Douglas Olsen
International students in high school in the USA with an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus and in specified training programs. Students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. On-campus jobs are student-oriented, such as working in the library, cafeteria, or student center. Students can gain employment off-campus after completing their first academic year through programs such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to work temporarily for up to 12 months. To work off-campus, students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) |
| Student status | Enrolled full-time in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate |
| School accreditation | Accredited by the US government to accept international students |
| Employment type | On-campus and off-campus |
| On-campus employment hours | Up to 20 hours per week when school is in session, up to 40 hours per week when school is not in session |
| Off-campus employment authorization | Requires prior authorization from Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS; limited to severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances |
| Social Security Number | Required for both on-campus and off-campus employment |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Permitted for up to 12 months full-time; requires prior authorization from USCIS and the school's International Student Office |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | Paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the field of study; requires approval from DSO |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US on an F1 visa are allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during holidays. This is the most freely available category of employment for international students, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus job opportunities are limited at most schools, and students may need to obtain permission from their International Student Office before starting work.
F-1 students may work at any qualifying on-campus job that does not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). They should report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security number.
International students can also work as tutors or teaching assistants, helping fellow students with their course content, reading, or assignments.
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Off-campus employment
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after the completion of their degree. However, off-campus employment for F-1 students is generally only authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises. F-1 students must not plan to work off-campus and must show an ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the US.
There are four categories of off-campus employment for international students:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is available for up to 12 months full-time in total. Part-time OPT reduces the available full-time OPT by half. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months and receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and does not need to be related to the student's area of study.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT Extension: F-1 students may be eligible to work off-campus in certain STEM fields after completing their initial OPT.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT allows international students to gain work experience and help cover the costs of their education. Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are not eligible for OPT.
- Internships with International Organizations: Students offered an internship with a public international organization in the US that falls within the International Organization Immunities Act may be eligible for an employment benefit.
To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution
- Be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency
- Have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study
- Maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving up
- Obtain prior authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS
- Ensure that the employment is related to their area of study
The off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students ends 1 year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first. Students must apply for continued employment authorization at least 6 months before the authorization expires.
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F-1 visa regulations
International students in the US with an F-1 visa are allowed to enter the country as full-time students at an accredited college, university, academic high school, or other academic institution. To obtain an F-1 visa, students must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. The school must be authorised by the US government to accept foreign students and be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
F-1 visa holders are allowed to work in the US, but there are several regulations that must be followed. On-campus employment is the most freely available option and does not require prior approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, on-campus employment opportunities are limited, and students may be required to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting any on-campus employment.
There are four categories of off-campus employment for F-1 visa holders: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), Severe Economic Hardship, and emergent circumstances. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the USCIS. F-1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, students may engage in off-campus employment, but it is generally limited to three types: STEM OPT, off-campus online work, and off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship.
To be eligible for CPT, students must have been enrolled for at least nine months and must have maintained lawful F-1 status. CPT allows for full-time employment during the summer and other breaks, as long as the student returns to school after the break. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time and can be done during or after the completion of a degree. Students can apply for OPT without a job offer, but they must receive an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) from the USCIS before starting employment.
In cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or international financial crises, F-1 students may be authorised for off-campus employment by the USCIS and DHS. However, this is only permitted after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year.
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Social Security numbers
International students in high school will typically have an F-1 visa, which allows them to enter the US as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution. F-1 visa holders are permitted to work in certain circumstances, but their options are limited. During their first academic year, F-1 visa holders can only work on-campus, and this work must be related to their area of study. After the first year, they can undertake Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is training that is a required part of their school's curriculum and relates to their major. CPT can include internships, co-ops, or practicums, and can be full-time. F-1 visa holders can also undertake Optional Practical Training (OPT).
In terms of Social Security Numbers (SSN), these are 9-digit identifiers issued by the US Social Security Administration (SSA). They are granted based on an individual's eligibility to work in the US, but possessing an SSN does not confer work authorization. International students need an SSN to report income and pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) while employed in the US. They are also useful for setting up phone, utility, or bank accounts. F-1 students must provide evidence of lawful employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for CPT or OPT. They must also meet SSA eligibility requirements, including valid immigration documents, such as a valid passport, I-20 or DS-2019, and an I-94 card or electronic I-94 notated "F-1 D/S" or "J-1 D/S".
To apply for an SSN, students should visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber and then present their original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status, as well as any relevant letters from their DSO and employer, within 45 days. It typically takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN, so students should apply well in advance of their intended start date. If an international student's SSN card is lost or stolen, they can replace it for free, but they are limited to three replacement cards per year and ten during their lifetime.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completing their degree. However, this permission is based on maintaining lawful F1 status, and the student must remain enrolled full-time at an accredited academic institution.
> "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."
CPT is only available prior to the completion of a degree program, and students must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program, and students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT. CPT can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time, and students must be enrolled full-time even when CPT is authorised.
Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are not eligible for OPT. CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States. Students must apply for work authorization by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee. CPT certification courses are available, and students must meet with their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans in detail.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in high school with an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus and in specified training programs. Students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year.
On-campus employment is work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Off-campus employment is work that takes place outside of a school campus.
Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university bookstore, cafeteria, or student center.
The first step is to talk with your designated school official (DSO) to confirm your eligibility to work. If approved, your DSO will provide you with a letter of approval, which you will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
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. CPT employment can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to your field of study.
