Internship with an International Organization
F-1 International Organization Work Permission is a type of employment authorization
for F-1 students who have been offered an internship with a recognized international organization. This authorization is given in the form of an updated I-20, and allows you to apply
for an EAD with USCIS.
A student is eligible to apply for an internship with an international organization
as soon as they are in F-1 status. There is no academic-year waiting period or any
requirement for the internship 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.
Step 1: Submit a request in accessVIS
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.
Step 2: Receive an updated I-20 from VIS
When your application is complete, VIS will enter a recommendation for you to engage
in an internship with an international organization in your SEVIS record, and will
issue you 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.
Step 3: Prepare your I-765 Application
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 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If your name
and address are 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 # 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 form tells USCIS
that you would like to be notified upon receipt of your application.
- Form I-765: Download the most recent Form I-765 from uscis.gov (fillable 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.
- 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.
Step 4: Send your I-765 to USCIS
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.
Step 5: Report the approval of your I-765 to VIS
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).
