to an aggregate of no more than 90 days of unemployment, and you must keep thorough and accurate records of employment and notify DSO of all changes.  If more than 90 days are accrued, your SEVIS record will be terminated.  You can transfer your SEVIS record to a new program of study or exit the U.S.  Volunteer work is also considered employment if it is at least 20 hours a week in a major related position.  
  • You may not begin work until your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD-card) is received and the start date of the EAD has been reached. To work prior to receipt of the EAD card and prior to the start date will constitute unauthorized employment F-1 status.
  • Traveling outside the U.S. during post-completion OPT without the following items may result in difficulty when returning and could, in fact, prohibit your re-entry to the U.S. 
    • Valid passport
    • F-1 visa that will be valid on the return day to the U.S.  If you do not have a visa that will be valid for return, you must obtain one at a U.S. consulate or embassy while outside the U.S. There is a potential risk of denial of a visa and if denied you will not be allowed into the U.S.
    • Travel signature on Form I-20 that is less than 6 months old from the planned returned date to U.S.
    • OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card —also known as OPT card)
    • Letter from employer to prove employment or show employment upon return to U.S. 
  • Grace Period
    You are permitted a period of 6o days to remain in the U.S. following the end date on OPT/EAD card and may not work during this period of time.
  • Health Insurance
    While in the U.S, you must maintain health insurance coverage. 
  • Upon receipt of your OPT Employment Authorization Document and/or job offer letters you must e-mail or bring a copy of the new documents to the International Office.  Your records will be updated and verified accordingly.  An updated I-20 can be issued.
  • The SEVP Portal is a tool that allows you to report address, telephone, and employer information directly within 10 days of a change to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).  You will receive an account creation email from SEVP to activate your account on or after your OPT start date.
  • Reporting Requirements  
    In order to maintain your immigration status while on Post-Completion OPT, you must keep both our International Department and the SEVP Portal informed of your employment information.  You may request an updated I-20 at any time as needed. 

You will be required to sign an acknowledgement of these rules and procedures.