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Application Information for International Students

Special Requirements for International Students

International students are eligible to participate in SURF on the Caltech campus, however, students applying for SURFs at JPL must be United States citizens or U.S. permanent residents.

Once SURF awards are made, international students not currently attending a university in the U.S. will be given instructions on how to apply for a visa abroad and also the forms needed for this application. Students coming from abroad must secure an F-1 visa to participate in the SURF program.

International students attending a college or university in the U.S. who are awarded a SURF must secure special employment authorization before they can participate in SURF. Students who are currently in the U.S. on an F-1 visa will be required to apply for either Curricular or Optional Practical Training. Students currently in the U.S. on a J-1 visa must apply for Academic Training.

International students currently in the U.S. who are pursuing a SURF must discuss securing employment authorization with an international student advisor at their home institution as soon as they start the SURF application process. In some cases, authorization may take in excess of 3 months to secure!

Special Note: Caltech international students are not required to secure this employment authorization.

Practical Training for F-1 Students in the U.S.

Optional Practical Training: This type of practical training requires students to submit an application for work authorization directly to the Immigration Service. Prior to submitting this application, students must secure a written endorsement from an international student advisor at their schools. Therefore, students should stop by their international student programs offices to discuss this endorsement and application.

Special Note: The Immigration Service may take in excess of 3 months to approve an application for Optional Practical Training. Once this application is approved, the Immigration Service will send the student an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students are NOT allowed to begin their SURFs until they have received this EAD from the Immigration Service.

Curricular Practical Training: This type of practical training can be granted through a student’s current academic institution and does not require an application to be submitted to the Immigration Service. Each college or university in the U.S. has established specific guidelines and procedures for authorizing Curricular Practical Training. To find out the specific qualifications for this type of Practical Training, students should stop by and talk with an international student advisor at their current academic institutions.

Academic Training for J-1 Students in the U.S.

Academic Training is granted through a student’s home institution and does not require an application to be submitted to the Immigration Service. Each college or university in the U.S. has established specific guidelines and procedures for authorizing Academic Training. To find out the specific qualifications for this type of employment authorization, students should stop by and talk with an international student advisor at their current academic institutions.

If you have been awarded a SURF and, after consulting with your current academic institution, still have questions about securing work authorization, you may contact an advisor in the Office of International Student Programs (ISP) at Caltech for additional guidance and information. ISP can be reached by phone at (626) 395-6330 or by email at isp@caltech.edu.