Savanna Hoffman
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. However, this requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the student's school's International Student Office. Students must also be enrolled in a full-time program for at least a year before they can apply for OPT. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another option for F-1 students, which is a required part of a school's curriculum relating to their major. CPT can be full-time with no hourly limit each week, but students can only be approved for part-time CPT while in school. Students can also seek employment authorization through employer sponsorship or by registering for the F-1 to a green card lottery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 (Academic Student) or M-1 (Vocational Student) |
| Work during the first academic year | F-1 students can only work on-campus; M-1 students cannot work off-campus |
| Off-campus work after the first academic year | F-1 students can engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and off-campus employment in certain circumstances |
| On-campus work | F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session |
| Social Security Number | Required for both on-campus and off-campus employment |
| Employment restrictions | Students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain authorization for off-campus employment; working illegally can result in loss of F-1 status and visa revocation |
| Employment authorization validity | Valid for one year; students must apply for continued authorization at least six months before expiration |
| Post-OPT grace period | 60 days to transfer F-1 record, change visa status, or leave the US |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 Visa eligibility
International students in the US with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. However, this requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the student's school International Student Office.
To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an academic educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program at an accredited US institution. Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (SEVP). You must also be enrolled as a full-time student and be proficient in English, or be enrolled in courses that will help you improve your English proficiency. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your studies and living expenses while in the US.
Employment Options for F-1 Visa Holders:
F-1 visa holders have several options for off-campus employment:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is an off-campus employment option for F-1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. To qualify, the work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT employment can include alternative work/study, internships, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through agreements with the school. Prior authorization from the school's International Student Office and notification to USCIS is required. CPT authorization specifies whether the student is approved for part-time or full-time employment, and there is no limit to how long a student can work. However, if a student works full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, they become ineligible for OPT.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): F-1 students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months and receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. OPT is temporary employment directly related to the student's area of study. Students can work anywhere in the US and do not need a job offer before applying for OPT. However, USCIS can take up to 90 days to process the application.
- Severe Economic Hardship: In cases of severe economic hardship, USCIS may authorize off-campus employment for F-1 students who have been in status for at least one full academic year. Emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or financial crises, may also qualify as reasons for off-campus employment authorization.
It is important to note that F-1 students cannot work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in additional types of off-campus employment, such as the STEM OPT extension.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the US with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after their degree. However, this requires prior authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the student's school International Student Office.
To qualify for CPT, the work experience must be required for the student's degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Prior authorization is required from the school's International Student Office and the USCIS. The student must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT). CPT employment must be an integral part of the degree program or a requirement for a course for which academic credit is received.
Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. CPT authorization will specify whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment. While in school, CPT authorization is only given for part-time work. There is no limit to how long a student can work with CPT authorization, but if a student works full-time for 12 months or more, they are not eligible for OPT.
The process for CPT authorization involves taking a CPT Certification Course and saving the certificate as a PDF. Students must then meet with their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans and obtain a Detailed Training Description. If the advisor believes the training is integral to the curriculum, they may recommend CPT by completing an Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. The student must then gather all the required documents and submit their CPT application.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
To apply for OPT, students must first obtain a recommendation from a Designated School Official (DSO) at their college or university, who will endorse their Form I-20, "Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." The DSO will also make the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students then need to file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with the required fee and supporting documentation, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). USCIS will review and approve the application and issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if the student is eligible. Students must not begin working before receiving their EAD and the start date on the authorization.
It is important to note that there are complex rules and guidelines for OPT, and any requests must comply with federal regulations. Students should work closely with their DSO and International Student Office to ensure they meet all the requirements and follow the correct procedures. Additionally, OPT is not available to students who have completed more than a year of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is another off-campus employment option for F-1 students where the practical training is an integral part of their curriculum.
The OPT program has received some criticism due to a perceived lack of government oversight and concerns about potential fraud and intellectual property theft. However, it has also been popular among international students, with a high approval rate and a significant increase in authorizations over the years. In 2022, there were 171,635 OPT employment authorizations granted, with India and China being the top two countries of origin for OPT students.
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Employment Authorisation Document
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after their degree. However, this requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the student's school International Student Office. Students must have been enrolled for at least one year to be eligible for off-campus employment, and they must reapply for continued employment authorization six months before the authorization expires.
To apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), students must complete Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", and pay the associated fee. Students must also have been enrolled for at least nine months and received their EAD before starting employment. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for nine months, but they cannot begin employment until they have been enrolled for at least one year. The OPT EAD application can take up to 90 days to process, so students are advised to start the process early.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. CPT employment includes work such as internships or practicums that are offered through agreements between the school and sponsoring employers. CPT authorization is granted by the International Student Office and is only valid for a specific employer and for specific dates. Students can work part-time or full-time, but only part-time CPT is permitted while school is in session.
Students must work closely with their International Student Office to determine their eligibility for CPT, ensure their job offer qualifies, and follow the necessary steps for applying to USCIS. The office will also authorize CPT and make sure the employment is within the student's area of study.
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Off-campus employment rules
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus under certain conditions. The off-campus employment rules for international students in the US are as follows:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. To qualify for CPT, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT employment can be paid and is defined as "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school." Prior authorization by your school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required. You must have been enrolled in school full time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT). CPT authorization will specify whether you are approved for part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time employment, and you can only work for the specific employer and dates authorized.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
F1 students are permitted to work off-campus in OPT status during and after the completion of their degree. OPT employment requires prior authorization from USCIS and your school's International Student Office. You can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but you cannot begin employment until you have been enrolled for at least a year and received your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and there is no requirement to have a job offer before applying for OPT.
Severe Economic Hardship
F1 students may be authorized to work off-campus in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F1 status for at least one full academic year. To qualify, students must show that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. Severe economic hardship is defined by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control, such as natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises. Students authorized to work off-campus due to severe economic hardship can work anywhere in the US, unlike CPT.
It is important to note that off-campus employment authorization for F1 students ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first. Additionally, F1 students must show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States and should not plan to work off-campus.
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Frequently asked questions
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. However, this requires prior authorization from the USCIS and the student's school International Student Office.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option for F-1 students. It is a required part of the curriculum, relating to the student's major. CPT can be an internship, co-op, or practicum, and can be full-time with no hourly limit.
CPT is tied to a specific employer and dates authorized, whereas OPT allows students to work anywhere in the US. CPT is also authorized by the school's ISSS, whereas OPT is authorized by the USCIS.
F-1 students can seek employer sponsorship or register for the F-1 to Green Card lottery. There is a 60-day grace period after OPT expires to make these arrangements or leave the US.
The M-1 visa is for vocational students and allows off-campus employment related to the area of study. Nonimmigrant visas are available for temporary workers, and immigrant visas are an option for those with the right combination of skills, education, and work experience.
