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F-1 Student Practical Training

F-1 students may apply for "Optional Practical Training (OPT)"--a period of 12 months for which they can obtain an employment authorization document that allows them to work for any employer in their field of study. Prior to graduation, F-1 students may be employed for "Curricular Practical Training (CPT)," which allows them to work for any employer as part of their required curricular activities. UC San Diego departments may employ F-1 OPT and CPT students without having to sponsor the student in any way. 

OPT STEM Extension:
UC San Diego is registered as an E-Verify Employer; this allows F-1 OPT students who graduated in a STEM field to obtain a 24-month extension of their OPT employment authorization, provided they are working in that field. They must work with their sponsoring department to complete the legally mandated I-983 training plan; see the protocol to be used by departments intending to employ F-1 STEM OPT students. 

The UC system E-verify number and name is: 1219005 - University of California and the EIN is 94-3067788.

I-9 Requirements:
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card with valid dates serves as a List A document for I-9 purposes. Employment authorization documents for a CPT student include endorsement on the final page of the student's I-20 for CPT with UC San Diego specified as the employer and a valid date range. See USCIS' Employer's Handbook, M-274, and particularly the section on students

Students who have timely filed a STEM OPT EAD extension request can continue employment for 180 days past the expiration date of their initial EAD card; departments may follow instructions for completing the I-9. I-9 reverification will be required once the STEM OPT EAD extension card is received.

Register with ISEO:

We highly encourage non-UC San Diego sponsored scholars to register with ISEO. Registration with ISEO is not required for F1 OPT/STEM employees, however this allows ISEO to send programming, immigration, and other helpful information.  Separation/Departure:
Notifying ISEO of the separation/departure of an employee in F1 OPT/STEM status is not required. Submitting this departure form to ISEO indicates that the international scholar is ending their appointment/job at UCSD on the completion date selected. NOTE: It is a federal requirement to notify a Designated School Official of the I-20 issuing institution of a STEM OPT employee within five days of separation if that employee is being separated prior to the end date of the STEM OPT employment period

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