Savanna Hoffman
F-1 Visa (Academic Student) holders can enter the United States as full-time students at accredited academic institutions. While F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, they may engage in on-campus employment. After the first academic year, F-1 students may seek off-campus employment through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS. F-1 students may also be eligible for off-campus employment if the location is affiliated with the university. Thus, an F-1 student may be able to teach outside the university if the employment is authorized and related to their field of study.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work off-campus during the first academic year | Not allowed |
| Work on-campus | Allowed, for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session |
| Work off-campus after the first academic year | Allowed, under Optional Practical Training (OPT) |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa holders can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
To apply for OPT, students must first ensure they are eligible. The requirements include being lawfully enrolled full-time for one full academic year at a college or university certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Additionally, students must not have previously authorized for 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Once students confirm their eligibility, they can initiate the OPT request process. A Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT in the SEVIS system, but it is the student's responsibility to apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). As part of the application, students must submit Form I-765, and their DSO should verify and update the program end date on Form I-20 before recommending post-completion OPT.
If approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students must not commence their employment before the start date specified on the EAD. It is important to note that OPT employment authorization ends once the EAD is terminated, but F-1 status will not be affected as long as all student status requirements are met. Students can also change jobs during their OPT period, and if they transition to a higher degree level, they may be eligible for an additional 12-month OPT period.
For F-1 students with degrees in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an option to apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, specific criteria must be met, including employment by an E-Verify enrolled employer and having received the initial grant of post-completion OPT based on the STEM degree.
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F-1 students can work on-campus
F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during school breaks or annual vacations. They can even begin working up to 30 days before the start of their program of study. However, they must inform the Designated School Official (DSO) and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security Number.
It is important to note that F-1 students cannot work on-campus if it involves displacing a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. Additionally, they must maintain their Active status in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and comply with federal laws and regulations when seeking employment.
While on-campus employment provides an opportunity for F-1 students to work, it is limited, and they must still demonstrate financial ability before coming to the United States to cover tuition and living expenses. Off-campus employment is generally only available to F-1 students after their first academic year and under specific circumstances, such as economic hardship. Therefore, while F-1 students can work on-campus, they should carefully consider their work options and ensure they comply with all relevant regulations.
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Off-campus work is possible after the first academic year
F-1 students are unable to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they can accept on-campus employment, provided they do not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. On-campus employment must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, and it must directly provide services to students. Examples of on-campus employment include working in a cafeteria or bookstore.
After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Off-campus employment based on economic hardship
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Off-campus employment based on economic hardship is available to students facing financial difficulties. CPT 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. OPT is available to students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a Service-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year. Students may be authorized 12 months of OPT and become eligible for another 12 months when they change to a higher educational level.
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F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms
F-1 students are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during school terms. This is a strict limit, and working even 15 minutes over the 20-hour weekly limit is considered a violation of F-1 student status. During holiday breaks and vacations, F-1 students can work up to 40 hours per week.
F-1 students can only work on-campus, and the job must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. On-campus employment includes any qualifying job with an employer that is contractually affiliated with the school, even if the worksite is off-campus, such as a research lab. Students must report their work and obtain a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure they do not exceed the maximum number of working hours. The payroll office at the school will monitor the working hours of each employee and communicate directly with the Designated School Official (DSO) to inform them if the student has worked over the limit.
If an F-1 student violates their status by working more than 20 hours per week or working at an illegitimate on-campus location, they must apply for reinstatement to lawful F-1 status. They must discontinue all work immediately but can continue to attend school while waiting for reinstatement. The student must apply for reinstatement within five months of the violation.
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On-campus employment must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
F-1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year in the United States. However, they may seek on-campus employment, subject to specific conditions and restrictions. On-campus employment must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. This means that F-1 students can work at any qualifying on-campus job, as long as it does not replace a position that would otherwise be occupied by a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during school breaks or the annual vacation. They must report their work and obtain a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number. Non-compliance with these guidelines may result in a violation of status, which could lead to the student having to leave the US.
On-campus employment can include work for the school itself or for independent companies serving the school's needs, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria suppliers providing food on campus. The work must directly provide services for students. For example, construction work on campus would not qualify as on-campus employment as it does not directly involve providing services to students.
After completing their first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: severe economic hardship, curriculum-related training, and a one-year extension called Optional Practical Training (OPT). USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment for severe economic hardship after an F-1 student has been enrolled for at least one full academic year and has experienced financial difficulties due to emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises. Curriculum-related training must be directly related to the student's area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS prior to starting work. The OPT extension is available to all F-1 students, with STEM field graduates eligible for a longer period.
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Frequently asked questions
F1 students may engage in off-campus employment if it is affiliated with their university and authorized by the Designated School Official. They can also gain practical experience related to their field of study through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which can include full-time or part-time positions, but they must not work less than 20 hours a week.
The F1 student must have their employment authorized by the Designated School Official (the person authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and USCIS. They will need a Social Security Number, which can be obtained with a letter from the International Student Advisor and employer.
Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study. Students cannot work off-campus during their first academic year, and they must have completed at least one academic year to be eligible. Students who work illegally risk losing their F1 status.
Optional Practical Training allows students to gain real-world experience in their field of study, which can be beneficial for their career development and future job prospects.
