F-1 Employment with International Organizations

The application for an EAD card to work with international organizations must be filed with and approved by USCIS, and it may take several weeks for approval. It is recommended that you consider applying for F-1 CPT work authorization instead. You should discuss your options directly with the employing entity to see which application is best.

Because most of the qualifying organizations are on the U.S. east coast, this type of employment authorization is very rare for international students at UC San Diego. Make sure to talk to an International Student Advisor before proceeding to apply.

In order to be eligible to request an EAD card to work with international organizations, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You may apply anytime during the program of study; there is no waiting period.
• You must be enrolled full time.
• You must work for a qualified international organization.
• You must apply to USCIS who can approve up to one year.
• You cannot begin work until you receive your EAD card from USCIS.
• You can work part-time or full-time; there is no limit on hours.

Letter must be on the organization’s letterhead and certify that the proposed employment is within the scope of the organization’s sponsorship.

Submit a "F-1 International Organization Employment I-20 Request "on iPortal.

• Upload a PDF copy of your job offer with a qualified international organization from this list.
• Your new I-20 reflecting your work authorization will be issued within 10 business days. 
• Print and sign the I-20, and keep a copy for your own records.

• Offer letter from international organization.
• I-20 recommendation from DSO (see STEP 3 & 4 above).
• Form I-765 completed and signed.
  • You can download it from this USCIS webpage: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 .
• Filing fee of $410 payable to Department of Homeland Security
• Two U.S.-style passport photos. The photos must be taken within the past 30 days.
  • Yuo can see exact specifications on this U.S. State Department website: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos.html .
• Copy of your passport information page (including photo, birthdate, and expiration date). Note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months in the future.
• Copy of your most recent I-94.
  • You can retrieve it on this CBP webpage: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search .
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Application materials should be mailed to the USCIS Lockbox Facility based on your mailing address.

For more instructions, visit this USCIS webpage: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-information/uscis-phoenix-and-dallas-lockbox-facilities .

Do not start working until you have received your EAD card. This may take up to 3 months.