International Students: Multiple Campus Jobs?

International students in the US with an F1 visa are allowed to work, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). F1 students may work on-campus, but their total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. During holidays and vacation periods, they can work multiple jobs full-time.

F-1 visa holders can work on campus before their program starts

International students on F-1 visas are allowed to work on campus, but there are several conditions and restrictions. F-1 visa holders can work on campus before their program starts, but only up to 30 days before the start of classes. To do so, they must first get approval from their Designated School Official (DSO) and receive a letter of approval, which they can then take to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).

F-1 visa holders can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session, but they may work full-time during school breaks. The job must be physically located on the school's campus or off-campus at an educationally affiliated organization. This means the job must be for the school or a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. For example, an F-1 student can work for a food service company contracted by the school, but only at school facilities, not at any of the company's off-campus locations.

F-1 students cannot work for a company that does not have a contract with the school, even if the job site is on campus. For instance, they cannot work for a construction company, even if the site is on campus. However, they may work for a contractually affiliated company, such as a school bookstore, as it provides services to students.

It is important to note that F-1 students cannot begin working while Form I-765 is pending with USCIS, and they must comply with federal laws and regulations when seeking employment in the US. DSOs play a crucial role in ensuring that F-1 students' employment complies with regulations. If an F-1 student engages in unauthorized employment or works more hours than allowed, their SEVIS record will be terminated, and they will have to leave the US immediately.

F-1 students can work full-time during breaks

F-1 students are permitted to work full-time during breaks, provided they do not exceed 20 hours of work per week during school terms. This opportunity is beneficial for international students as it allows them to cover some of their educational costs and gain valuable work experience. However, it is important to note that F-1 students must be enrolled as full-time students when the school is in session and maintain their status.

F-1 students can work on-campus after the program end date if they continue their education at the next program level at the same school. They can work for the school or a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. For example, an F-1 student can work for a school cafeteria or bookstore, but not for the same company at any off-campus locations. Additionally, F-1 students must ensure that their on-campus employment does not displace a U.S. citizen or LPR.

F-1 students must also comply with certain guidelines for on-campus employment. They should receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security number. Non-compliance with these guidelines may result in a violation of status, leading to the student having to leave the United States.

It is important to note that F-1 students must maintain their full-time student status and should only work during breaks to avoid adverse effects on their academic standing. Additionally, F-1 students suffering from "severe economic hardship" may be eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.

On-campus jobs must be for the school or a company serving students

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work on campus. However, there are several conditions and restrictions that must be met. One of the key restrictions is that on-campus jobs must be for the school or a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. This means that F-1 students can work for a company that has a direct service contract with the school, such as a food service or a school bookstore, but only at the school facilities. For example, if an F-1 student works for a food service company contracted by the school, they can only work at the school cafeteria and not at any of the company's off-campus locations.

F-1 students cannot work for companies that do not have a direct service contract with the school, even if the work is physically located on school property. For instance, an F-1 student cannot work for a construction company on campus as it is not providing a service to the students. It is important to note that F-1 students must also adhere to the 20-hour work limit during the school term, and any employment, including on-campus jobs, must be approved by the Designated School Official (DSO).

The DSO plays a crucial role in ensuring that international students' employment complies with regulations. Students must inform their DSO before starting any on-campus job to ensure the position qualifies as on-campus employment and that their SEVIS record remains valid. Failure to do so can result in severe consequences, including termination of the student's SEVIS record and loss of their F-1 visa status.

To summarise, international students with F-1 visas have the opportunity to work on campus under specific conditions. By adhering to the guidelines and seeking approval from the DSO, students can gain valuable work experience and references while also ensuring they comply with US immigration regulations.

F-1 students can work at another campus under certain conditions

International students with an F-1 visa are allowed to work on campus under certain conditions. F-1 students can work on campus up to 30 days before the start of their program of study, and they must inform the Designated School Official (DSO) before they begin work. The DSO will then provide a letter of approval, which, along with a letter of approval from the employer, can be used to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).

F-1 students can work at another campus, provided that the other campus is listed on the same Form I-17, "Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student". The DSO will need to ensure that the new position qualifies as on-campus employment and that the DSO has the correct employment information in the student's SEVIS record.

On-campus employment for F-1 students must meet specific criteria. The job must be physically located on the school's campus or off-campus at an educationally affiliated organization. This means that the work must be for the school or a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. For example, an F-1 student can work for a contractually affiliated company such as a school bookstore but not for a construction company, even if the job site is on campus.

F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time when school is not in session or during the annual vacation. They must also ensure that their total work hours for all jobs do not exceed this limit. Additionally, F-1 students must maintain legal F-1 status and follow the guidelines for on-campus employment to continue working.

F-1 students can work off-campus after their first academic year

International students on an F-1 visa have the option to work off-campus after completing their first academic year. However, this is subject to certain conditions and restrictions. To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must demonstrate that they have experienced a severe economic hardship or an emergent circumstance, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This could include situations such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, as long as the student is not at fault. It is important to note that F-1 students are expected to prove their financial capability before entering the United States, and off-campus employment is only authorized in cases of unforeseen economic hardship.

To apply for off-campus employment, F-1 students must first discuss their situation with their Designated School Official (DSO) and receive a recommendation. The DSO will provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," endorsing the student's eligibility. Following this, the student must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with the required fee, within 30 days of receiving the DSO's recommendation. If approved, the student will be granted a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), which outlines the dates they are authorized to work off-campus. It is important to note that the DSO plays a crucial role in ensuring that the student's employment adheres to the regulations and that the student understands the guidelines for off-campus employment.

While F-1 students can work off-campus after their first academic year, they must still adhere to certain restrictions. Firstly, their total work hours across all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the school term. However, they are permitted to work full-time during periods when school is not in session or during their annual break. Additionally, F-1 students must ensure that their off-campus employment does not adversely impact their ability to attend school full-time and maintain good academic standing. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in the termination of their SEVIS record and immediate departure from the United States.

It is important for F-1 students to understand the distinction between on-campus and off-campus employment. On-campus employment refers to work physically located on the school's campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. For instance, an F-1 student can work for a company that contracts with the school to provide student services, such as a cafeteria or bookstore. However, they cannot work for the same company at off-campus locations that are not contractually affiliated with the school. Off-campus employment, on the other hand, refers to work that takes place outside of the school campus and is typically authorized in cases of economic need.

Frequently asked questions