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Hiring International Students from the Nicholas School

Most of our international students possess F-1 visas permitting them to be hired for internships and post graduation employment in the United States. Nicholas School Career Services provides this general information to help your organization understand the work options and the required work authorization documentation an F-1 student needs if hired in a paid, off-campus position. For detailed information visit the Duke University International Office website (http://www.internationaloffice.duke.edu).


There are two types of practical training available to students in F-1 status:

It is the student's responsibility to apply for the appropriate practical training and is assisted by Career Services and Duke University International Office.

Working on-campus requires no work authorization. This work can be part-time during the academic year and full-time during summer and academic vacation periods.

F-1 students working off-campus and receiving a stipend or any in-kind payments from employer (ex: parking, metro pass, mileage reimbursements, registration fee to attend meetings seminars or conferences, free housing, etc.) without appropriate authorization is ABSOLUTELY prohibited. Student's visa will be revoked.

HIRING AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AS AN INTERN:
Off-campus and paid internships require international students to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is the required work authorization for all paid internships or off-campus part-time employment. CPT cannot exceed 12 months fulltime work (2080 hours per year). International students are eligible for CPT after completion of one full-time academic year. Internships must be related to the student's field of study. Most international students use CPT for summer internships.

Required CPT Application Documents
CPT is employer and date specific and can only be applied for once the student has accepted an internship offer.

  • Employer responsibility
    • Letter from internship employer. Includes employment offer, specifies dates of employment of internship, name of supervisor and brief description of the project or internship job duties. Letter should state that this internship is related to the student's area of graduate study.
  • Student responsibility
    • Valid I-20.
    • Photocopy of Master's Project (MP) requirement from Nicholas School bulletin or website.
    • CPT application form with appropriate university signatures.

HIRING AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FOR POST-GRADUATION EMPLOYMENT:
F-1 status students seeking post-graduation training related to the student's major area of study or specialization are required to apply for Occupational Practical training prior to graduation. OPT cannot exceed 12 months and is not extendable.

Required OPT Application Process (student responsibility only)

  • Must be recommended by International Office - Designated School Officer.
  • Must be authorized by USCIS (US Citizenship & Immigration Services). This is the 2-3 month processing time. No expedite possible.
  • No employment offer letter required.
  • OPT is "not" employer specific.
  • OPT requires applicant to select an OPT start date up to 60 days after completion of course of study. If employed at that pre-determined date or not, the graduate's OPT 12-month clock starts running.

EAD CARD:
Employment Authorization Card given to students authorized under OPT or pending permanent residents.

If you have questions contact career services staff.

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