Douglas Olsen
International students often have strict rules regarding work and study permits. In Canada, international students may work up to 24 hours per week off-campus, and any hours worked above this limit are considered a violation of their study permit conditions. In the US, international students with an F-1 visa must be enrolled full-time during regular semesters (Fall and Spring) to maintain their immigration status. Students with F-1 visas may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After their first academic year, F-1 students may work off-campus in three types of employment: Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, and Severe Economic Hardship Employment. To maintain their F-1 status, international students must either enroll full-time, receive permission from ISSS to enroll less than full-time, or receive ISSS approval for an international break term.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students in F-1 status | Required by immigration law to be enrolled full-time during regular semesters (Fall and Spring) |
| Summer and Winter session enrollment | Not required unless completing an academic program during the summer term |
| Graduate students | Required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester |
| Undergraduate students | Required to enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per semester |
| Reduced course load | Can be approved based on academic difficulty only once while pursuing a course of study at a particular program level |
| Reduced course load for undergraduate students | Minimum of 6 credit hours |
| Reduced course load for graduate students | Minimum of 4.5 credit hours |
| Reduced course load for medical reasons | Requires a letter from a medical provider on letterhead signed by a licensed medical professional |
| International students with valid F-1 status working on-campus | Can work up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session |
| Off-campus work for F-1 students | Cannot work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions |
| Off-campus work for F-1 students after the first academic year | May engage in three types of off-campus employment: 1) off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, 2) off-campus STEM OPT, and 3) off-campus employment due to special student relief |
| Working more than 24 hours per week on a study permit | Violation of permit conditions, loss of student status, and possible deportation |
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What You'll Learn
- International students may work off-campus in Canada
- F-1 students may work off-campus in the US after the first academic year
- Students must maintain full-time status to keep F-1 status
- Students can apply for a reduced course load with a letter from their academic advisor
- Students can lose their F-1 status if they work off-campus without eligibility
International students may work off-campus in Canada
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus, but there are certain conditions that must be met. Firstly, students must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in paragraphs 186(f), (v) or (w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). These criteria include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and having a valid study permit. Students can request to have these conditions added to their permit without any fees.
Once eligible, international students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without requiring a work permit. This rule applies during the regular academic year and does not include scheduled breaks, such as summer and winter holidays. During these breaks, students can work unlimited hours as long as they are full-time students both before and after the break. Working more than 24 hours per week during the academic year is a violation of the study permit conditions, which may result in losing student status and future permit approvals.
It is important to note that hours worked are defined as any time spent earning wages or collecting a commission, even if the student is on call and not actively working. Self-employed students must keep track of their hours and comply with the conditions of their study permit. Additionally, students must ensure that their employers follow provincial laws on overtime pay and time between shifts.
After completing a study program, international students can work full-time if they have already applied for a work permit or post-graduation work permit before their study permit expired. They must meet all the requirements to maintain their ability to work in Canada.
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F-1 students may work off-campus in the US after the first academic year
F-1 students are permitted to work off-campus in the US after their first academic year. However, there are several conditions that must be met. Firstly, students must be enrolled in a full-time program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate at an accredited academic institution authorised by the US government to accept foreign students.
Secondly, off-campus employment is only authorised in cases of severe economic hardship, which can be caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control, such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, or substantial fluctuations in currency values or exchange rates. Students must provide evidence of economic hardship and show that on-campus employment opportunities are insufficient or unavailable. It is important to note that off-campus work authorisation requires case-by-case approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is only valid for one year.
F-1 students can also explore Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as an off-campus employment option, but it must be an integral part of their established curriculum or academic program. Prior authorisation from the school's International Student Office and notification to the USCIS are required for CPT. Additionally, F-1 students may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) status, which allows them to work off-campus during and after completing their degree. OPT employment requires prior authorisation from both the USCIS and the school's International Student Office.
In terms of working hours, F-1 students suffering from severe economic hardship are permitted to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time during breaks. It is important to maintain lawful F-1 status, and any violation of status, such as working more hours than authorised, can result in the termination of employment authorisation.
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Students must maintain full-time status to keep F-1 status
To maintain their F-1 status, international students must be enrolled full-time. This means undergraduate students must be registered for at least 12 credit hours, while graduate students must be registered for at least 9 credit hours each term. Students must receive permission from International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) to enroll less than full-time. ISSS will review all submitted documents and notify the student of their decision to approve or reject the request. Only in specific circumstances, such as academic or medical reasons, can a student be authorized to reduce their course load. For instance, F-1 students experiencing academic difficulty during their first year due to unfamiliarity with American teaching methods or the English language may be approved for a reduced course load. Similarly, F-1 students with documented medical reasons may be eligible for a reduced course load for up to 12 aggregate months per program level. In such cases, a licensed medical professional must provide a letter recommending less than full-time enrollment for a specified term.
It is important to note that the rules regarding part-time enrollment are strict, and students should plan accordingly. Failure to maintain full-time enrollment can result in the termination of F-1 immigration status, requiring the student to leave the country immediately. Additionally, F-1 students seeking off-campus employment must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization, as immigration regulations severely limit their eligibility. On the other hand, F-1 students can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Furthermore, F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation.
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Students can apply for a reduced course load with a letter from their academic advisor
International students in F-1 immigration status are required to be enrolled full-time during the regular semesters (Fall and Spring). However, in certain circumstances, international students may be authorised to reduce their course load. All less-than-full-time (LTFT) requests must be submitted with proper approval and a signature from the student's academic advisor. Undergraduate students must be registered for at least 12 credit hours, while graduate students must be registered for at least 9 credit hours each term to be considered full-time.
To apply for a reduced course load, F-1 and J-1 students must submit a letter from their academic advisor recommending them for LTFT for a specific term and explaining why the reduced workload is necessary. The letter must be on official letterhead. This reduction in course load can only be approved based on academic difficulty once while pursuing a course of study at a particular program level. Undergraduate students on a reduced course load must remain enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, while graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 4.5 credit hours.
In addition to academic difficulty, F-1 and J-1 students may be eligible for a reduced course load for medical reasons. In such cases, a letter from a licensed medical professional must be submitted, stating that the student is unable to attend classes full-time during a specific term. This reduction in course load is limited to up to 12 aggregate months per program level.
It is important to note that the rules regarding reduced course loads are strict, and students must receive approval from the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) before dropping below a full-time course load.
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Students can lose their F-1 status if they work off-campus without eligibility
International students in senior years of their academic programs may be eligible to work off-campus part-time, but they must maintain their F-1 status and meet specific requirements. Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in losing their F-1 status and facing adverse consequences, including deportation.
To maintain their F-1 status, senior international students must adhere to the eligibility criteria outlined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). These criteria include:
- Enrolling full-time: Undergraduate students must register for at least 12 credit hours, while graduate students need at least 9 credit hours each term.
- Seeking permission for less-than-full-time enrollment: Students must receive approval from the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) or the designated school authority before dropping below a full-time course load.
- Academic standing: Students must be in good academic standing, as determined by the school or the Designated School Official (DSO).
- Availability of on-campus employment: Off-campus employment is authorized if on-campus job opportunities are unavailable or insufficient to meet financial needs.
- Severe economic hardship: Unforeseen circumstances, such as the loss of financial aid or substantial increases in living costs, may qualify students for off-campus work authorization.
- Duration of status: Off-campus employment authorization is typically valid for one year or until the completion of the academic program, whichever comes first.
Senior international students must carefully follow the procedures for off-campus employment authorization, including obtaining the necessary forms and endorsements from their DSO. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in losing F-1 status, facing deportation, and encountering difficulties in obtaining future study or work permits.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US with F-1 status can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. Off-campus work is limited to 24 hours per week and requires a work permit.
To work part-time in the US, senior international students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) and meet eligibility requirements. They may also need a work permit.
Senior international students in the US are required to enrol full-time to maintain their F-1 status. However, they can apply for permission to enrol part-time or take a break term from the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS).
To enrol part-time, senior international students must submit a request to the ISSS with approval from their academic advisor and a faculty member (if needed). They must also ensure they meet the minimum credit hour requirements for part-time enrolment.
