Gannon University

F-1 Status & Permanent Residency

Students considering employment must contact staff member of the International Student Office (814-871-7030) to obtain approval for employment.

The Center for Experiential Education will provide assistance in preparing students for co-op/internship placements, as well as assistance in securing a placement.   Students must   provide necessary documentation stating that they have legal authorization to work in the United States (participate in a paid experience) and meet the standards of the Center for Experiential Education.

Students must check with each employer regarding the organization’s legal documentation requirement.

On-Campus Employment

• Must either be performed on the school’s premises (including on-location commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the university bookstore or cafeteria), or at an off-campus location which is educationally affiliated with the school.

• Employment authorized must not exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session.

• An F-1 student may work on campus full-time when school is not in session or during the annual vacation.

Off-Campus Employment

Practical training is available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a SEVIS-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one academic year.

An eligible F-1 student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position which is directly related to his or her major area of study.   The following two types of practical training are available:

Curricular Practical Training   (CPT)

• An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training   program which is an integral part of an established curriculum.

• Exceptions to the one academic year in status requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies which require immediate participation in curricular practical training.

• A request for authorization for curricular practical training must be made to International Student Office

Post-Completion (after graduation) Optional Practical Training

Post-Completion Optional Practical training is available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a SEVIS-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for a least one academic year and who will compete all of their course requirements for the degree (excluding thesis or equivalent) if the student is in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program in the current term)

• Work Authorization on OPT is for 12 months. 

• Students should apply for Post-Completion OPT at least 3 months prior to graduation.

• Students should request that a staff member of the International Student Office review their OPT application and process a new SEVIS I-20.

Permanent Resident:     According to NACE, a permanent resident visa is granted because of family ties; marriage to a U.S. citizen; or because the visa holder is a priority worker (possesses extraordinary ability, is an outstanding researcher, a multinational manager, a professional with an advanced degree and exceptional ability, or a skilled worker and professional.   Proof of the individual’s credentials is required for each employment visa category---priority, advanced degree/exceptional ability, or skilled worker.   Once a permanent visa is granted, the individual may attend school or work anywhere in the United States without obtaining additional work authorization.