F-1 Classification
F-1 nonimmigrant classification is granted to students to pursue a full course of study to achieve specific educational or professional objective(s) at an approved U.S. academic institution. F-1 students are sponsored by an academic institution, often a university. The student’s sponsoring institution recommends or approves work permission. All F-1 students coming to NIH must possess work authorization.
NIH Designations
F-1 students are eligible for most Visiting Program designations, with the exception of Predoctoral Visiting Fellow, provided they have the proper work authorization.
Work Authorization
F-1 students must consult with a Designated School Official (DSO) in the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office at their academic institution to determine work authorization eligibility.
Sponsoring institutions may require a job offer from NIH before authorizing work permission. In these instances, the NIH Institute may issue a tentative offer letter to the F-1 student and concurrently send a case to DIS without the work authorization documentation. See the relevant
NIH Manual Chapter per designation for a template letter.
Types of F-1 Work Authorization:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Eligibility: Determined by sponsoring institution. See Link to the SEVIS Help Hub
- Required by DIS: Form I-20 with DSO approval for placement at NIH; must specify start and end dates and part- or full-time authorization
On-Campus Employment at an Off-Campus Location (OCE)
- Eligibility: Determined by sponsoring institution. Typically, a formal research relationship exists between the sponsoring school and NIH. OCE is limited in duration of time and hours per week
- Required by DIS: Form I-20 and letter from the DSO authorizing the work; must specify start and end dates and part- or full-time authorization
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Eligibility: Available to F-1 students seeking employment in their field of study via approval by DSO and USCIS. F-1 student should consult with their DSO regarding eligibility and procedures. See
Link to the SEVIS Help Hub
Extension of OPT for STEM Students
Special Student Relief
- Eligibility: Available to certain groups of F-1 students from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances. F-1 student should consult with their DSO regarding eligibility and procedures
Economic Hardship
- Eligibility: Available to certain F-1 students who have unforeseen changes to their financial circumstances. F-1 student should consult with their DSO regarding eligibility and procedures
Travel
F-1 students with travel questions should consult their school’s DSO.
Planning Ahead after F-1
When F-1 students exhaust their work authorization, they must explore other immigration options to continue their research at the NIH. Please
contact DIS to discuss options and timeline for this process. Typically, F-1 students will need to change to J-1 Exchange Visitor status. Refer to our
Change of Status to J-1/J-2 handout
(NIH Users Only). H-1B sponsorship is not available for Visiting Fellows.
Revised 01/2026
