F-1 STUDENTS WORKING WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

F-1 students are allowed to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) to work for specific international organizations.

Review all steps below to understand how to request this authorization and how it may affect your status.

OVERVIEW

Application for an EAD card to work with international organizations must be filed with and approved by USCIS, and it may take several weeks for approval. So therefore, it is recommended that you consider applying for F-1 CPT work authorization. You should discuss your options directly with the employing entity to see which application is best.

Because most of the qualifying organizations are on the U.S. east coast, this type of employment authorization is very rare for international students at UC San Diego. Make sure to talk to an International Student Advisor before proceeding to apply.

STEP 1: CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to request an EAD card to work with international organizations, you must meet all of the following requirements:

You may apply anytime during the program of study; there is no waiting period.
You must be enrolled full time.
You must work for a qualified international organization.
You must apply to USCIS who can approve up to one year.
You cannot begin work until you receive your EAD card from USCIS.
You can work part-time or full-time; there is no limit on hours.

STEP 2: OBTAIN A JOB OFFER LETTER

Letter must be on the organization’s letterhead and certify that the proposed employment is within the scope of the organization’s sponsorship.

STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST FOR A NEW I-20

Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
Go to "Services" tab.
Select "F-1 International Organization Employment I-20 Request ".
Fill out your request.
Choose your "Document Delivery Preference".
Upload a PDF copy of your job offer with a qualified international organization from this list.
"Submit" your request.

STEP 4: RECEIVE YOUR NEW I-20

Your new I-20 reflecting your work authorization will be issued within 10 business days.
You can check the status of your request anytime by logging in to iPortal and clicking on "My Requests" tab.
A notification email will be sent to you when your document is ready.
Sign your new I-20 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20 for your records, do NOT throw it away.

STEP 5: COMPILE YOUR APPLICATION

Offer letter from international organization.
I-20 recommendation from DSO (see STEP 3 & 4 above).
Form I-765 completed and signed.
- You can download it from this USCIS webpage: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 .
Filing fee of $410 payable to Department of Homeland Security
Two U.S.-style passport photos. The photos must be taken within the past 30 days.
- Yuo can see exact specifications on this U.S. State Department website: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos.html .
Copy of your passport information page (including photo, birthdate, and expiration date). Note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months in the future.
Copy of your most recent I-94.
- You can retrieve it on this CBP webpage: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search .

STEP 6: MAIL YOUR APPLICATION TO USCIS

Application materials should be mailed to the USCIS Lockbox Facility based on your mailing address.

For more instructions, visit this USCIS webpage: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-information/uscis-phoenix-and-dallas-lockbox-facilities .

STEP 7: REVIEW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Do not start working until you have received your EAD card. This may take up to 3 months.