F1 International Students’ Co-op Process

  1. Register for mandatory Co-op in Leopardweb.
  2. Submit your Report of Hire in WITworks.
  3. Get the Report of Hite approved in WITworks by your WIT Co-op & Career Advisor and by your Co-op Employer.
  4. Your Co-op & Career Advisor will email your approved Report of Hire to ISS and cc you, so you know they received it
    • Stop here if your co-op is unpaid or if you will be outside of the United States working for a company that is not based in the United States. You still must communicate with your Co-op & Career Advisor and your International Student Services Advisor that you are going out on co-op.
    • Continue to follow the steps below if your co-op is paid and you are working for a company based in the United States.
  5. Submit your Supplemental Co-op Approval Form in person or by email to your International Student Advisor.
    • *You must allow 5 business days prior to the start date of co-op for the CPT application to be processed.
  6. Your International Student Advisor will alert you by email when your I-20 with CPT approval is processed. Ensure that employer information and dates of employment are correct. It is a violation of your F-1 Student status to begin working before authorization is granted.
  7. Go to the Social Security Administration if you do not already have a Social Security card. (It takes approximately 2 weeks to receive your card.)
  8. Start work on the date listed on your CPT I-20, not before (You may only work dates permitted on your CPT I-20.). You must bring your CPT I-20 and passport with you to your first day of work.

Tips For Success & For maintaining Your F-1 Visa Status

See Your International Student Services Advisor to:

  • Learn about the process of getting permission to work in the U.S.
  • Get submission deadlines for work authorization paperwork.
  • Find out how to obtain a Social Security Number.
  • Report any change including your address, employment, enrollment status.

See Your Co-op & Career Advisor to:

  • Plan your Co-op search
  • Get answers to questions about WITworks or about registering for Co-op on Leopardweb.
  • Learn how to talk about your status with employers.
  • Get tips for interviewing and negotiating with employers.
  • Get deadlines for Co-op registration, reporting a Co-op hire, and starting a Co-op.
  • Get date ranges for Co-op employment.

For Important Dates & Deadlines

  • See your Co-op & Career Advisor
  • See your International Student Success Advisor