Internships (Paid/Unpaid)

A student is eligible to apply as soon as they are in F-1 status; there is no academic-year waiting period or any requirement to be in the student’s field of study.

To be otherwise eligible for employment with an International Organization, you must:

• Have a valid passport and valid I-20
• Be enrolled in a full course of study during the Fall and Spring semesters
• Have an employment offer from a recognized international organization such as the United Nations, the World Bank, etc.

The letter should be on the organization's letterhead and specify:

• The start and end dates of employment
• Number of hours per week
• Address of the workplace
• Name of supervisor
• Compensation

Students may work part-time (20 hours or less/per week) while school is in session and full-time (21 or more hours/week) during vacation periods, provided they will continue their studies in the following semester.

Students cannot participate during the school year if they already have an assistantship or other on-campus employment equaling 20 hours per week.

The employment authorization is granted by USCIS in increments of no more than one year, or until expected date of employment completion or program completion, whichever is shorter.

Submit the Internship with an International Organization request in accessVIS and upload copies of the following documents:

• Current Form I-94
• Passport (including identity pages and expiration date)
• F-1 Visa 
• Offer letter or written certification from the International Organization on the organization's letterhead indicating the proposed employment is within the scope of the organization's sponsorship

When your application is complete, VIS will enter a recommendation for you to engage in an Internship with an International Organization  into the SEVIS system, and produce a new I-20.

You will receive an email from VIS with a link to download, print and sign your updated I-20. If you notice any mistakes on your I-20 please contact your VIS Advisor immediately.

Gather and prepare the following documents to support your I-765 Application for Employment Authorization:

• I-20 recommending an Internship with an International Organization: Provide a signed and dated copy of the new I-20 you received.
• All previously issued I-20s: Provide photocopies of all Form I-20s ever issued to you.
• $410 Application Fee*: Fee payment in the form of a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions found at www.uscis.gov. If paying by check, it must have your name and address pre-printed in the top left corner and be made payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If your name and address is not pre-printed, we recommend getting a money order instead.
• Passport-Style Photos: Two identical passport-style photographs issued within the last 30 days with your name and I-94 # gently written on the back.  See Department of State’s guidelines. 
• Form G-1145: Download from uscis.gov, include your full name, email address and telephone number. This optional form tells USCIS that you’d like to be notified upon receipt of your application.
• Form I-765:Download the most recent Form I-765 from uscis.gov (Fill-able PDF version recommended). Complete and sign by hand. 
• Passport: Provide photocopies of the identification pages in your  passport, including photo, passport # and expiration date.
• F-1 Visa: Except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda.
• Form I-94: Provide a copy of your most recent I-94. Download your electronic I-94 from CBP's website.
• Admission Stamp: A copy of your most recent admission stamp issued at the port of entry upon your latest arrival to the U.S. (in passport).
• Employment Offer Letter: Offer letter or written certification from the International Organization on the organization's letterhead indicating the proposed employment is within the scope of the organization's sponsorship.

Make photocopies of each item in the application packet for your records and mail the entire packet to the address specified for USCIS via FedEx or UPS. 

USCIS must receive it within 30 days of the date your updated I-20 was issued.

You should receive an electronic receipt from USCIS within 2-3 weeks and a paper receipt within 3-5 weeks. Once you get your receipt notice, check your case status with your receipt number at www.uscis.gov/casestatus.

Contact VIS immediately if you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE)  from USCIS, as an updated Form I-20 may be necessary. 

Traveling outside of the U.S. is not recommended while your I-765 is pending with USCIS.

Once your I-765 has been issued by USCIS, AND you have received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), please scan and email a copy to your VIS Advisor.

If you notice any mistakes on your EAD please contact your VIS Advisor immediately so we can assist you in getting the card corrected.

REMEMBER: You may not begin working, volunteering or interning until you have received your EAD card, AND not until the start date printed on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).