Office of International Students & Scholars

Employment

There are two major categories of employment students may request while they are studying at URI: on-campus and off-campus.

I. On-Campus Employment:

F-1/J-1 students can work on campus for 20 hours a week when the university is in session and 40 hours during vacation or semester break periods.

II. Off-Campus Employment:

Students are allowed to engage in work, training, or experiences that are directly related to their field of study. Employment may be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, before or after completing the course of study. Employment categories include: Academic Training (AT), Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship.

Academic Training (J-1 Only):

Academic Training (AT) allows a J-1 student to engage in employment, a URI internship, or co-op experience during or after a student's exchange program ends. The employment must be directly related to their field of study.

For questions and/or individual appointments concerning Academic Training, contact Melissa de Jesus: mdejesus@mail.uri.edu

Curricular Practical Training (F-1 only):

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows a lawful F-1 student to engage in "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum experience in their field of study." A student may choose to receive wages or academic credit for this experience. CPT MUST be an integral part of the student academic work.

For questions and/or meetings concerning Curricular Practical Training (CPT), contact Amie Limon: amie_limon@mail.uri.edu

Optional Practical Training (F-1 Only):

Definition of OPT

Temporary employment for practical training that is directly related to the student's major area of study and commensurate with the degree level
Allows a maximum of 12 months of practical experience
Students do not need to secure employment before applying for OPT
Requires USCIS approval
Student must show proof of employment and/or structure or supervised work (in the field of study) within 90 days of the beginning day listed in the Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

Note: Graduate students may participate in OPT at different periods during their educational career, see below:

Conditions for OPT

Students may engage in OPT after being enrolled for at least one full academic year
OPT is available before and after completion of the educational objective, but different rules apply to pre- and post-completion OPT
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future
Use of full-time CPT for one year (12 months) makes you ineligible for OPT

Pre-completion OPT

20 hours/week limit while school is in session and the student still has coursework to complete
all graduate and undergraduate students may apply for pre-completion OPT
Requires an Employment Authorization Document after receiving approval from DHS

Post-completion OPT

An F-1 student may be authorized to participate in post-completion OPT upon completion of studies. The post-completion OPT must be directly related to the student’s major area of study
All graduate and undergraduate students can apply for OPT after confirmation of a graduation date.
Requires an Employment Authorization document after receiving approval from DHS

For questions about the OPT Workshops, contact mdejesus@mail.uri.edu

For questions about OPT processing, comntact amie_limon@mail.uri.edu

Severe Economic Hardship (F-1 Only):

Only students whose financial situation has changed unexpectedly and/or beyond their control may apply for Economic Hardship.

University of Rhode Island • Office of International Students & Scholars • International Center • 37 Lower College Road; Kingston, Rhode Island, 02881

Office of International Students and Scholars

Employment

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