Ibrahim Gardner
International students who wish to work full-time in the United States must obtain a student visa, typically an F-1 or M-1 visa. These visas require enrolment in an academic, language-training, or vocational program at an accredited institution, proficiency in English, and sufficient funds for self-support. While F-1 students are generally prohibited from off-campus work during their first academic year, they may accept on-campus employment with certain restrictions. After the first year, F-1 students can engage in off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), provided they obtain authorization and adhere to specific guidelines. M-1 students must ensure that any off-campus training is related to their area of study and authorized in advance. Understanding the regulations and maintaining legal status while working full-time as an international graduate student in the United States is crucial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 or M-1 |
| Student status | Full-time |
| Work type | On-campus or off-campus |
| Work category | Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) |
| Work eligibility | Must be eligible for CPT or OPT, maintain good academic standing, and have DSO approval |
| Work duration | No limit on CPT work duration; OPT eligibility may be affected by CPT duration |
| Work authorization | Must be authorized by DSO and USCIS prior to starting work |
| Social Security number | Only available to those with DHS work permission |
| Employment Authorization Document | Required for OPT, also known as an EAD card |
| STEM extension | Available for eligible STEM degree graduates with OPT |
| Financial requirements | Must be able to afford living and school expenses without relying on on-campus employment |
| English proficiency | Required or actively pursued through enrolled courses |
| Residence | Must maintain residence abroad with no intention of giving it up |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa requirements
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work but must adhere to strict guidelines. F-1 visa holders must be enrolled full-time in an academic program, language-training program, or vocational program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program. They must also be proficient in English and have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies.
During the school term, F-1 students cannot work more than 20 hours per week. However, they may work full-time during school breaks. F-1 students are generally not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment, such as working at a school bookstore or cafeteria, subject to certain conditions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment, but it must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
There are several types of off-campus employment options for F-1 students:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This is paid or unpaid employment that trains students in their field of study and fulfills academic credit or a degree requirement. CPT employment must be an integral part of the degree program, and students must have a job offer in their major or field of study before submitting a CPT authorization request. CPT can be part-time or full-time, 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 Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. Students can work full-time or part-time, and part-time OPT employment reduces available full-time employment by half. For example, working part-time for 6 months before graduation allows for full-time work for 9 months afterward. F-1 students may be eligible for post-completion OPT upon graduation, and they can accumulate a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while seeking employment.
- Severe Economic Hardship Employment: This option is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can demonstrate severe economic hardship beyond their control. On-campus employment opportunities must be insufficient or unavailable.
- Recognized International Organizations: F-1 students can work with organizations on the official State Department list, such as the Red Cross or World Health Organization. This employment must be in the student's field of study, and they must have a job offer and sponsorship from the organization.
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On-campus employment
There are several rules that international students with F1 status must follow to maintain their eligibility for on-campus employment. Firstly, they must show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States, and they should not plan to work off-campus. Secondly, many schools require that students obtain permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment and may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year. Thirdly, F1 students can only continue their on-campus employment if they progress to the next program level at the same school. Finally, F1 students can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods if they intend to register for the next academic semester.
It is important to note that on-campus employment may not be relied upon to prove financial resources for the year, and often these jobs are not related to a student's studies. Additionally, students found working illegally are failing to maintain their F1 student status and risk losing their F1 visa and F1 student status.
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Off-campus employment
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in the US, but only under specific circumstances. Firstly, off-campus employment is only permitted after the first academic year. Secondly, students must obtain official authorization, and meet eligibility requirements.
There are three types of off-campus employment available to F-1 students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship Employment. CPT is a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience that is related to the student's field of study. For CPT authorization, the work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Students can only work for a specific employer and for specific dates authorized, and the CPT employment must be approved as either part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). OPT is a type of temporary work authorization related to the student's field of study, permitting certain kinds of work related to their major. Students can apply for OPT through USCIS, and there are three categories, each with its own regulations: pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, and the STEM OPT Extension. Post-completion OPT allows students to work off-campus in a job related to their field of study after graduation, provided they work at least 20 hours a week. The STEM OPT Extension allows students to apply for a 24-month OPT extension if they earned a degree in a STEM field.
Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and have proven a severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, and for whom on-campus employment is neither available nor sufficient. Students suffering "severe economic hardship" are eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time during breaks.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT. Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, 8 credit hours for graduate students, and 6 credit hours for Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student Research Assistants. The full-time enrollment requirement means that most students have to limit their CPT during the academic year to local jobs or to working for their employer remotely, usually on a part-time basis. CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States.
To apply for CPT, students must first take the CPT Certification Course and save their certificate as a PDF. They then need to speak with their employer and obtain a Detailed Training Description. Next, students must meet with their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans and show them the Detailed Training Description. If the advisor believes the training is integral to the curriculum, they may recommend CPT by completing the Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. The advisor may also help the student enroll in a Registrar Designated CPT course, if applicable.
After gathering all the required documents, students must log in to the relevant portal and follow the instructions to submit their CPT application. An International Student and Scholar Advisor will review the application. CPT authorization can be full-time or part-time, in accordance with school policies. Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized.
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Employment authorization
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are usually enrolled in full-time studies and are subject to strict rules regarding employment. On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by USCIS regulations, but opportunities are limited. F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and up to 40 hours per week during scheduled breaks. However, on-campus employment may not be relied upon as a source of financial support, and jobs may be unrelated to the student's field of study.
Off-campus employment authorization is only granted in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or international financial crises. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled in an academic program for at least one year and be in good standing. This authorization is valid for one year, after which students must reapply for continued employment authorization.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of off-campus employment that is built into some academic programs as a mandatory component. CPT must be an integral part of the student's degree program or fulfil a degree requirement, and students can receive academic credit for it. CPT may be paid or unpaid and can include internships, cooperative education, or practicums. Students can work full-time or part-time during the academic semester, but this will impact their OPT eligibility.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another form of employment authorization that allows students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, with a possible 24-month extension for STEM fields. OPT can be used before or after graduation, but any time spent on OPT during studies counts towards the 12-month allowance. Students can work full-time during scheduled breaks but are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic semester.
To obtain employment authorization, international students must complete Form I-765 and Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." They must also apply for a Social Security Number and may need to obtain a work visa, such as the H-1B visa, which allows individuals to live and work in the US for up to three years.
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Frequently asked questions
International graduate students can work full-time in the US under certain conditions. Students with an F-1 visa must be enrolled full-time when school is in session and can only work off-campus after their first academic year. They can work on-campus without USCIS approval but opportunities are limited. Off-campus work must be related to their area of study and requires prior authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
CPT is a type of off-campus employment option for F1 students where practical training is an integral part of the curriculum. CPT employment includes internships, practicums, or any other type of required internship that is offered through agreements with the school. CPT employment can be paid or unpaid, on-campus or off-campus. Graduate students are exempt from the requirement of full-time status for one academic year if their program requires immediate CPT.
OPT is for international students seeking employment one year before or after graduation. OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major and they must receive approval from USCIS and a DSO. Students can work off-campus with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).
CPT is for internships or practicums that are a mandatory part of a degree program, whereas OPT is for employment related to the student's major. Students who work full-time on CPT for 12 months or more are not eligible for OPT.
The F-1 visa is for international students enrolled full-time in an accredited academic program or language training program. Students must demonstrate English proficiency, have sufficient funds for self-support, and maintain a residence abroad.
