Instructions
Comments:
A student seeking authorization for off-campus employment (F-1 only) or practical training (F-1 and M-1) must
submit as supporting documentation to Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, a certification by the
designated school official (DSO) of the school the student is attending or was last authorized to attend.
Certification by the DSO is required of all students (F-1 and M-1) seeking authorization for employment off campus
or practical training, including required or optional curricular practical training.
The DSO must certify on Form I-538 that the proposed employment is directly related to the student's field of study.
Where to Submit Certification.
A copy of the DSO's certification must be mailed to: ACS Students/Schools (STSC) Section, P.O. Box 170,
London, KY 40741. Overnight carrier deliveries must be sent to: ACS - INS, INS Students/Schools (STSC)
Section, 1084 South Laurel Road, London, KY 40744.
All students requesting school certification must complete questions 1 through 6. Students requesting a
recommendation for practical training must complete questions 7 and 8. Answers to questions 7 through 9 may be
continued on this page, if needed.
Reporting Burden.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection and a person is not required to respond to an
information collection unless it contains a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to average 4 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration
and Naturalization Service, HQPDI, 425 I Street N.W., Room 4034, Washington, DC 20536; OMB No. 1115-0060.
DO NOT MAIL YOUR COMPLETED CERTIFICATION TO THIS ADDRESS.
Form I-538
08/12/02
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Since the I-538 is used by the DSO for certification purposes, no fee is required for the submission of this form.
NOTE: M-1 students seeking extensions of stay must file a completed Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change
Nonimmigrant Status, supported by a current Form I-20M-N, as appropriate. The I-539 application must be
submitted to the INS service center that has jurisdiction over the student's residence.