Employment
There are strict F-1 regulations pertaining to all types of employment including on- and off-campus jobs, and paid and unpaid internships. F-1 visa students must receive approval from an International Student Advisor/DSO prior to engaging in any type of employment.
- Community Service and Volunteer Work (unpaid)
- On Campus Employment
- Curricular Practical Training (Internship, Work Experience)
- Optional Practical Training (Internship, Work Experience)
Community Service & Volunteering
Volunteer in the Santa Barbara community
International students are permitted to engage in community service for non-profit entities. Any volunteer work with a for-profit entity must be authorized by the Advisor.
On-campus Employment
Work up to 19.5 hours per week on campus
International students who are interested in seeking on-campus employment should meet with their SBCC Advisor to discuss their eligibility. While we can provide a list of basic criteria required for on-campus employment, there may be other factors that can affect your eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
- a cumulative 2.00 GPA or higher (first-semester students use prior school GPA)
- current passport and I-20
- full-time enrollment
- maintaining all F-1 visa requirements
Getting started
Log in to Jobspeaker to search for on campus jobs. If there is a specific department you want to work for, it may help to visit them in-person and speak to a supervisor.
After receiving a job offer
The Human Resources Office will email an employment packet to your SBCC email account. The Human Resources Office will verify your eligibility to work on campus with your International Student Advisor. If you do not have a U.S. Social Security Number, the Human Resources Office and your Advisor will provide you with instructions.
Do not work until you receive confirmation from the Human Resources Office that you may start working.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Earn credit working in your field of study
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) provides F-1 visa students who meet the eligibility requirements to pursue internship and work/study opportunities related to their major. Note: English Language Training Program students and Liberal Studies majors are not eligible for curricular practical training.
Eligibility Requirements
F-1 students may participate in part-time (20 hours per week maximum) Curricular Practical Training if they meet the following conditions to apply:
- Completion of at least two consecutive academic semesters with a minimum GPA of 2.50
- Completion at least one class in your major
- The position must be directly related to your field of major
- You must be pursuing an associate degree or certificate program
- You must earn academic credit for the practical training by enrolling in a work experience class
- You may only work during the dates of your work experience class
Application Instructions
You may not begin your internship or work experience until your Curricular Practical Training application has been officially approved by your International Student Advisor, and you have obtained an updated I-20 reflecting CPT authorization, and the start date of your work experience and CPT authorization have been reached.
- Review your current Student Education Plan (SEP) with an academic counselor, and ask them to sign the work experience course verification form.
- Meet with your potential internship supervisor or employer to complete the attached “Verification of Practical Training/Employment Offer” form.
- Meet with the Department Chair for your major to request a recommendation for CPT on the attached “Department Chair Recommendation” form.
- When you have the above items completed, meet with your International Student Advisor to review your documents for final approval.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Work in your field after graduation
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit available to F-1 students who complete an associate degree or certificate of achievement at SBCC. OPT is a one-year work permit and can be used anywhere in the U.S. for full-time employment related to the major. Students should apply for OPT during their last semester. IMPORTANT: OPT is not a different visa type; it is an F-1 visa benefit for students who successfully complete their program.
Recommended application deadlines:
Graduation Term |
Recommended Application Submission |
| Spring semester | February 25 |
| Fall semester | September 15 |
| Summer Session | April 1 (must be registered for Summer I class) |
IMPORTANT! You may apply as early as 90 days before you graduate and up to 60 days afterwards. You do not need to have a job offer before you apply. It can take up to 90 days for your submitted application to be processed. If you plan to travel abroad after graduation, you must submit your OPT application before you leave the U.S.
- Complete at least one academic year in F-1 status immediately prior to applying for OPT.
- Apply during your final semester of classes to complete an associate degree or certificate program.
- You may apply up to 90 days prior to graduation and up to 60 days after graduation.
- You must apply from within the U.S. and before international travel after graduation.
- Successfully complete associate degree or certificate program at SBCC. Contact your Advisor if you don't pass a required class.
- A job offer is not required to apply.
- Employment must be directly related to your field of major. OPT employment regulations are strictly enforced.
- The USCIS processing center takes up to 90 days to process OPT employment applications. Apply early if you hope to start working soon after you graduate!
- Travel to another country is not recommended while OPT is pending and/or if you do not have full-time employment.
- You cannot begin working until you have successfully completed your degree requirements and received your Employment Authorization Document.
- Your OPT authorization period must begin within 60 days after you graduate. The expiration date on your Employment Authorization Document will be 12 months after the start date or less and cannot exceed 14 months after you graduate.
Step 1. Submit the OPT Federal Regulations Agreement form. Read carefully and submit online. This form is required to request your OPT I-20 from your Advisor. You will need to upload your OPT I-20 to your application before you submit it.
Step 2. Gather the required documents listed below and save them as individual files on your computer in PDF format. See Acceptable Formats for requirements.
- Associate Degree Application Form: Complete the Petition for a Degree with your Academic Counselor.
- Copy of your Passport .
- Copy of your F-1 Visa.
- A copy of your I-20 if you had any prior employment authorization such as CPT or OPT, (even if it was while you attended another school).
- A copy of your "Most recent I-94 record". You can look it up online at www.cbp.gov/I94/.
- A digital image of your 2 x 2 passport-style photograph - must be less than 6 months old. It must meet the U.S. Department of State's photo composition & digital image requirements. Already have a photo that meets the requirements? Check out the Dept of State's photo-cropping tool. You can also have your photo taken at Costco, CVS, FedEx, or the Post Office, or use an online service like https://www.ivisa.com/photos or the PhotoAiD app to take your own photo.
- A copy of your signed SBCC OPT I-20. You will receive this from your Advisor during Step 3 below.
- Application Fee: Be ready to pay a non-refundable application fee (currently $470) with a credit card when you submit your OPT application during Step 3 below.
Step 3. Create an account with USCIS online and fill out your Form I-765 application online and upload the required documents. Create your account here. Then start a new application: I-765. You can reference these instructions: How to fill out Form I-765 application.
IMPORTANT: Do not submit your application until you receive your OPT I-20 from your Advisor. You may not make changes to your application after you submit it. Applications missing the OPT I-20 may be automatically denied or delayed.
Step 4. Book an appointment with your Advisor to request your OPT I-20 & review your application. Appointments can be conducted in-person or on Zoom. Your Advisor will help to review your application, issue your an OPT I-20, and answer any questions you have. Be prepared to submit your payment online with a credit card during your apppointment.
Email a screen shot of the confirmation screen with your application receipt number to your Advisor.
- You will receive Form I-797 Notice of Receipt at the mailing address you listed on your OPT application; submit a copy to your Advisor. When you receive it, check it for accuracy. Contact your Advisor right away if there are any mistakes. This is the ONLY time you can request a corrections.
- Check your USCIS account periodically for updates.
- If you change your mailing address after submitting your application, submit the Online Change of Address Form for a currently filed petition.
- You should receive an approval letter from USCIS within 90 days of submitting your application. Your Employment Authorization Document (aka EAD or OPT ID) will arrive a few days later.
- If you travel outside of the U.S. while your OPT application is pending or after it is approved, you must have a valid F-1 visa in your passport when you enter the U.S. If your F-1 visa expires before your U.S. entry date, you must apply for a new one before you come back. Your OPT must be approved before you apply for your new visa.
- If you transfer schools before your OPT end date, your OPT is cancelled on the SEVIS release date and you must stop working immediately.
- If you do not pass a required class, contact your Advisor right away.
Check out our job search tips. SBCC's Career Center is also an excellent place to search for jobs. Career counselors are available to meet with you one-on-one, or you can use their job search tools online.
You must begin working within 90 days after your OPT authorization period start date. You may be unemployed for a maximum of 90 days total.
Update and maintain your OPT employment status and your address, phone number and email in your SEVP Portal account. You will recieve a link to set up your SEVP Portal Account after your OPT is approved. Contact your advisor if you can't login.