Life University International Student Handbook | Page 8

Employment for F-1 Students
There are four ways that F-1 students can be employed.
On-Campus employment: Students are allowed to work on campus
from the time they register. Employment on campus must be
limited to 20 hours per week when classes are in session, but can
be full-time during vacations. For on-campus employment, you will
not need approval from any external government agency. If you
have any doubts about what is considered on-campus employment,
consult the Coordinator of International Programs.
Off-Campus employment: To be eligible to work off campus, an F-1 student must have been enrolled at
Life University for an entire academic year. Off-campus employment must be authorized by USCIS and
recommended by the Coordinator of International Programs or DSO. Types of off-campus employment
include:
• Optional Practical Training: This is employment after graduation. (Post completion OPT) Employment
that is directly related to your field of study and is limited to a maximum of 12 months of full-time
employment. Application is made to the USCIS.
• Severe Economic Hardship: Employment due to unforeseen and severe economic difficulties that arose
after initial enrollment at Life University. Circumstances may include substantial changes in the value
of the home country’s currency, unexpected financial difficulties of your sponsor, or unexpected medical
bills. Application is made to the USCIS.
• Employment with an International Organization: Employment with a recognized international
organization, such as the United Nations or the World Bank. These international organizations are
authorized to hire their own nationals to work in their offices in the United States.

Reinstatement to F-1 Student Status
F-1 students can fall out of status with INS in
several ways. These include dropping below a
full course of study, working without authorization
or more than the weekly limit, allowing their
I-20 date to expire, or failing to follow transfer
procedures from one school to another. When
out of status, the student will no longer be eligible
for benefits such as practical training, on-campus
employment, or transferring to another school.
In order to get back in status with INS, the student
can apply for reinstatement with the INS. An
application is sent into the district office of the
INS where an officer will decide whether or not
to reinstate the student. The officer is looking
for circumstances beyond the student’s control
and that there was no illegal employment.
Reinstatement is a lengthy and expensive process
with some risk involved. While a majority of
students are reinstated, a few are not, and must
return home immediately.

The application for reinstatement must contain
the following items:
Letter of Explanation

• Explain exactly what happened to cause you to fall
out of status. Provide details and be as truthful as
possible. Were these circumstances beyond your
control?
• You may put “Dear Immigration Officer” at the top.
• If possible, state in the letter that you “have not
worked without authorization.”
• Attach any additional proof necessary.

Original I-94 Form

• This will be returned to you with the decision.

New Financial Documents

• They must be less than a year old.

I-539 Form (available from DOS office)
Check or money order for $380.00
• Make it out to USCIS

New I-20 for reinstatement

• DSO will prepare this for you.

Copy of old I-20 and Visa page/Bio page
of passport
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