F-1 Employment International Intern

List of Questions

1.	Basic Guidelines
1.1.	What is an internship with an international organization?
1.2.	What do I need to consider before I certify a student’s eligibility for an internship at an international organization for a student?
1.3.	Can a border commuter student work as an intern at an international organization?
2.	Application Process
2.1.	How do F-1 students apply to for approval to work as intern for an international organization?
2.2.	Where can my students and I find recognized international organizations within the meaning of the International Organization Immunities Act (59 Stat. 669)?
2.3.	How does the approval process for employment as an intern at an international organization start?
2.4.	What is the process for approving employment as an intern at an international organization in SEVIS?
2.5.	Do I need to submit a Form I-538 for employment as an intern at an international organization authorization?
2.6.	Can I cancel my recommendation for employment as an intern at an international organization?
2.7.	How do F-1 students check the status of their applications?
3.	Work Hours and Period of Authorization
3.1.	How many hours can F-1 students work with authorization as an intern at an international organization?
3.2.	How long is the authorization for employment as an intern at an international organization valid?
3.3.	If F-1 students have been working as an intern at an international organization and their current work authorization has expired, can they continue working while their new application is pending?

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Internship with an international organization for F-1 Students

1.  Basic Guidelines

1.1.  What is an internship with an international organization?

The internship must be:

1.2.   What do I need to consider before I certify a student’s eligibility for an internship at an international organization for a student?

The student must:

You do not need to consider:

1.3.   Can a border commuter student work as an intern at an international organization?

Not within the United States. Commuter students are limited to practical training – OPT and CPT.

2.   Application Process

2.1.   How do F-1 students apply to for approval to work as intern for an international organization?

First they need the written offer from the organization. Then the F-1 students need Forms I-20 from you, signed within the last 30 days, certifying that they are bona fide F-1 students.

Last, they need to submit the following to USCIS:

See the USCIS website for the form and filing information. F-1 students will have to pay a fee to USCIS. Electronic filing is available.

2.2.   Where can my students and I find recognized international organizations within the meaning of the International Organization Immunities Act (59 Stat. 669)?

These international organizations are listed in 8 CFR 316.20.

2.3.   How does the approval process for employment as an intern at an international organization start?

The process starts when an F-1 student asks to be employed as an intern at an international organization.

After you determine if you should certify the student’s eligibility, enter your recommendation into SEVIS. Print the supporting Form I-20, sign pages 1 and 3, and give it to the student.

2.4.   What is the process for approving employment as an intern at an international organization in SEVIS?

See the User Manual for School Users of SEVIS Volume II Form I-20 for detailed instructions.

2.5.   Do I need to submit a Form I-538 for employment as an intern at an international organization authorization?

No. SEVIS replaced the need to use the Form I-538. Some forms and portions of the 8 CFR still refer to the Form I-538, but it is not needed for any purpose. For the same reason, you do not need to send any documents to ACS in London, KY.

2.6.   Can I cancel my recommendation for employment as an intern at an international organization?

Yes. You have the option in SEVIS – see the User Manual for School Users of SEVIS Volume II Form I-20.

However, you should not cancel your recommendation after the student submits the Form I-765 and the supporting documentation.

2.7.   How do F-1 students check the status of their applications?

See the related question in off-campus employment

3.   Work Hours and Period of Authorization

3.1.   How many hours can F-1 students work with authorization as an intern at an international organization?

This type of employment can be full-time or part-time. However, they must be a full-time student and maintain F-1 student status.

3.2.   How long is the authorization for employment as an intern at an international organization valid?

One year. If the job continues to be available, the student must apply for continued employment authorization up to six months before the authorization expires.

3.3.   If F-1 students have been working as an intern at an international organization and their current work authorization has expired, can they continue working while their new application is pending?

No. See the related question in off-campus employment.

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