International Students - Welcome to Hebrew Union College!

Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) & F-1 Visa Process

Step 1: Contact the DSO

Once admitted and assigned to a U.S. campus (New York or Los Angeles), email the Designated School Official (DSO) at registrar@huc.edu to begin the I-20 request process.

F-1 Visa Guidelines

Canadian Citizens

• Do not need an F-1 visa to study in the U.S.

• You do need an I-20 and SEVIS registration.

All Other International Students

• Begin your F-1 visa process at least 6 months before your arrival in the U.S.

To Request Your I-20

• Submit the I-20 request form (complete and accurate).

• Provide supporting financial documents showing you can cover the full cost of attendance:

  • Bank statements

  • Line of credit

  • Scholarship letter

  • Signed sponsor letter with financial proof

• If bringing dependents, add 50% of the cost of living per dependent.

• The DSO will review your documents, then email a scanned copy of your I-20.

• Print and sign your I-20, then email it back to registrar@huc.edu.

Next Steps After Receiving Your I-20

• Register with SEVIS and create an account.

• Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.

Apply for Your F-1 Visa

(All students except Canadian citizens)

• Apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate using your I-20 and SEVIS payment receipt.

• Visit travel.state.gov for up-to-date visa application procedures.

• After receiving your visa, double-check:

  • Correct visa type (F-1)

  • Correct name and birthdate (must match passport)

When to Travel

• Do not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20.

What to Carry When You Travel

Keep these items in your carry-on luggage:

• Valid passport

• F-1 visa (if applicable)

• Signed I-20

• Admission letter

• Financial documentation

After You Arrive in the U.S.

• Meet with a Customs & Border Protection officer at the airport/border.

• They will verify your SEVIS record and documentation.

Check In with HUC’s DSO

After arrival, schedule a check-in appointment with your DSO. Bring the following:

• Copy of your F-1 visa (if applicable)

• Printout of your I-94 record: i94.cbp.dhs.gov

• Your U.S. address and phone number

Employment for F-1 International Students

The U.S. offers eligible international students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience that complements their academic studies. To participate in any of the employment options listed below, students do not need to change their nonimmigrant (F-1) status. However, they must work closely with their Designated School Official (DSO) to confirm eligibility and receive proper authorization before beginning any type of employment.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

What is CPT?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus work authorization for F-1 students that allows you to engage in employment—such as internships, practicums, or fieldwork—that is an integral part of your academic program. CPT must be directly related to your major and tied to an established course.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must have a job offer directly related to your field of study.

• The employment must be directly connected to a credit-bearing course, such as a practicum, fieldwork, or Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

• You must maintain valid F-1 status.

Types of CPT:

• Part-Time CPT: 20 hours or less per week (allowed during academic semesters)

• Full-Time CPT: More than 20 hours per week (usually allowed during official breaks or if your curriculum allows)

Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Application Process:
To apply for CPT, you must submit the following to your DSO:

• A job offer letter on company letterhead, including:

  • Employer’s name and address

  • Job title and description

  • Start and end dates

  • Number of hours per week

  • Whether the position is paid or unpaid

• Proof of course registration tied to the internship or practicum

Your DSO will:

• Review your documentation

• Authorize CPT in SEVIS

• Issue a new I-20 with CPT authorization listed on page 2

Important:
You cannot begin work until you receive your updated I-20 with CPT approval. The CPT authorization will list the specific employer, location, and dates—you are only permitted to work under the terms listed.

Employment for F-1 International Students

The United States offers eligible international students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience that complements their academic studies. To participate in any of the training options listed below, students do not need to change their nonimmigrant (F-1) status. However, they must work closely with their Designated School Official (DSO) to confirm eligibility and obtain proper authorization before beginning any employment.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of off-campus work authorization that allows F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study. It may be used before or after completion of your academic program.

Types of OPT:

• Pre-completion OPT: Work done during your program (part-time during semesters, full-time on breaks)

• Post-completion OPT: Work done after finishing your degree (full-time only)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have maintained valid F-1 status

• Must have completed at least one academic year of full-time study

• The job must be directly related to your major field of study

OPT Limits:

• Eligible for up to 12 months of OPT per academic level

When to Apply:

• You can apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before your program end date, and no later than 60 days after program completion

• USCIS processing times vary—apply early!

How to Apply:

• DSO will update your SEVIS record and issue a new I-20 with OPT recommendation

• Submit Form I-765 to USCIS with the required documents and fee

• Wait for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before beginning work

Required Documents Include:

• Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

• Copy of your passport and visa

• Most recent I-94

• Two passport-style photos

• Filing fee (payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

You cannot begin working until you receive your EAD card and reach the approved start date.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students with active SEVIS status may be eligible to work on campus without additional USCIS approval.

• Includes jobs at campus offices (e.g., library, administrative offices)

• May include off-campus sites educationally affiliated with HUC

• Limited to 20 hours per week during academic terms

• May be full-time during official breaks and holidays

Speak with your DSO before beginning any on-campus job to ensure proper documentation.

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) but still need to report taxable income.

When Do International Students Need an ITIN?

F-1 or M-1 students must apply for an ITIN if they are ineligible for an SSN and have received any of the following:

• A grant, fellowship, or scholarship

• Stock options, lottery winnings, or gambling winnings

• Other types of non-wage income

To apply, students must:

• Complete Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)

• Submit it with their U.S. tax return

Who Must File a U.S. Tax Return?

International students and scholars (nonresident aliens) must file a U.S. tax return if they have:

• A taxable scholarship or fellowship grant (see IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education)

• Income exempt from tax under a tax treaty

• Any taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code

There is no minimum income threshold—if you received taxable income, you must file.

Who Does NOT Have to File?

Students and scholars with only the following types of income are not required to file a U.S. tax return:

• Income from foreign sources

• Interest income from a:

  • U.S. bank

  • U.S. savings & loan

  • U.S. credit union

  • U.S. insurance company

• Investments that generate portfolio interest (see Chapter 3 of IRS Publication 519)

• A fully tax-free scholarship or fellowship (see Publication 970)

• Other non-taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code

However, income that is exempt because of a tax treaty must still be reported on a U.S. tax return—even if no tax is owed.

More Information

For full details, forms, and guidance, visit the IRS website or refer to:

• Obtaining a Social Security Number

• IRS Publication 519: U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens

• IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education

• Foreign students, scholars, teachers, researchers, and exchange visitors

Applying for a Social Security Number (SSN)

All international students who receive financial compensation of any kind (including campus employment, CPT, or OPT) are required to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).

In general, only noncitizens who have authorization to work in the United States from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are eligible for an SSN.

When to Apply:
We recommend waiting 48 hours after checking in with your school before applying. This allows time for your immigration status to be verified in the DHS and Social Security systems.

To apply for an SSN, visit:
Request a Social Security Number for the First Time

Steps to Apply:

1. Start your application online.

2. Visit your local Social Security office or Card Center within 45 days to complete your application in person.

Required Documents:

• Unexpired passport

• I-94 (print from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

• I-20

• Letter from your Designated School Official (DSO)

• Job offer letter from your employer

• CPT students: Your I-20 must show CPT approval

• OPT students: You must present your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card

While studying in the United States, it is essential to maintain your student status. Your status refers to the purpose for which you were admitted to the U.S., and your visa was issued by the U.S. Department of State based on that purpose.

If you were issued an F-1 student visa, it means your primary reason for being in the U.S. is to pursue full-time academic study. To remain in status, you must not take any action that detracts from this purpose.

Maintaining your F-1 status means:

• Fulfilling the purpose for which your visa was issued

• Following the regulations and requirements associated with that status

You can learn more about your responsibilities by visiting the Maintaining Status page on the Study in the States website.

Talk to Your DSO First

If you have questions about your legal responsibilities while in the U.S., your Designated School Official (DSO) should be your first point of contact. Your DSO can help guide you or refer you to the appropriate resources.

F-1 students should always speak with their DSO before doing any of the following:

• Changing your major, program, or degree level

• Changing your education level

• Transferring to another school or taking a leave of absence

• Taking a break from classes

• Traveling outside the U.S.

• Moving to a new U.S. address

• Requesting a program extension

• Please bookmark the following link: Study in the States for Students. This site provides resources for most of your questions 

• Keep all of your records in a safe place, including your I-20, financial information, I-94, passport, etc. 
• Cost of Attendance at HUC-JIR | Hebrew Union College
• I-901 SEVIS Fee | ICE
• Study & Exchange
• I-94/I-95 Website – Official Site for Travelers Visiting the United States
• Request a Social Security number | SSA
• Obtaining a Social Security Number | Study in the States
• Study in the States
• Maintaining Status | Study in the States
• Any question please contact registrar@huc.edu for assistance