Continuing International Students

To ensure that you are maintaining your F-1 visa status, remember:

• Register for 12 units of coursework each semester, with a minimum of 9 units of in-person coursework
• Maintain good grades to make academic progress toward your degree
• Do not engage in any unauthorized employment
• Always contact the ISP when you need to update your:
  • Name
  • U.S. Address/Phone/Email
  • Major
  • Program End Date/Graduation Date
  • F-2 Dependent Information
• Keep your documents up to date. This includes:
  • 6 months of validity on your passport (Find your Embassy)
  • Your F-1 visa inside your passport
  • Your Form I-20

Keeping your Form I-20 up to date with correct biographical and program information, as well as a travel signature is key to maintaining your F-1 visa status.

The F-1 visa in your passport, despite having an expiration date, is only valid for entry into the U.S. with an active, unexpired Form I-20.

Additionally, the F-1 visa in your passport can expire, and you can remain in the U.S. as long as you continue to be a student in good standing by ensuring to adhere to the policies listed above, and follow California and US Laws. This is called Duration of Status* or D/S. You’ll see this notation in your passport near your most recent entry stamp.

To learn more about D/S or anything else related to your F-1 status or your immigration documents, contact the ISP at international@cypresscollege.edu or visit the ISP in the Student Center!

Reduced Courseload Request

If you find you are having a medical issue that is preventing you from registering for a full-time courseload, or you are experiencing academic difficulty, you may be eligible to request a reduced courseload of study. Please schedule a meeting with the ISP prior to making any changes to your course schedule to see if you qualify.

*As of 9/14/2026, the implementation of the elimination of Duration of Status has been halted by a preliminary nationwide injunction pending further litigation. Updates regarding this case will be communicated directly to students as well as identified on this page.

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant study visa. This means the primary function of the visa is for study and not employment. However, there are a few specific ways that F-1 visa students may seek employment while in the U.S. and at Cypress College.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 visa students may be employed on campus directly by Cypress College or any third-party vendor that provides a direct service to Cypress College students. 

A student can work up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session, and more than 20 hours a week during official school breaks, or during non-required study terms, like the summer. 

Some on campus jobs are paid by U.S. government funds (work study), and therefore F-1 students would not be eligible. However, some departments also offer non-work-study positions, for which an F-1 student would be eligible. These positions are competitive, so it’s best to apply early!  

Visit our Career Planning and Workforce Development Center to learn more.

Off-Campus Employment

Off-campus employment is very restricted and can only be done with prior authorization. F-1 students should not engage in any employment without this authorization.  

There are two main types of off campus work that Cypress College F-1 students are eligible for; Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

CPT is a work authorization granted by the ISP, via the Student and Exchange Visitor Program Information System (SEVIS) and must be done in conjunction with a Cypress College internship course. To be eligible for an internship and the CPT authorization an F-1 student must:

• Have been in F-1 status for an academic year prior to engaging in CPT
• Be enrolled in a Cypress College internship course for academic credit relating to your field of study
• Receive CPT authorization from the ISP prior to starting any employment

OPT is a work authorization that is granted directly by USCIS and allows F-1 students to seek employment for a calendar year after completing their program of study. To be eligible for OPT, an F-1 student must:

• Have been in F-1 status for an academic year prior to engaging in OPT
• Be in the final semester of program, completing all program requirements
• Submit an application to USCIS up to 90 days prior, or no more than 60 days after to their program end date, with an OPT-endorsed Form I-20 from the ISP

OPT is a work authorization that is granted directly by USCIS and allows F-1 students to seek employment for a calendar year after completing their program of study. To be eligible for OPT, an F-1 student must: 

• Have been in F-1 status for an academic year prior to engaging in OPT 

• Be in the final semester of program, completing all program requirements 

• Submit an application to USCIS up to 90 days prior, or no more than 60 days after to their program end date, with an OPT-endorsed Form I-20 from the ISP 

The ISP hosts OPT workshops every semester to help students better understand the OPT application process and timelines, associated fees, and ongoing procedures to properly maintain your F-1 visa status during your training period, such as reporting your employment information and keeping your contact information up to date. 

A common misconception is that OPT is a job. OPT is only the authorization for an F-1 student to seek and hold a job in the U.S. It is the student’s responsibility to find the employment, related to their field of study.  

However, the ISP encourages students to take advantage of the Career Planning and Workplace Development Center.

Social Security Number

A Social Security Number (SSN), like in many countries, is a number given to a citizen at birth for various purposes; chief among them is for tax purposes. F-1 students are eligible for an SSN when they are eligible for legal employment. Legal employment may come in the form of an on-campus job, an internship, or seeking employment after your program via Optional Practical training. 

In any of these situations, the ISP can assist you in applying for an SSN and can provide you with the documentation necessary to apply.

Cypress College recognizes that F-1 visa students have extra requirements to consider when choosing classes, considering a change of major and making plans to transfer to a four-year institution. That’s why the ISP provides dedicated academic counselors, so our international students get the assistance with academic and course-selection questions they expect and deserve! 

Before students even start their first semester, an ISP academic counselor will reach out to set up a time to connect, to discuss an academic plan for the first semester, including guidance on how to place into math and English classes, choosing major-related coursework and how to identify which classes are in-person, online, or a hybrid mix. 

Later, our ISP counselors assist with long-term academic planning, to ensure F-1 students stay on track to meet their educational goals of earning an associate degree, or plan for transfer to a four-year institution.

Note: Appointments are for admitted and matriculated students only, as a Cypress Student ID number is required to make an appointment. If you have not yet been admitted and have questions, please contact the ISP at international@cypresscollege.edu. 

Making good academic progress and completing your program on time is critical to maintaining your F-1 visa status. We encourage international students to meet with an ISP Academic Counselor often, but particularly when you are approaching your final semester of study at Cypress College. 

For students who are in their final semester of study, please keep in mind the following items as you register for your coursework:

• An F-1 student may register for less than 12 units in their final semester if less than 12 units are needed for program completion
• If only one course is needed in a student’s final semester to complete an academic program, that course must be taught in an in-person course format
• If, after consultation with an ISP academic counselor, it is determined that a student needs more time to complete the program, a program extension must be requested prior to the end of the final semester, and before the program end date listed on the student’s Form I-20
  • An ISP academic counselor will consult with the ISP Manager and seek approval for the extension. The Form I-20 will be updated with a new program end date, and the new I-20 will be issued to the student

Final Semester Checklists

• Work on four-year college admission applications
• Attend Cypress College events to prepare for the next part of your academic journey
  • Transfer/Pre-Graduation and Job Fair
  • UC & CSU Transfer Workshops
  • Post-Completion OPT Info Session
• Meet with an ISP Academic Counselor to review your course progress and choose final courses
  • Register for appropriate final coursework

If transferring directly after completing a Cypress College degree program:

• Receive admission to your new academic program
• Present admission letter to an ISP Staff member to request a SEVIS transfer of your Form I-20 to your new school
• Ensure all financial and academic obligations are met prior to transfer

If applying for OPT after completing a Cypress College degree program:

• Meet with an ISP academic counselor to ensure you are in your final semester
• Attend the OPT information session to learn about the application process and timelines
• Apply for OPT
• Connect with the Cypress College Career Planning and Workforce Development Center to seek help finding and applying for a job in your field of study
• When OPT is approved, remember to update the ISP with your employer information and any changes to your contact information, including US physical address

If planning to return directly to your home country after completing a Cypress College degree program:

• Meet with the ISP Manager to ensure your SEVIS record is accurate, to reflect your final semester of study
• Plan for your departure from the U.S. no later than 60 days from your program end date as listed on your Form I-20

As of 9/14/2026, the implementation of the elimination of Duration of Status has been halted by a preliminary nationwide injunction pending further litigation. Updates regarding this case and how it may affect student transfers will be communicated directly to students as well as identified on this site.