International Students: Full-Time Summer Work Opportunities

International students often take up part-time or full-time jobs to earn some disposable income, gain work experience, and build a portfolio of skills. The rules regarding their employment, however, vary from country to country. In the US, international students with an F-1 visa enrolled full-time in a program can work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week during the academic term and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. They can also work off-campus in specific circumstances, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). In Canada, international students can work off-campus up to 24 hours a week without a work permit, provided they are enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution. In the UK, international students on a Student Visa can work a certain number of hours depending on their type of study. They are, however, restricted from being self-employed, engaging in business activity, or working as a professional sportsperson.

International students in the US on a visa

International students in the US on an F1 visa may be eligible to work part-time during the school year and full time during the summer and other official school breaks using Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is a student visa work benefit that must be authorized in advance by the Office of International Education. The summer employment must be law-related and may be paid or unpaid. The employer does not have to "sponsor" the student for a work visa.

F1 students can also work on-campus, in a role that provides services for students, such as in a bookstore or cafeteria. Students can also work full-time after completion of all coursework, if a thesis or dissertation is still required and the student is making normal progress towards their degree.

To be eligible for an F1 visa, students must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. The student's school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and they must be enrolled as a full-time student. Students must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. They must also have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire course and maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving this up.

F1 students at Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified colleges, universities, seminaries, or conservatories can participate in summer practical training. CPT can be authorized by a DSO but must be part of the academic program and be integral to the student's major field of study.

Working full-time in the UK

International students in the UK on a Student visa are allowed to work, but there are limitations on the number of hours and the type of work they can do. The number of hours that can be worked depends on the type of study being pursued. For example, a student on a full-time course at the degree level or above is entitled to work more hours during term-time than a student on a full-time course below the degree level.

During term-time, international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. This includes paid and unpaid work, and the total hours worked should not exceed the limit, even if working for multiple employers.

Outside of term-time, which includes the time before and after a course, as well as holiday dates specified by the university, international students can work full-time. This also includes the four months after the course has officially finished, or until the Student visa expires, whichever is sooner.

However, there are restrictions on the type of work that can be undertaken. International students cannot be self-employed, engage in business activity, work as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach), or take on a permanent full-time vacancy.

It is important to note that different universities and educational bodies may have additional restrictions on working conditions, and it is the student's responsibility to be aware of the regulations that dictate the conditions of work applicable to their educational institution.

Working full-time in the US

International students in the US on an F-1 visa can work and study at the same time, provided they meet strict eligibility requirements. Students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks when classes are not in session.

To work off-campus, students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization. Students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after being enrolled for at least nine months and having active F-1 student status for at least a year. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after graduation. Students can also apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is an off-campus employment option for F-1 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 the student's field of study. Students can only work part-time on CPT while in school, and working full-time for 12 months or more on CPT makes students ineligible for OPT.

Students can work full-time during the summer and other breaks as long as they will return to school after the break. Students can also work full-time after completing all coursework if a thesis or dissertation is still required and the student is making normal progress toward their degree. After completing a degree, OPT work must be full-time and completed within 14 months.

International students in the US must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to get a job, and their passport, F-1 visa, and I-94 number. Students must also have a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," which is signed and issued within the last 30 days. Additionally, students must have a letter from their International Student Services Office confirming their eligibility to work.

Working off-campus in Canada

International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in the last semester of your study program, where you don't need a full course load to complete your program. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions and may result in losing your student status and future permit approvals.

To work off-campus in Canada, international students must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in their study permit. If the condition to work off-campus is not included in the study permit, students can request an amendment by applying to change the conditions. This process involves a fee and requires submitting a letter explaining the reasons for the requested change.

Students with a study permit for prerequisite courses, such as ESL or FSL, who are later accepted into a full-time study program, can apply to have the condition of not being allowed to work off-campus removed from their permit. They must apply for a new study permit from within Canada and include the relevant documentation.

International students in Canada can work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as winter and summer holidays, without affecting their ability to work unlimited hours. However, to work full-time during these breaks, students must be enrolled as full-time students both before and after the break.

Additionally, students in their final semester who are studying part-time to complete their required coursework can still work an unlimited number of hours on-campus. "On-campus" work includes any buildings on the school campus, as well as associated libraries, hospitals, or research facilities.

It is important to note that the rules and regulations regarding off-campus work for international students in Canada may change over time. Students should refer to the most up-to-date information provided by official government sources when planning their employment options.

Working on-campus in the US

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are generally allowed to work on-campus, and this is the category of employment most freely permitted by USCIS regulations. However, on-campus employment opportunities are limited at most schools, and even if you can obtain a job on campus, you may not rely on it to prove financial resources for the year. Many schools require that you 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.

F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time during breaks when school is not in session or during the annual vacation. However, on-campus employment must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). The work must take place either at your school or at an educationally affiliated location, and it must directly provide services for students. Employment located on campus that does not directly involve services to students (such as construction work) does not qualify as on-campus employment.

Curricular Practical Training (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 include "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". To qualify, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. 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). The CPT employment must be an integral part of your degree program or a requirement for a course for which you receive academic credit. Once you receive CPT authorization, you can only work for the specific employer and for the specific dates authorized. Your CPT authorization will also specify whether you are approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week) CPT employment. While in school, you can only be approved for part-time CPT.

F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but after the first academic year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Severe Economic Hardship Employment: This benefit is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and have proven a severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control, and that on-campus employment opportunities are not available or are insufficient.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT): F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief.

Frequently asked questions