International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), a unit within the Division of Global Engagement, is responsible for the following core services:
- visa sponsorship
- pre-arrival onboarding and communications (in collaboration with other campus partners)
- orientation
- work authorization
- compliance with federal regulations
Visa Sponsorship
ISSS provides F-1 and J-1 visa sponsorship for international GEs who are not already in the U.S. in another legal non-immigrant visa status. It is important to note that not all international GEs will require ISSS visa sponsorship and therefore may not be subject to all of these policies.
F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship is determined by ISSS once international GEs are admitted by the Division of Graduate Studies and have submitted the Personal Information and Financial Verification Form. Once the form is submitted with evidence of a GE offer, ISSS issues Form I-20 (F-1 visa) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 visa) depending on the student's preference, and communicates next steps in applying for a U.S. visa and other pre-arrival requirements.
Health Insurance
International GEs are automatically enrolled in the UO's student health benefits plan (SHBP) but will be waived out of SHBP once they sign up for the GTFF plan. While students will be initially charged for enrollment in SHBP, they can ignore and do not have to pay this charge unless they do not plan to sign up for the GTFF plan. For more information, refer to Insurance Policy.
Work Authorization
On-Campus Employment
International GEs in F-1 or J-1 status may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks and the summer 'vacation' term. Work authorization by ISSS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is not required for on-campus employment.
F-1 and J-1 students are allowed under federal regulations to work on-campus as long as they have a valid foreign passport, valid I-20 or DS-2019, and evidence of being admitted into F-1 or J-1 status by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as evidence on their I-94 admission record. Students should download and print their I-94 admission record to verify their F-1 or J-1 status and keep it with their other immigration documents.
For more information, refer to On-Campus Employment.
Off-Campus Employment
International GEs in F-1 or J-1 status may not work off-campus without work authorization from ISSS or USCIS, depending on their eligibility and academic progress. There are two opportunities for international GEs to work off-campus, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria under their visa status: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students should always meet with an ISSS international student advisor prior to accepting off-campus employment to understand if they are eligible for off-campus work authorization or not.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT work authorization is granted by ISSS. Processing times are typically three to seven days, depending on a completed request from the student and their UO department. More information on eligibility requirements and the application process can be found on the CPT webpage.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT work authorization is granted by USCIS. Processing times can vary from two to five months, depending on the time of year a student applies. More information on eligibility requirements and the application process can be found on the OPT webpage.
Maintaining Legal Status
International GEs in F-1 or J-1 status are required to maintain legal status while in the U.S. For more information, refer to Maintaining Legal Status webpage.
Document Requests
International GEs in F-1 or J-1 status can request updates to their immigration document through the ISSS office. For more information, refer to F-1 Students or J-1 Students.
Travel
International GEs in F-1 or J-1 status should always consult with an ISSS international student advisor prior to international travel to ensure they have all the required documents for re-entry to the U.S. after travel home or abroad.
It is important to note that an F-1 or J-1 visa can expire while an international GE is otherwise maintaining legal status in the U.S., which includes enrolling full-time each term and having a valid I-20 (F-1), DS-2019 (J-1), foreign passport and I-94 admission record. For more information, refer to Travel and Visas.
Temporary Leave
International GEs in F-1 or J-1 status are required to seek advice and approval from an ISSS international student advisor prior to taking a leave of absence, in addition to consultation with their UO department and Graduate Studies. F-1 and J-1 visa regulations are more restrictive than on-leave policies for all graduate students. International GEs may find themselves in violation of their visa status if they do not include ISSS in their on-leave coordination. For more information, refer to Temporary Leave.
Steps to Take:
- Discuss on-leave options with UO department
- Review on-leave policies for all graduate students
- Discuss on-leave options and requirements with an ISSS international student advisor for F-1 or J-1 students