1. Harvard International Office
Employment Permission for International Students with Off-Campus Program Requirements
Elizabeth Capuano
Advisor to International Students & Scholars
Harvard International Office
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
Holyoke Center 864 (8th floor)
Cambridge, MA
Direct Phone:

2. Agenda Announcements On-campus employment Off-campus employment
J Student Work Permission Prior to Graduation
F Student Work Permission Prior to Graduation
(Two options)
F Student Work Permission After Graduation

3. Housekeeping Appointments: Contact Elizabeth directly Office Hours:
HIO hours in Cambridge: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:  9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday:  11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
HSPH Office Hours:
HIO website:

4. REMINDER: Travel
You need the following documents to re-enter the U.S. from a trip abroad:
Valid Passport;
Valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp from the U.S. Consulate;
I-20 document including a valid travel signature on page 2.

5. REMINDER: Travel
At HIO Front Desk or during my office hours at HSPH, obtain an updated travel validation signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 form if a year has passed since the last travel signature.
Be careful when returning to the U.S. : the stated purpose of your visit to the U.S. is to study. (“I’m a student at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.”)

6. On-Campus Employment – F & J
Permissible for all full-time enrolled F & J students
On Campus = Harvard University paycheck
Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session; full-time during breaks and the summer.
F-1 Students ONLY – The Harvard affiliate hospitals (Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s, Dana Farber, Boston Children’s Hospital, etc.) are considered on-campus employment. Working there requires an authorization letter from Elizabeth.
When in doubt, contact Elizabeth.

7. Off-Campus Authorization: When is it required?
Off-Campus work authorization (J-1 Academic Training or F-1 Curricular Practical Training) are required if you are going to work off-campus, but within the United States, to complete program requirements.
May be required for:
Winter 1 Team Based Immersion
Summer 2 Field Immersion
Winter 2 Experiential Learning
DELTA Project
Whether or not Academic Training or Curricular Practical Training are required depends on the type of work that you will conduct.
You will require Academic Training or Curricular Practical Training even if you will not necessarily be paid. Unpaid work will still require Academic Training or Curricular Practical Training.

8. Off-Campus Employment: J visa holders - Academic Training (“AT”)
“Academic Training” = permission for off-campus work or research
Each J visa sponsor (Harvard, Fulbright, etc…) can have different policies about academic training
Harvard’s policy:
Use for summer internship / employment / research at off-campus locations
Work at the Harvard affiliate hospitals (Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s, Dana Farber, Boston Children’s Hospital, etc.) requires AT for J-1 holders.
Can be used before and/or after studies
Must have a job offer letter to qualify

9. J-1 Academic Training (“AT”)
Go to HIO website for information and application forms
Follow instructions and drop forms off at HIO front desk. J AT is authorized and processed by HIO.
No HIO appointment is necessary
Must apply at least two weeks before job begins
Cannot begin work until new DS-2019 given by HIO

10. This is the end of the J portion of the program.
J-1 “Other sponsors”
Fulbright / IIE Fulbright J-1 contact:
Daaimah Muhammad
If you are not sponsored by HIO in J status, you will need to contact your Exchange Visitor Sponsoring Program for the AT authorization.
This is the end of the J portion of the program.

11. Off-Campus Employment: First Option: F-1 Curricular Practical Training (“CPT”)
CPT is the recommended employment authorization for DrPH students
Advantage: Authorization comes from HIO – no application to federal agency USCIS
Advantage: No charge to apply for CPT.
Can use up to months of full-time CPT without losing your OPT eligibility.

12. #1: F-1 CPT Application Process
1. Obtain a required placement and offer letter.
2. Obtain and complete the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health CPT form.
Available from Elizabeth via , or from DrPH office.
3. Register for any required coursework

13. #1: F-1 CPT Application Process (continued)
4. Drop off CPT packet at HIO Front Desk:
Field Immersion Learning Agreement; DELTA Doctoral Project Visa Letter; or Employment Offer Letter
These documents must include the specific start and end dates of your work.
Copies of your immigration documents: passport biographic page; I-94 record; and F-1 visa stamp.
5. Once authorized, you’ll receive an from HIO to pick up the updated I-20 form at the HIO Front Desk. Use the I-20 to prove employment authorization to your employer.

14. CPT is an employer-specific and date-specific authorization:
#1: F-1 CPT Information
The CPT employment authorization will be indicated on page two of the new I-20.
CPT is an employer-specific and date-specific authorization:
can only work for the company listed on the I-20 and within the employment authorization dates on the I-20.

15. #1: F-1 CPT Course Questions
Students are responsible for reviewing the timeline and schedule for field immersion experiences and the DELTA project.
Consult with your academic advisor, the DrPH program, and Elizabeth if you have questions or concerns.
CPT may be available for elective work if you are registering for an independent study, but this requires consultation with your program. Such authorization is provided on a case-by-case basis.

16. #2: Off-Campus Employment: Second Option F-1 Optional Practical Training (“OPT” – NOT recommended)
Work authorization for practical experience in your field of study that you wish to undertake. This is for work that is not based on a program requirement.
12 months total per degree level
Can be used before (“pre-completion”) and/or after graduation (“post-completion”).
Not job-specific, i.e., no job required to apply
Not just for summer; can also be used for part-time off-campus work during school year.
May be necessary if you wished to undertake consulting work; there is also a variation for work with certain specific international organizations we would have to consider.
Application must be submitted to USCIS for authorization.

17. #2: F-1 OPT: Application Process
Watch HIO’s on-line OPT tutorial and prepare OPT materials as instructed at HIO web site:
Drop off your completed pre-completion OPT employment authorization application at the HIO Front Desk. HIO will process the OPT recommendation, issue a new I-20 form and you to pick up the OPT package at the HIO Front Desk.
Upon pick-up, mail application to U.S. Government (USCIS) with check or money order for $410
Wait for reply (normally 60 – 100 days)
While waiting, there is no change to your legal F-1 student status and you can still travel abroad.

18. #2: F-1 OPT Deadlines
Apply ASAP (up to 90 days in advance) for summer employment
Can apply without specific job offer; however will “lose time” even if you don’t end up working or working fewer days
The later you apply, the longer you wait to receive the work permission. Students may not be employed until they receive the EAD.

19. #2: Choosing Summer Dates for OPT
At time of OPT application, students choose the dates for work permission
Changes are not possible after application mailed
Think about future plans; good idea to save 8-9 months for after graduation (so that you can then segue into the H1B or another visa category).*

20. Questions?
Thank you!